DFI AGP-7400 User Manual

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AGP-7400

Rev. A+

Graphics Card

Users Manual

35600813

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This publication contains information that is protected by copyright. No

part of it may be reproduced in any form or by any means or used to

make any transformation/adaptation without the prior written permission

from the copyright holders.

This publication is provided for informational purposes only. The

manufacturer makes no representations or warranties with respect to

the contents or use of this manual and specifically disclaims any express

or implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose.

The user will assume the entire risk of the use or the results of the use of

this document. Further, the manufacturer reserves the right to revise this

publication and make changes to its contents at any time, without obligation

to notify any person or entity of such revisions or changes.

Trademarks

Microsoft® MS-DOS®, WindowsTM and Windows® 95 are registered

trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Other trademarks and registered

trademarks of products appearing in this manual are the properties of

their respective holders.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Introduction....................................................................................................................................

Features and Specifications.............................................................................................

Package Checklist....................................................................................................................

Chapter 2 - Hardware Installation

Board Layout...............................................................................................................................

Memory.............................................................................................................................................

VMI Interface................................................................................................................................

Installing the Graphics Card...........................................................................................

Chapter 3 - Supported Softwares

Operating System Requirements...............................................................................

VGA Drivers................................................................................................................................

Appendix A - Connector Pin Assignments

Appendix B - Glossary of 3D Features

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Introduction

CHAPTER

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Introduction

The high performance 3D graphics card uses the Accelerated Graphics

Port (AGP) interface. AGP utilizes a dedicated pipeline to access system

memory for texturing, z-buffering and alpha blending.

Equipped with the Intel740 graphics chip, its HyperPipelined 3D

architecture provides the following features: Precise Pixel Interpolation

(PPI), Parallel Data Processing (PDP) and Direct Memory Execution (DME).

Precise Pixel Interpolation delivers good image quality, Parallel Data

Processing allows consistent high performance and Direct Memory

Execution delivers 528MB/sec bandwidth providing seamless access to

system memory for unlimited texture sizes and rich rendering. The graphics

chips 3D architecture enables maximum memor y bandwidth for sustained

3D performance and exceptional image quality in PCs equipped with

the Pentium II processor and AGPset.

Use the graphics card with softwares that support 3D and enjoy more

texture and higher screen resolution at higher frame rates. The graphics

card will deliver faster and better graphics to your PC.

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Features and Specifications

CHIPSET

 Intel740 graphics chip

MEMORY

 4MB or 8MB onboard

 Supports 64-bit memory interface

 Uses 256Kx32 or 512Kx32 100MHz SGRAM

GRAPHICS RESOLUTIONS

 4MB: 1600x1200, 256 colors

1600x1200, 32K/64K colors

1024x768, 16M colors

 8MB: 1600x1200, 256 colors

1600x1200, 32K/64K colors

1600x1200, 16M colors

2D GRAPHICS FEATURES

 Supports single cycled 2D BitBLT graphics engine with:

- 3 Operand Raster BitBLT

- Stretch BitBLT

- Color expansion

- Hardware overlay engine

- Hardware double buffering

- Stretch BLT

- Hardware cursor (64x64x3)

3D GRAPHICS FEATURES

 Setup engine balances the 3D pipeline

- 1.2M triangles/sec peak

- 425-500K triangles/sec full feature

- 45-55M pixels/sec full feature

- Full sideband AGP

- Parallel execution

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Introduction

 3D graphics visual enhancement

- Flat and Gouraud shading

- MIP mapping with bi-linear filtering

- Color alpha blending for transparency

- Real time texture paging and video texturing

- Fogging and atmospheric effects

- Specular lighting

- Edge anti-aliasing

- Stippling or "screen door" transparency

- Backface culling

- Z-buffering

 Texture mapping enhancement

- Per pixel perspective correct texture mapping

- Texture sizes from 1x1 to 1024x1024 pixels

- Integrated hardware palette

- Multi-texture formats

- Texture color keying

- Texture chroma keying

COMPATIBILITY

 Microsoft PC 98

 VESA Display Power Management Signaling (DPMS)

 VESA DDC2B for Plug and Play monitors

 VESA VBE 2.0 BIOS

 Intel AGP version 2.0 sideband DME mode

 VMI 1.4 compliant

BENCHMARKS

(Intel Pentium® II processor 300MHz, 1024x768, hi-color, 75Hz, 4MB)

 3D Winbench 98: over 650 megapixels/sec.

