rec.autos.simulators

by **Keith Meye** » Sat, 21 Dec 1996 04:00:00

Has anyone tried NASCAR2 on a 486? Is the performance acceptable? I have
a 486 DX4 100 an got pretty good (vga) performance with NASCAR1 and most
details. I also get acceptable (for me) performance in GP2 with textures
on fences, trackside objects, and low detail.

Thanks for any input...
Keith

by **ro..** » Sat, 21 Dec 1996 04:00:00

> Has anyone tried NASCAR2 on a 486? Is the performance acceptable? I have
> a 486 DX4 100 an got pretty good (vga) performance with NASCAR1 and most
> details. I also get acceptable (for me) performance in GP2 with textures
> on fences, trackside objects, and low detail.

> Thanks for any input...
> KeithKeith I have a 486dx2 66mzh with 20 megs of ram, VLB bus 1 meg video card

and I found the performance worse than unacceptable, even in low res.
Even with all the graphics off.
However on the P166+ with 16 megs of ram,2 meg Mystique, I can run with
all the graphics on and get smooth animation in***pit view.
Mike Rojas

by **Gave** » Sat, 21 Dec 1996 04:00:00

Hi Keith,
I run Nascar2 on a 486dx4-120. In VGA it runs smoothly with most of the
detail on. But to me it feels a bit claustrophobic. I've been totally
spoiled by SVGA.
In SVGA I have to make some heavy concessions to run it. I run with
nothing but car textures/smoke at most tracks(some tracks I can turn on the
grandstands without people). I have 4 cars ahead and 1 behind and 1 car
heard. Pretty Spartan,eh? It runs acceptably though. I'll be upgrading to
P-133 next month. Nascar2 has pushed me into it.
BTW I use the worst video card in the world..Trident 9440 vesa so you
may do better with a better vid card. My motherboard is an ASUS, that
makes a difference ( my Biostar 486 board smokes my ASUS). In fact,in
regards to GP2, my Biostar 486dx2-80 in VGA looks better and runs smoother
than my ASUS 486dx4-120 in SVGA.No kidding. I've swapped vid cards, monitors,
the works and I conclude that it must have the motherboard.Go figure!!
Hope this helps
Regards,
Greg
Gavel on Hawaii &TEN

by **Jeff Vince** » Sun, 22 Dec 1996 04:00:00

On Fri, 20 Dec 1996 13:19:36 -0500, Keith Meyer

>Has anyone tried NASCAR2 on a 486? Is the performance acceptable? I have
>a 486 DX4 100 an got pretty good (vga) performance with NASCAR1 and most
>details. I also get acceptable (for me) performance in GP2 with textures
>on fences, trackside objects, and low detail.

I haven't tried it on my DX2/66, but if you find GP2 (of all
things!) acceptable on your machine, NASCAR2 should cause no problems.
Seriously, on my P133/Reactor I find N2's SVGA (non-Rendition) frame
rate comparable to N1 (the graphics engine has been optimized, but the
extra speed is used to show more detail, so the frame rate is
similar). It seems that ever since the "bleeding edge" performance
requirements of N1, Papyrus sims (ICR2, N2) haven't been any *more*
demanding (and the typical machine today is a lot more powerful than
two years ago!).

Pick one or more: Model Rockets (competition-NERCB) / PCs (even Atari!) /
Papyrus ICR-ICR2-NCR / Who needs a life when you have multiple non-lives?

by **John M Vass I** » Mon, 23 Dec 1996 04:00:00

>>Has anyone tried NASCAR2 on a 486? Is the performance acceptable? I
have
>>a 486 DX4 100 an got pretty good (vga) performance with NASCAR1 and
most
>>details. I also get acceptable (for me) performance in GP2 with
textures
>>on fences, trackside objects, and low detail.

