Graphics system with a buddy / quad mode for faster writes

A method for rendering three-dimensional images, the method comprising:

• receiving 3-D graphics data corresponding to a polygon, wherein the 3-D graphics data includes vertex data;
• rendering parameter values for a first sample position of a group of neighboring sample positions using the vertex data;
• determining if parameter values for the neighboring sample positions within the polygon have insubstantial differences, wherein, if the parameter values for neighboring sample positions within the polygon have insubstantial differences, then:
• storing the parameter values rendered for the first sample position in a plurality of memory locations, wherein the plurality of memory locations correspond to the plurality of the neighboring sample positions.

A method for rendering three-dimensional images, the method comprising:

• receiving 3-D graphics data corresponding to a polygon;
• rendering parameter values, using the 3-D graphics data, for all sample positions that are within the polygon and are within a first type of sample bin that intersects an edge of the polygon;
• and
• rendering parameter values, using the 3-D graphics data, for a selected sample position of a plurality of sample positions that are within the polygon and in a second type of sample bin that does not intersect an edge of the polygon, and assigning the same parameter values rendered for the selected sample position to each sample position of the plurality of sample positions.

A graphics system for rendering three-dimensional images, the system comprising:

• an input for receiving 3-D graphics data corresponding to a polygon, wherein the 3-D graphics data includes vertex data;
• a plurality of memories for storing parameter data for samples;
• a render processor coupled to the input and the plurality of memories,
• wherein the render processor is operable to determine if parameter values of a group of neighboring sample positions within the polygon have insubstantial differences, and
• wherein the render processor is operable to store parameter values, rendered for a first sample position selected from the group of neighboring sample positions, in memory locations corresponding to two or more of the neighboring sample positions in one or more of the plurality of memories.