Professional Graphics Controller

<h2 id="software-support">Software support</h2>
The board was targeted at the CAD market, therefore limited software support is to be expected. The only software systems known to support the PGC are IBM's <a href="/facts/Graphical_Kernel_System/bdVdRjNt">Graphical Kernel System</a>, <a href="/facts/P-CAD/nxff1kqF">P-CAD</a> 4.5, Canyon State Systems CompuShow<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> and <a href="/facts/AutoCAD/c83IAlgP">AutoCAD</a> 2.5.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a>

<h2 id="output-capabilities">Output capabilities</h2>

PGC supports:

<ul><li>640 × 480 with 256 colors from a palette of 4,096<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a> (<a href="/facts/List_of_monochrome_and_RGB_color_formats/qbfHGu3X">12-bit RGB palette, or 4 bits per color component</a>).</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Color_Graphics_Adapter/zcX23HQo">Color Graphics Adapter</a> text and graphics modes. Text modes use a font with 8×16-pixel character cells<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a> and have 400 rows of pixels.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a></li></ul>
There are six possible color arrangements:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a>

<ul><li>Default 256-colour palette - Low 4 bits intensity, high 4 bits colour;</li>
<li>16-colour palette - Makes the PGC behave as two 16-colour planes. If high 4 bits are 0, low 4 bits are colour; otherwise, high 4 bits are colour;</li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_monochrome_and_RGB_color_formats/qbfHGu3X">2-3-3 palette</a> (Palette 2) - Bits 6-7 red, bits 3-5 green, bits 0-2 blue;</li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_monochrome_and_RGB_color_formats/qbfHGu3X">3-2-3 palette</a> (Palette 3) - Bits 5-7 red, bits 3-4 green, bits 0-2 blue;</li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_monochrome_and_RGB_color_formats/qbfHGu3X">3-3-2 palette</a> (Palette 4) - Bits 5-7 red, bits 2-4 green; bits 0-1 blue;</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Color_depth/0X7zI9BP">6x6x6 colour cube</a> - six equally spaced shades of red, green, and blue.</li></ul>
<h2 id="operation">Operation</h2>
The display adapter was composed of three physical circuit boards (one with the on-board microprocessor, <a href="/facts/Firmware/62UVKIUK">firmware</a> ROMs and video output connector, one providing <a href="/facts/Color_Graphics_Adapter/zcX23HQo">CGA</a> emulation, and the third mostly carrying RAM) and occupied two adjacent <a href="/facts/Expansion_card/QkWAPnxJ">expansion slots</a> on the XT or AT <a href="/facts/Motherboard/GXB10heG">motherboard</a> or the Expansion Unit;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a> the third card was located in between the two slots. The PGC could not be used in the <a href="/facts/IBM_Personal_Computer/yhcJGMPL">original IBM PC</a> without the 5161 Expansion Unit due to the different spacing of its slots.
In addition to its native 640 × 480 mode, the PGC optionally supported the documented text and graphics modes of the <a href="/facts/Color_Graphics_Adapter/zcX23HQo">Color Graphics Adapter</a>, which could be enabled using an onboard jumper. However, it was only partly <a href="/facts/Processor_register/32RvbUdz">register</a>-compatible with CGA.

<h2 id="related-monitor">Related monitor</h2>
The PGC's matching display was the IBM 5175, an analog RGB monitor that is unique to it and not compatible with any other video card without modification. With hardware modification, the 5175 can be used with <a href="/facts/VGA/8GGsGTSc">VGA</a>, <a href="/facts/Macintosh/8GhnXTK0">Macintosh</a>, and various other analog <a href="/facts/RGB_color_model/3Be0zwCj">RGB</a> video sources.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a> Some surplus 5175s in VGA-converted form were still sold by catalog retailers such as COMB (Close Out Merchant Buyers) as late as the early 1990s.

<h2 id="hardware-clones">Hardware clones</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Matrox/mvvP6jDX">Matrox</a> PG-640, PG-1280 and QG-640 (for the DEC <a href="/facts/MicroVAX/p1uEFVt9">MicroVAX</a>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Dell/wLlYNTMM">Dell</a> NEC MVA-1024 card<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Everex/Lc4w8803">Everex</a> EPGA<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Orchid_Technology/F2AGFB2m">Orchid Technology</a> TurboPGA<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a></li>
<li>Vermont Microsystems IM-640, IM-1024<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a></li></ul>
<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/PC/GX/d5ksJ60A">PC/GX</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/List_of_defunct_graphics_chips_and_card_companies/tvRtCwls">List of defunct graphics chips and card companies</a></li></ul>

