Hey all. I just acquired one of these lovely beasts as well! After some time of bidding on them, one going for over $400, I got one for $38 Auction was for an 8132, but I received an 8164, so SHH! However that was all my extra spending cash I had and the PSU that went just a few days ago was $45. I suspect that it had a much higher bid on it than that though, so I wouldn't have even had close to enough since LogicalMadness' (Ben) has one up and it's going for $199 starting :\

So basically I'm in the same boat as everyone here, except Gary You bassturd!

So here's my thoughts: Could Gary provide the amps under load with 16xAA. The gauge(diameter) of the power wires leading to the power-board from the PSU and maybe if they get hot like m14?

As for drivers: I'm also in need of some since Q3D's site is not allowing us access due to a server move (it seems). And on that note, since we have the 3Dfx source code now (I have it if anyone wants it, it's like 50mb compressed), could we some how modify the Q3D drivers to work in XP, or maybe even make some new drivers based on 6K's? Or at the very least somehow improve on Q3D's 2K drivers for better quality or speed?

Then also my board has the "Sensor Post Processor" (SPP from here out) card which has dual DVI ports on it, basically from my reading it's almost a Physics card, but it adds 'realism' to the military apps. Such as the grainy video while using night vision. Is that ALL it does, or does it also act as a 2D card? It has a G/VPU with 4 chips of SGR (or whatever some V3s came with). Yet that might solely be for the post processing. Even if it does still need a 2D card, would I need to hook up my monitor to the 8164 card? The SPP connects to the 8164 via Q3D's usual board-to-board connectors (interconnects?), so I'm thinking maybe I just need to run that card to my monitor. Sadly that'll only mean I need a bigger PSU, but in the long run I can hook it up to a really nice LCD monitor

So, to sum all this up: Can Gary give us max-load amps being drawn, wire gauge? Possible to modify 3Dfx source to work with these cards for XP, or improve things? Anyone have a link for drivers for me? Can my SPP card double as a 2D card?

And on a final note, while it's 4 years old, this guy got things started with a 550W, but essentially is in the same boat as us.

http://www.3dfxzone.it/enboard/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=738

So why aren't we able to select 16xAA when a Q3D graph showed these cards fillrate under 16x? EDIT: Hard to read what it says after "16", hell it's all hard to read, but here's that graph. http://www.hardwareportal.ru/Technologies/Heavymetal/Diagram1.gif

Is the driver file bid_08CD-Release_4.6? I managed to get it from Q3D's site (more digging than I figured). They have a live link still @ http://www.quantum3d.com/old/support/aalchemy/bid_08CD-Release_4.6.zip This one driver site (which I'm sure is sorely wrong) says these are XP compatible... Being a 04 release, I don't find that to be too far fetched but.. anyone tried?

Was your wattage pulled from a FULL system load, or just the cards draw? What's the easiest way to "down volt" a 3.3v line to 2.7/2.9? (which ever my card needs, it's in it's anti-static bag and I don't feel like pulling it out) EDIT: 217.5 watts is 75A @ 2.9v. 202.5 watts is 75A @ 2.7v. Problem now is how do I find out the max Amps a PSU can handle? 3.3v rails only support around 28A (on a PSU I looked up quick on NewEgg). So is that 75A rail so high to run both the whole system AND the card? Or a PSU they made for the 82xx rigs as well as 81xx, and we don't really need all that? And you mentioned 290w @ 120v. So are we not supposed to factor the 2.7/2.9 into the math, but 120v from the wall?

I suppose Hank wouldn't be willing to part with old Q3D VSA driver source either lol

And no idea about this Sensor Post Processor card, eh Gary?

>So why aren't we able to select 16xAA when a Q3D graph showed these cards fillrate under 16x?

I'm just reporting what is being shown in the driver panel, don't shoot the messenger.

> Is the driver file bid_08CD-Release_4.6?

I'd have to recover my hard drive before I can answer that question.

> Was your wattage pulled from a FULL system load, or just the cards draw?

Full system- You just need to calculate based on the difference under load/no load. It will be close enough I suspect.

Calculate 100 watts @120 volts and you should be safe.

> I suppose Hank wouldn't be willing to part with old Q3D VSA driver source either lol

Everyone at Q3D is skittish after the Chinese guy got tossed in jail for peddling nvsensor software and other Q3d data to places in Asia.

Don't bet on anyone there helping on that.

> And no idea about this Sensor Post Processor card, eh Gary?

I don't have any further data at the moment.

MaxPain wrote on 25.08.08 at 14:13:18:



Medusa?? on a AAlchemy??? You must be thinking of a Q3D Mercury System.

I tryed some schematics - take a look here.

http://www.voodoo3dfx.com/Foro_V6k/viewtopic.php?t=105

Well, the 2.9V points are connected together throught the Power board.
So that it's enought to supply one point !

The reason why i thake the 5 V Line and convert to 2.9V is becouse of the high ampere output that are available there. ( on 5V line i get 44 AMp, on 3.3V i get 38 A ).  

I think that the problem is the used resistor, witch is not able to handle enought amps. There is no size marked on the resistor i used.

Why don't we take a look inside of a original AAlchemy PSU, in order to see what components we need ? 

P.S. I supply also the second 2.9V point, and nothing change.

There must exist also a 2.7V or 2.9V voltage regulator, witch will make the whole schematichs easyer. ( like for example LM7805 for 5 V )

@ Gary: would it be possible to makes some Fotos of the AA5 PSU interior ?

That would be great !

What value should must have the Resistor / Potentiometer ?