rec.autos.simulators

I'm planning on buying a new computer in the not to distant future ( at
the moment I am using a 486DX2 66!). I'm thinking of at least a P2 233
or higher depending on price. What would be the best 3D card to buy, I
play ICR2, Nascar and if I have my computer by summer I will get Grand
Prix legends. The Sound blaster Voodoo 2 looks interesting, anyone got
one and if so what 2D card do you have also.

 Thanks,
           Colin Manners
            My home page:- http://www.racesimcentral.net/

Interesting, Colin, that the sims you favour are all Papyrus and,
therefore, lend themselves to excellent display via a Rendition card.

Coincidentally, the system to which you refer (PII-233 cpu) forms the core
of a new system that I have.  I have 64Mb RAM, a Diamond Stealth II
2-d/Rendition 3-D card and a Creative Voodoo-2 3DFX card.

I also enjoy Papyrus sims and have Nascar2, ICR2 and (naturally!) the GPL
demo.  I prefer running all of these under Rendition mode.....the graphics
are "softer" and I much prefer them over the 3DFX graphics.

However......the Voodoo-2 card really needs to have a much faster processor
(PII-300 and higher) to get full benefit for the money.  Therefore, if you
are going to a PII-233 cpu I would suggest that you save some dollars and
get both a Rendition card for your 2-D/Rendition 3-D graphics and a
Voodoo-1 card, which should be fairly cheap now, for 3DFX graphics.

You have a hard decision to make.  For computers, I recommend getting the
absolute fastest you can get, even if you have to pay more than you plan on,
because in two months, it will be just average!  I personally recommend
Gateway, their prices are getting more competitive every day, and they have
good support.  For 3d cards, If all you are goind to play is icr2 and n2,
rendition will suffice, you will have to check to see which manufacturer is
best.  remember they have a new chip out now.  I think you could also use
the voodoo 2 with this board as it is an add on, then you would have the
best of both worlds!  Find out if they are compatible first, however.  By
the way, I have a voodoo2 with the stb riva 128.  I love the combination,my
frame rates have almost doubled with the voodoo2 on 3dfx games.