SOFTWARE DRIVERS

 Windows® 95/DirectX5

 Windows NT® 4.0

I/O SLOT

 AGP slot (AGP 2.0)

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

CONNECTOR

 1 15-pin analog VGA connector

 1 feature connector or VMI (Video Module Interface) connector

Package Checklist

 The graphics card

 The user's manual

 One set of diskette or CD

If any of these items are missing or damaged, please contact your

dealer or sales representative for assistance

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Hardware Installation

CHAPTER

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Carefully read this chapter before installing the graphics card into

your system. Installing the card incorrectly may damage your com-

puter system, monitor, and the card.

Board Layout

Intel740

BIOS

square denotes pin 1

VGA

connector

U7 U8

U10

Feature connector

Video

Module

Interface

(VMI)

SGRAM

Memory

The graphics card may come with 4MB or 8MB of SGRAM (Syn-

chronous Graphics RAM). A 4MB graphics card is installed with four

256Kx32 SGRAMs while an 8MB graphics card is installed with four

512Kx32 SGRAMs. These SGRAMs are installed at locations U7,

U8, U9 and U10 of the graphics card.

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Hardware Installation

VMI Interface

The graphics card supports a VMI (Video Module Interface) interface.

This interface is used for connecting a video module, such as a

MPEG module, to a Video Ready GUI device. The VMI interface

consists of the J5 (40-pins) and J6 (26-pins) connectors.

1. Position the VMI module by aligning the connectors on the

module to J5 and J6 of the graphics card.

2. Make sure pin 1 of the connectors on the VMI module is aligned

with pin 1 of J5 and J6 on the graphics card.

3. Press both sides of the VMI module firmly onto the graphics

card. Make sure the VMI module is seated properly.

Installing the Graphics Card

For most computer systems, you will only need a medium size

Phillips screwdriver to remove the cover and a small flat-blade

screwdriver to secure the monitor cable.

Warning:

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage your graphics card,

system board, processor, disk drives, add-in boards, and other

components. Perform the upgrade instruction procedures

described at an ESD workstation only. If such a station is not

available, you can provide some ESD protection by wearing an

antistatic wrist strap and attaching it to a metal part of the

system chassis. If a wrist strap is unavailable, establish and

maintain contact with the system chassis throughout any

procedures requiring ESD protection.

Handling the Graphics Card

It is quite easy to inadvertently damage your graphics card even

before installing it in your system unit. Electrostatic discharge can

damage computer components without causing any signs of physical

damage. You must take extra care in handling the graphics card to

ensure that no static build-up is present.

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Tips in Handling the Graphics Card

1. To prevent electrostatic build-up, leave the graphics card in its

anti-static bag until you are ready to install it.

2. Do all preparation work on a static-free surface with graphics

card components facing up.

3. Hold the graphics card by its edges only. Be careful not to touch

any of the components, contacts or connections, especially gold

contacts, on the board.

Step 1: Switch Off Your Computers Power

Make sure that your computer is switched off and unplugged before

removing the cover. Also turn off any devices (printer, display, mo-

dem, etc.) you may have attached to your computer.

Warning:

Hazardous voltages are present and exposed when operating

the computer with the cover removed. To prevent equipment

damage and personal injury, never apply power to the com-

puter when the cover is off.

Step 2: Remove Your Computers Cover

Refer to your computer system manual for specific instructions on

removing your computers system unit cover. In general, you will need

to remove several screws on the back or side of the system unit and

then slide the cover off.

Step 3: Remove the Slot Cover

Remove the screw and slot cover (that corresponds to the AGP slot)

located at the back of the system unit. Save the slot cover for future

use. You will be using the screw in step 5.

