S3 ViRGE

ViRGES3 ViRGE SeriesDesktopEDO DRAM1995

Key Metrics

Architecture
ViRGE
Launch Date
1995-10-01
Shader Processors
1
Memory
2 MB EDO DRAM
Interface
PCI
Process Node
500 nm
Bus Width
64-bit
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Why It Mattered

Sold in enormous volume due to low cost and integrated 2D+3D. Its 3D performance was so poor it earned the nickname Virtually Integrated Rasterization and Graphics Engine in the tech press, but it put basic 3D acceleration into millions of budget PCs.

Known Issues

3D performance was commonly slower than software rendering in period benchmarks.

Reviews1 review

Board-partner, reference-card, article, and video reviews that cover this GPU.

Related GPUs

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Sources

Sources reviewed: 2026-06-25

This entry is still being source-checked.

Data confidence and source status

Partial entry. Core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.

  • Verified: core specifications and historical notes have been reviewed against listed sources.
  • Partial: core specifications may be present, but history, variant notes, known issues, and source review may be incomplete.
  • Imported: spec-only imported entry pending editorial source review.
  • Needs source review: narrative notes are incomplete until reviewed.

Independent reference sources

  1. TechPowerUp GPU SpecsSpecification referenceOpen source

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