rec.autos.simulators

Ok, I know this has been asked a million times already, but I really want
to know what to do about the frame rate in GPL.  As it stands, I have a
PII 266Mhz with 32MB RAM and no 3D card.  As is, I get at BEST 15fps, with
almost ALL the detail off and no opponents and a few sounds.  I know this
is not the way the game was intended to be played, but I see people here
with frame rates of mid-20's and up......
So, my question is, what do I have to do to get a decent frame rate?  I'm
going to get a 3D card in the summer (need cash....open to suggestions
for a good brand......) but is there
anything I can do now with what I got?  Or do I need to upgrade some of my
components (nothing major, along the lines of more RAM...)?
<out of breath>

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Brock Bolton                              
Carleton University                        

"Abstract art:  A product of the untalented, sold by the unprincipled to
the utterly bewildered,"
        Al Capp
"Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand,"
        Homer Simpson, 1994
----------------------------------------------------------------------

   Three things would help, but the first is a necessity:

1. A 3D card.  This will significantly increase your frame rate
(double, triple???).  Two choices: if GPL (or Papyrus sims) are your
main thing, get a Rendition V2200 card (Hercules Thriller 3D 8meg -
$90 OEM, $150 retail) to replace your current video card.  If you like
your current card, or want to play other 3Dfx games, some sort of a
3Dfx Voodoo card, most likely a Voodoo 2 add-on card (12meg, $150 or
less, from many manufacturers such as Diamond or Creative Labs).

2. More memory will make the game run a bit better, but I don't know
if it would have a great impact on frame rates.  64 meg is good, 128
meg would give you enough replay space for any race session.

3. A CPU with 100MHz FSB (PII/350+) really makes GPL shine, but your
PII/266 is quite adequate.

"But in a way, fear is a big part of racing, because if there was
nothing to be frightened of, and no limit, any fool could get into
a motor car and racing would not exist as a sport." -- Jim Clark

I got another 64 meg of RAM for christmas.  Havent installed it yet but i will
have the exact same config as you  (except i have a Pentium II 300mhz) soi wait
about a week when i get around to installing it and ill let you know how much a
difference it makes.

Chris

- Eric

Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy

Not questioning Eric's knowledge about the sim, just saying that the frame
counter WILL display a higher number than 36, quite frequently too, at least on
some machines, probably a bug somewhere, but then one can not just dismiss what
people are reporting, for me this only happens on my Thriller3D, never noticed
it on my V2's, but then again I prefer the Thriller for GPL, so I haven't tested
the V2 combo much

Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy

Oh yeah? how do you manage that then? especially as GPL has a
*MAXIMUM* frame rate of 36fps!!!!

(Sometimes it looks like you are getting 37 when the frame counter
flickers from 35.9 to 36.0)

8-)

*Peter*   #:-)

For example it often looks like 37fps (36.9) when the frame counter
flickers between 36.0 & 35.9

8-)

*Peter*   #:-)

For example it often looks like 37fps (36.9) when the frame counter
flickers between 36.0 & 35.9

8-)

*Peter*   #:-)

The max fps in GPL *is* 36, but sometimes you think you are seeing
higher when the frame counter flickers between numbers!!!!

For example it often looks like 37fps (36.9) when the frame counter
flickers between 36.0 & 35.9

8-)

*Peter*   #:-)

Do I belive that for some strange reason I get a higher frame rate than
Papy coded into the sim ? no, do I belive that some people see a higher
number than 36 in the FPS counter ? yes

This is a silly discussion really, but I only tried to point out that
some ppl actually see a higher number on the FPS counter now and then,
and there's no need to jump all over them for it, but hey, who cares
really, time to swap the keyboard for my wheel again :-)

Beers and cheers
(uncle) Goy