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S3 DeltaChrome S4 Graphics Chip Reviewed

Posted by simoniker on from the third-wheel? dept.

EconolineCrush writes "The Tech Report has a preview of S3's budget DeltaChrome S4 graphics chip for PC graphics cards. While not the fastest option for games, the S4 looks like a credible alternative to ATI and NVIDIA's dominance of the graphics market - there are some handy analysis graphs comparing performance in Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Unreal Tournament 2004 and Far Cry. Better still, the S4 has component HDTV output built right into the chip, making it an intriguing option for home theater systems."

6 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. Listen up S3 (and all the others) by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While not the fastest option for games, the S4 looks like a credible alternative to ATI and NVIDIA's dominance of the graphics market

    As far as I'm concerned, as a Linux user, I will dump my nVidia card and buy you a cartload of S3 cards the day you contribute a full-featured GPL driver to the Linux kernel, and GL stuff for X released under the GPL as well.

    I wish those graphics card companies realized there isn't much to lose in opening up a driver's code (no, it won't release trade secrets if the hardware interface is generic) and everything to gain by grabbing the emerging hi-perf graphics card market for Linux.

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
    1. Re:Listen up S3 (and all the others) by MoOsEb0y · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I concur with this statement. Closed-source drivers are a PITA to deal with. I'd happily dump my ATI card and get an S3.. even if it was somewhat inferior in terms of performance, just so that I could not have to deal with installing yet another program every time I recompile my kernel. Plus being open source and all, a lot of performance could probably be gotten through various optimizations over time.

    2. Re:Listen up S3 (and all the others) by Mike+Hawk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Sounds more like Open Source is a PITA to deal with. When I need to update my closed-source drivers for my closed-source operating system to play my closed-source game, all I do is double-click, reboot and I'm off. And it being inferior in terms of performance is not a sacrifice I have to make. Instead of blaming the player, maybe you should blame the game.

  2. Re:Not cutting edge for gamers by MC+Negro · · Score: 5, Informative

    What will S3's support be like for Linux?
    Going by the current offerings from the website, I'm not going to hold my breath. My experience with the Savage cards have not been that great. Drivers were delayed and needed patching, but that's no reason to condemn the entire manufacturer.
    --
    "You and your third dimension."
  3. I've said it before... by labratuk · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...and I'll say it again.

    XGI, S3/Via and anyone else who wants to get into the 3d card market, write full featured DRI drivers for linux and GPL them. They will become the geek's choice standard in no time. Especially with all of this xorg/dri/composite/glitz/cairo stuff coming along.

    --
    Malike Bamiyi wanted my assistance.
  4. Listening... by marmite · · Score: 5, Informative

    Actually, VIA (who own S3) were very nice to me. I told them that I wanted to write an X driver for their graphics chip (the CLE266 northbridge with integrated graphics). They sent me an NDA and then the register documentation.

    And they did actually already write their own driver which was released as opensource (although I'm not sure of the license) for XFree86 including all of the "GL stuff".

    IMHO S3/VIA are very appreciative of opensource work and are very supportive of opensource developers.

    --
    I do not represent myself.