rec.autos.simulators

Hi Everyone

I've just bought a Matrox m3D PowerVR card to try to increase 3D graphics
performance in, for example,  TOCA.  To be honest I am thoroughly
disappointed with the resulting performance.  In fact, it's so bad I'm
wondering if the card is faulty because  the performance in TOCA and Moto
Racer (haven't tried F1RS yet) is actually a good deal WORSE that it is
with the orignal Matrox Mystique that in the machine!!!

With the MYSTIQUE the frame rate in TOCA (with high resolution and low
detail) is very smooth, and is quite playable in medium detail.  With the
M3D though, the frame rate drops noticeably - to the point where I do not
want to play the game anymore.

I have tried every driver version and, curiously, the PowerVR
generic/reference drivers worked much better than Matrox' own latest
version!  They produced no display "glitches" and the frame rate was
slightly higher.

I have also tried it in both my machines (Intel 233MMX with 48Mb RAM and
IBM 6x86MX-PR200 with 32Mb RAM) with the same results i.e. worse
performance than Mystique in both cases - even with the m3D-optimised Moto
Racer demo that came with the m3D card!!!  It was even out performed by an
S3 Virge DX at one point!

I'd be grateful for any comments from anyone running similar kit/games to
mine because I bought this card thnking that it was a close competitor and
cheaper, but viable, alternative to 3DFX (I have an Orchid Righteous 3D in
my other machine).  This appears to be far from the truth.

Is PowerVR really this crap, or have I got a faulty card? It's going back
to my supplier one way or another, either for replacement or refund.

Many thanks for any advice...........Mark

: Hi Everyone

: I've just bought a Matrox m3D PowerVR card to try to increase 3D graphics
: performance in, for example,  TOCA.  To be honest I am thoroughly
: disappointed with the resulting performance.  In fact, it's so bad I'm
: wondering if the card is faulty because  the performance in TOCA and Moto
: Racer (haven't tried F1RS yet) is actually a good deal WORSE that it is
: with the orignal Matrox Mystique that in the machine!!!

: With the MYSTIQUE the frame rate in TOCA (with high resolution and low
: detail) is very smooth, and is quite playable in medium detail.  With the
: M3D though, the frame rate drops noticeably - to the point where I do not
: want to play the game anymore.

: I have tried every driver version and, curiously, the PowerVR
: generic/reference drivers worked much better than Matrox' own latest
: version!  They produced no display "glitches" and the frame rate was
: slightly higher.

: I have also tried it in both my machines (Intel 233MMX with 48Mb RAM and
: IBM 6x86MX-PR200 with 32Mb RAM) with the same results i.e. worse
: performance than Mystique in both cases - even with the m3D-optimised Moto
: Racer demo that came with the m3D card!!!  It was even out performed by an
: S3 Virge DX at one point!

: I'd be grateful for any comments from anyone running similar kit/games to
: mine because I bought this card thnking that it was a close competitor and
: cheaper, but viable, alternative to 3DFX (I have an Orchid Righteous 3D in
: my other machine).  This appears to be far from the truth.

: Is PowerVR really this crap, or have I got a faulty card? It's going back
: to my supplier one way or another, either for replacement or refund.

: Many thanks for any advice...........Mark

        I also experienced that problem too. When i bought TOCA i had a
Apocalypse 3Dx card (exactly the same as Matrox m3d) and i felt very bad
with the performance of the card. That and many other reasons took me to
change that card for a Monster 3d and the results were all that i could
expect from a 3d card: high frame rates with excelent graphics.

The 'problem' is that PowerVR takes a hugely different approach to 3d rendering.
It is far better, with far more expansion capability. Normal 3d technology is
reaching its limit, though that limit is pretty impresive. But as PowerVR is so
different it requires a different way of programming. Games that support it
native code are simply amazing. It uses far less silicon, which means it's
cheaper. The new version of PowerVR due out later this year won't be much more
than the current one, but it's compatibility with standard programming is
supposed to be far better.

--
'Ambition makes you look very ugly
kicking squeeling gucci little piggy'

'step into my world'