GPL CPU and OS?

I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. This raises a few questions: 1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed patch? 2. Is it just CPU speed, or is it overall throughput that matters? If the latter, then perhaps the maximum CPU speeds for Celerons, P4's, and AMD processors differ? If so, what are they? 3. If my friend gets a computer that's faster than the non-speed patch GPL max, which motherboard/CPU combo would most readily allow underclocking? Is there such a combo with a utility which runs in Windows and can change the CPU clock speed without a reboot? 4. Will Windows XP run GPL (and associated graphics, sound card, and game controller drivers) without a lot of hassles? Or would my friend be better off with Windows Me, or some earlier OS? Alison From: [email hidden] Reply-To: [email hidden] Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:52:10 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> wrote: >I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. >This raises a few questions: > >1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed >patch? <snip> Uhm, why doesn't your friend simpy install the speed patch if he wants to buy a high-end system? I believe the patch is needed for 1.4ghz and higher. Recommending him to buy a slow system because otherwise he has to install the speedpatch is a slightly bad advice imho :) And GPL seems to run fine in XP. I'm sticking to W98SE, because not everything runs under XP without problems (see todays GP3 2K thread) but I know a couple of people who use XP and GPL without any problems. Andre

I'm running GPL with a AMD T-bird 1.4 ghz with no speed patch. I think the speed fix is for 1.7 and up but I'm not sure. Is there some problem with the CPU fix? Just curious why you wouldn't want to use it MadDAWG

On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:26:31 GMT, [email hidden] (Andre Warringa) wrote:

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>On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:52:10 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> >wrote: > >>I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. >>This raises a few questions: >> >>1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed >>patch? ><snip> > >Uhm, why doesn't your friend simpy install the speed patch if he wants >to buy a high-end system? I believe the patch is needed for 1.4ghz and >higher.

Have all the existing patches been updated to work with a CPU speed-patched GPL.EXE? I'm thinking of the sound patch (the one that allows 7 engine sounds) as well as utilities like GEM+ and GPL Seasons. We also have another consideration, but I can't say more about this without violating confidentiality. >Recommending him to buy a slow system because otherwise he has to >install the speedpatch is a slightly bad advice imho :) Agreed, and hopefully we can work around the constraints. I just wanted to know what the options are. The best thing would be to be able to easily drop down on clock speed if/when necessary. >And GPL seems to run fine in XP. I'm sticking to W98SE, because not >everything runs under XP without problems (see todays GP3 2K thread) >but I know a couple of people who use XP and GPL without any problems. That's good! I've read of some people having trouble with GPL and XP, and know of at least one person who went back to WinMe because of problems with the SB Live drivers and GPL in XP. Alison From: [email hidden] Reply-To: [email hidden] Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

"Alison Hine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... : That's good! I've read of some people having trouble with GPL and XP, : and know of at least one person who went back to WinMe because of : problems with the SB Live drivers and GPL in XP. : - XP - SBLive - ATi Radeon 32 DDR - LWFF GP USB No problems with GPL or any other sim/game for that matter. Dale.

I've gone back to Win98 for all my gaming (N4 and GPL, primarily) for better performance and compatibility with my old Aureal Vortex2. Performance in my racing sims is more important to me than all the bells and whistles of XP. Although, once I have the cash I'll probably do some upgrading and perhaps make the switch to XP. It *is* a damn good system (Linux is better though ;). -- ------------------------------------------- Morgan Vincent Wooten http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~mvwooten ------------------------------------------- "Alison Hine" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:26:31 GMT, [email hidden] > (Andre Warringa) wrote: > > >On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:52:10 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> > >wrote: > > > >>I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. > >>This raises a few questions: > >> > >>1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed > >>patch? > ><snip> > > > >Uhm, why doesn't your friend simpy install the speed patch if he wants > >to buy a high-end system? I believe the patch is needed for 1.4ghz and > >higher. > > Have all the existing patches been updated to work with a CPU > speed-patched GPL.EXE? I'm thinking of the sound patch (the one that > allows 7 engine sounds) as well as utilities like GEM+ and GPL Seasons. > > We also have another consideration, but I can't say more about this > without violating confidentiality. > > >Recommending him to buy a slow system because otherwise he has to > >install the speedpatch is a slightly bad advice imho :) > > Agreed, and hopefully we can work around the constraints. I just wanted > to know what the options are. The best thing would be to be able to > easily drop down on clock speed if/when necessary. > > >And GPL seems to run fine in XP. I'm sticking to W98SE, because not > >everything runs under XP without problems (see todays GP3 2K thread) > >but I know a couple of people who use XP and GPL without any problems. > > That's good! I've read of some people having trouble with GPL and XP, > and know of at least one person who went back to WinMe because of > problems with the SB Live drivers and GPL in XP. > > Alison > > From: [email hidden] > Reply-To: [email hidden] > Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. > http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

> We also have another consideration, but I can't say more about this > without violating confidentiality. Such a tease lol MadDAWG

>>>I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. >>>This raises a few questions: >>> >>>1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed >>>patch? >><snip> Last I heard, unpatched GPL started to develop problems at between 1330 and 1360mhz on an AMD cpu. Lol SpeedFreek.

