3Dfx interactive
Founded in 1994. Sold to nVidia at December 15, 2000.
Focused on game cards.
1st card - Voodoo 1 4-6MB PCI, last card - Voodoo 4 4500 32MB AGP4x
Unreleased rare prototypes: V5 5000 32MB, V5 6000 128MB, V4 4000 16MB, V4 4800 64MB, Daytona 64MB, Rampage/Spectre 128MB
Usefull links...
www.3dfx.cz www.3dfxzone.it Wikipedia
3Dfx oral history (2hours interview with engineers) LGR Tech Tales
3Dlabs Inc. Ltd.
Founded in April 1994 by buying DuPont Pixel (graphic division - mostly SPARC) from DuPont.
Focused on high-end-profi chips and graphic cards.
1st chip - GLINT 300SX, last card - Wildcat Realizm 800
In 1998 buys Dynamic Pictures, in 2000 Intense3D from Intergraph and in 2002 is sold to Creative Labs.
On February 24th 2006, 3DLABS refocused its business and stopped developing its workstation graphics cards for the PC and announced it would focus on its new DMS™ low-power media-rich application processors.
Advanced Micro Devices inc.
Founded in May 1 1969. Merged with ATi in 2006.
Focused on Microprocessors.
Usefull links: www.amd.com Wikipedia
Alliance Semiconductor
Founded in 1985. Focused on SRAM / DRAM memory.
1st card - ProMotion-3210, last card - aT25.
Usefull links...
Apple Inc.
Founded in April 1, 1976
Focused on computer hardware, software, consumer electronics
1st card - Video Graphics Controller - VGC (32kB - 1986) - Apple IIGS, last card - Valkyrie-AR (1MB - 1996) - PowerMac 5400/6400.
In this category are also cards from other makers (not only from Apple) used on various Apple platforms.
ARK Logic, Inc.
Founded in 1993. Ended production in 1999.
ARK Logic was a leading provider of integrated 2D and 3D graphics/video accelerators for Personal Computers. Since being founded in early 1993, ARK Logic has introduced a series of industry leading graphics accelerators. Our technology has been incorporated in products from Diamond Multimedia, Hercules and a large number of overseas manufacturers. All design and development is performed at our San Jose facilities. ARK has enjoyed early financial success and is further supported by its majority share holder Integrated Circuit Systems (NASDAQ: ICST). ARK Logic is otherwise privately held.
Tiger 3D datasheet (never released)
ASPEED Technology
Founded in 2004.
Focused on lowcost lowpower 2D chips and various controllers.
Useful links: Homepage
ATI Technologies Inc.
Founded in August 20 1985. Merged with AMD in 2006.
Focused on whole market.
1st card - 1985 - Color Emulation Card
Last card: ATi Radeon HD5970 - 2009 (after that, cards rebranded as AMD)
Useful links...
www.ati.com Wikipedia Card list from 1997 Rage identify legend
Avance Logic, Inc.
Founded in 1991.
Focused on low-cost video playback market.
Sold to Realtek in 1995.
Cirrus Logic Inc.
Founded in 1984.
Focused on low-end/mainstream 2D and mobile chips.
1st card - unknown, last card - CL-GD7556? (NB)
Usefull links...
www.cirrus.com Wikipedia
Compaq Computer Corp.
Founded in 1982. Merged with HP in 2001.
Focused on personal computers.
Usefull links: Wikipedia
Diamond Multimedia
Founded in 1982. Name changed to Diamond Multimedia Systems Inc. in ~1994. In 1999 merged with S3. In 2003 sold to Best Data and starts selling cards again.
Cards are sorted by name and date mean release of card, not chipset powering it. Category covers mostly Palcal's Diamond cards collection.
Gemini Technology Inc.
Founded in 1984. In 1990 sold to Seiko.
Focused on low-cost.
1st card - VC-001
Genoa Systems Corp.
Founded in 1984.
Focused on 2D mainstream.
1st card - Super EGA (GN006001) 1987
Usefull links: Old Genoa site
Headland Technology Inc. / G2 / Video7
Founded in 1989 by merging Video Seven (1983) and G2 (1987) as division of LSI Logic's Standard Products Group. In 1993 sold to SPEA.
