kishy
Veteran Member
Hey folks.
This marginally hovers around relevant for this forum, but I figure of the communities to which I belong, this one will have the most perspective.
It has come to my attention that 3DFX Voodoo5 graphics cards (among the last, if not the last model released by 3DFX before they disappeared) sell for impressive amounts ($200+ US) on eBay and that seems to be the going rate for years now. I happen to have one of these cards, a Voodoo5 5500 64MB AGP, and had no idea this card held any value. Because of how early AGP cards were keyed, it doesn't fit anything I have with an AGP slot. I think it's keyed to signify voltage compatibility.
Similarly, Voodoo2 accelerators seem to clear $50 easily, and sometimes $100. I have some of those hanging around too...no idea they had any meaningful value.
What I'm wondering is...what exactly drives the value of these cards? Plenty of period graphics cards (or a bit newer) will play period games decently. Is there some performance edge to 3DFX gear? Or is it purely just collecting it for the sake of being able to say you've got 3DFX stuff?
This is not a veiled attempt to stir up interest in my cards, I'm undecided on if I'd part with them anyway. Just curious if anyone has a view into the specific attraction to these cards.
This marginally hovers around relevant for this forum, but I figure of the communities to which I belong, this one will have the most perspective.
It has come to my attention that 3DFX Voodoo5 graphics cards (among the last, if not the last model released by 3DFX before they disappeared) sell for impressive amounts ($200+ US) on eBay and that seems to be the going rate for years now. I happen to have one of these cards, a Voodoo5 5500 64MB AGP, and had no idea this card held any value. Because of how early AGP cards were keyed, it doesn't fit anything I have with an AGP slot. I think it's keyed to signify voltage compatibility.
Similarly, Voodoo2 accelerators seem to clear $50 easily, and sometimes $100. I have some of those hanging around too...no idea they had any meaningful value.
What I'm wondering is...what exactly drives the value of these cards? Plenty of period graphics cards (or a bit newer) will play period games decently. Is there some performance edge to 3DFX gear? Or is it purely just collecting it for the sake of being able to say you've got 3DFX stuff?
This is not a veiled attempt to stir up interest in my cards, I'm undecided on if I'd part with them anyway. Just curious if anyone has a view into the specific attraction to these cards.