Alison Hine heeft geschreven in bericht <[email hidden]>... > >4. Will Windows XP run GPL (and associated graphics, sound card, and >game controller drivers) without a lot of hassles? Or would my friend >be better off with Windows Me, or some earlier OS? > It "can" run on XP but be sure to doublecheck if the hardware decided on is supported with winxp drivers. Especially Soundcard, Videocard and CDburner. Auriel Vortex based soundcards are no longer supported for example. Hans van Dam

On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 16:11:25 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> wrote: >Have all the existing patches been updated to work with a CPU >speed-patched GPL.EXE? I'm thinking of the sound patch (the one that >allows 7 engine sounds) as well as utilities like GEM+ and GPL Seasons. Unfortunately I don't have to use the speedutil yet, my cpu is still slow enough for gpl :) , but I never read or heard that it caused problems with any of the available utilities. Ask Guy Wilson if you see him on vroc, I know he is using the cpu patch. >We also have another consideration, but I can't say more about this >without violating confidentiality. Aw come on, we won't tell :) Andre

On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:52:10 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. >This raises a few questions: > >1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed >patch? > >2. Is it just CPU speed, or is it overall throughput that matters? If >the latter, then perhaps the maximum CPU speeds for Celerons, P4's, and >AMD processors differ? If so, what are they? > >3. If my friend gets a computer that's faster than the non-speed patch >GPL max, which motherboard/CPU combo would most readily allow >underclocking? Is there such a combo with a utility which runs in >Windows and can change the CPU clock speed without a reboot? > >4. Will Windows XP run GPL (and associated graphics, sound card, and >game controller drivers) without a lot of hassles? Or would my friend >be better off with Windows Me, or some earlier OS? > >Alison > >From: [email hidden] >Reply-To: [email hidden] >Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. >http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

Since most of your questions have been answered, here's my advice for a new system (doing the same for a mate of mine, I'm building it for him): Firstly, I've just gone through a LOT of hassles with Win2000. Everything ran well, EXCEPT my wheel and pedals. Make sure all of your hardware has full support for Win2000/XP, because I had to go back and reinstall win98SE because I can't afford to buy a new wheel/pedals just for Win2k - DON'T worry about the speed patch, it doesn't cause any incompatabilities. - CPU: An Atlon is the best choice for speed and performance. The Athlon XP's are better, but you may get an older Tbird for a cheap price. You won't need the speed patch if you get a 1.4ghz cpu or a 1600+ XP (actually 1.4ghz) P4's need to have a MUCH higher clock to compete with the Athlons, an Athlon XP 1800+ (which is at 1.53 ghz) outperforms the P4 at 2.0ghz. GPL is dependant on a good CPU to power it, but anything out now will be very adequate. - MOBO: I'd recommend the Epok EP-8kha+, which is what I'll be getting. Get's some good reviews. - RAM: 256mb or higher of PC2100 DDR RAM. - GRAPHICS: Your choice of either a GF3 ti 200 or an ATI Radeon 8500. The Radeon is faster but is hampered by poor drivers. I'd expect it's performance to pick up with each driver release. The GF3 is slower but is very overclockable, also a bit cheaper. Mine overclocks to the more expensive ti 500 specs. And get a 7200rpm HDD, makes a lot of difference for general computer usage. Worth the (slightly) higher expense. My combo which is quite similar can run GPL in 1920x1440 resolution, which is quite a beauty. N4 and other sims run damn well also. HTH Rafe Mc

Have a AMD XP1600 (1.4 Gig inside). No patch, no probs. JensSchumi On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 20:58:11 -0000, "SpeedFreek" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>>>>I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. >>>>This raises a few questions: >>>> >>>>1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed >>>>patch? >>><snip> > >Last I heard, unpatched GPL started to develop problems at between 1330 and >1360mhz on an AMD cpu. > >Lol SpeedFreek. >

--------------------------------------------- LWFF Ball Bearing conversion at: http://jensschumi.tripod.com/ GPLRank: -14.82 Monsters of GPL: sub 95

