IBM 8514

"8514" redirects here. For the number, see 8000 (number).
IBM 8514
The IBM 8514 Micro Channel adapter, with memory add-on.
Release date1987; 37 years ago (1987)
Cards
Entry-levelIBM Image Adapter/A
History
PredecessorEGA, PGC
SuccessorXGA

IBM 8514 is a graphics card manufactured by IBM and introduced with the IBM PS/2 line of personal computers in 1987. It supports a display resolution of 1024 × 768 pixels with 256 colors at 43.5 Hz (interlaced), or 640 × 480 at 60 Hz (non-interlaced).[1][2] 8514 usually refers to the display controller hardware (such as the 8514/A display adapter).[2] However, IBM sold the companion CRT monitor (for use with the 8514/A) which carries the same designation, 8514.

The 8514 uses a standardised API called the "Adapter Interface" or AI. This interface is also used by XGA, IBM Image Adapter/A, and clones of the 8514/A and XGA such as the ATI Technologies Mach series and IIT AGX. The interface allows computer software to offload common 2D-drawing operations (line-draw, color-fill, and block copies via a blitter) onto the 8514 hardware. This frees the host CPU for other tasks, and greatly improves the speed of redrawing a graphics visual (such as a pie-chart or CAD-illustration).

The 8514 initially sold for $1290 for the adapter and $270 for the 512 KB memory expansion (equivalent to $3500 and $720, respectively, in 2023).[3] The 8514/A required a Micro Channel architecture bus at a time when ISA systems were standard.

  1. ^ "The 8514/A Graphics Accelerator". OS/2 Museum. 2013-05-09. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  2. ^ a b "8514A". www.walshcomptech.com. Retrieved 2022-10-26.
  3. ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.