>>Thanks for any input...
>>Keith

> Hi Keith,
> I run Nascar2 on a 486dx4-120. In VGA it runs smoothly with most of
the
>detail on. But to me it feels a bit claustrophobic. I've been totally
>spoiled by SVGA.
> In SVGA I have to make some heavy concessions to run it. I run with
>nothing but car textures/smoke at most tracks(some tracks I can turn
on the
>grandstands without people). I have 4 cars ahead and 1 behind and 1
car
>heard. Pretty Spartan,eh? It runs acceptably though. I'll be upgrading
to
>P-133 next month. Nascar2 has pushed me into it.
> BTW I use the worst video card in the world..Trident 9440 vesa so
you
>may do better with a better vid card. My motherboard is an ASUS, that
>makes a difference ( my Biostar 486 board smokes my ASUS). In fact,in
>regards to GP2, my Biostar 486dx2-80 in VGA looks better and runs
smoother
>than my ASUS 486dx4-120 in SVGA.No kidding. I've swapped vid cards,
monitors,
>the works and I conclude that it must have the motherboard.Go figure!!
>Hope this helps
>Regards,
>Greg
>Gavel on Hawaii &TEN

I have a dx4X100 and it runs but not at an acceptable rate. It's
causing me to get a p200 tommorow.

John

by **Gamecock** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

I run Nascar 2 on a 486/100 with 20 MB of RAM in VGA. I have a few things
turned on, it isn't too spartan. I have 5 cars ahead and I think 2 or 3
behind. I am not quite sure. It runs pretty well most of the time.
Occasionally it gets a little jerky but not too often. I have sound and
everything. I run N2 under Win 95 and I think that is the reason it runs
so well, but I have never tried DOS.

by **sbesh..** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

>Subject: Re: Will NASCAR2 work on a 486?

>Date: 5 Jan 1997 01:13:18 GMT

>I run Nascar 2 on a 486/100 with 20 MB of RAM in VGA. I have a few
things
>turned on, it isn't too spartan. I have 5 cars ahead and I think 2 or 3
>behind. I am not quite sure. It runs pretty well most of the time.
>Occasionally it gets a little jerky but not too often. I have sound and
>everything. I run N2 under Win 95 and I think that is the reason it runs
>so well, but I have never tried DOS.

Notice he said VGA. If you can stand to see pixelated low resolution cars
going around
the track then go for it. Otherwise you will need a pentium class machine
(100 or
better) also a video card with rendition chipset would make the game even
more
enjoyable. This game requires more horsepower than Nascar 1, if you want
good frame rates and high resolution..

by **Kai Fulle** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

it should run better in dos-mode (reboot to dos) because Win 95 has to
emulate the dos game. nascar 2 does not utilize win 95's power. and make
sure your running in low res too.

by **Troy Allen Nol** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

: I have a 486 80 mghz and it runs like crap. I even turned most of
: the graphics off and it is still choppy, thats alright I am getting
: a new computer soon, this ibm ps/1 has seen its best days

by **Vic Lombard** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

On my 486dx4/100, 16MB RAM, 1MB S3/805 video machine, VGA runs OK with
asphalt/grass turned off, 8 drawn ahead, 1 behind. But after playing SVGA
in NASCAR1, I'm spoiled. SVGA on a 486 is completely out of the question.
If I want to take a nice tour of the SVGA scenery at the track, I can go to
that mode and sightsee.
Must get that Pentium....

by **Lee W. Gle** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

>Subject: Re: Will NASCAR2 work on a 486?
>Date: 5 Jan 1997 15:49:03 -0700
>On my 486dx4/100, 16MB RAM, 1MB S3/805 video machine, VGA runs OK with
>asphalt/grass turned off, 8 drawn ahead, 1 behind. But after playing SVGA
>in NASCAR1, I'm spoiled. SVGA on a 486 is completely out of the question.
>If I want to take a nice tour of the SVGA scenery at the track, I can go to
>that mode and sightsee.
>Must get that Pentium....

With the following system I can run N2 in SVGA with only asphalt,
wall, and cars textures on. Sky, infield and grandstands off. The frame rate
is decent. No noticable jerkiness.

ASUS SP3G
Intel DX4-100
16MG
256 cache
Hercules Stingray 64V (I think this is the key)
1.28 Quantum
PCI busmastering controller.

I have since (xmas) upgraded to a P166 that allow alot more graphics on but
the DX4 was quite acceptable. I'm still using the Stingray which I think is a
great and inexpensive 2D DOS *** card.

by **AKH** » Mon, 06 Jan 1997 04:00:00

> >Subject: Re: Will NASCAR2 work on a 486?

> >Date: 5 Jan 1997 01:13:18 GMT

> >I run Nascar 2 on a 486/100 with 20 MB of RAM in VGA. I have a few
> things
> >turned on, it isn't too spartan. <SNIP> It runs pretty well most of the time.
> ><SNIP>I run N2 under Win 95 and I think that is the reason it runs
> >so well, but I have never tried DOS.

