Graphics system having a super-sampled sample buffer and having single sample per pixel support

A method for generating pixels for display in a graphics system, the method comprising:

• receiving 3D graphics data;
• rendering a plurality of samples into a sample buffer in response to the 3D graphics data;
• and
• generating output pixels in response to the samples stored in the sample buffer, wherein said generating includes selecting and filtering stored samples to generate the output pixels to the display,
• wherein at least one of said rendering and said generating operates according to a sample mode, wherein, for a respective window, said sample mode is determined according to a window ID of the respective window.

A graphics system comprising:

• a graphics processor operable to receive 3D graphics data, wherein the graphics processor is operable to render a plurality of samples from the 3D graphics data;
• a sample buffer coupled to said graphics processor for storing said samples;
• and
• a sample-to-pixel calculation unit coupled to said sample buffer, wherein the sample-to-pixel calculation unit is operable to select and filter stored samples to generate output pixels to a display,
• wherein the graphics system is operable to display a plurality of windows on the display,
• wherein the graphics systems maintains a window ID value for at least a subset of the windows displayed on the display device, wherein, for a respective window, the window ID value specifies one or more of a filter type or a sample mode for pixels displayed in the respective window, and
• wherein the sample mode indicates a number of samples used in generating the output pixels to the display.