rec.autos.simulators

GP2 - Graphics Performance Tips?

Jo

GP2 - Graphics Performance Tips?

by Jo » Fri, 23 Aug 1996 04:00:00

I'm really impressed by GP2. I've played all the PC driving games, and
GP2 has the most authentic driving "feel". I think this is a game I'm
going to be playing for a long time.

One reason of course is that I'm looking forward to playing it in
640x480 with all graphics turned on - in about 2-3 years when they
start making computers that can do it!  <g>

Needless to say the graphics [non] performance of this game is the one
irritating aspect of GP2. My hardware:

 - P133, 32 MB RAM, 2GB SCSI disk drive
 - Diamond Stealth-64 w/4 MB RAM
 - 6x SCSI CD-ROM
 - Soundblaster 16

To get any real sensation of speed I need about 25 frames per second.
I don't expect that in SVGA with all options on, but I had at least
thought I could get it in VGA. But even in VGA it seems I have to turn
off three quarters of the graphics/texturing to get a decent frame
rate. This is what I find disappointing. A lot of people might say
"screw the graphics, go for pure speed" but I *like* the graphics. And
it doesn't seem like VGA with all details is too much to ask for with
the reasonably powerful system that I have.

So is there any other way to speed up the graphics, aside from turngin
them off? (And aside from "overclocking" my system - I use it for work
too and can't afford risky techniques.)

Joe

Greg Cis

GP2 - Graphics Performance Tips?

by Greg Cis » Sun, 25 Aug 1996 04:00:00


>I'm really impressed by GP2. I've played all the PC driving games, and
>GP2 has the most authentic driving "feel". I think this is a game I'm
>going to be playing for a long time.

I agree. After running a few laps, GP1 & GP2 definately give an impression
of what it is like to drive an F1 car at the different circuits. ICR never
gave me the same sense of actually driving. At least it didn't 'feel' the
same. Also, GP2 is really easy to drive, where ICR is not really. So in GP2
you can concentrate more on being in the proper gear in certain parts of the
circuit. I am also impressed with the amount of setup detail available in GP2.
Quite astonishing. But do all those tweaks actually change the handling?

I have about the same system as you. I have 16MB of ram and a 2MB video card.
I am happy & can tolerate 15-18fps so I run with everything on except the
clouds. And the object detail is set to MEDIUM. I get a sensation of speed.
I have noticed that this is one thing that some people can tolerate. Others
cannot.

Pekka Kumar

GP2 - Graphics Performance Tips?

by Pekka Kumar » Mon, 26 Aug 1996 04:00:00


> I'm really impressed by GP2. I've played all the PC driving games, and
> GP2 has the most authentic driving "feel". I think this is a game I'm
> going to be playing for a long time.

Me too!

Quite right.

CPU speed is the one that counts, never mind the others...

For gp2 the "sensation" is there as long as you keep your processor occupancy
below 100% (and provided that you get at least, say 15 fps). IMO the graphics
are still very good in SVGA even if you are low on trackside details and
textures.

Your graphics card is based on a S3 chip (I think so). Try the s3spdup utility
to speed it up a bit (5-10% overall improvement). You can find it at
http://wwwmath.uni-muenster.de/~mesched/

You could also try to optimize your bios settings, there's a good article about
it in the July issue of Sim Racing News at
http://sneezy.dcn.ed.ac.uk/simnews/96jul/index.htm

Pekka


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