HP Visualize PA-RISC Graphics
Overview
The HP Visualize line of graphics adapters were used in a large number of PA-RISC workstations integrated onto the mainboard and in expansion cards of various types. HP Visualize were the designated successors to HP HCRX graphics adapters.
Visualize architecture
HP integrated parallel PA-RISC floating point technology from the PA-7200 processor (FPU) into Visualize graphics boards to increase scalable performance and speed up the graphics pipeline.
Two FPU cells were added to the -8 and -24, and six cells into the -48.
This was heralded as quite interesting
and good but unusual.
All Visualize provide 2D hardware acceleration, used by HP’s X11 server on HP-UX. Visualize 3D hardware acceleration is available with Starbase, PHIGS, PowerShade or PEX APIs. Visualize cards have HD15 VGA or EVC connectors.
Visualize video cards
Device | Resolution max |
Color max |
Double buffer |
3D | Bus and part number |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Visualize-EG base |
1280×1024 | 8-bit | Software | - | onboard with 2MB memory GSC: A4450A HSC: A3519A PCI: A4977A with 4MB SGRAM PMC: A4979A |
Visualize-EG dual |
1280×1024 | 8-bit | Software | - | GSC: A4451A |
Visualize-EG ext. mem |
1600×1200 | 8-bit | Software Hardware |
- | GSC: with A4452A |
Visualize-8 | 1280×1024 | 8-bit | Hardware | yes | GSC: A4441A |
Visualize-24 | 1280×1024 | 24-bit | Hardware Software |
yes | GSC: A4442A |
Visualize-48 | 1280×1024 | 24-bit | Hardware Software |
yes | GSC: A4244A |
Visualize-48XP | 1280×1024 | 24-bit | Hardware Software |
yes | GSC (dual): A4246A HSC: A4455A |
Part numbers
Part numbers of Visualize for PA-RISC:
- A4450A: HP Visualize-EG base, GSC
- A3519A: HP Visualize-EG base, HSC
- A4977A: HP Visualize-EG base, PCI 4 MB SGRAM
- A4979A: HP Visualize-EG base, PMC
- A4451A: HP Visualize-EG dual, GSC
- A4452A: HP Visualize-EG external memory
- A4441A: HP Visualize-8 GSC
- A4442A: HP Visualize-24 GSC
- A4244A: HP Visualize-48 GSC
- A4246A: HP Visualize-48XP GSC (dual)
- A4455A: HP Visualize-48XP HSC
HP VisualEyes
Interestingly, HP very briefly called these cards HP VisualEyes before renaming and marketing them under HP VISUALIZE as successors to the HCRX line of adapters.
Prices
- Visualize-8 for $5,500
- Visualize-24 for $7,000
- Visualize-48 for $16,000
Documentation
- An Overview of the VISUALIZE fx Graphics Accelerator Hardware, HP Journal 1998, Article 4 archive.org
- hp visualize fx5pro/fx10pro UNIX graphics accelerators data sheet, HP 2000, 5980-1411E archive.org
- HP VISUALIZE fx4 Whitepaper, HP 1997, no URL
- HP VISUALIZE fx5 and fx10 Configuration Guide, HP 2000, A5021-90015 vga museum
- HP fx Graphics Card Installation and Configuration Guide (fxe, fx5 and fx10), HP 2000, A5021-90015 vga museum
- Overview HP FX Graphics, HP 2003, website archive.org
- NEW HP NT AND UNIX DESKTOPS HOST LATEST VISUALIZE GRAPHICS, Techmonitor archive, 1997
- HP DUMPED HIGH-END GRAPHICS BECAUSE SGI OWNS THE MARKET, Techmonitor archive, 1998