Notes

<ul><li>Mueller, Scott (1992) Upgrading and Repairing PCs, Second Edition, Que Books, <a href="/facts/ISBN_(identifier)/15AdSPa9">ISBN</a> 0-88022-856-3 - which says 3 slots and "adapter"</li>
<li><a href="http://domino.research.ibm.com/tchjr/journalindex.nsf/0/6829ccaf443f3a6c85256bfa00685b97?OpenDocument">A Professional Graphics Controller</a> by K. A. Duke and W. A. Wall, IBM Systems Journal</li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html">Professional Graphics Controller: Notes - Pictures and programming information</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">IBM Personal Computer Professional Graphics Controller Technical Reference (PDF). lBM Corporation. August 15, 1984. <a href="http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/oa/OA%20-%20IBM%20Professional%20Graphics%20Controller.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/oa/OA%20-%20IBM%20Professional%20Graphics%20Controller.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">Elliott, John (August 11, 2010). "Professional Graphics Controller Notes". John Elliott's homepage. Retrieved 2014-06-19. <a href="http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html" target="_blank">http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"Announcement Letter Number 184-112 dated September 10, 1984: IBM 5175 PERSONAL COMPUTER PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS DISPLAY AND PERSONAL COMPUTER PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS". IBM United States. 10 September 1984. Retrieved 2016-08-08. <a href="http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/897/ENUS184-112/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en" target="_blank">http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/897/ENUS184-112/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"Announcement Letter Number 184-112 dated September 10, 1984: IBM 5175 PERSONAL COMPUTER PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS DISPLAY AND PERSONAL COMPUTER PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS". IBM United States. 10 September 1984. Retrieved 2016-08-08. <a href="http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/897/ENUS184-112/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en" target="_blank">http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/897/ENUS184-112/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Announcement Letter Number 183-082 dated June 7, 1983: IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER AND IBM PERSONAL COMPUTER XT ENHANCED WITH ANNOUNCEMENT OF MATH CO-PROCESSOR". IBM United States. 1983-06-07. Retrieved 2023-04-06. <a href="https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?appname=skmwww&htmlfid=897/ENUS183-082&infotype=AN&mhq=IBM%20Personal%20Computer%20XT%20announcement&mhsrc=ibmsearch_a&subtype=CA" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?appname=skmwww&htmlfid=897/ENUS183-082&infotype=AN&mhq=IBM%20Personal%20Computer%20XT%20announcement&mhsrc=ibmsearch_a&subtype=CA</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">Elliott, John (August 11, 2010). "Professional Graphics Controller Notes". John Elliott's homepage. Retrieved 2014-06-19. <a href="http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html" target="_blank">http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"CompuShow History". The "Cshow" Place. Retrieved 2016-08-08. <a href="http://www.cshowplace.com/history.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cshowplace.com/history.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">Milburn, Ken (September 29, 1986). "Autocad ADE-3, Version 2.5". InfoWorld. p. 49. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=pzwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=pzwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA49</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">Elliott, John (August 11, 2010). "Professional Graphics Controller Notes". John Elliott's homepage. Retrieved 2014-06-19. <a href="http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html" target="_blank">http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">IBM Personal Computer Professional Graphics Controller Technical Reference (PDF). lBM Corporation. August 15, 1984. <a href="http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/oa/OA%20-%20IBM%20Professional%20Graphics%20Controller.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.minuszerodegrees.net/oa/OA%20-%20IBM%20Professional%20Graphics%20Controller.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Announcement Letter Number 184-112 dated September 10, 1984: IBM 5175 PERSONAL COMPUTER PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS DISPLAY AND PERSONAL COMPUTER PROFESSIONAL GRAPHICS". IBM United States. 10 September 1984. Retrieved 2016-08-08. <a href="http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/897/ENUS184-112/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en" target="_blank">http://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/ShowDoc.wss?docURL=/common/ssi/rep_ca/2/897/ENUS184-112/index.html&lang=en&request_locale=en</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Elliott, John (August 11, 2010). "Professional Graphics Controller Notes". John Elliott's homepage. Retrieved 2014-06-19. <a href="http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html" target="_blank">http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">R., Bill. "The IBM PGA Graphics Adapter". Bill's Home Page. Archived from the original on 2016-08-07. Retrieved 2016-08-08. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160807092417/http://incolor.inebraska.com/bill_r/ibm_pga_graphics_adapter.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20160807092417/http://incolor.inebraska.com/bill_r/ibm_pga_graphics_adapter.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">"Google Discussiegroepen". Retrieved 2014-06-19. <a href="https://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc/msg/da3cd6fd21d0ef3f" target="_blank">https://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc/msg/da3cd6fd21d0ef3f</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Elliott, John (August 11, 2010). "Professional Graphics Controller Notes". John Elliott's homepage. Retrieved 2014-06-19. <a href="http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html" target="_blank">http://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Vlask. "NEC MVA 1024". VGA Legacy MKIII. Retrieved 2024-12-13. <a href="https://www.vgamuseum.info/index.php/cpu/item/940-nec-mva-1024" target="_blank">https://www.vgamuseum.info/index.php/cpu/item/940-nec-mva-1024</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Elliott, John (August 11, 2010). "Professional Graphics Controller Notes - Clones". John Elliott's homepage. Retrieved 2024-12-13. <a href="https://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html#clones" target="_blank">https://www.seasip.info/VintagePC/pgc.html#clones</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">Orchid Turbo PGA (PDF). Orchid Technology. <a href="https://www.dosdays.co.uk/media/orchid/TurboEGA/Orchid%20TurboPGA%20Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.dosdays.co.uk/media/orchid/TurboEGA/Orchid%20TurboPGA%20Brochure.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">"Image Manager 1024 advert". InfoWorld. September 22, 1986. p. 6. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ZS8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=ZS8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA6</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Professional Graphics Controller open-in-new

Professional Graphics Controller