rec.autos.simulators

Graphics Card?

Robert Upwar

Graphics Card?

by Robert Upwar » Sun, 14 Jul 2002 10:34:51

    I have a question for the far more informed minds out there than mine.
I think I need to get a new graphics card.  I've recently started playing
N2002 and I've noticed  that my older 3dfx Voodoo 5 5500 doesn't really like
to run this game.  There are several colour problems.  For instance, the
painted lines on the pavement are a wonderful shade of red/pink/green/black
depending on the track until I get right on top of them.  Also my frame rate
will hover around 15fps unless I turn the graphics options to "some" and
reduce the field to about 25 cars and the lowest resolution (640x480?) the
game offers, even with me using the "end it all" program.  Now the
"Preferred" system options are:

Pentium III 800 MHz+
128 MB RAM
32 MB Direct 3D compatible video card

My system is:

AMD Athlon 800 MHz
128 MB RAM
3dfx Voodoo5 5500

    So I guess my question is would a better graphics card fix the frame
rate and colour problems, and if it would, what could I get that wouldn't
break the bank (i.e. GeForce 4 Ti 4600)?

Also, what's the difference between AGP & PCI?

Bobby Upward

"Fat, Drunk, and Stupid, is no way to go through life, son"

bertr

Graphics Card?

by bertr » Sun, 14 Jul 2002 11:19:09

Although I'm still using my trusty old Voodoo5 card, I agree with your
assessment of its performance with NR2002.  Other than that sim, I'm still very
pleased with its performance with other racing sims (on my Athlon 1700XP
system).

Can't give specific advice on a new video card, as the GeForce comes in many
flavors.  However, I can explain that AGP and PCI are two different types of
slots on a motherboard.  You'll need to check what type of slot your motherboard
has.  (Check the schematic in your manual, or your mobo manufacturer's website,
if unsure).  IIRC, the AGP slot is longer than the PCI slots and it would
definitely be located near the edge of the motherboard (not the center).  If you
don't have an AGP slot, you'll have to get a PCI videocard.  If you do have an
AGP slot, go for an AGP videocard for better performance.  Most modern mobo's
will have an AGP slot (to be used for your videocard) with the rest being PCI.

Do you still have the manual or box for the Voodoo5?  It'll tell you whether the
Voodoo5 was AGP or PCI.  If your Voodoo5 was AGP, replace it with an AGP.

Hope this helps.......  Happy hunting for that new videocard!


>     I have a question for the far more informed minds out there than mine.
> I think I need to get a new graphics card.  I've recently started playing
> N2002 and I've noticed  that my older 3dfx Voodoo 5 5500 doesn't really like
> to run this game.  There are several colour problems.  For instance, the
> painted lines on the pavement are a wonderful shade of red/pink/green/black
> depending on the track until I get right on top of them.  Also my frame rate
> will hover around 15fps unless I turn the graphics options to "some" and
> reduce the field to about 25 cars and the lowest resolution (640x480?) the
> game offers, even with me using the "end it all" program.  Now the
> "Preferred" system options are:

> Pentium III 800 MHz+
> 128 MB RAM
> 32 MB Direct 3D compatible video card

> My system is:

> AMD Athlon 800 MHz
> 128 MB RAM
> 3dfx Voodoo5 5500

>     So I guess my question is would a better graphics card fix the frame
> rate and colour problems, and if it would, what could I get that wouldn't
> break the bank (i.e. GeForce 4 Ti 4600)?

> Also, what's the difference between AGP & PCI?

> Bobby Upward

> "Fat, Drunk, and Stupid, is no way to go through life, son"

Larr

Graphics Card?

by Larr » Sun, 14 Jul 2002 23:52:42

You'll never see the full benifit of today's high-end graphics cards with an
800Mhz processor.

I've got a Ti4400 card, and an Athlon 1800+ processor.

I'm currently held back by the processor, not the card.  There's more the
card can give that my system can't deliver to the card.

Today's games are just as processor intensive as they are GPU intensive.

So, in short, while you may see some improvement, and especially more
consistency, with a newer graphics card, you really need to consider a
system-wide update to really get up there.

-Larry


red/pink/green/black

> depending on the track until I get right on top of them.  Also my frame
rate
> will hover around 15fps unless I turn the graphics options to "some" and
> reduce the field to about 25 cars and the lowest resolution (640x480?) the
> game offers, even with me using the "end it all" program.  Now the
> "Preferred" system options are:

> Pentium III 800 MHz+
> 128 MB RAM
> 32 MB Direct 3D compatible video card

> My system is:

> AMD Athlon 800 MHz
> 128 MB RAM
> 3dfx Voodoo5 5500

>     So I guess my question is would a better graphics card fix the frame
> rate and colour problems, and if it would, what could I get that wouldn't
> break the bank (i.e. GeForce 4 Ti 4600)?

> Also, what's the difference between AGP & PCI?

> Bobby Upward

> "Fat, Drunk, and Stupid, is no way to go through life, son"


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