Overview

The StarFighter AGP graphics board is part of the StarFighter family of graphics accelerators from Real 3D. Powered by the Intel740 graphics chip, which Real 3D co-developed with Intel, the StarFighter AGP brings leading graphics performance and unmatched image quality to the mainstream PC desktop. The StarFighter AGP, an integrated 2D/3D/video board, is ideal for computer games, business applications, and high-end 3D professional applications. Drawing on its experience developing the world’s most advanced 3D graphics for military simulators and Sega arcade games, Real 3D has engineered a graphics board that delivers an unrivaled combination of performance and image quality. The StarFighter brings a new level of visual computing to the desktop PC platform.

The StarFighter AGP delivers on the promise of "AGP done right." Real 3D worked closely with Intel to design the AGP (accelerated graphics port) specification and the StarFighter AGP takes full advantage of all the benefits delivered by a complete and comprehensive AGP2x implementation. The StarFighter’s full suite of AGP features includes sideband addressing and direct memory execution, meaning textures are pulled right from system memory and not copied into local on-board memory. The result is computer games can now deliver high-resolution textures for sharper visuals and more realistic visual effects while business and high-end applications such as computer-aided design and animation no longer require expensive, proprietary graphics systems.

Supported Graphics APIs

• Direct3D
  
• OpenGL

System Requirements

• Pentium II or equivalent processor
  
• One AGP slot (1X or 2X)
  
• 32MB RAM

Supported Display Modes

Warranty

• Three years (parts and labor)

Installation
I installed the Real3d AGP Starfighter in my brand spanking new computer with an Intel p2-266, an Abit LX6 Mb, and 128 Mb of sdram. One caution here you must have OSR2.1 installed before you install this video card. Once I had all the patches necessary to upgrade  my OSR2.0 I was off to the races and installation went smooth as silk.

Review

I was always somewhat skeptical that a 2d/3d board could meet or even come close to the performance of a voodoo2 or for that matter a voodoo card even when running a direct3d application. This skeptic has been converted. While this board is not a voodoo(2) killer, NOR was it meant to be, let me be very clear on that, the performance of this card in Win95 and in direct 3d applications is remarkable.

Gameplay

Forsaken ran at a smooth 60fps at 640 x 480 and 51 fps at 800x 600. Now that's performance. You have got to see the color detail to believe it. If anyone wants some screen captures of this board let me know and I would be pleased to email them to you.

If you are a fan of Turok ( I know it is old but it is one of the best out there to test for color depth and clarity ) you must get this board the game is absolutely fantastic with this video card.

Did I mention opengl support...yes this board delivers opengl with very respectable frame rates  up to 1024x768. Although the frame rate will suffer when you push this software driven board ( versus a hardware board like voodoo or voodoo2). The frame rates are very acceptable at 800x600 on my p2-266.

Controls

The control panel gets a 10+ in my books for ease of use and for all the features that it offers. The "Cockpit" which you use to install all of the software and learn what this card can do is amazingly useful and straight forward when compared to other control panels that I have used in the past for video cards. Some other companies should take a lesson from Real3d here. You can tweak this board to your own personal preferences with respect to color,brightness andcontrast.

Summary

Although I had some misgivings/doubts about the benefits of  running a 2d/3d card in my system when I was already running a voodoo2 card I understand that  not all of us can afford a voodoo2.(Nor do some of us need/want one either )

For those of you who are looking for a solid 2d/3d card at a reasonable cost to provide you with a single slot solution to your gaming needs  this is the board for you. The included software bundle is acceptable (demos only included ), the control panel is outstanding and the card delivers IMHO the best color depth that I have seen on a  non-voodoo board.

This card I  would recommend to anyone who is in the need for an upgrade or for your new computer. You will not be disappointed in your choice here. My personal congrats to the development team at Real3d for a job "very" well done. It has been very well thought out from the hardware, to the software drivers, as well as the end users concerns with respect to the ability to tweak the card settings to our own personal preferences.

Score     90%

Review by: Mark Hetherington
Date: July 21, 1998

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