Step 4: Unpack the Graphics Card

Remove the graphics card from the shipping box and its protective

packing. Please do not throw away the packing material or the shipping

box. You may use these again to prevent damage should you need to

ship the graphics card for repairs.

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Hardware Installation

Step 5: Insert the Graphics Card

Carefully slide the graphics card into the AGP slot. When the cards

edge-connector is aligned with the slot on the system board, press

firmly on the top of the card to seat it. Make sure the graphics card

is straight and level compared to the computers system board by

viewing it from the side. Once you are satisfied with its alignment,

replace the slot covers screw on top of the cards bracket and gently

tighten the screw to stabilize the card.

Step 6: Replace the Computers Cover

When you have finished installing the graphics card, put the cover back

on your computer's system unit. Refer to your computer's system

manual for instructions if necessary.

Note:

The graphics card can only be used with an analog video display

using a 15-pin D-shell cable connector (standard VGA monitor

connection). If your monitor supports analog video but does not

have a 15-pin D-shell connector, see your monitor dealer for the

adapter or optional cable.

After you plug the monitor cable into the VGA connector of the

graphics card, gently tighten the cable screws to hold the connector in

place.

Note:

Some monitors have a switch that chooses between analog and

TTL (or digital) operation. If your monitor has such a switch, set

it for analog.

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Supported Softwares

CHAPTER

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Supported Softwares

Operating System Requirements

To use all AGP features, your system must be installed with Windows

95 OSR 2.1 or later versions, and DirectX5. If your system is installed

with Windows® 95 OSR 2.0, you may upgrade it to OSR2.1 by

following the steps in the next section.

Upgrading Windows® 95 OSR2.0 to OSR2.1

You must have OSR2.0 already installed before you can upgrade it to

OSR2.1. To determine the current version of OSR2.0 installed in your

system, please follow the steps below.

1. On the Windows® 95 desktop, select Start.

2. In Start, select Programs.

3. In Programs, select MS-DOS Prompt.

4. Change the directory to the drive where Windows® 95 is

installed and type VER. (e.g. C:\>VER)

5. The following will appear: Windows 95 [Version 4.00.1111].

6. Exit MS-DOS Prompt.

To upgrade OSR2.0 to OSR2.1 with the USB upgrade, please follow

the steps below.

1. On the Windows® 95 desktop, select Start.

2. In Start, select Run.

3. In Run, select Browse. The USB upgrade is in

OSR2\USBSUPP\USBSUPP.EXE.

4. Follow the prompts to complete installation.

5. Click OK to restart your computer.

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

After booting-up Windows® 95, follow the steps below to

determine the installed version of the operating system.

1. On the Windows® 95 desktop, select Start.

2. In Start, select Run.

3. In Run, type REGEDIT and click OK.

4. The Registry Editor dialog box will appear. In My Computer,

select the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\

MICROSOFT\WINDOWS\CurrentVersion.

5. On the right side of the dialog box, scroll down and look for

Version Number. It should be 4.03.1212 or later version.

VGA Drivers

The graphics card supports VGA drivers for different operating

systems. Please refer to the README file contained in the provided

diskette/CD for installation instructions.

All steps or procedures to install the VGA drivers are subject to

change without notice as the softwares are occassionally updated.

Please refer to the "Readme" files contained on the provided diskette/

CD for the latest information.

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Connector Pin Assignments

APPENDIX

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Connectors J5 and J6

VMI Interface

The VMI interface consists of the J5 (40-pins) and J6 (26-pins)

connectors. This interface is used for installing a VMI module. J6 alone

is a feature connector. Refer to the next page for the pin assignment

of J6.

