3dfx Voodoo 5 prototypes


V5-5500 64 MB with dual VGA output! Functional but only with reduced AGP bus speed, running at 100 mhz clock speed (not unusual for prototype pre-production boards to be operating at much lower speeds then production) board date 45-99 REV A0. 

I'm told by an engineer that these A0 boards were the first operating 5500 PCB's.


 Prototype V5-5000 PCI 32 MB with perfect function, PCB dated 0900 REV A1.


V5-5500 AGP PCB dated 0900 REV A1 "not for resale" tagged, gift from 3dfx engineer.


V5-5500 AGP PCB dated 1400 REV A0, "not for resale."


V5-5500 PCI "Not for resale" tagged, 25-00 date, REV A1

V5-5500 PCI "Not for resale" tagged, 25-00 date, REV A1, VGA & DVI connectors, from Mac group 3dfx engineer.


Can't tell you much about this card except state the obvious- A prototype V5-5500 AGP x 4 with 64MB. If the board looks shorter then a regular V5-5500 that is because it is by about a full inch. The card is dated 30th week of 2000 (11 weeks newer then my regular 5500's) and has PCB number 210-0411-001-A1. 

The bios revision is 1.12 dated 7/21/00 and what is odd is there is no 3dfx bios display call out on boot up and things seem to be moved around the bios in different locations then stock. This board also has a number of components and resistors that have obviously been hand soldered in place or modified. Card function is flawless with stock VSA-100 drivers, even when 4x anti-aliasing is utilized.

I will go out on a limb and offer a theory- Judging by the date and configuration of the PCB, it suggests that this PCB would have superceded the longer board we know so well. It has an AGP x 4 connector, has a DVI spot on the PCB (perfect for G4 Mac applications) and compared to a normal V5 PCB is shorter and uses less components which saves money so you can offer the card at a lower price.

NOTE: Even though these cards have a 4x connector they operate at 3.3 AGP volts & 1/2x AGP mode only.

5500 AGP "Not for resale" tagged, 33-00 date, REV-A2, VGA & DVI connectors, from Mac group 3dfx engineer.


The elusive V5-5000 32MB SGRAM AGP x 4- A steep price was paid to lay hands on this card and worth every penny. Card PCB is dated 37 week of 2000, bios version 1.15, board revision A0. Card works perfectly except in 3DMark2001 (DirectX 8.1) when anti-aliasing is active there is rendering errors. Since the VSA chipset is a DirectX 7 part and the 5000 is a prototype piece I assume the error is related to drivers since everything else works perfect including 3DMark2000.

NOTE: Even though these cards have a 4x connector they operate at 3.3 AGP volts & 1/2x AGP mode only.


Click the V5-6000 to enter site through main page.