rec.autos.simulators

Hi all...

Well, with the help and input of this r.a.s., I've started purchasing my
components for my first "build your own" computer.  :-0   I'll be using
my current HD, disk and CD drives.  The pertinents of my machine will be
the following:

QDI Titanium TX mainboard; AMD K6 233mmx CPU, 32 Meg SDRAM, Soundblaster
AWE 64.

However, I cannot for the life of me decide what would be the best
direction for me when it comes to a video card.  My current favorite
driving sims are N2, GP2, ICR2, in that order.  When released, I plan to
aquire the BGN Pack for N2, CART: Precision Racing, and UBISoft's F1,
and possibly the upcoming Sierra/Papyrus re-release of ICR2. Now, of the
above, several support Rendition based cards only, but the others?  And
what "direction" is the industry taking?  3dfx? Voodoo? V2200?  Who
knows, huh?

What to do?  Do I go with a rendition based card, and enjoy the
immediate rendition benifits of the few games that support it?
(HOWEVER, there's the upcoming V2100 and 2200 rendition chips on the
way... what kind of impact will that have on the market and my games?)
Or, do I go for a 3dfx card, and chunk the rendtion idea... or should I
just put a good 2D card, and "wait and see"?

If rendition, then I guess that would be a Screamin'3d?  But if 3dfx...
what board?  I know of a few that really like the Monster 3D... but
wouldn't I have to have a 2D card along with the 3D dedicated Monster
card anyway?  However, if I go the "wait and see" approach what "value
priced" 2D board?  ANY input will be carefully considered.  Hey... the
time is nearing when my slide-show N2 racing will be over!!!  (But I've
got to have a vid card!)

Thanks...

Andre

: Hi all...

: Well, with the help and input of this r.a.s., I've started purchasing my
: components for my first "build your own" computer.  :-0   I'll be using
: my current HD, disk and CD drives.  The pertinents of my machine will be
: the following:

: QDI Titanium TX mainboard; AMD K6 233mmx CPU, 32 Meg SDRAM, Soundblaster
: AWE 64.

: My current favorite driving sims are N2, GP2, ICR2, in that order.  

If you really only want to play N2 and ICR2, Verite based card are the way
to go. However, such cards putting into today's PC will lower the overall
performance in Window and 2D. Just everything slow except N2 and ICR2.

In future, it is actually AGP's world. However, I think it may just a lot
over your budget. It is also not worthwhile to buy products in the leading
edge technology.

As N2,GP2 and ICR2 are all DOS games, a good 2D or some 2D + weak 3D cards
can do the job. Example S3 Virge/GX based cards, or Mystique 220. These
are at least Direct3D compliant. Although the performance is not great in
3D, just better than none. Adding a 3Dfx if you want to play other 3Dfx
supported title or you still don't satisfy the D3D performance your
original card provided. OR you can forget the 3Dfx and just wait for the
V2200 to replace the current card.

At last, you can join the old 2D + 3Dfx, this is probably the most popular
combination for 3D gamers. Forget the future, play the games nowadays or
probably one more year or so and you will be happy. At least a lot of
people have the same destiny as you. Sometimes looking too far in the
future will lost many good things today.

Bernard Shum

Hello Andre

Some good news really reguarding which video board to use.
If money permits you can have both.
I believe that the Screamin 3D and Monster 3D boards work side
by side in the same machine.
Bear in mind that the Righteous 3D Orchid and Monster 3D (both
3DFX) cards are not standalone cards, they need a SVGA card to
plug into.
So if you combine the Screamin with a Righteous or Monster the
Rendition board will do 2D and Rendition code and the others  
the 3DFX code.  I personally believe that 3DFX will have a
better hold on future games. Having said that though I have
not bought any accellerater boards as they are in the
vincinity of $350.00 each here in New Zealand. I will wait a
see what Nascar3 will support before I make a decision.

I think it was Eric T Bush whom frequents this newsgroup that
combined the Screamin 3D with the Monster 3D. Ask him for more
advice.

Take Care
Nigel Nichols

--
NOTE:   Remove the "remove" from E-mail address to reply.

Nigel of Lakewood Motorsports
(Memeber of the Nascar Offline Racing Series)
Nascar Coruba & Coke Chevy
Hamilton
New Zealand