Questions regarding the DualHead implementation of BC:M

[Guest Steve Link]

Hi,

I'm considering building a new system, and I am keeping BC:M in mind for how I build it.

I am intrigued by the DualHead support of B:CM, but in considering this I have to balance out whether I prefer performance or utility. To answer this it would be helpful to understand just how this feature will be implemented. I have done a forum search on this issue, and unfortunately Matrox has removed whatever was linked to a thread I found on this issue awhile back.

While it would be cool to have the main "Bridge" view and TACOPS up at the same time, both of these, make use of 3D. I'm using BC3K as a reference. From my understanding of the current crop of Multi-monitor capable cards, 3D acceleration is only supported in one monitor while the 2nd must remain 2D. Would the second monitor be used for a 2D instrument panel or would it make use of a software 3D renderer?

if the second monitor is a 2D implementation, could I make use of a 2nd PCI based video card? That way I could have my cake and eat it too, and not have to worry over this performance vs utility issue

While I'm on the subject of hardware, Is B:CM able to take advantage of RAM in excess of 256MB?

Just wondering is all I can wait till May if this is NDA type stuff.

later, Steve Link

[Rattler]

Some of the things that you are asking WOULD be in violation of NDA to answer, unless the SC comes out with the info. One thing though.

BC3K utilizes 3D in Bridge View but utilizes 2D in all other views I think. Back when I was running a 2D card and an Add On 3dfx card, I'd get lockups and errors because my refresh rates were mismatched between the two cards. I make my assumption (bad work, I know) based upon these lock-ups. If I'm wrong, somebody jump in and correct me, quickly!

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Insurgent One, Rattler

ICV Necromancer, Spectre HQ (Antis)

Commander-In-Chief,

Insurgency

Official Tester, Battlecruiser Series

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ICQ 12894104

"You can only love or hate something you truly understand"

[Epsilon 5]

quote:

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...but utilizes 2D in all other views I think

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I don't see where there is 2D?

And using a 2D vid card with a 3Dfx add-onn at different refresh rates works. (the 2D running at 85hz in 640x480x256 and the 3Dfx at 60hz).

Or maybe I just had luck?

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Commander Epsilon 5

GCV - StalkerIV, Orion Starstation (CENTRIS)

Deterrence Battle Group

www.orionfleet.com

'This Far, No Farther!'