Focused on 2D mainstream.
1st card - HT205
Usefull links: Infoworld
Hewlett-Packard
Founded in January 1, 1939
Focused on various computer systems and printers.
Usefull links: Wikipedia
HMC (Hualon Microelectronics Corp.)
Founded in 1987 in Taiwan.
Focused on computer components & peripherals
Milestones - Company Info
Chips&Technologies Inc.
Founded in 1984. Bought by Intel in 1997. Sold to Asiliant Technologies in 2000.
Focused on mobile graphics.
1st card - CS8240 (256kB - 1985) - 1st non IBM EGA chipset
last card - 69030 (4MB - 1999)
Usefull links: List of graphic chips Company info
IBM
Founded in June 16, 1911
Focused on corporate computer systems and software.
Usefull links: Wikipedia
IIT (Integrated Information Technology, Inc.)
Founded in 1987. Renamed to 8x8, Inc in 1996.
Started with coprocessors, later switched to Video Conferencing Systems.
1st card - AGX10
Intel Corp.
Founded in 1968.
Focused on microprocessors.
1st card - 82720 512kB 1983
Usefull links: Chronological list of Intel products Intel’s GPU History
Intergraph Corp.
Founded in 1969 as M&S Computing Inc. In 1980 renamed to Intergraph Corporation. In 2000 sold graphic division Intense3D to 3DLabs.
Focused on highend worstations and graphics.
Links: Company history (PDF) Corporate history (1999)
InteGraphics Systems
Founded in 1993 as InteGraphics Systems. In 1997 renamed to IGS Technologies. In 2000 again renamed to TVIA.
Focused on video chips for consumer information appliances, TV, set top boxes and thin clients.
Links: Company info (1999)
Jingjia Micro
Changsha Jingjia (景嘉微) Microelectronics Co., Ltd. established in April 2006 as a graphics card chip design manufacturer in the People's Republic of China and is located in Changsha High-tech Development Zone, Hunan.
In 2015 established a wholly-owned subsidiary: Changsha Jingmei (景美) Integrated Circuit Design Co (JEMO) under its branch is manufacturing and selling graphics cards.
Useful links: Company History JEMO about
Macronix International Co., LTD
Founded in 1989. Leaving graphics market in 1998.
Focused on lowend.
1st card - MX86000?, last card - MX86251?
Matrox
Founded in 1976 - short company info
Focused on profi 2D cards.
1st card - Matrox Video RAM
Introduced as 1st:
1979 - 1st multimonitor single card Matrox Quad Video
1986 - 1st 3D accelerator card for PC - SM-640
1993 - 1st 64bit card Matrox Impression
NCR Corp.
Founded in 1884 Dayton USA
Focused on self-service kiosks, point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, check processing systems, barcode scanners.
Links: www.ncr.com Wikipedia Company history
NeoMagic Corporation
Founded in summer 1993. First chipset - MagicGraph128 (January 1996). In April 20, 2000 leaving graphics markets - info.
Focused on highly integrated mobile graphics.
Links: Wikipedia Neomagic
Number Nine Visual Technology
Founded in 1982. In December 1999 sold to S3. Ended production in 2000.
Focused on profi 2D.
1st chipset - Imagine 128, last chipset - Ticket to Ride IV (Revolution IV).
Introduced as 1st:
1983 - first high resolution graphics (1024x768) card (Number Nine Graphics System) for the PC.
1984 - world's first 256 color graphics controller card (Revolution 512x8), world's first "true-color - 16.7 million colors" graphics card (Revolution 512x32) for the PC.
1994 - world's first 128-bit graphics solution (Imagine)
Links: Company History Revolution 512x32 manual (scanned by Jim Cox)
NVIDIA Corporation
Founded in 1993.
Focused on game & profi cards.
1st card - NV1 (1995)
Usefull links: List of all tech demos Video acceleration info
Oak Technology
Founded in 1987. Sold to Zoran Corporation in 2003.
Focused on lowend.
1st chipset - 037C?, last chipset - Warp 5 (unreleased - specs).
Links: Wikipedia
Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Founded in 1987. Buys Avance Logic in 1995. Leaving graphics market around 1997.
Focused on audio, network and lowend graphics.
