Wildcat Realizm 800: 3Dlabs MultiGPU First Look
by Derek Wilson on March 25, 2005 10:00 AM EST- Posted in
- GPUs
Introduction
The recent re-introduction of multiple GPU configurations into the mainstream has given us quite a bit to talk about over the past few months. Recently, the Quadro SLI from NVIDIA was paper launched. While we wait for the drivers to trickle out of NVIDIA so that we can begin testing, we have another interesting multiGPU solution to consider: the 3Dlabs Wildcat Realizm 800.We've already taken a look at the Wildcat Realizm 200, which forms the basis for the 800. In our investigation of the Realizm 800, we will see more extensive testing of the part when we can get a hold of NVIDIA's SLI drivers, since that will be a relevant comparison. We would also like to compare this card against the top of the line Quadro 4400 and FireGL V7100, which we don't have in our labs yet. As the Realizm 800 is very much an extension of the 200, and because we don't have the very interesting comparisons available yet, we will treat this article as a brief introduction to the card.
3Dlabs parts have their advantages and disadvantages. Whether the Realizm 800 fits your needs or not, Creative has certainly helped to keep the battle for the 3D workstation space interesting. To get us started, here's a quick table showing the differences between some of the cards that we've tested and the Wildcat Realizm 800.
| AGP Workstation Graphics Contenders | ||||
| 3Dlabs Wildcat Realizm 200 | 3Dlabs Wildcat Realizm 800 | ATI FireGL X3-256 | NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000 | |
| Street Price | ~$850 | ~$2000 | ~$800 | ~$1500 |
| Memory Size/Type | 512MB GDDR3 | 640MB GDDR3 | 256MB GDDR3 | 256MB GDDR3 |
| Memory Bus | 256bit | 512bit | 256bit | 256bit |
| Memory Clock | 500MHz | 500MHz | 450MHz | 500MHz |
| Core Clock | ? | ? | 490MHz | 375MHz |
| Vertex Pipes | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Vertex Processing | 36-bit | 36-bit | 32-bit | 32-bit |
| Pixel Pipes | 12 | 24 | 12 | 16 |
| Pixel Processing | 32-bit / 16-bit storage | 32-bit / 16-bit storage | 24-bit | 32-bit / 16-bit selectable |
| Shader Model Support | VS 2.0 / PS 3.0 | VS 2.0 / PS 3.0 | SM 2.0 | SM 3.0 |
| 2x Dual-Link DVI | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Stereo 3D | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Genlock/Framelock | Multiview Upgrade | Multiview Upgrade | No | SDI version |
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Quiksel - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
pics???I want to see said full-length card. Pictures of nice hardware are truly beautiful things, and yet you keep them to yourselves!
Mean, mean, Derek! ;)
How about at least a pic or two.
~quiksel ^_^
Spacecomber - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
#3: Yeah, I think the price on the FX 4000 was suppose to read $1500.Space
PrinceXizor - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
A nice "quick" review. But, can someone please step out of the mold and do a really thorough workstation class video benchmarking.I know the readership for a mainstream video card review is much higher than for a workstation review, but, I'd like a meaty review to cleanse the pallate of all those cookie-cutter worthless reviews in CAD trade magazines. All they run is spec too, so what.
Multi-monitor support;
Multi-monitor functionality;
Benches using multiple monitors;
Custom benchmarks
---time to open an AT developed large assembly in various different CAD programs
---time to render custom scenes
---view rotation benchmarks
All of these at the various resolutions and bit depths with functions such as AA utilized.
I guess I'm hoping for a mainstream video card style review on a workstation card. I can get spec scores anywhere. While I appreciate the review, I'd just like to see more time invested by AT.
Just my thoughts.
P-X
jeffrey - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
What in the hell?Not even a picture of the card..... sad.
brownba - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
"NVIDIA Quadro FX 4000Street Price ~$15500"
15500? i'm assuming that's a misprint?
compudog - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
"Workstation"compudog - Friday, March 25, 2005 - link
Nice job Derek. Looks like a good part for the Worstation market.