rec.autos.simulators

I'm still using my old GeForce2 GTS (32MB) card, and it serves me relatively
well in GPL, F12002 and N2002 as long as I turn down some graphics settings,
but I've been wanting to upgrade for a while.  I know ATI has the
9000/9500/9700 cards out now, but I've seen a new ATI All-in-Wonder 8500
card with 128MB advertised for US$149.  In addition to being a bit less
expensive than ATI's latest cards, it has an RCA video out jack, which is a
feature I would really like.

Is this a decent price for this card and is this a card worth
considering....or are there better options in the same price range?  In
terms of ***, I don't play anything but racing games and spend 90% of my
time in GPL with occasional forays into N2002, f12002 and its mods, and a
handful of even older games, but I'm also likely to pick up N2003 before
long.

Thanks for your input,
itazura

(AMD XP2000+ processor, by the way, on a fairly new MB)

"SS"

   it's a decent price but it's not much of a step up from your current
card.  Plus it's not dx9 compliant...not a big issue yet...but it will be.
Your basically shelling out 150$$ for something that will be just as in
need of replacement.    However, IF those are features you want, and the
price you can afford, not much else to choose from.  The ATI AIW 9700 is
close to $450.
dave henrie

Well, rather than opting to spend more for the latest and greatest...I went
the other direction.  Just bought a GeForce4 Ti4200 with S-Video TV out for
$79US (after a rebate) at CompUSA..  As much as I love my virtual driving, I
still think it's ridiculous what it costs to keep a PC more or less
upgraded.  :-)

itazura

  Nothing wrong with that choice.  I would say it's a better piece than the
8500.  Good luck...let us know how well or not so well everything goes.  
dave henrie

Actually I saw that ti4200 at both Compusa and Best Buy at $79.00 WITH NO
REBATE. Straight $79 off the shelf.

I too am running a GeForce 2 GTS (64 meg) card that I got back in 2000
with my Falcon NW system.

I'm running a PIII 933 with 133mhz FSB, so I question if getting a top
of the line GeForce 4 card or ATI card would be worth it, or would my
processor and motherboard (and ram) be too much of a bottleneck to see
much improvement?

Like the original poster, I too only run racing games and the only
ones I have that might see an improvement are F1-2002, N4 and Colin
McRae 2 where I'm not running full tilt graphic options. I do plan on
getting N2003, Colin 3, and Toca/Pro Race Driver in the near future,
and would assume these titles will run like ***on my current system
unless I tone down the graphics, but I wonder If I'd be better off
with a whole new Motherboard, and Video, or if just a better vid-card
would make a big difference?

Thanks in advance!
Jay J

I have two words for you:

ti 4200

onsale now at Best Buy & Compusa.
dave henrie