Hardware / CPUs

Intel Pentium

discussed in 399 posts, 1995-2005 · overall tone positive

Posts per month

Key threads

486/120 or Pentium upgrade for Papyrus sims, and GP2 speed fears 1996-01-06 · 42 posts
A user asked whether an AMD 486/120 or a Pentium 75/100 would better run ICR II and NASCAR; most recommended a Pentium for its PCI bus and upgrade path. Rick Genter of Papyrus confirmed ICR II's graphics engine was Pentium-optimised and said a GP2 demo he saw ran at 140-150% processor occupancy in VGA on a P90. This prompted extrapolated fears about GP2 performance, which others criticised as based on an old show demo and possibly biased; Genter said his observation was personal.
Choosing a CPU upgrade for NASCAR 2 1997-09-09 · 29 posts
A user asked whether a Cyrix 200MMX, Intel 166MMX or AMD K6 was best for NASCAR 2. Owners reported that K6 systems ran N2 well, while others favoured Intel's stronger FPU, and Mike Radler explained the earlier joystick calibration issue on non-Intel CPUs with DMA. Jim Sokoloff said N2 does not use the FPU, but GPL and future Papyrus sims would use it heavily.
Pentium Pro, Pentium or Cyrix for Grand Prix 2 1996-09-17 · 24 posts
A buyer asked which 200MHz-class CPU would run GP2 best. One poster argued that GP2 was 16-bit code that would favour the Cyrix or Pentium, but owners reported that the Pentium Pro clearly ran GP2 faster. Others explained that DOS4GW runs code in 32-bit protected mode. Video card choice and FASTVID were also discussed.
GPL on a Pentium II 450 and frame-rate perception 1998-09-15 · 50 posts
A buyer asked how GPL would run on a PII-450 with Voodoo2. Beta users reported a locked 36 fps when hotlapping but stuttering with full AI fields, and some found a Rendition card smoother. The thread became a long argument over whether the eye can see beyond 30 fps, with Jim Sokolov explaining that Papyrus sims sample input and run physics independently of the graphics frame rate.
Debate over overclocking a Pentium 75 to 100 MHz 1996-06-17 · 20 posts
A reader inspired by a Sim Racing News article asked about overclocking his P75 to 100 MHz. A self-described Creative Labs engineer warned that overclocked chips would quickly fail, while John Wallace and others argued that chips are binned conservatively and reported long-term success. The exchange became testy, but several users later reported successful overclocks of their own.
Can any PC run Grand Prix 2 at full detail? 1997-04-21 · 106 posts
A user asked whether any CPU could run Grand Prix 2 in SVGA at full detail and 25 fps. MicroProse's Mark Rich said no current processor could and that 16–17 fps was acceptable to most, which provoked hostile replies about GP2's engine, missing 3D support and MicroProse's support. Users compared overclocked Pentiums, K6 and Pentium Pro results, and the long thread moved into calls to boycott MicroProse and arguments with David Gary.
AMD K6-2 400 versus Pentium II 450 for sims 1998-12-17 · 30 posts
A buyer asked whether to choose an AMD K6-2 400 or an Intel PII 450 system. Opinions split between AMD's value and Intel's performance and compatibility, with many recommending an overclocked Celeron 300A on an Abit board, and tips on raising core voltage for stability.
Pentium III 500 versus overclocked Celeron for sims 1999-06-11 · 64 posts
Roy Harrington asked whether a Pentium III 500 was a sensible buy. Many recommended an overclocked Celeron on an Abit board for better value, while Mark Dod argued the PIII's new instructions would soon boost frame rates in drivers and games. The thread then drifted into jokes about wives, spelling corrections and a heated RAM-size dispute between Daxe Rexford and The Excelsior that ended with an apology.
Choosing a gaming CPU: Intel versus AMD 2005-12-04 · 20 posts
A user asked whether a 3.8GHz Pentium 4 or Pentium D would be better for gaming. Most respondents recommended AMD Athlon 64 processors as better value, nForce4 rather than VIA chipsets, and skipping SLI. He leaned towards AMD after reading reviews.
Is a PIII 1 GHz with GeForce2 MX enough for GPL and F1 2001? 2002-02-08 · 21 posts
A poster asked whether a PIII 1 GHz with a GeForce2 MX400 would run GPL and F1 2001. Replies agreed it was plenty for GPL but suggested a GeForce3 Ti200 for newer titles. A side argument covered whether the MX counts as decent and UK versus US card prices.
Pentium III owner hits back at critics 1999-10-12 · 37 posts
Morris Jones objected to the rude replies to his new-PC post, which drew further mockery and a sharp, profane exchange led by Antti Markus Peteri. Other posters discussed Athlon versus Pentium III performance in GPL and the lack of Athlon motherboards from ASUS.

Busiest threads

486/120 or Pentium upgrade for Papyrus sims, and GP2 speed fears (13 posts about it)
Choosing a CPU upgrade for NASCAR 2 (11 posts about it)
GP2 Release date (6 posts about it)
AMD K6, Celeron, PIII ??? For N3/4 (5 posts about it)
Pentium Pro, Pentium or Cyrix for Grand Prix 2 (5 posts about it)
Dual P133 vs. P166 (5 posts about it)
P133 vs Cyrix 686/133 (5 posts about it)
GP2 & P200 MMX? (5 posts about it)
Upgrading your P2 slot1 to a P3 socket370 is easy. (4 posts about it)
Pentium 133 vs P200 & GP2 (4 posts about it)
Cyrix 686 200+ or Pentium 200? (4 posts about it)
GPL on a Pentium II 450 and frame-rate perception (4 posts about it)
About to take the plunge..what do you think? (3 posts about it)
P III or Celeron for GPL..... (3 posts about it)
Debate over overclocking a Pentium 75 to 100 MHz (3 posts about it)

Sentiment by year

Each post that discussed it was rated from −2 (very negative) to +2 (very positive).

Year	Posts	Positive	Negative	Tone
1995	6	2	0	positive (+0.33)
1996	113	40	9	positive (+0.30)
1997	112	46	6	positive (+0.38)
1998	64	31	1	positive (+0.55)
1999	53	20	8	positive (+0.28)
2000	34	19	2	positive (+0.59)
2001	10	3	1	positive (+0.30)
2002	5	1	1	negative (-0.20)
2005	2	0	0	mixed (+0.00)