rec.autos.simulators

by J » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 08:28:22

Well the old race car just isnt going to cut it on the track anymore with the
new sims, so its time to replace the engine to get back up to speed. So I'll
tell you what I have and what I plan on going to, and ask for your constructive
opinions on the hardware. Keep in mind that I want to run some of the older
sims too, so compatibility is a concern.

Sims running now:
GPL
N3/N4
Nascar Heat
SCGT
Dirt Track Racing/Sprint Cars
Rally Masters

Sims I want to be able to run (and bleeding edge high speed low drag graphics
is not so much an issue)

NR2003
F12K2/Challenge
MS Flight Simulator 2002/4

Current System
Abit BH6 motherboard
300 mhz Celeron
128 meg ram
Voodoo 3 card

Upgrade System
Abit NF7-s motherboard
AMD xp2400 processor
Nvidia based ti4200 or fx5200 graphics card

Now here is the one problem I have run into. On the graphics cards, there are
so many different manufacuturers using the same chips, its kind of hard to
sort out if PNY is better than Gainward is better than Leadtek is better than
Abit is better than other board makers.

So any opinions and insight you might have to help me upgrade is greatly
appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

See you on the track!

Jeff

by **frederickso** » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 08:40:35

I would stay away from Abit, every motherboard I've dealt with from them has
failed. Also, I had a Leadtek video card that came with bad memory, so avoid
them too. I dont know much about the others.

by **Eldre** » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 11:42:23

>Current System
>Abit BH6 motherboard
>300 mhz Celeron
>128 meg ram
>Voodoo 3 card

Whoa - you ran N3, N4 and GPL with *that* system?!? You're a lot better at
optimizing system performance that I am, then. I had issues with those games
even with an Athlon 1.2 and a V5...

Eldred
--
Help find missing child: Tatianna Ashley Chillcutt from Michigan(info on my
homepage)
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett

Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

by **Tim Paulli** » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 12:59:39

I've had 3 PNY card and no problems right out of the box.

--
Tim
http://www.schwans.com

by J » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 13:04:20

>writes:

>>Current System
>>Abit BH6 motherboard
>>300 mhz Celeron
>>128 meg ram
>>Voodoo 3 card

>Whoa - you ran N3, N4 and GPL with *that* system?!? You're a lot better
>at optimizing system performance that I am, then. I had issues with
>those games even with an Athlon 1.2 and a V5...

>Eldred

Yep, still running it as we speak. Did a lot of research on tweaking, and
Im not running with all the eye candy on, but enough detail to be able to
hit my turn in and braking points. And for running online, having a cable
modem is a major part of that. Downloaded the demo for NR2003 and it wasnt
a slideshow, but framerates werent what I would be comfortable running
online with. Hope to get enough info on doing the upgrade in the next month
or so cause I want to be ready to run the Bullrun 1000 at the pits this
fall.

Jeff

by **Roger Squire** » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 19:03:38

Get the barton 2500+ instead. Also get 512meg PC3200 or PC3500 ram, and
a good hsf, like the slk900+92mm ystech. These will allow you to reach
3500+ performance levels by simply changing bios settings. Make sure your
power supply is a newer 'P4-ready' model, 350w or better, or you WILL have
problems.

These are poor choices. A 9600pro or a 9700non-pro (can be flashed to a
pro) are minimum videocards for action games. It sounds like you are trying
to low-ball your new system -- don't do this, you'll regret not spending a
few more bucks.

rms

by **Gerald Moo** » Tue, 08 Jul 2003 22:59:40

> Upgrade System
> Abit NF7-s motherboard
> AMD xp2400 processor
> Nvidia based ti4200 or fx5200 graphics card

> Now here is the one problem I have run into. On the graphics cards, there are
> so many different manufacuturers using the same chips, its kind of hard to
> sort out if PNY is better than Gainward is better than Leadtek is better than
> Abit is better than other board makers.

> So any opinions and insight you might have to help me upgrade is greatly
> appreciated.

As far as graphics cards go, most of them follow the reference design
provided by the chipset manufacturer. The big differences usually
come in the freebie software that the card manufacturers throw in to
entice you to pick their essentially identical product over someone
else's.

Tom's Hardware, Anandtech and other sites have graphics cards roundups
periodically.

Motherboards come in many many variations, and are the foundation for
the rest of your system. This is where you need to do the most
homework. The AMD Motherboard forums (http://www.amdforums.com/) is a
good place to get information for these.

My general advice is to buy all items from places that make it easy
for you to return things that may not play nicely with other hardware.
And by all means, go with WinXP in a clean install.

Good luck,
Gerald

by **Nick** » Wed, 09 Jul 2003 02:50:30

The FX 5200 is a budget replacement for the GF4 MX range. I wouldn't go
there (although it will still be a lot better than you have right now). The
GF4 Ti is fine, but it doesn't support DX9. The FX 5600 is the GF4 Ti
replacement which does support DX9, so I would recommend that.

As for varying graphics card manufacturers, the actual cards are pretty much
the same. You get what you pay for, at the end of the day, but the only real
difference is bundled games.

by **Hamm** » Fri, 11 Jul 2003 07:29:34

> > Nvidia based ti4200 or fx5200 graphics card

Don't buy a FX 5800 Ultra. I just got one. It's so noisy it drives
my family out of the room. The noise is unfathomable until you
actually hear the dustbuster fire up. It fires up for ALL D3D GAMES!,
reguardless of temperature! If a D3D game is running, the dustbuster
is running. If someone would have ever told me that, I'd have never
bought it.

It's super fast, but not worth the noise <did I mention is so loud you
can't believe it without hearing it?>! By an ATI!

Hammer

ps - did I mention it was loud? I've been going crazy from noise
lately, so I can't remember.

by **Dave Henri** » Fri, 11 Jul 2003 13:26:44

The 5800 series is not only loud, it's not much of an improvement on
the ATI 9700pro. However, the 5900 cards are much quieter and faster but
HUGELY more expensive.
dave henrie

rec.autos.simulators

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims

Need hepl/opinions on upgrade for race sims