WE PREVIEWED S3's new DeltaChrome graphics chip exactly three months ago. At the time, the DeltaChrome looked like it could become a competent alternative to ATI and NVIDIA's two-fisted stranglehold on the DirectX 9 graphics market. Instead of looking to challenge for the high-end graphics crown, S3 was preparing a line of mid-range and low-end DeltaChrome products that would balance 3D performance and DirectX 9 compatibility with a suite of new video features and high-definition video output.

On paper, DeltaChrome looked pretty good, but we all know that paper specs and features don't always fly in the real world.

Although cards based on DeltaChrome won't be available in the real world until next year, S3 has given us a chance to preview of the chip's 3D graphics capabilities using an early DeltaChrome S8 sample board with the latest beta drivers from S3. How does the S8's 3D performance look at this early stage? Read on to find out.