Voodoo

Voodoo is a graphics accelerator chipset that, depending on the version, is used either with or instead of a computer's video adapter for a more realistic graphics display and improved interactivity, especially for games. Voodoo, originally produced by 3Dfx, is considered to be the groundbreaking 3-D graphics accelerator, providing better graphics quality and faster frame rates than competitors.

The original version of Voodoo was 2-D/3-D; subsequent versions are 3-D. Voodoo 3 and later versions are complete replacements for the computer's video card. Earlier cards are add-ons that don't replace the video card, but work in conjunction with it. A cable from the computer's video adapter connects to the Voodoo card and then to the monitor, blocking the signal of the original adapter when 3-D acceleration is called for, but allowing the system card to function otherwise.

Voodoo is considered to be particularly helpful for playing games on older and slower computers, allowing the graphics display to reflect user input more swiftly. However, the original version of Voodoo is not considered to offer the same degree of benefit to faster computers.

Last updated on: May 07, 2008

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