Video Card Compatibility

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This Video Card Compatibility list is useful in determining if World Wind will work with your computer graphics card. Please check the websites listed below and download the latest drivers before reporting a problem.

How to check your video card

 * Click on 'Start ->Run' in the Taskbar. (XP/Vista/7 users, hit the windows key and R at the same time.)
 * Type 'dxdiag'. (This assumes you have DirectX installed)
 * Hit Okay (Or Yes)
 * Go to Display
 * All system video card statistics will be shown.
 * The kind of video card you have is under Name or Chip Type.

Open GL Diagnostic for World Wind Java
''Note that the following list of cards was compiled for WW.Net (DirectX). WWJava uses OpenGL - some cards not compatible with .Net may work with Java, some that work with .Net may not work with WWJ (less likely).''
 * Download OpenGL Extensions Viewer 3.0 (requires Microsoft .Net 2.0 to install)
 * The Summary Displays Video Adapter type, Adaptor RAM, Monitor, Display Resolution, OS, and Processor.
 * OpenGL & DirectX Versions, along with the Driver Version and Shader Model are also Displayed.
 * Rendering Tests Run your Graphics Adapter through Visual Tests showing FPS for OpenGL 1.1 through 2.1
 * Report shows Full Details including compatibility errors, Adapter Max Values, and all OpenGL Extensions associated.

OpenGL Extensions Viewer has been suggested by OpenGL.org in the OpenGL technical FAQ (see 23.050) (**) and by nVidia as Developer Resources.

Driver Installation notes

 * Remember: the safest way to update drivers is to uninstall the current drivers, reboot into VGA mode, install the new drivers, and reboot again.

You DON'T need to do this with Nvidia drivers. Just use the installer.

Note: DirectX/OS Interaction

In Windows 2000 with Nvidia chipsets, it seems that you cannot run DualView (2 monitors separate resolutions) and have hardware accelerated Direct3D work on both monitors. This prevents WW from starting up. You must run in Horizontal or Vertical span mode. Three screens tested with nVidia agp 7900GT (gainward) and Matrox Triple Head to GO ... 3840x1024 with transparency

I have tested GE in DirectX (OpenGL works fine)mode to verify this and checked with dxdiag. (One of the monitors shows up minus D3D acceleration) I do not know if this is the case with ATI chipsets. I do know this is not the case in Windows XP.

