Enthusiasts develop VoodooX: a custom 3Dfx card with HDMI port and 24-year-old VSA100 GPU

VoodoX: a bit more modern VooDoo graphics card

Graphics card enthusiast and collector of 3Dfx hardware Oscar Barea with the help of Ash Evans, are demonstrating how to add modern display compatibility to older GPUs.

Since October 2022, Oscar has been sharing updates on a new project called “VoodooX,” which aims to revitalize the old 3dfx GPU. The card is based on the VSA-100 GPU, which was used by graphics cards such as Voodoo4 4500 or Voodoo 5 5500. These are extremely old graphics cards that do not support any modern APIs, let alone modern monitors. While the architecture cannot be changed, it is actually possible to enable digital output for such monitors through HDMI and DVI ports.

The card features 32MB of RAM and uses the VSA100 GPU, which is nearly a quarter of a century old. This GPU does have the capability to output signals to digital ports, but it is far from easy. In fact, it requires an entirely new board, numerous changes, and software optimizations. However, should that work, it can enable much higher quality display output, with reduced artifacts and better color reproduction.

VoodooX, custom 3Dfx GPU with HDMI, Source:Oscar Barea

The duo managed to create a working card with HDMI and DVI ports, and it successfully booted to Windows 98, running a 3Dfx Glide donut demo. After addressing more errors, the card was able to run several game demos, including Dune 2000, Darkened, and Unreal Quake 3.

VoodooX project 3Dfx – This time yeeeesssssss!!!!! VoodooX loading windows without problems and runing 3Dfx Glide Donut demo. I still cant believe it!!! It is Amazing!!! ☺️☺️☺️ pic.twitter.com/WqkkeO7omj

— Oscar Barea (@oscar_barea) March 6, 2024

The custom board is now undergoing changes, which will have HDMI and DVI ports positioned next to each other. Although the card doesn’t necessarily require DVI ports, it essentially functions like HDMI without audio. Many retro monitors are equipped with DVI, hence the card still utilizes that port.

Needless to say, this is a very interesting project that demands not only excellent electronics skills and GPU architecture know-how but also dedication and resources. Oscar has his own 3Dfx GPU online museum, which you can visit at this address.