Alison Hine wrote: > >>I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. > >>This raises a few questions: > >> > >>1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed > >>patch? It varies with the type of CPU. AFAIK, unpatched GPL starts to have problems somewhere near 1.2GHz on AMD's classic T-bird. The P4's need another few hundred MHz to reach critical mass. > ... > We also have another consideration, but I can't say more about this > without violating confidentiality. Hehe! What's that I smell cooking in your kitchen? =:o Maybe the long rumored "Turbo Patch"?!?!? ;) > >Recommending him to buy a slow system because otherwise he has to > >install the speedpatch is a slightly bad advice imho :) > > Agreed, and hopefully we can work around the constraints. I just wanted > to know what the options are. The best thing would be to be able to > easily drop down on clock speed if/when necessary. AFAIK, all of the old (non-XP) Athlon chips over 1G are "unlocked," meaning you can alter the CPU multiplier using the BIOS or physical jumpers on the majority of modern motherboards. The newer AMD "XP" chips are multiplier locked, but this can be overcome with a little effort. ( http://www.overclockers.com/tips693/ ) There are a plethora of motherboards that offer CPU clock and multiplier manipulation. I've personaly had great luck running my AMD chips on Epox boards ( Like this one: http://www.amdmb.com/article-display.php?ArticleID=125 ). Any quality MB will work fine. -Greg

Hey Alison, I'm running a 1.3Ghz T-Bird on an IwillKK266 MB. Currently I'm using a Voodoo5 video card and an SB Live sound card. My first V5 card had some problems, so I ran with my old V3 card with great success in GPL. I really didn't notice much of an improvement when I got a good V5 card, so your mileage may vary. GPL seems to be a CPU intensive game from my experience. I'd stay away from Iwill products though. I have a helluva time getting any modem to work with my MB. Talk about a fight to the death! My rig runs N4 pretty well also. Hope that helps, Gary Alison Hine wrote:

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> > I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. > This raises a few questions: > > 1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed > patch? > > 2. Is it just CPU speed, or is it overall throughput that matters? If > the latter, then perhaps the maximum CPU speeds for Celerons, P4's, and > AMD processors differ? If so, what are they? > > 3. If my friend gets a computer that's faster than the non-speed patch > GPL max, which motherboard/CPU combo would most readily allow > underclocking? Is there such a combo with a utility which runs in > Windows and can change the CPU clock speed without a reboot? > > 4. Will Windows XP run GPL (and associated graphics, sound card, and > game controller drivers) without a lot of hassles? Or would my friend > be better off with Windows Me, or some earlier OS? > > Alison > > From: [email hidden] > Reply-To: [email hidden] > Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. > http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

My OS is WIN98SE. I forgot about that...oops! Gary Stephenson wrote:

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> > Hey Alison, > > I'm running a 1.3Ghz T-Bird on an IwillKK266 MB. Currently I'm using a > Voodoo5 video card and an SB Live sound card. My first V5 card had some > problems, so I ran with my old V3 card with great success in GPL. I > really didn't notice much of an improvement when I got a good V5 card, > so your mileage may vary. GPL seems to be a CPU intensive game from my > experience. I'd stay away from Iwill products though. I have a helluva > time getting any modem to work with my MB. Talk about a fight to the > death! My rig runs N4 pretty well also. > > Hope that helps, > > Gary > > Alison Hine wrote: > > > > I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. > > This raises a few questions: > > > > 1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed > > patch? > > > > 2. Is it just CPU speed, or is it overall throughput that matters? If > > the latter, then perhaps the maximum CPU speeds for Celerons, P4's, and > > AMD processors differ? If so, what are they? > > > > 3. If my friend gets a computer that's faster than the non-speed patch > > GPL max, which motherboard/CPU combo would most readily allow > > underclocking? Is there such a combo with a utility which runs in > > Windows and can change the CPU clock speed without a reboot? > > > > 4. Will Windows XP run GPL (and associated graphics, sound card, and > > game controller drivers) without a lot of hassles? Or would my friend > > be better off with Windows Me, or some earlier OS? > > > > Alison > > > > From: [email hidden] > > Reply-To: [email hidden] > > Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. > > http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

"MadDAWG" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:<[email hidden]>...