nVidia
Nvidia drivers can be found at www.nvidia.com


 * nVidia GeForce 9500: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 8800GTX: Ok (ForceWare drivers 100.54 & 100.59 for Vista x64, 97.44 for XP x64; both single GPU and SLI)
 * nVidia GeForce 8800GT: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 8800GTS: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 8600GT: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 8400GT: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 8400GS: Ok (Latest Vista drivers)
 * nVidia GeForce 7950GX2: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7900GTX: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7900GT: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7800GTX: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7800GT: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7800GS AGP: Ok (Tested with ForceWare 91.33)
 * nVidia GeForce Go 7700 PCI-E: Ok (Tested with ForceWare 169.28)
 * nVidia GeForce 7600GT PCI-E: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7600GS PCI-E: Ok (ForceWare drivers v91.47)
 * nVidia GeForce 7600GS AGP: Ok (ForceWare drivers v91.47)
 * nVidia GeForce Go 7400 PCI-E (HP Laptop): Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 7300LE PCI-e: Driver fails with 3d application (forceware v163.69.xxx)
 * nVidia GeForce 7300GT PCI-E: Ok (ForceWare drivers v93.71, SLI)
 * nVidia GeForce 6800 Ultra: ok : make sure, under compatibility you turn visual themes off.
 * nVidia GeForce 6800GS PCI-E OK : (ForceWare drivers v91.47)
 * nVidia GeForce 6800LE: Seem to get bad graphical glitches when zooming. Visual themes off, latest official drivers.
 * nVidia GeForce 6800GT AGP: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 6600GT PCI-E: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 6600GT PCI-E: (2 graphics cards with activated SLI) Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 6600GT AGP: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 6600  PCI-E: WORKS PERFECTLY with ANY driver
 * nVidia GeForce 6200 AGP: Would not work with 84.21, Ok with 84.43 BETA
 * nVidia GeForce Go 6600: OK - works PERFECT on ForceWare 78.01, 81.84
 * nVidia GeForce 6150 LE: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5900 Ultra: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5900XT: Ok (Drivers 66.93)
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5700 Ultra 128MB: OK with driver version 5.6.6.4
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5700ve: Layer toggle buttons across top are red. Globe has weird silver fluctuations that, when you zoom in for a closer look, obscure all recognizable visual elements.
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5700LE 256mb: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5600: Works fine with nVidia drivers 6.14.10.6693
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5500: Ok (agp2x not works)
 * nVidia GeForce FX Go5300: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce FX Go5200: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce FX Go5100: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce FX 5200: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce Ti4800SE AGP8X: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce Ti4600 : Ok
 * nVidia GeForce Ti4200 AGP8X: Ok
 * nVidea GeForce Ti4200 AGP4X: Ok Tested with Asus 8420 Deluxe Edition
 * nVidia GeForce 440 Go: Ok : need to set Direct3d in control panel to Best Image Quality -- Try downloading the managed directx as linked to in the FAQ -- User:Llynix
 * nVidia GeForce 4 MX 440 Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 4 MX: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 4 MX 420: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 4 MX integrated: AlowPureDevice: False
 * nVidia GeForce 3: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 2 GTS TI: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 2 MX: Ok
 * nVidia GeForce 2 MX 100/200 PCI: Works great!!!
 * nVidia GeForce 256: Ok
 * nVidia asus TNT2: Ok
 * NVIDIA Vanta 16MB : Ok (Driver Version: 45.23)
 * NVIDIA Vanta LT 8MB : Ok : but, use right drug, picture is distorted　(Driver Version: 45.23)
 * Riva TNT2 16MB: Ok : works with the 45.23 drivers - download here.
 * Riva TNT2 M64 32 Mb: Does not work
 * Riva TNT2 Ultra 32 Mb: Works, after revert to 45.23 drivers- don't zoom too close
 * Riva TNT2 M64/M64 Pro: does not work with the 6.14.0010.5303 drivers
 * Riva TNT2 M64/M64 Pro: Ok : works with the 45.23 drivers
 * Riva TNT Vanta 16 Mb: Does not work
 * Quadro FX 3400 PCI-E: Ok
 * Quadro FX 3000: Ok (On a HP xw4100, Forceware 91.36 downloaded from NVidia caused flashing/tearing problems which went away by reverting to HP-distributed version 72.13).
 * Quadro FX Go1000: Ok
 * Quadro FX 600 PCI: Ok
 * Quadro4 750 XGL: Ok (77.72 driver, XP)
 * Quadro4 980 XGL: ok
 * Quadro4 380GLX (PNY/nvidia): ok
 * Quadro2 Pro: Ok
 * Quadro NVS: Ok after updating to driver dated 2/24/2005