Description

HD[0]

Ground

HD[2]

HD[4]

HD[5]

HD[7]

HA[0]

HA[2]

+5V

RESET#

Ground

WR#

READY

INTREQ#

PCMDATA

+3.3V

User Defined

KEY

AUDIOL

AUDIOR

Description

+12V

HD[1]

Ground

HD[3]

+5V

HD[6]

OSC

HA[1]

HA[3]

Ground

CS#

RD#

+3.3V

SCLK

LRCK

+5V

User Defined

INSERT#

AUDGND

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Connector Pin Assignments

Connector J3

VGA Connector

Description

Red

Green

Blue

Monitor ID bit 2

Ground

Red Return (ground)

Green Return (ground)

Blue Return (ground)

Description

+5V Vcc

Sync Return (ground)

Not Used

SDA

Horizontal Sync

Vertical Sync

SCL

Connector J6

Feature Connector

Description

DCLK

BLANK#

HSYNC

VSYNC

Ground

Description

Ground

EVIDEO#

ESYNC#

EDCLK#

N/C

Ground

N/C

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Glossary of 3D Features

CHAPTER

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Glossary of 3D Features

Alpha Blending - using the alpha component to proportionally weight

the intensity of an object in the summation of all objects within a pixel.

When done correctly, alpha blending can simulate transparency.

Antialiasing - an algorithm to remove the distracting effects of point

sampling a signal in the digital domain. This is necessary because some

of the frequencies present in the signal may be higher than half the

sampling rate. These frequency components "alias" as lower frequency

signals, and show up as "jaggies".

Bilinear Interpolation - an interpolation between four values when

fractional deltas are known in the vertical and horizontal direction.

The horizontal delta is used as the weighting factor to average the

top left and top right values to determine the top, and the bottom

left and bottom right to determine the bottom. The vertical delta is

then used as the weighting factor between the top and bottom value

to calculate the final result.

Direct Memory Execution (DME) - DME is a technique that allows

the graphics accelerator to store and execute textures in system

memory instead of local graphics memory. This provides high levels of

performance and unlimited texture sizes.

Double Buffering - refers to maintaining two separate frame bufffers

(which may physically occupy the same RAM devices). This implies

performing display refreshes from one buffer, while the rendering is

accessing the other one.

Mip Mapping - Mip comes from the Latin, multum in parvo, meaning

many things in a small place. Mip maps contain the original bitmap,

and all successively lower levels of detail. These are usually created by

filtering the original map, decreasing its size by powers of two in both

directions.

Parallel Data Processing (PDP) - PDP contributes to the

HyperPipelined 3D architecture. This is a method of parallelizing 3D

operations allowing several commands to be executed at the same

time in the graphics pipeline. This translates into consistent high-perfor-

mance regardless of the number of features enabled in a scene.

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AGP-7400 Graphics Card Users Manual

Perspective Correction - correctly adjusting the interpolation of poly-

gon attributes (primarily texture addresses) so that they appear to

obey the rules of perspective. Perspectively correct interpolation is not

linear in screen space, and requires a divide by depth in order to look

right.

Precise Pixel Interpolation (PPI) - PPI contributes to the

HyperPipelined 3D quality with Intels unique texture engine that deliv-

ers precise accuracy in interpolation operations of pixel values and

color values. This detailed pixel processing maintains a high level of

image quality in every scene.

Shading, Flat - darkening or lightening the intensity of a polygon

based on the angle between its normal and a vector pointing to a

light source. All pixels on a polygon receive the same adjustment,

resulting in a faceted appearance. The per polygon and per pixel cal-

culation load is very light.

Shading, Gouraud - darkening or lighting each pixel of a polygon

based on an interpolation between values calculated at the polygon's

vertices. A "vertex normal" is prescribed or inferred, and the intensity

at that vertex is determined by the angle between that normal and a

vector pointing to a light source. Each pixel is interpolated separately,

producing a simulation of a curved surface. Gouraud shading makes

objects appear to have a matte finish, with no specular components.

The per polygon and per pixel calculation load is moderate.

Z Buffer - a buffer memory that holds the Z (depth) information per

pixel. The Z axis is perpendicular to the X and Y axis of the screen,

and in most practical cases inverse range is uded due to the fact that

it is linear in screen space (where range is not). Compares in depth

between pixels of two polygons can be used to determine occulting

relationships, and only draw the nearer polygon for each pixel.