[Info-vax] Most usable graphics card(s) for VMS on a DS10

[Rich Jordan]

On Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at 1:39:58 PM UTC-5, Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2020-10-14 15:02:30 +0000, Rich Jordan said:
> 
> > Thanks for replying.  I think I recall that the 3D30 card was the best 
> > for 2D performance under VMS.
> 
> 3D30 and 4D20 are basically the same controller, with the latter also 
> supporting 3D.
> 
> If you're opening this up to options past the original list, Radeon 
> 7500, Radeon 7000, and Radeon 7500 AIW either work, or can all be 
> gotten to work.
> 
> > Not sure if supported but I'd really prefer dual monitor anymore now 
> > that I've been spoiled by the very high resolution monitors on my Macs.
> 
> AFAIK, there are no graphics options available for OpenVMS that 
> approach modern resolutions; there's no comparison to Apple 
> Retina-class displays, or otherwise.
> 
> Radeon 7500 tops out at SXGA 1280x1024, the PowerStorm 300 and 350 at 
> UXGA 1920x1200, where a Mac routinely operates at UHD 4K ~(3840 × 2160) 
> or 5K ~(5120 x 2880) resolutions.
> 
> DECwindows Motif was somewhat better at multi-head. DECwindows CDE less 
> so. That all as implemented by OpenVMS. That was with multiple 
> PowerStorm 3D30 controllers in an AlphaStation DS20. Haven't tried that 
> with the XP900/VS10/DS10, nor DS15.
> 
> -- 
> Pure Personal Opinion | HoffmanLabs LLC

Even 1920x1200 would be awesome to have.   I had 1280x1024 on the VAXstation, the AS200, the AS600, and the PWS, then got 1600x1200 on the Mac originally.  Its hard to lose resolution but a decent 1920x1200 widescreen monitor should be cheap on the used market so if the Powerstorm 300 really does that resolution, decision is made.  Though i may take a look at the Radeon cards too but I have the PS300 in hand.

Thanks again for the info

Rich