ATI
ATI drivers can be found at ati.amd.com (ATI Catalyst Control Center Requires .Net 2.0)
 * ATI RADEON HD 5850     : ok after driver installation (ATI Catalyst Suite 11.1)
 * ATI RADEON HD 3650     : ok, Diamond 1GB PCIe 2.0 (3650PE1GSB), MSI 512MB PCIe 2.0 (R3650TD2512OC)
 * ATI RADEON HD 3400     : ok
 * ATI RADEON HD 2600 PRO    :OK with Catalyst 7.8
 * ATI RADEON x###        : ok
 * ATI RADEON X300        : ok, BUT, program will not run in 800x600 resolution. Must step up to at least 1024x768. Note that WorldWind runs fine at 800x600 on my RADEON X300 SE (dpatton).
 * ATI RADEON X600 XT     : ok
 * ATi RADEON X-700Xtreme : 128 MB (by ASUS) To be Tested.
 * ATI RADEON X800 XL     : ok (Driver 6.14.10.6505)
 * ATI RadeOn 7000        : works badly
 * ATI RADEON X800 XT     : ok
 * ATI RADEON X850 XT VIVO : OK
 * ATI RADEON X800 Pro VIVO     :ok
 * ATI RADEON X800 GT     : ok
 * ATI RADEON X800SE      : ok
 * ATI RADEON X1300PRO    : ok
 * ATI RADEON X1600PRO    : ok (sapphire 512mb agp)
 * ATI RADEON X1650PRO    : ok
 * ATI RADEON X1800XT     : ok (Sapphire 512mb)
 * ATI RADEON X1900XT     : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9###        : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9000 Pro    : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9100 IGP    : ok after drivers update (6.14.10.6512)
 * ATI RADEON 9200        : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9200 SE SEC : "The following error(s) occured: Unable to locate a compatible graphics adapter. Make sure you are running the latest version of DirectX" despite DirectX and .NET framework installed
 * ATI RADEON 9250        : "Unable to locate a compatible graphics adaptor." despite Catalyst, Dx9c and .NET1.1 installed
 * ATI RADEON 9250        : Works perfectly!
 * ATI RADEON 9250        : ok (ATI-driver 6.14.10.6497 on Sapphire Radeon 9250/128MB, 1GB RAM 256 MB AGP-aperture)
 * ATI RADEON 9250        : ok (S9250 on DiamondMM BizView BV200, 128 DDR PCI dual DVI) @ 1440x900, 1028x768 (apparent PCI limit), good on both
 * ATI RADEON 9600 SE Family : ok (with Microsoft Corp. drivers March 23rd 2004. 6.14.10.6462)
 * ATI RADEON 9600 Pro      : ok   (inc 9600xt)
 * ATI RADEON 9600 TX (Medion OEM) : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9600 XT VIVO : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9700 Pro    : ok, Issues zooming out after long periods of use (Layers will stick).
 * ATI RADEON 9800 Pro    : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9800 SE     : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9800 XT     : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9800 XL (Medion OEM) : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9500 NP/PRO : ok
 * ATI RADEON 9550        : ok (not with display driver 7.9)
 * ATI RADEON 8###        : ok
 * ATI RADEON 7###        : ok
 * ATI RADEON IGP EXPRESS 200M : ok
 * ATI RADEON IGP 345     : ok
 * ATI RADEON IGP 340     : works great - 1.7 celeron notebook 512 RAM
 * ATI RADEON IGP 320     : "Unable to locate a compatible graphics adapter" DirectX9c video driver ver 6.14.10.6467 on HP/Compaq nx9005
 * ATI RADEON IGP 320M(64mb): ok (Compaq Presario 2105us with latest drivers provided by HP/Compaq)
 * ATI RADEON VE DDR      : crash (especially when zooming in, but also at random times)
 * ATI RADEON FireGL 7800 : works, but only with "quick resolution" feature disabled
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY HD2600: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY 7###: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY 9000: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY 9200: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY 9600: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY 9700: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY 9800: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY X300: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY X600: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY X700: ok
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY X1300: Globe doesn't render
 * ATI RADEON MOBILITY X1400: Globe doesn't render (tested on linux only)
 * ATI MOBILITY FireGL T2 : ok
 * ATI MOBILITY FireGL V5250 : ok (ThinkPad T60p and others) [For OpenGL in dual monitor mode, position the second monitor to the right of the primary and give it the same resolution as the primary. OpenGL Extensions Viewer will display its tests correctly and apps such as KAGUYA 3D GIS (a moon navigator) work well.  DirectX v9.0 seems to work fine in dual monitor mode with no special arrangement of displays.]
 * ATI MOBILITY FireGL 9000: ok (Catalyst 5.6 driver)
 * ATI Rage               : Known 3D issue in discussion
 * ATI Rage II            : Fails with this error: "Unable to locate a compatible graphics adapter. Make sure that you are running the latest version of DirectX" (P.S. I am using the latest version of DirectX)
 * ATI Rage Pro Turbo AGP 2x: fails ("an error has ocurred", then no graphics) with most recent Microsoft and ATI drivers
 * ATI Rage128Pro (BBA Rage Fury Pro) : Crashes system with latest ATI drivers in XP SP2
 * ATI Rage128Pro (Rage Fury Xpert): Works well, if latest ATI drivers AND latest DirectX (Dec. 2005) is installed
 * FireGL X1 128: ok
 * ATI All-in-Wonder 128 Pro (32MB): crash (when zooming in, computer resets without warnings), with latest drivers from ATI
 * ATI All-In-Wonder 9600XT: Crashes within a minute of zooming in and out. Catalyst 6.5 drivers installed. and latest DirectX updates (as of 24-May-2006)

Intel
Drivers are at: http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/index.htm?iid=ipp_dlc_chip_graphics

Intel cards and onboard graphics chips often suffer from a problem which causes a planar sheet of triangular artifacts to appear on part of the screen when viewing from an angle (i.e. not looking directly down). Note that that's the only time the chip's 3D texture mapping functionality is used.

The problem gets worse the lower the viewing angle (the more you're looking toward the "horizon" instead of straight down), and it gets worse the closer you are to the 3D surface.

Either backing away (higher altitude from the earth surface) or looking more directly straight down will always fix the problem. Rotating the view (right-button drag horizontal) causes the corruption to change and sometimes go away.

