Question about 2 old ati cards

jeff7878 · Aug 23, 2007, 08:18 PM

Hello, im a avid gamer and i been haveing a urge too play ff7 and ff8..the prob with this is my new computer will not render the games right cause of my ati card not supporting 8-bit paletted textures..and i can't swap cards cause my new gameing rig i just built is pci express so it like useless..But luckly i have some older machines that still work.

My question basically is this i have a old compaq workstation from 1997 it's in good working order just need too put a fresh copy of windows 98 on it i also have a gateway from 2000 that works perfect too..now i was pokeing around on some fourms and peeps said the older ati cards support the 8-bit palleted textures.. i have ati 7500 and a ati fire gl card thats older then the 7500..my question is can anybody confirm these cards support 8-bit paletted textures..if so i would like too use im in my old workstation for the purpose of playing the older games..If not ill have too break my honor too ati and use a navida that does support it..lol

Dyre Straits · Aug 23, 2007, 08:39 PM

Hi, Jeff,

When I played FF7, I was using an ATI Rage 128 AIW card. I may have also used the Radeon 64 VIVO but can't remember for sure. What I DO know is that I've only ever used ATI cards since the early 90s and I had no problem with FF7. Really great game!!

Another possible option for you is to see if you can locate an older PCI video card....not PCI Express. But, if you've already got the older systems ready to go, it won't hurt to try the ATI cards you have and, if they don't do the job, your options take on a clearer picture.

Good luck!

jeff7878 · Aug 23, 2007, 08:59 PM

Thx for the quick reply back dyre straits, The 2 games actually do work on my modren system the problem is the edges are all jagged and crappy looking..and beacuse of ati no long supporting the 8 bit feature witch stopped a long time ago..if i try useing any aa our af too correct the prob the game just gets all these lines in it and tears..The navida cards still support it from what i read on fourms you have too use riva tuner too unlock it..But thats going off track from the main goal.

Im gonna fire im these old beast i have and set im up and give im ago and see what happens..This will be a fun littile project..thank god i didnt shit can these old boxes..lol

Dyre Straits · Aug 24, 2007, 07:49 AM

Good luck! And, have fun!

I still have a lot of old mobo's, CPUs, RAM, PC cases and even some old video cards. I still have the very first video card I ever bought: Diamond Stealth PCI 4 MB card using S-Virge.

It still comes in handy at times when I'm testing/working on a board that's giving me graphics problems. I just pop in the old PCI card and it [usually] gives me a screen to work with when nothing else does.

Let us know the outcome of your adventure.

Spyre · Aug 25, 2007, 12:33 PM

Theres a official patch for FF7 to work on more modern graphics cards which don't have 8 bit palletized textures. Maybe for FF8 too I don't remember to be honest. The patch says its a Nvidia fix but it fixes it for ATI cards too.

The jagged edges aren't anything to do with the palletized textures, as thats a texture format and the jaggies are from not using Anti-aliasing. There was a fan made patch to upgrade the models and also to support AA should be able to find it on Google.

Aug 23, 2007, 08:18 PM	#1
jeff7878 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Question about 2 old ati cards Hello, im a avid gamer and i been haveing a urge too play ff7 and ff8..the prob with this is my new computer will not render the games right cause of my ati card not supporting 8-bit paletted textures..and i can't swap cards cause my new gameing rig i just built is pci express so it like useless..But luckly i have some older machines that still work. My question basically is this i have a old compaq workstation from 1997 it's in good working order just need too put a fresh copy of windows 98 on it i also have a gateway from 2000 that works perfect too..now i was pokeing around on some fourms and peeps said the older ati cards support the 8-bit palleted textures.. i have ati 7500 and a ati fire gl card thats older then the 7500..my question is can anybody confirm these cards support 8-bit paletted textures..if so i would like too use im in my old workstation for the purpose of playing the older games..If not ill have too break my honor too ati and use a navida that does support it..lol Last edited by jeff7878; Aug 23, 2007 at 08:31 PM.

Aug 25, 2007, 12:33 PM	#5
Spyre DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: England Posts: 240 Rep Power: 62	Theres a official patch for FF7 to work on more modern graphics cards which don't have 8 bit palletized textures. Maybe for FF8 too I don't remember to be honest. The patch says its a Nvidia fix but it fixes it for ATI cards too. The jagged edges aren't anything to do with the palletized textures, as thats a texture format and the jaggies are from not using Anti-aliasing. There was a fan made patch to upgrade the models and also to support AA should be able to find it on Google. __________________ ATI Beta Tester game.AMD.Moderator

Aug 23, 2007, 08:59 PM	Thread Starter #3
jeff7878 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Thx for the quick reply back dyre straits, The 2 games actually do work on my modren system the problem is the edges are all jagged and crappy looking..and beacuse of ati no long supporting the 8 bit feature witch stopped a long time ago..if i try useing any aa our af too correct the prob the game just gets all these lines in it and tears..The navida cards still support it from what i read on fourms you have too use riva tuner too unlock it..But thats going off track from the main goal. Im gonna fire im these old beast i have and set im up and give im ago and see what happens..This will be a fun littile project..thank god i didnt shit can these old boxes..lol