******I would think a clean boot to DOS mode would yeild better results
than in Win 95.

*****I'm running on an AMD 5x86 133 with (yech- Cirrus Logic 1M
VideoCard). SVGA-14 cars ahead, 1 behind, minimal deatail turned on (DOS
mode). It runs pretty good but I have to agree it needs more HorsePower
than Nascar 1.
Dropping the AMD 5x86 133 in my machine to replace the 486 DX2 66 that
was in it made a BIG difference in Nascar 1, so I'd have to think a 486
DX2 66 is gonna have a hard time with anything but VGA in N2. As far as
a DX 100 it _should_ fare a little better...

*****I've got a Reactor but I'm waiting on a BIOS upgrade for the
computer before I'm able to install it in my machine.

http://www.infochase.com/games/simshop

by **Aw C'mon** » Wed, 08 Jan 1997 04:00:00

> it should run better in dos-mode (reboot to dos) because Win 95 has to
> emulate the dos game. nascar 2 does not utilize win 95's power. and make
> sure your running in low res too.

> > I run Nascar 2 on a 486/100 with 20 MB of RAM in VGA. I have a few
> things
> > turned on, it isn't too spartan. I have 5 cars ahead and I think 2 or 3
> > behind. I am not quite sure. It runs pretty well most of the time.
> > Occasionally it gets a little jerky but not too often. I have sound and
> > everything. I run N2 under Win 95 and I think that is the reason it runs
> > so well, but I have never tried DOS.

Isn't "power" and "win 95" an oxy-moron? :)

by **Chad Well** » Wed, 08 Jan 1997 04:00:00

> > <snip>

> *****I'm running on an AMD 5x86 133 with (yech- Cirrus Logic 1M
> VideoCard). SVGA-14 cars ahead, 1 behind, minimal deatail turned on (DOS
> mode). It runs pretty good but I have to agree it needs more HorsePower
> than Nascar 1.
> Dropping the AMD 5x86 133 in my machine to replace the 486 DX2 66 that
> was in it made a BIG difference in Nascar 1, so I'd have to think a 486
> DX2 66 is gonna have a hard time with anything but VGA in N2. As far as
> a DX 100 it _should_ fare a little better...

> > <snip>

Ok, HOW the hell are you able to get 14 cars ahead with that system (I'm
assuming you were talking about N2..) How much ram you got? I have a
very similar system (AMD 5x86-133, diamond stealth 2mb vram, 16MBram)
and I had to turn all detail off but smoke, skids/paint and car detail,
and still could only have at MOST 5 in front and 1 or MAYBE 2 behind to
be acceptable in SVGA. I'm just curious how you are acheiving this, so I
can have more fun on that macine :) My newer P100 is quite better with
that game...still might upgrade to a 166 or 200 soon though ....DAMN YOU
PAPYRUS!!!(for making such a great game to force me to upgrade!)

Chad Wells

by **Craig March** » Wed, 08 Jan 1997 04:00:00

I had a 5x86 133 with 32mb ram, 2mb S3pci and it also ran alot better than
my
dx2-80, but I think any 486 based computer is going to have trouble running
today's
games at any decent or acceptable rate.

> Ok, HOW the hell are you able to get 14 cars ahead with that system (I'm
> assuming you were talking about N2..) How much ram you got? I have a
> very similar system (AMD 5x86-133, diamond stealth 2mb vram, 16MBram)
> and I had to turn all detail off but smoke, skids/paint and car detail,
> and still could only have at MOST 5 in front and 1 or MAYBE 2 behind to
> be acceptable in SVGA. I'm just curious how you are acheiving this, so I
> can have more fun on that macine :) My newer P100 is quite better with
> that game...still might upgrade to a 166 or 200 soon though ....DAMN YOU
> PAPYRUS!!!(for making such a great game to force me to upgrade!)

> Chad Wells

I bit the big one about 5 months ago and chunked the 5x86 for a P5-166 with

Matrox Mell. and have been VERY happy with it ever since. I can play just
about
any game at excellent frame rates, and although not everyone can justify
throwing out 6 or 7 hundred bucks to play games faster, I would try!! It
became
too frustrating trying to get the right combination of things on or off to
get
gameplay smooth on the old machine, now I just load the game up, turn
everything on except grass and road texture, because I don't care for them,

and play!

--
Craig Marcho
http://members.gnn.com/cmarcho/