For over a year, hardware enthusiast Daniel Simionescu, known in the community as sdz, has been diligently working on an ambitious project: porting the iconic Voodoo graphics from 3dfx, a company that has long since ceased operations, to the mobile platform. The culmination of this effort has resulted in several innovative designs, one of which features a Voodoo4 GPU integrated into a Dell Precision M4800 laptop through a custom-designed MXM (Mobile PCI Express Module) card.
Testing the Waters
YouTuber Omores recently acquired this unique setup and decided to test its capabilities using the nostalgic operating systems of Windows 98 and XP. The journey was not without its challenges; compatibility issues arose during the initial attempts to get the GPU operational. However, after some perseverance, the GPU was partially functional, showcasing the potential of this retro technology in a modern context.
The Voodoo brand, once a titan in the late 90s gaming scene, is fondly remembered for introducing affordable and widely accessible 3D acceleration to the mainstream market. As the tech world observes the 25th anniversary of Nvidia’s acquisition of 3dfx, the legacy of Voodoo accelerators remains steeped in nostalgia. At the Vogons forums, sdz has crafted a printed circuit board (PCB) featuring the Voodoo4 GPU, specifically utilizing the VSA-100 core paired with 64MB of SDR memory, reminiscent of the never-released Voodoo4 4800.
During the testing phase, Omores explored various VBE drivers, including VBESVGA, VB9X, and Scitech Display Doctor, each presenting its own unique set of limitations and quirks. Interestingly, Windows XP demonstrated a slightly better compatibility, allowing the YouTuber to successfully launch the 3DMark 2001 benchmark and the classic racing game Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed without significant issues. However, running games that utilize 3dfx’s proprietary Glide API may necessitate the use of wrappers, as there is currently no definitive list of supported titles. The community is expected to compile such a list in the near future.
While sdz has no plans to commercialize this innovative design, he is committed to making it open-source, inviting collaboration and further exploration from fellow enthusiasts and developers.
