rec.autos.simulators

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade my video card so I can play N2 and all my
other games in full graphic detail. I was looking around and I think I
found a couple of cards that might improve my game play a lot. Right now
I think, (I Think) i'm using a S3 Trio64v+. I can only run N2 with just
the wall, car texture, clouds, skid/paint, smoke/dust, and horizion. but
I'd like to use all the graphics. So I found these cards:
1) Screamin' 3D
2) Diamond Stealth 64 2MB EDO DRAM
3) Diamond 3D Edge 2MB upgradeable
4) 3D Blaster 4MB
If some one could please tell me anything about these cards, like wich
one is the best one, what's the pro's and con's, ect, ect, ect. ALSO, if
anyone has a better card can you please tell me anything about that and
a number were I might be able to order it? I keep hearing about this
Reactor card, but I can't find it. But I'm trying to find the best card
to play ALL my games, not just N2. Any info and suggestions would be
helpful.
THANKS!!
                                                MATT

   ICR2 and N2 are Rendition-accelerated, so a Rendition video card
would benefit those sims.  My choice was the Reactor, FWIW.  For more
information on Rendition hardware...

General 3D Graphics
* http://www.dimension3d.com/

Rendition, the chip maker
* http://www.rendition.com/

Rendition Verite-based card manufacturers
* http://www.intergraph.com/ics/reactor/
* http://www.sierra.com/hardware/screamin3d/_index.html
* http://www.creaf.com/wwwnew/products/graphic/3dbpci.html
* http://www.canopuscorp.com/total3d.htm

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?

I bought a Canopus Total 3D (Canopus makes all of the cards You mentioned
above).  For a few bucks more I got A neat set of 3D Spec's for 3D games
and the spatializer stereo (Surrond sound processor on the video card).
The glasses plug right in to the video card and WOW!,  If you haven't seen
Descent 2 3D, You've never played Descent.  This is AWESOME!  The card is
shipped to your door for 279.00 and I feel, well worth the extra cost.
People with a Matrox MGA (Like Me) Spent more for a card that performs
better in windows but doesn't make games look a whole lot better.  The
Matrox however did for N1 what the Rendition does for N2.  The Matrox
version of N1 was beautiful.  I only wish I knew I had it a few months
earlier.  I played the crappy regular one until I sold my card. Never knew
I had it.  Anyhow..

The Stealth 3D wont compare to anything you mentioned.  The Screamin 3D is
exactly the same thing as the canopus (Made at the same place).  The cards
only difference is the driver.  Sierra writes their own.  As does
Intergraph. Creative .....

I've only installed Sierra and Canopus Cards and really, I'm glad the
Canopus is in my machine.  TEXT SUCKS.  None of these cards give very nice
text in windows.  Sharpness,  thats a word pertaining to other cards.  I
have a Diamond Pro 21 (Mitsubshi) and holy cow, I have to change the
desktop size when Im in my newsreader or mail because everything is so
fuzzy.  (I know everyone out there is going to say "My Rendition looks
great in windows".  You simply never saw what a nice High end card can do
for video, ie, Matrox MGA.  Stealth 3240 Vram.)  Still for games there
great.

Some people using the Creative card actually use the Intergraph drivers
because the Creative ones suck.  To the best of my knoledge, there all the
same.

I just put a Sierra S3D into a new PC and the Win95 OEM (New OEM 95) had
the drivers right in there and worked perfect right out of the box, no
drivers installed.  The Sierra drivers did have to go in to get all of the
extra toys in the display properties applet but the MS driver worked.  PS,
the Sierra card I got came with the 76 bios on it.

I won't be redundant, another post in the group has all the Web addresses
you want.  

Happy Hunting.

   Considering the Reactor is ~$155 delivered through the end of the
month, I think $279 is a bit more than "a few bucks more".  ;)
However, you do get more, so it's for the buyer to decide.  FWIW,
while Total3D does include ICR2-3D, I don't believe that the 3DSpex
can be used with ICR2-3D or NASCAR2 (so its not worth the extra to me,
YMMV).

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?

Charlie...

     What problems, if any, have you had with the Reactor besides with
NASCAR Racing? I'm a bit curious... I got my Reactor Friday, installed
the new driver & BIOS and have had nothing but pure trouble with it.
Unless I'm using 32bit color, Norton Utilites (yep, all of 'em!) crash
or lock up. Any screen saver I use (After Dark 4.0) will eventually
crash after a while. Also, during bootup, the machine will occasionally
either lockup or give me the dreaded blue screen errors when starting
the Win95 GUI. It's becoming a bit unnerving. I put my Stealth back in,
problem goes away.
     The people at Intergraph have been great, it's just that they
haven't been able to be of any assistance to me. It's not for lack of
trying. Basically, I was wondering if you felt is was worth it to send
the card back for a new one. Thanks...
     Nick

I've got both a Reactor and a Canopus Total 3D (both rendition chips). I
haven't had any trouble with either card, but if you have an excuse to
return the Reactor and spring for a canopus www.canopuscorp.com, that's
what I'd do.  The canopus card is 31% faster on fps in vquake at least,
including anti-aliasing. Didn't do a before and after using a racing
sim, but I'd expect similar speedup.  Plus you get descent2 and whiplash
with stereoscopic 3D LCD glasses as a bonus.  Does cost more than
reactor though.

Cheers,
Leigh

On Thu, 26 Dec 1996 11:16:00 -0800, Leigh Anderson

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?