rec.autos.simulators

I'm looking to purchase a racing sim and am currently running on a Compaq
Presario CDS860.  This is a 486SLX2/66 MHz.  I've upgraded the RAM to
12MB.  Is NASCAR the best racing sim for me to choose (understanding, of
course, that there is NO WAY I'll be able to run this in SVGA mode.)  
I've heard great things about this sim, but want to make sure I get my
money's worth, given my hardware configuration and limitations.  (Also:
would I get more out of NASCAR by further adding 4MB of RAM to my CPU,
for a total of 16MB?)

Thanks for any feedback.

--
David A. Byerman          
Independent Management Consultant
Specializing in Transportation and Environmental Policy Issues

Depends what you like. Nascar's are quite a bit more forgiving of
mistakes, but not as flowing around road circuits it would appear to
me. Bear in mind that I'm comparing Indycar to Nascar here. However,
it's the SVGA that really lifts Nascar into a different level. You
might be able to go SVGA without any texture detail, but you'll be
missing a LOT. Car Detail is essential IMHO.

Having played Revs, F1GP, Indycar and now Nascar a lot (possibly my
favourite *** genre even though I *HATE* driving real cars - only
just learnt in fact at the ripe age of 24.5!) I personally get the
biggest buzz out of Nascar. Hmmm, put it like this, you won't go wrong
with either of Papyrus' sims, they're both wonderful. If you can't run
SVGA you're not missing much between Indycar and Nascar graphically,
just a better racing engine perhaps in Nascar.

And they're all true! Ever get the impression I LIKE this game?!!

Don't bother with the extra 4Mb unless you need it for an OS like
Win95, Linux or OS/2 etc. Nascar only needs extra memory for the SVGA
mode and uses what's left for storing the replay information I think.
I've played Nascar a bit on a 486-DX2/50 and it ran VERY nicely in
normal VGA mode I seem to recall. You'll get your money's worth
alright, and I take it a Pentium is out of the question by the
statements you've made here? You'll most likely be out of luck for
Indycar 2.0 which is specifically adding SVGA support. My word, that
should be wonderful!

Hope this spiel helps some,

Stuart.
Stuart Booth
Transport Routeing Software

I am running Nascar Racing on a Compaq Presario (486DX2-50 w/8mb RAM)
and it's runs fine.  The only thing is that I have to run in vga mode
and use FM sound.  About the only graphics I show are the skids and
car detail.  I draw 4 ahead and 1 behind.  Hear 4.  Man, I wish I had
a Pentium-100!!!

IWCC/IGN/IWR  #70 AC/Delco Chevy Monte Carlo
Gold Star Racing

  I have a Pentium 66 with 32 MB Ram, and a 2 MB Card, and
I run SVGA no problem, with skids paint, and objects on.
I've heard with a DX4, you can also run SVGA pretty easily,
so you might want to consider dumping a chip in your compaq!

Richard Scott
#6 #28
*******************************************************


* Control Data Systems  * voice     : 615-690-4680    *  
* 9041 Executive Park Dr* fax       : 615-690-5862    *
* Suite 212             * voice mail: 615-539-9489    *
* Knoxville, TN 37923   *                             *
*******************************************************
Internet Grand National http://www.webcom.com/~pinniped

 David, I have a 486 DX2-80 AMD with 16 megs of Ram and a Vesa Local bus
with a Diamond Stealth 64 video card with 2 megs of VRAM, and I sound
Blaster 16 with ASP. I can play Nascar in VGA mode just fine with all the
detail on and it is smooth, but in SVGA mode, i have to turn off alot of
the detail and eliminate some of the opponets, or it is to choppy to live
with, SVGA mode is great thought and once you play it, you wont want to
go back to VGA. This is a great game, along with Indycar racing, they are
the two best simulators that I have played! I would recommend if you are
really serious about this game getting a Pentium 90 or above, I am going
to try AMD's newest "Enhanced 486 DX4-120" it can just plug into my
existing mother board and is supposed to be around $180.00, I have seen
read some benchmark articles on this and it is supposed to be 10% faster
than a P-75. This thing is supposed to be out later this month or at the
first of next, it is a cheaper alternative and I think I will give it a
shot! Good luck!

Tom
--
Tom Wedemeyer  
Indiana University, Communication Services      

"Go Bucks"

I have a 486DX2/66 with 8Mb ram and a Cirrus Logic 5428 VLB video card, and
NASCAR is nigh on unplayable.  Even with digital sound turned off the frame
rate is still dreadful - God knows what SVGA is like.

\----------------------------/ \----------------------------------------------/

/----------------------------\ /----------------------------------------------\

It depends on your machines individual speed, Our Dell 486/66 at work
runs Nascar in SVGA at close to 20 fps..
I'd recommend 16 MB, and a fast bus for Nascar, though. :-)

Richard Scott
#6 #28
*******************************************************


* Control Data Systems  * voice     : 615-690-4680    *  
* 9041 Executive Park Dr* fax       : 615-690-5862    *
* Suite 212             * voice mail: 615-539-9489    *
* Knoxville, TN 37923   *                             *
*******************************************************
Internet Grand National http://www.webcom.com/~pinniped

\----------------------------------------------/
/----------------------------------------------\

I have a Compaq Presario CDS860 and I am happy with Nascar.  SVGA mode is
slow but if you turn off enough of the graphics detail it will run
smoothly enough for me.  I do have 16mb of ram which might make a
difference.  My friend runs with a 80mhz 486 and I think my video gives
better performance.  It's a top notch sim so even if it is slow it's
still a lot of fun.  Go For It!

msb