This item is from the PC 3D Graphics Accelerators FAQ, by Blair MacIntyre with numerous contributions by others. (v1.2).
The information in this section was taken from a press release provided by Dave Baldwin (dave_baldwin@3dlabs.com.)
The GLINT Delta is 3DLabs 3D Geometry Pipeline Processor. It accelerates GLINT or PERMEDIA-based Graphics Boards up to three times by off-loading up to 70% of the 3D geometry processing load into a hard-wired 100MFlop processor that delivers 1 Million polygons/second for under $50.
3DLabs claims that when used on a high-performance PC, using a Pentium Pro processor, GLINT Delta-based designs have been measured to deliver over 750K polygons per second via OpenGL. For intensive 3D graphics applications, GLINT Delta significantly improves overall system performance by freeing the CPU from demanding 3D pipeline calculations -- providing more processor time for application level processing.
The Delta is implemented as a PCI bridge with full PCI master capability. It acts as a front-end processor to GLINT or PERMEDIA and processes the setup calculations for 3D primitives such as lines and polygons. GLINT Delta's advanced design includes support for texture-mapping, anti-aliasing and 16, 24 or 32 bit Z buffering - all with high-precision, sub-pixel accuracy. GLINT Delta's processing throughput is up to 1 million texture-mapped, Z-buffered polygons per second. GLINT Delta supports full byte-swapping and is compatible with PC or Macintosh systems.
GLINT Delta provides a glueless, single-chip geometry solution for GLINT 300SX or PERMEDIA. GLINT Delta also supports multiple GLINT rendering processors -- also without glue logic -- for high-end desktop, arcade and VR applications seeking unmatched rendering performance. The combination of GLINT Delta and two GLINT rendering processors enables board vendors to provide dual- GLINT 3D acceleration on a single PCI board, seamlessly combined with full Windows performance and functionality.
PERMEDIA does not require GLINT Delta to provide class-leading performance, however the ability to combine the two devices in a low-cost designs enables board vendors to provide a wide-range of price/performance options at performance levels far beyond other 3D chip offerings.
GLINT Delta is software compatible with the GLINT and PERMEDIA families, and 3Dlabs' extensive range of software drivers is already available for GLINT Delta-based boards. These drivers include: Windows NT, Windows 95, OpenGL on Windows NT, OpenGL on Windows 95, Heidi from Autodesk, Direct3D from Microsoft, CGL from Creative and QuickDraw 3D and QuickDraw 3D RAVE from Apple. The drivers for Windows NT and OpenGL are available on Intel, Alpha, MIPS and PowerPC processors.
Contact Info 3Dlabs Inc. Neil Trevett, 408/436-3456 neil.trevett@3dlabs.com http://www.3dlabs.com
 
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