ATI Wonder

Last updated
ATI Wonder series
Release date1986;38 years ago (1986)
CodenameWonder
ArchitectureWonder
Cards
Entry-levelWonder MDA/CGA
Mid-rangeWonder EGA
High-endWonder VGA
History
Successor Mach series
Support status
Unsupported

The ATI Wonder is a series of video cards for the IBM Personal Computer and compatibles, introduced by ATI Technologies in the mid to late 1980s. [1] [2] [3] These cards were unique at the time as they offered the end user a considerable amount of value by combining support for multiple graphics standards (and monitors) into a single card. The VGA Wonder series added additional value with the inclusion of a bus mouse port, [4] which normally required the installation of a dedicated Microsoft Mouse adapter.

Contents

The VGA Wonder series later merged with the ATI Mach series of cards in 1990. The ATI Graphics Ultra (VRAM) and ATI Graphics Vantage (DRAM) cards both featured independent VGA Wonder ASICs in addition to their Mach8 8514 compatible graphics processor. The Graphics Ultra was later renamed the VGA Wonder GT. In 1992, their following product line, the Mach32, integrated the VGA wonder core and coprocessor into a single IC. At this point the VGA Wonder line was cancelled and replaced with a cost reduced DRAM based version of Mach32 known as the ATI Graphics Wonder.

MDA/CGA cards

One of the early graphics cards from ATI Technologies: a Graphics Solution Rev 3 Hercules graphics card from 1986. As can be seen from the PCB the layout was done in 1985, whereas the marking on the central chip CW16800-A says "8639" meaning that chip was manufactured week 39, 1986. ATI Hercules Card 1986.xcf
One of the early graphics cards from ATI Technologies: a Graphics Solution Rev 3 Hercules graphics card from 1986. As can be seen from the PCB the layout was done in 1985, whereas the marking on the central chip CW16800-A says "8639" meaning that chip was manufactured week 39, 1986.

ATI Graphics Solution Rev 3 (1986)

Source
[5]

ATI Color Emulation Card (1986)

ATI Graphics Solution Plus (1987)

Source
[7]

Graphics Solution Plus SP

Graphics Solution SR

ATI Small Wonder Graphics Solution ATI Small Wonder Graphics Solution.jpg
ATI Small Wonder Graphics Solution

ATI Small Wonder Graphics Solution (1988)

Graphics Solution Single Chip or GS-SC with Game (1988)

EGA cards

ATI EGA Wonder 480 ATI EGA Wonder 480.jpg
ATI EGA Wonder 480
ATI EGA Wonder 800 AT EGA Wonder 800.jpg
ATI EGA Wonder 800
ATI EGA Wonder 800+ ATI EGA Wonder 800+-9841.jpg
ATI EGA Wonder 800+

ATI EGA Wonder (1987)

Source
[8]

ATI EGA Wonder 480 (1988)

ATI EGA Wonder 800 (1987)

Sources
[10] [11]

ATI EGA Wonder 800+ (1988)

Sources
[12] [13]

VGA cards

ATI VIP or VGA Improved Performance (1987)

Sources
[14] [15]

ATI VGA Wonder (1988)

Sources
[16] [4] [17]

ATI VGA Edge 8

ATI VGA Wonder-16 ATI VGA Wonder 16.jpg
ATI VGA Wonder-16

ATI VGA Wonder-16 (1988)

Source
[18]

ATI VGA Edge-16

ATI VGA Wonder+ (1990)

ATI VGA Wonder+ ATI Wonder.jpg
ATI VGA Wonder+
Source
[19]

ATI VGA Integra (1990)

ATI VGA Basic-16 (1990)

ATI VGA Charger (1991)

ATI VGA Wonder XL (1991)

ATI VGA Stereo·F/X

ATI VGA Stereo*F/X ATI VGA Stereo FX.jpg
ATI VGA Stereo·F/X
Source
[20]

ATI VGA Wonder XL24 (1992)

Source
[21]

ATI VGA Wonder 1024

See also

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References

  1. "DOS Days - ATI Technologies". dosdays.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  2. "Palčalova sbírka / Palcal's Collection - ATI". 2011-07-06. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  3. "硬件风云-ATi". YJFY Computer Component Museum. 2011-09-27. Archived from the original on 2011-09-27. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  4. 1 2 VGA Wonder Operation Manual (PDF). A TI Technologies Inc. July 1988.
  5. "ATI Graphics Solution". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  6. "ATI Color Emulation Card". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  7. "ATI Graphics Solution Plus". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  8. "EGA Wonder". DOS Days - ATI Technologies. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  9. "ATI EGA Wonder 480". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  10. "EGA Wonder 800". DOS Days - ATI Technologies. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  11. "ATI EGA Wonder 800". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  12. "EGA Wonder 800+". DOS Days - ATI Technologies. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  13. "ATI EGA Wonder 800+". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  14. "EGA Wonder VIP". DOS Days - ATI Technologies. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  15. "ATI VGA Improved Performance". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  16. "Reviews: VGA Wonder". InfoWorld. March 20, 1989. pp. 69, 72.
  17. "ATI VGA Wonder". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  18. "VGA Wonder 16". DOS Days - ATI Technologies. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  19. "ATI VGA Wonder+". techPowerUp! GPU Database.
  20. "Stereo F/X series". DOS Days - ATI Technologies. Retrieved 2024-03-04.
  21. "ATI VGA Wonder XL24". techPowerUp! GPU Database.