Adapters, Overview and Configuration 137
MCAD, GIS and ECAD. The GXT255P has 8-bit, 16-bit and 24-bit true color
depth and allows simultaneous display of the entire palette of approximately
16.7 million colors. The GXT255P features three hardware color maps for
multi-window graphics without technicolor effects. Its 8 MB of VRAM (6 MB
frame buffer plus 2 MB auxiliary buffer) provides outstanding high-end
graphics applications.
The GXT250P and GXT255P graphics accelerators are each packaged as a
single card that attaches to the local PCI bus slot. The GXT250P and
GXT255P provide hardware acceleration for points, lines, triangles,
rectangles, quadrilaterals and bit-block transfer, rectangular and
non-rectangular clipping, and pattern fill.
These accelerators support display resolutions of 1024x768 and 1280x1024
that are software selectable – no switches required. The POWER GXT255P
also supports a display resolution of 1600x1280. Refresh rates are 60 to 85
Hz to comply with Part 3 of the ISO ergonomic standard. When used with
compliant monitors, this standard provides improved viewing, reduced flicker,
minimized reflections, and sharper characters. The POWER GXT250P and
GXT255P automatically adjust to the highest resolution and fastest refresh
rate of the attached monitor, supporting the DDC2B VESA standard.
5.2.3 POWER GXT550P (# 2845)The POWER GXT550P graphics accelerator offers exceptional and
affordable 3D graphics for the PCI-based RS/6000 43P Model 150. Coupled
with IBM's implementation of many of the industry's most popular APIs, it is
an excellent fit for today's most demanding 3D graphic applications, such as
mechanical design and analysis, petroleum exploration and production,
molecular modeling, and scientific research.
The GXT550P further establishes IBM as a leader in providing
price/performance solutions for a wide range of demanding customer
application requirements. The GXT550P combines 3D rasterization with the
strength of the latest PowerPC microprocessors. This rasterization
technology provides customers with a cost-effective solution that delivers
excellent 3D graphics acceleration that scales with the PowerPC processor
performance of the RS/6000 workstation.
The POWER GXT550P provides hardware acceleration for the OpenGL,
PHIGS, and IBM GL 3.2 3D APIs, and additionally supports the PEX API
through software. IBM is a leader in the industry by offering native support of
OpenGL and PHIGS on the same accelerator. This adapter accelerates
advanced 3D graphics functions, such as Gouraud shading, antialiasing,