Hi folks,

A Voodoo newbie question, this.

I'm trying to get together two Voodoo2s to use in SLI mode.

All the official manual stuff I've read say that to run in SLI mode both cards need to be not only identical specs, but also from the same manufacturer.

Obviously, this makes hunting down a second card a whole lot harder!

Given that I can see why manufacturers would *say* this, I thought I should check with the experts.

Do both cards *really* need to be made buy the same company? Or only the same specs?

By the way, the card I have right now is a Diamond Monster 3DII.

Thanks!

OMG SLI FEVER1!!!1ELEVEN!!!

Anyways, iirc, you need the same configureation, i.e. two 12mb boards or 2 8mb boards, etc.

With the Mismatched Rig Drivers, alot of people managed to SLI different manufacturer's Voodoo2 Boards, so that should work as well.

But to be on the safe side, I'd always try to have 2 identical Cards. (it'll be very easy to find a 2nd Diamond card, since those sold in large numbers)

Dunno if it would interest you but i have a Diamond Monster 3D PCI with 12 mbytes of video ram.  ;)
It's in PERFECT condition and looks like new.

In the back of the card it says (along with bar codes):
P/N 23150109-401
S/N 5253700019823

MONSTER 3D II 12MB PCI   Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc

that means Product Number and Serial Number?.. I guess, but really dunno

I don't have a digital camera here, or a webcam to make a picture, sorry

I got an Image of it already :

http://www.falconfly.de/identify-3dfx.htm ( 23150109-401 )
http://www.falconfly.de/identify/Diamond_Monster_3D_II.jpg

Yep  ;D that is the same as mine

Thanks for all the prompt replies, folks. What a helpful forum!

So I'm taking it that I *do* reaklly need to get two cards from the same manufacturer. I knew they had to be identical specs: just wasn't sure about the makers.

Just to clarify, I've got hold of one Diamond 3DII 12mb, exactly as per the photo. And also the SLI cable.

But I need a second card with the pass-through cable.

Grunw: if you have the pass-through cable as well as the card, I would certainly be interested in buying yours. But it would have to be posted to Australia.

Drop me a line at:

<<<burchell<<at>>austarnet<<dot>>com<<dot>>au>>>

if you're interested.

Thanks again.

PS I said I need the pass-through cable, too.

Or is there a way to improvise one? A 15-pin monitor extension cable, for instance?

Sorry for all the questions. Feeling my way here...

(my english is kinda sucky... so we need to clarify)

If the "pass-through" cable is the cable that connects the non-3d video card with the voodoo2, (like a vga monitor connection cable, with male connection on one end, and female on the other) and not the cable that connects the 2 SLI voodoos inside the case, then yes, i have it. (the first one)

I try again, i do have the cable that goes OUTSIDE the computer case to connect a voodoo2 with a normal graphics card. And I DO NOT HAVE the cable that connects the 2 voodoos inside the computer case, which if i understand well what you say, you already have anyway.

(Sending email to you...) tomorrow, im going to sleep right now

Hi Grunw,

Your English is fine.

Yes, the outside cable (the 15-pin VGA cable) is the one I need.

So let's exchange emails!

Thanks.

3dfx Archive - bringing people together!  ;D

@CatsEyes - yes, it's quite easy to build a passthrough cable for Voodoo cards! :D

I built one myself from scratch (worked out the connections myself too!) ;D

Don't remember where I put the diagram though? ???

my email is:

<<sgrunw[a]wanadoo[DOT]es>>

wrote on 01.07.04 at 00:01:36:

@CatsEyes - yes, it's quite easy to build a passthrough cable for Voodoo cards! :D I built one myself from scratch (worked out the connections myself too!) ;D Don't remember where I put the diagram though? ???

Go on, tell me more!

I tried a 2 metre monitor extension cable, just to see. It works, but the picture is lousy....

Grunw: you have email!

@CatsEyes - if you've already built a WORKING cable, it will need to be a LOT shorter! ;)

A normal pass through cable that comes with a Voodoo card is usually 'just' long enough to stretch between two PCI slots. :o

Usually about 15cm long from plug to plug... :D

If the cable is too long, the interference it picks up will be too much and (as you said) the picture will be lousy! ::)

I don't think I've got the diagram anymore, but I still have the cable I made - so I can take a look at it if you'd like... ;D

Yes, if you have any advice I'd be grateful. What I have in front of me is a standard 2-metre 15-pin VGA extension cable. I don't want to cut the damn thing open until I have some idea what I'm doing!

This should help :

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/edwardbamford/V2/index.htm

@CatsEyes

Email received.
The pass-through cable i got is 24 cms in length. Is the one that came with the diamond v2 card. It works without any problem.

That's the one I'm after, grunw. Thanks. Let's talk further by email.

Thanks, FalconFly. A very useful page.

I suspect the monitor cable I purchased is simply poor quality. I might exchange it for a better one bfore playing around with it.