Three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics hardware has emerged as an integra
l part of mainstream desktop PC systems. The aim of this paper is to descri
be the 3D graphics architecture at a level accessible to the general comput
ational science community. We start with the generic 3D graphics rendering
algorithm, the computational requirements of each of its steps, and the bas
ic architectural features of 3D graphics processors. Then we survey the arc
hitectural features that have been implemented in or proposed for state-of-
the-art graphics processors at the processor and system levels to enable fa
ster and higher-quality 3D graphics rendering. Finally, we describe a taxon
omy of parallel 3D rendering algorithms that accelerate the performance of
3D graphics using parallel processing.