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ROOTVG > Hardware > RS/6000 (Power III and earlier) > video card compatibility question

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	Author	Topic: video card compatibility question (Read 1071 times)
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ibraud

New Member

Posts: 4

thanks

« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2008, 05:52:28 AM »

thanks for your help.
I managed to convince someone on ebay to sell me a gxt3000p for $30 w/shipping.

Step3:
ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/aix/freeSoftware/games/Quake2/README.html (http://ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/aix/freeSoftware/games/Quake2/README.html)


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Michael

Administrator
Hero Member

Posts: 530

Re: video card compatibility question

« Reply #2 on: March 16, 2008, 02:22:40 PM »

As John mentioned, it has a lot to do with what has been tested previously.

I had a very old graphics adapter (now removed) in my p615 - which worked fine as long as I booted in 32-bit mode. Once I switched to 64-bit AIX still saw the card, but could not use it.

I did some searching, as I knew there had to be documents on all of this. Links are below.

re: GTX4000/GTX6000:
The POWER GXT4000P and POWER GXT6000P graphics adapters are single card adapters that attach to your system unit in a PCI bus slot. The PCI bus interface provides 64 bit, 66MHz (50MHz systems) and bus master support and requires 3.3 volt power. These adapters provide 3D graphics acceleration. Connection to the video monitor is made through a DVI (Digital Video Interface) connector.

re: GTX3000
The POWER GXT3000P 3D graphics adapter is a mid-range double-wide single card adapter that attaches to your system unit in a PCI bus 64- or 32-bit slot. This adapter provides 3D graphics acceleration.

And then finally your model PCI information:
PCI Slot 5 (32-bit) PCI Slot 4 (32-bit) PCI Slot 3 (32-bit) PCI Slot 2 (64-bit) PCI Slot 1 (64-bit)

It looks as if the 4000/6000 cards might be useable as you have 64-bit slots. What I have not been able to determine is if the power from the 64-bit slots is correct. I leave that to you.

The relevant links for you are:

RS/6000 7043 Model 260 Hardware Information (http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/systems/scope/hw/topic/iphc5/rs6000_7043_260.htm?tocNode=int_124844)
RS/6000 7043 Model 260 Service Guide (http://publib16.boulder.ibm.com/pseries/en_US/infocenter/base/hardware_docs/pdf/380554.pdf)
RS/6000 PCI Adapter Reference (http://publibfp.boulder.ibm.com/epubs/pdf/38053824.pdf)
POWER GXT3000P Graphics Adapter (http://publib16.boulder.ibm.com/pseries/en_US/infocenter/base/hardware_docs/pdf/a4a78mst.pdf)
POWER GXT4000P and POWER GXT6000P Graphics Adapter (http://publib16.boulder.ibm.com/pseries/en_US/infocenter/base/hardware_docs/pdf/231236.pdf)


« Last Edit: March 16, 2008, 02:30:00 PM by Michael »	Logged

John R Peck

Administrator
Senior Member

Posts: 53

Re: video card compatibility question

« Reply #1 on: March 16, 2008, 02:27:42 AM »

IBM lists "supported" cards as those that they have tested, and which were released and available at the time of the machine testing. So newer or very old cards might not be "supported", yet still might well work - obviously no guarantees.

Issues to consider include:

space for the card in the server, size of the card and any bulging bits on it for clearances

bus speed and voltage requirements


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ibraud

New Member

Posts: 4

video card compatibility question

« on: March 14, 2008, 02:50:22 AM »

I have a 7043-260 with a GXT130P video card that I'd like to replace with something a little better. GXT3000P's are around $40-50 on ebay and I know they'll work, but I'd prefer to get something in the GXT4000P to GXT6500P range if it'll work. The system requirements stipulate a model 270 or better, but don't seem to indicate why.

Any thoughts?