Even at its worst, there's always some combination of JUST the right altitude, tilt, and rotation near the one you want to get a good image. That's real good news for taking screen snapshots. But even if you find the "good spot", moving the mouse just a little will cause corruption again.

Turning off all layers but the one your viewing minimizes it.

The cards on this list that say 'ok' may also have this problem.

Screwing with "AGP aperature" in the BIOS doesn't help.

Side note: increasing AGP aperature improves performance for ALL AGP cards! It causes system memory to be used as texture memory, but only when the card runs out of onboard memory, so you can leave it at 256M all the time.

Geeky note: The problem seems to be user clipping planes. There is a near one and a far one that you need to define for 3D to work properly.

Imagine a pyramid with the point cut off by a plane, now imagine the small flat part is your computer screen, connected to the World Wind camera - the near clipping plane looking at the Earth, the large flat base of the pyramid should be behind the earth -the far clipping plane.

With Intel chips there is an issue with defining a plane that is REALLY far away (like as big as the Earth) it doesnt affect things when you are looking at things straight on, perpendicular to the surface of the earth.

All this is information I gleaned off of discussions on the DIRECTX-DEV mailing list.

IF YOU HAVE MORE INFO TO ADD, PLEASE EDIT THIS!

Am using a laptop using this display cards. Upgraded driver using installation software from Intel website to 6.14.10.4497 dated 07 Feb 2006. Ran WW 1.3.5.0. The opening globe just was all plain white. A reinstall of WW doesnt solve the problem. [Possible solution: try zooming in to see if the terrain appears after a while, you can then use WW]
 * Intel GMA 950 with Intel 945 GM Express chipset for notebooks (ACER 2483 with Celeron M 430; Dell Inspiron 6400, Core 2 Duo, 945GM): no problems so far.
 * Intel 82945G(945G) Express Chipset. Diamond patterns visible on mountain ridges but ameliorated with Sunlight Options/ Sun checked / Orientation checked / Heading and Elevation adjustments. WW 1.4, 256 MB nVidea GeoForce 7300GT
 * Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV: Partial support, problems tilting
 * Intel Extreme Graphics 2 with Intel 82865G produces geometric artifacts with WW 1.3 when tilting, seemed to work better with ww 1.2, problem with zoominig
 * Intel 875: ok
 * Intel 865(GV): ok, no tilting problems
 * Intel 865: Partial Support, problems tilting
 * Intel 82852/82855 GM/GME: Partial Support, problems tilting (not in WW 1.3.1 alpha 1)
 * Intel 82810: Does not work (may work and just have problems tilting like the rest)
 * Intel 82810E: Does not work for World Wind 1.3.2. (A Windows dialog box shows up right after World Wind 1.3.2's splash screen while loading and shows the error message "Unable to create the Direct3D device". World Wind 1.3.2 stops loading automatically.)
 * Intel 82815 Graphics Controller: crash
 * Intel 82830M: Problems Tilting
 * Intel 850: ok
 * Intel 815: crash
 * Intel 810: Does not work
 * Intel 82852/82855: Partial support, problems tilting
 * Intel 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset family: Partial support, problems tilting, hangs
 * Intel 82865G: Partial support, problems tilting, hangs in full screen mode
 * (As of 2005-06-22 Intel is aware of this and has "raised the issue to the engineering group")
 * Intel 82865G: used Driver: 6.14.10.4396. Occasional, but non reproducable artifacts. Great overall performance, no other noticable problems.
 * Intel Mobile 915GM/GMS,910GML Express (Dell Latitude D610): OK
 * Intel Mobile 915GM/GMS,910GML Express,used Driver: 6.14.10.4410, DirectX 9, Dell Inspiron 6000 : crash
 * Intel Mobile 915GM/GMS,910GML Express (HP NX6220): OK
 * Intel Mobile 915GM/GMS,910GML Express (ASUS A3AC with original drivers): OK.
 * Intel Mobile 915GM/GMS,910GML Express (Dell Inspiron 6000, driver version: 6.14.10.4609): OK
 * Intel Express Graphics x3000 /3000 (driver version: 6.14.10.4704 ):  OK
 * Intel GM965 Express Chipset Family (dell vostro): no direct3D compatibilities
 * Intel GMA4500HD works. In Vista, WW can not be installed in Program Files, because there are problems with UAC. Install eg D / NASA / World Wind :OK

