rec.autos.simulators

Hi :)

Well, i guess the topic says it all. I'm rather curious to how
well SODA plays on a non-rendition system with one of the latest
CPUs, whether it's possible to shove all the detail levels to
maximum and still get a really smooth (25fps or above) frame rate.

I've currently only got a 233-mmx, and that gives me really nice
smooth play at 320x256. It is a total waste of time to try and
play at any slower frame rate, so i don't try a higher resolution
at the moment, and i am curious as to just how well i can play
this game if i was to upgrade CPU.

i just wish the 3dfx patch wasn't canned!

thanks for any info!
Grant.

Bob

I have the same system, I agree

  we were doing a 3 way multiplayer and one of the guys had a K6 233
with a Diamond Monster, and it seemed to run very good for him.  Just
didn't get to see the fancy track textures....
dave henrie

I play SODA on a P2 266, 64 meg ram maching, no rendition (Dammit sierra
come out with a 3dfx patch!!!), and it runs fine, 640x480, full detail.

Brian Short

says...

Well, there seems to be quite a difference between my friends ppro 200 and my
200mmx in some games.  Less in others but I'd still prefer the ppro.

brian

--
remove 'bye' from address to reply

I run a P166 overclocked to 200 and a moster running my Direct x stuff and
it runs fine by just turning off the shocks and guages (the mystery button)
and I put the sky on auto.

Rick Miller

Hi,
    I never heard being able to turn off shocks/gauges, what key do you
press? (is it in the readme/manual, if so, I'am surprised I missed it!)

Thanks,
John

Well, I'm running it on a 233MMX and apart from the first couple of corners
in a race it runs easily 25fps with all detail on, perhaps you have some
problem with your windows setup? or perhaps your graphics card - I use a
Tseng ET6000 which aint great but not bad either.

Steve

  Thats another thing I've missed,,,btw Hi Jerry,,,  where is the frame counter?
dave

 Sorry Brian, last I heard, in the N2 3dfx announcement, there will be NO
3dfx patch for soda...(a $100 buck Diamonds stealth runs pretty good!)

I am the one Dave Henrie referred to with the K6-233 and Monster 3D card.  I
have TX MB, 32MB Sdram, and a ET6000 video card.  Unfortunately there is no
3dfx support :(  so the ET6000 does all the work here.  I have run the
following tests by using the min and max frame rate slide and setting the sky
texture to auto.  By watching the sky go from plain to texture while racing a 4
x 4 truck I determined the frame rate.

320 x 240 all options on
Practice = 25fps
Full field = 18-20 fps

640 x 480 all options on
Practice = 12 - 13 fps
Full field = 8-10 fps

640 x 480 low detail, shadows off, sky off and auto mirror
15fps-17fps

I'm curious to see frame rates with an Intel P233MMX.  I know the FPU debate
and I haven't found a game that the AMD K5 or K6 were inferior to Intel.  Don't
flame as I have Quake 2 and since I run the 3Dfx I use OpenGL version.  Any
true Quake fan has to have one of these cards anyway.  And just because I have
an AMD doesn't mean I don't appreciate the PPro or the PIIs along with their
fast cache speeds.  This is the only way to boost speed with our slow dram
memory.  I quite buying Intel when I put together a K5-133 machine together for
my nephew one year ago.  The K5-133 cost $75 and we overclocked it to K5-Pr166
the first day.  I had a P100 running at P120 at the time, that the chip alone
cost me $320 in spring 1996.   Grand Prix 2 at 320 x 200, all graphics on, went
from 15 fps on P120 to 25 fps on K5-166.  The P100 might be the last Intel chip
I ever buy, now that all overclocking by multiplier has been disabled.  This
Xmas, I bought a K6-166 for $135, that I knew had 3.5 multiplier and would run
233 before I bought it.

SORRY for getting off subject :)

Some tracks have more objects and so more polygons to draw. Also the buggies
have the least amount of polygons so running them may increase frame rate
slightly.

At least there are two resolutions and detail we can turn off, but this doesn't
make up for lack of at least Direct 3D or true 3Dfx support.  

This is my favorite racing sim at this time.  Still waiting for Ubisoft F1 sim
in full retail  :)

For info about a new SODA racing club to play SODA online over the Internet

Jerry

Hi Jerry:)

THanks for your response!
I would do the same tests you did to get my fps, since i also have a
Intel TX motherboard, 64mb sdram, ET6000 video card. (the Pure3D doesn't
count here:( ), but i've got that P233mmx you wanted to compare
against. However... you forgot to mention which track you were testing
on. and were you in the buggies?

I've had similar results to you, by my own observations, however. i've
got a pretty good sense of framerates just by watching. except when
it gets over 25. then i can't really see it:)

Grant.

Bob

<<<<<<<<SNIP>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I totally "DISAGREE" I don't think there is a faster 2d card than a Tseng
ET6000. It's the best I've used, even better than the Millenium I got sitting
here.

Bob