rec.autos.simulators

OK, so I'm a generation behind on both of my video cards, but I'm
still satisfied with the performance of both.
I did a few framerate tests, and after seeing the V3 Glide comments, I
was a little surprised at the V2 Glide results.
Thought this might help some of the guys with older cards.
These tests were rather impromptu, since there isn't any sort of
"timedemo", but I made them as consistent as possible.

My system specs:
P2/400, 128meg RAM, STB Velocity 4400 (TNT), Black Magic (12meg V2).
Both cards are using the latest reference drivers, no overclocking.

For each test, I ran 6 laps at Martinsville, 43 cars, in traffic, all
details maxxed (trying to get a "worst case" scenario).

V2 Glide (aa indicates Anti Aliasing on)
640x480aa 30-31fps (never dropped)
640x480      30fps       (never dropped)

800x600aa 20fps  (observed low 16fps)
800x600      25fps  (observed low 20fps)

1024x768     N/A

TNT D3D
640x480   30-31 fps (never dropped)
800x600   30-31 fps (observed low 27fps)
1024x768 27-30 fps (observed low 22 fps)

Some quick conclusions:

I was REALLY surprised with the TNT D3D results at high res, which
were better than the Glide results at 800x600.

The observed low at high res on the TNT was pretty far below the
average, and occurred as I was exiting the pit lane with lots of
traffic coming around. It generally stayed around 27.

Based on the V3 Glide comments I'd read, I still expected the Glide
version to outperform the D3D.

Anti Aliasing on the V2 ends up costing about 5fps. I'd leave it off,
personally. The difference isn't all that great.

I didn't try a D3D test on the V2 card. I use the TNT for all of my
D3D stuff and leave the V2 set for Glide only.
If anyone wants V2 D3D results, I can check them.

I ended up settling on running in D3D at 800x600, all details on.

The framerate seldom waivers below 30, and I don't notice the big
difference in image quality between Glide and D3D with the V2 that the
V3 guys are reporting.

Tim

Also see my thread "Nascar 3 graphics comparisons" from yesterday.

/peern

SNIP

Tim

Except, the colors and graphics are far superior with the TNT card.

-Larry

Just tweak the D3D settings a bit and you'll EASILY get better texture
quality with your TNT. Those pics really look awful. I wouldn't bear that
kinda textures for a second.

---
Antti Markus Peteri

       15 miles. your dim light shines from so far away

                                 - Soul Asylum, Promises Broken

I'd like to see screenshots. Just the ass of the next car in front of
you in the pits.

/petern

http://www.tol.oulu.fi/~midpro/comparison.html

Of course, the jaggies are always there with D3D since TNT/TNT2's AA
settings are useless in N3. I only objected to your judgement of
Glide/D3D texture quality. Unless you're using some ancient drivers
with your TNT, there should be a wealth of options available in D3D
settings, each of which has a distinct effect on texture quality
(mipmap levels, mipmap method, detail level, even texel alignment).

---
Antti Markus Peteri

       15 miles. your dim light shines from so far away

                                 - Soul Asylum, Promises Broken

When I looked at Peters shots, I wondered how I could have overlooked
such a quality difference.
Your's are representative of what I'm seeing with D3D.

Tim

Permit dithering- yes or no
Auto generate mipmap-yes or no
Auto generate mipmap filtering-bi-linear or tri-linear

Anti-aliasing supersampling size from 2x2 through 4x4?
thanks in advance
Wayne

I would suggest experimenting a bit. As I said before, N3 D3D
implementation doesn't support TNT's hardware anti-aliasing so just
disable it. What drivers are you using? From what you described, they
seem to offer very little freedom. The number of mipmap levels and mipmap
detail level are often the most significant factors. If you witness
excessive blurring or some unspecified texture anomalies, try reducing
the number of auto-generated mipmap levels. But it really depends on the
game and your personal preferences of what exactly works in each case.
Find a pleasing balance between speed and eyecandy and then save the
settings. I'm always a bit surprised to find out that people often leave
their vid card settings untouched when grabbing a new game. It's like
owning a top-of-the-line TV set and just changing the channels without
ever abandoning the factory settings. You've paid for the hardware, take
advantage of its capabilities - to the max. If the drivers restrict you,
don't settle for that, there are always other drivers to choose from.

---
Antti Markus Peteri

       15 miles. your dim light shines from so far away

                                 - Soul Asylum, Promises Broken