1st chipset - RTG3101, last chipset - RTG3105iEH
Links: Wikipedia Realtek(1996)
Rendition, Inc.
Founded in January 1993. In 1998 sold to Micron.
Focused on low cost 3D graphics solutions for personal computers.
1st card - Vérité 1000, last card - Vérité V4400E (unreleased)
Links: Wikipedia Youtube (Oh so retro)
S3 Graphics
Founded in January 1989. Sold to VIA in 2000.
Focused on 2D and game cards. 1st card - 86c911 1MB ISA
Usefull links: www.s3graphics.com Wikipedia
Silicon Graphics, Inc.
Founded in 1981. Bankrupt in May 2009.
Focused on High-performance computing, visualization and storage.
1st card - IRIS Graphics (1983), last card - InfiniteReality 4 (16GB - 2002)
Links: Wikipedia sgistuff SGI Tech
Silicon Motion
Founded in in San Jose, California and now operate from corporate offices in Hong Kong, Taiwan and the US.
Focused on lowpower embeeded video chips. Now mostly on ssd controllers.
Links: Company info
Sigma Designs, Inc.
Founded in 1982. Focused on SoC (System-on-a-chip) and video decoders.
1st card - unknown
Links: Wikipedia Sigma
SiS (Silicon Integrated Systems Corp.)
Founded in 1987. Focused on chipsets and lowcost graphics. 1st card - 86C12?
Graphic division spins off and in June 2003 is founded XGI. XGI then buys graphic part of Trident. In 10/2010 buys SiS whole XGI back.
Links: SiS Wikipedia
VideoLogic - Imagination Technologies
Founded in 1985, based in United Kingdom. In 1999 renamed to Imagination Technologies.
Focused on graphics, sound acceleration, home audio systems, video-capture and video-conferencing systems.
Fabless company focused on chip designs licensing.
Links: Videologic (1998) Wikipedia Early history blog Computer Society
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Founded on February 24, 1982. In January 27, 2010 acquired by Oracle Corporation.
Focused on computer servers and workstations.
Tamarack Microelectronic Inc.
Founded in 1987. In August 2002 merged with IC Plus.
Focused on early graphic chips and lan.
Texas Instruments Graphics Architecture (TIGA)
Various cards based on Texas Instruments Graphics Architecture (TIGA) chips TMS34010 (1986) and TMS34020 (1988).
Dates in articles means release date of card, not chipset. Texas Instruments was founded in 1951. Aimed at design and making DSP and semiconductors.
Links: Wikipedia Promo video Multimedia article Computer Society
Trident Microsystems Inc.
Founded in 1987. Graphics division sold to XGI in 2003. Bankrupted in 2012.
Focused on lowend graphic chips and since 2003 on TV chipsets.
Links: Wikipedia
Tseng Labs, Inc.
Founded in 1983. Sold to ATI in 1997.
Focused on 2D highend.
1st card - UltraPAK (ET1000), last card - ET6100.
Links: Wikipedia Polish fan site (with drivers) Company info
UMC (Unicorn Microelectronics Corp.)
Founded in 198? in USA. Sold to UMC (United Microelectronics Corporation) in 198?.
Focused on lowend 2D.
Weitek Corp.
Founded in 1981. Sold to Rockwell Semiconductor Systems in 1996.
Focused on CPU and FPU.
Links: Wikipedia
Western Digital Corp.
Founded April 23, 1970. In 1986 buys Paradise Systems, inc. In 1995 Paradise graphics division sold to Philips.
Focused on HDD, earlier also on controllers.
Links: Wikipedia Product overview1988 (PDF)
Winbond Electronics Corp.
Founded in 1987.
Focused on Semiconductors.
Links: Wikipedia Company Profile
Yamaha Corporation
Founded in 1887.
Focused on early 2D and mobile chipsets.
Links: Wikipedia Specs: YGV603 YGV610 YGV611 YGV612
Professional Cards 2D
Various professional cards used for 2D graphics. Date means release of card, not chip powering it.
Professional Cards 3D
Various professional cards used for 3D graphics. Date means release of card, not chip powering it.
Frame grabbers & decoders
Various cards with frame grabbing and video decoding devices.
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