rec.autos.simulators

I have closely followed this NG for the last two weeks, I have read all the
FAQs and the reviews out there on the Net. But I can't seem to get the
answer I want. So it's your turn to have a go at it!  :-)

My PC is more than two years old (P200 MMX, 64 Mb). Bought it and a TM T2
for GP2, then bought ICR2, then bought F1RS and a Voodoo1 (Diamond Monster).

When GPL came out, I rushed to the store to get it. If I turn off some
details and keep the number of AI cars at a low number, I get OK FPS numbers
(around 25).

Now, with 1.1 and FF, I want to be a part of the game without putting too
much money in my PC (that will get replaced in around 6 months). I have
decided on the LWFF.

And now, the question:
If you had the choice between adding a Voodoo2 12 Mb to the mix or replacing
my base video card (ATI Rage II) with a Hercules Thriller PCI 8 Mb, what
would you do? This is to keep me having fun with GPL for the next 6 months
and maybe go back for some F1RS before each "real" F1 Grand Prix.

Thanks a lot for your help.

Christian Gingras

--
Wolfgang Preiss   \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.

--
Bye,
Leo

Thanks, your rationale is something to consider. How many additionnal FPS do
you think the Voodoo2 card would give me on my system (would 36 FPS be
possible at 800 x 600?). Can I use the Voodoo2 AND the Voodoo1 together, as
I have a PCI slot avalaible and I could chain them with my main card? Will I
get any improvement with the combination of the Voodoos?

Christian Gingras

Thanks. Going the V2 route, how many additional FPS would I get on my
system? Can I expect more from the Hercules? If so, does the actual pricing
of Hercules (around 90$) make it a sensible choice for a 6-month use?

Christian Gingras

Christian,

No way for me to tell. Maybe others know. Don't expect miracles though. If a
V1 doesn't give you 36 fps, chances are a V2 won't make it either.

Probably yes. If my memory serves me well, the Thriller is better than the
V2 in slow systems.

Yes, by all means! Six months is a long time. If you can spend them playing
GPL at 36 fps, you won't regret a single dollar (depending on your budget,
ofcourse:-)

Good luck,
Leo

This is from a system that is 'tweaked' for maximum GPL performance.

a V2  only works well with higher end cpu's.  The Hercules Thriller 3d 8mb
pci/agp was designed to run great on low end cpu's by doing most of the work on
the video card.  The Rendition card will give you the most bang for your buck.
Trust me.  I went through the same situation last year.  

p-133,  80 mb ram, win 98,  Herc Thriller 3d 8mb pci, sb16

The rendition version of ICR2 is drop dead georgous.  and in GPL, I get around
20-30 in trainer mode with some graphics.  Also I have no MMX which really
helps out.

Thanks for the words of wisdom!

Bart Brown

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Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

   My own experience was similar -- I had a P133 & V1000 Rendition,
went up to a C300A/450 last fall (coincidentally about 2 weeks after
GPL was released ;), found the V1000 was OK for 640x480, but limiting
frame rates (say 24 vs 36) in 800x600, so I got an 8meg Thriller V2200
and have been living more or less happily ever after.  :)  Downsides
to the Thriller are its becoming more of an orphan day by day and for
guys with large monitors, GPL frame rates for 1024x768 or larger are
sub-par vs the Voodoos.

   Another thing I'll warn you of, though.  I got my Thriller to be
able to still run ICR-3D.  However, once I got a machine that runs GPL
well, it's been very rare for me to go back and run ICR-3D (as pretty
as it is, and I love CART, GPL feels so much better).

"But in a way, fear is a big part of racing, because if there was
nothing to be frightened of, and no limit, any fool could get into
a motor car and racing would not exist as a sport." -- Jim Clark

I believe that to be a very feasible combination for you. If I had the money i
would do the same.  RENDITION RULEZ!!

A P200? Not likely.

I don't think so. It's possible to use two (identical) Voodoo2s in
"SLI-mode" (the two cards are connected by a cable inside the
computer) to achieve higher resolutions. It is even possible to SLI
two Voodoo1s (which supposedly gives them the performance of a single
Voodoo2, or so I heard.) But a Voodoo1 and a Voodoo2 will not work
together, AFAIK.

To come back to your initial question: the people who advised you that
the Rendition card will give a higher performance gain on your
computer are right. IIRC, the Rendition chip works better with slower
machines than the Voodoo chip. But then, you have to consider that the
Rendition card will be useful for a limited time only: once you get
your new machine, say a PIII 500 or something, you will not want to
keep the "old" Rendition card, which would limit the performance of
your new setup. The Voodoo2 could then still be useful.

If you are prepared to spend the money for a card which you will keep
for only six months, then go for the Rendition (keeping in mind that
it's not the best choice for anything not made by Papyrus.) Otherwise,
get the Voodoo2. But I'm afraid neither card will allow you to enjoy
GPL with FF at a reasonable framerate on your machine. The P200 just
won't be enough.

--
Wolfgang Preiss   \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.