rec.autos.simulators

Sim Racers,

I'm about to buy a new 400 MHz P2 machine and was wondering
about the latest generation of gameports on soundcards.
I currently own an AWE32 and a Thrustmaster T2 and needed
to buy a Thrustmaster ACM card to get stable performance
on my measly 100 MHz Pentium machine.

ISA slots seem to be few and far between on new machines,
so I was hoping that I wouldn't have to use my ACM
on the new system.

Does anybody have any personal experience with --

Sound Blaster PCI64 (available on Gateway machines)

Sound Blaster AWE64 (available on Micron)

Turtle Beach Montego A3D (also a PCI based card) (available on Dell)

I did read a negative review of the Sound Blaster PCI128 on this
newsgroup, but that primarily was based on lack of sound
control (i.e., no separate bass and treble controls).

For what its worth, I primarily play GP2 and am anxiously
awaiting the release of Grand Prix Legends.

Thanks in advance,

Dave Ewing

I have a 100mhz based system and still use and recommed the ACM game card.
Mainly because of its calibration features.  Second, I called Creative about
my gameport on the PCI128.  He recommended to not use the sound card
gameport if you have a highend controller.  Someday, someone is going to
come out with the utimate gamecard on a sound card application.  That day
isn't here yet.  I use a ECCI CDS2R system and a Sidewinder Precision Pro
joystick.  The ACM gamecard is very good for both analog and digital
controllers.

Rush <clear>

<snip>

Have my TM Nascar Pro and my CH Flightstick Pro + pedals combo connected on
a Gateway G6-400, w/ the PCI64 (same as an Ensoniq Audio PCI other than
drivers).  No problems.  On my previous K6/200 w/ AWE 32 pnp, never had any
problems with joysticks and the AWE gameport.  Had and used both an ACM and
a CH gamecard, but never really could seem to tell much difference between
any of them, so eventually just used the AWE 32's gameport.  And thus
figured no need to stick one of the gamecards in the G6 when I got it.

The PCI and ISA bus speeds on a 400mhz are exactly the same as on your
P-100, so it really shouldn't throw anything off with regards to joysticks,
using the soundcard or putting in your ACM.  And the soundcard sounds fine
to me, not hurt by the great speakers.  If you get the Gateway, go for the
19" monitor, only a $200 upgrade, and the Media Theater speakers, about a
$100 upgrade.  And another neat thing with the Gateway they just started is
pre-installed Voodoo 2 for $200, although I had one already.

I'm hoping USB controllers will become prevalent, assuming of course that
they work better than the gameport-based stuff of today.  They could even
make an adapter for older joysticks, like one of those switchbox deals, that
connects to the USB port on a PC.  Not sure if that would be advantageous at
all, and probably would throw DOS-game (N2) support out the window, but if
doable might be a neat thing to have.  Or maybe not :-)

Ken

Take a look at the L4 Digital gamecard.
The L4 is the Ferrari of gamecards.
http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Arthur
s t e a l t h
r a c i n g
http://www.***sys.com/stealthracing.html

That must mean that there is something better.
So where is the "McLaren" of soundcards to be found? :o)

--
Regards,
Bruce.
----------
The GP Legends Historic Motor Racing Club  is located at:-
http://www.netspeed.com.au/brucek/legends/

On Tue, 11 Aug 1998 14:42:42 -0600, David Ewing

Try a Xitel Storm VX instead, ~$85 shipped, order it direct from
www.xitel.com

Trust me, it's the best choice with all that shit out there. The DOS
support is great, the card is TINY, and the joystick port is
accelerated. Some might carp about the MIDI, if that matters, well,
then pay the extra $$ for better MIDI and get a different card,

i just got a new pci sound card, with real sound acceleration, A3D
magicwave pci
and one of the main points, i was looking at was the accelerated game
port,
i was very happy, after i installed this card, and i saw 2 game ports in
the controllers setup
and very pleased at the improved performance , and speed this port is
giving me,
i have never had this much control !!
it was noticable right from the calibration,  no stuttery action,
completely stable,
now when i'm driving, every touch of the wheel gets translated to the
screen,
very impressive,
helped with overall performance too, (visually)

hehehe
Well I guess the new L4 PCI gamecard could be the McLaren of gamecards (its
not a sound card). Best sound card now is the Creative Labs Live until
Aureal's Vortex 2 sound chip comes out.

Arthur
s t e a l t h
r a c i n g
http://www.***sys.com/stealthracing.html

On Wed, 12 Aug 1998 21:55:23 +1000, Bruce Kennewell

It wont be available in Oz though Bruce :-)
And to get one will cost the earth (provided your mechanic/pc guy
doesnt crash it first) :-)

--
Nathan Wong          http://www.nectar.com.au/~alfacors
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