SIS
SIS drivers can be found at www.sis.com
 * SiS 315E: Works with latest drivers (but not with original drivers).
 * SIS 6##: Works with updated drivers from SIS, problems tilting, updating to World Wind to 1.3.2 has been reported to fix the tilting problem.
 * SIS 7##: Works with updated drivers from SIS, problems tilting
 * Just an update for those running with the same chip set I am. (SIS 710): SiS does not seem to have a video driver newer than 2002 on their site. However, they have put a newer driver version dated April 2004 on download.com . Installing this newer driver did cure my problems running World Wind. -- Kenny (StarLost)
 * My 661fx chip still facing grave problems with tilting, though updated with resent driver from SIS site. -Ophir-
 * My SIS 741 chipset (including graphics) DOES NOT work with the above mentioned SiS-SiS650-SiS740-Family-Chipset-Graphics-Driver. Please be careful! A driver is to be found at http://driver3.sis.com/agp/agp121.zip (Release date 2005-04-01) -Lasso2-


 * SIS Xabre: OK on Xabre 80 (with SiS Xabre Driver v3.10 and SiS Xabre Performance v3.57.53 Driver)
 * SIS M760 : OK ( with SIS UniVGA Driver 3.66 )

S3
S3 drivers can be found at www.s3graphics.com
 * S3 Virge: crash
 * S3 Prosavage: Partial support, problems tilting
 * S3 SuperSavage/IXC: Partial support, problems tilting
 * VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP Card: Support until zoom close... then crash.
 * VIA/S3G UniChrome Graphics: On open program the computer crashes
 * VIA/S3G UniChrome II/Pro IGP Graphics: A bit slow, but it works (latest VIA driver in use).
 * S3 Twister K integrated: Won't run
 * S3 Savage4: incompatible
 * S3 ProsavageDDR :works but a bit slow
 * S3 Trio 3D: incompatible
 * S3G CLE266 (integrated into VIA EPIA M10000 Nehemiah Mini-ITX motherboard): Crashes

Matrox
Matrox drivers can be found at: http://www.matrox.com/, Matrox user community: http://murc.ws/ Matrox has pledged support for the World Wind program, if you're having problems with a Matrox card, let us know here and Matrox will send us a card to test out the issues you're having. You can also email [mailto:mmills@ceteranet.com Matt Mills]


 * Matrox Parhelia: ok (performance might benefit from the experimental drivers available), 3 screen works, no transparency though
 * Matrox Millenium P650: ok, Crashes if worldwind is used multi-monitor.
 * Matrox G550: Partial Support, problems tilting, sometimes crashes in near view (1.3.2 on G550 freezes the OS !)
 * Matrox G450 32MB: ok, sometimes crashes in near view but only works up to version 1.3.1.1, otherwise it freezes the whole PC
 * Matrox G45+MDVA16D/OEM: Matrox G450 AGP, DDR 16MB, RAMDAC 360 MHz, Matrox driver package: 5.95.005, Graphics BIOS 2.0 b36, DirectX 9.0c; after changing cart to matrox: World Wind Error A Fatal Error has occurred: The following error(s) occurred: Unable to locate a compatible graphics adapter. Make sure you are running the latest version of DirectX.
 * Matrox G400 16MB: ok, sometimes crashes in near view
 * Matrox G200: unlikely to work
 * Matrox G200 Marvel: BSOD in near view

Other

 * VOLARI V3: Ok
 * XGI Volari: Doesn't appear to work
 * 3Dfx Voodoo : Not Compatible
 * PowerVR KYRO II: Partial support, problems tilting.
 * 3Dlabs wildcat vp760: Partial working, Using latest driver (w2k3010842.exe) on a win2000. Somelayer doesn't show (ex. Place name).
 * 3Dlabs Wildcat III 6110: Doesn't appear to work on XP. Driver ver.: 6.5.6.18_3/16/2004
 * 3Dlabs Wildcat 4 7110: Same as above. Driver: 6.6.2.60_3/5/2004
 * 3DLabs WildCat Realizm 200 - Works but no kind of acceleration - seems to be pure CPU performance.
 * Elsa Gloria II: Ok
 * Trident Blade3D: Not recognized and no updated drives for it

Online Resources

 * Microsoft® .NET Framework version 2.0
 * Microsoft® .NET Framework version 3.0
 * DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer
 * Java Runtime (for WW JOGL)
 * ATI Drivers and Software
 * Nvidia Drivers
 * Intel® Graphics Support - Home Page