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> I'm running GPL with a AMD T-bird 1.4 ghz with no speed patch. I think the > speed fix is for 1.7 and up but I'm not sure. > > Is there some problem with the CPU fix? Just curious why you wouldn't want > to use it > > MadDAWG

When I tried overclocking my T-bird 1.4 to 11.5 x 133 = 1530 mhz, I had to install the speedpatch to make GPL work properly. No problem what so ever, everything works perfectly. I don't think you have to worry about the speedpatch, Alison. It works with my "more cars", "carsound", "nocd" GPL.exe without a hitch... Thomas

Funny, I was about to say how great my Iwill KK266 is. Stable as anything when oc'ed, the FSB can be upped to 320mhz on mine :) I don't have any modems to deal with tho, running cable here :D Rafe Mc On Thu, 15 Nov 2001 09:32:05 GMT, Gary Stephenson <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>Hey Alison, > >I'm running a 1.3Ghz T-Bird on an IwillKK266 MB. Currently I'm using a >Voodoo5 video card and an SB Live sound card. My first V5 card had some >problems, so I ran with my old V3 card with great success in GPL. I >really didn't notice much of an improvement when I got a good V5 card, >so your mileage may vary. GPL seems to be a CPU intensive game from my >experience. I'd stay away from Iwill products though. I have a helluva >time getting any modem to work with my MB. Talk about a fight to the >death! My rig runs N4 pretty well also. > >Hope that helps, > >Gary > >Alison Hine wrote: >> >> I have a friend who is considering buying a computer, mainly for GPL. >> This raises a few questions: >> >> 1. What is the fastest CPU speed that can run GPL without the speed >> patch? >> >> 2. Is it just CPU speed, or is it overall throughput that matters? If >> the latter, then perhaps the maximum CPU speeds for Celerons, P4's, and >> AMD processors differ? If so, what are they? >> >> 3. If my friend gets a computer that's faster than the non-speed patch >> GPL max, which motherboard/CPU combo would most readily allow >> underclocking? Is there such a combo with a utility which runs in >> Windows and can change the CPU clock speed without a reboot? >> >> 4. Will Windows XP run GPL (and associated graphics, sound card, and >> game controller drivers) without a lot of hassles? Or would my friend >> be better off with Windows Me, or some earlier OS? >> >> Alison >> >> From: [email hidden] >> Reply-To: [email hidden] >> Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. >> http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.net

I'd have to agree with Rafe, I have the KK266+ motherboard and I have had nothing but good things from it. I'm running an Athlon 1.2, and even though I don't use it, my modem installed just fine. Is your modem ISA or PCI? Mine was PCI, maybe that's why it didn't have problems? Ryan

On Thu, 15 Nov 2001 00:56:23 GMT, [email hidden] (Rafe McAuliffe) wrote: >Since most of your questions have been answered, here's my advice for >a new system (doing the same for a mate of mine, I'm building it for >him):[snip] Thanks everyone for all this great advice! It sounds great, and generally very reassuring! Alison From: [email hidden] Reply-To: [email hidden] Remove the spam blocker NOSPAM to email me. http://eaglewoman.maximumspeed.com

I must say my ABIT KG7-Raid is super stable and fast DDR and O/Ced to over 1500 stable as a rock! "Ryan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:A%RI7.537$[email hidden]... > I'd have to agree with Rafe, I have the KK266+ motherboard and I have had > nothing but good things from it. I'm running an Athlon 1.2, and eventhough > I don't use it, my modem installed just fine. Is your modem ISA or PCI? > Mine was PCI, maybe that's why it didn't have problems? > > Ryan > >

Ryan wrote:

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> > I'd have to agree with Rafe, I have the KK266+ motherboard and I have had > nothing but good things from it. I'm running an Athlon 1.2, and even though > I don't use it, my modem installed just fine. Is your modem ISA or PCI? > Mine was PCI, maybe that's why it didn't have problems? > > Ryan

I tried my old 28.8K ISA and couldn't even get close to functioning. I also have used two PCI modems that both work, but it wasn't easy. I recently had someone sort out my computer and now all is well...knock on wood :-)

On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 16:11:25 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> wrote: >Agreed, and hopefully we can work around the constraints. I just wanted >to know what the options are. The best thing would be to be able to >easily drop down on clock speed if/when necessary. Well, if the P4 overheats, it slows the chip down, right? So, why not just shove a pencil into the fan on the CPU whenever you want to play GPL? -- Spadge Fromley ''collect your rubbsih and in my belly it will go ...''

>> Ryan > >I tried my old 28.8K ISA and couldn't even get close to functioning. I >also have used two PCI modems that both work, but it wasn't easy. I >recently had someone sort out my computer and now all is well...knock on >wood :-) Well, If you still had a 28.8 ISA modem, then that's nature's way of saying it's ready for retirement. Natural selection, that kind of thing. Rafe Mc

Rafe McAuliffe wrote: > Well, If you still had a 28.8 ISA modem, then that's nature's way of > saying it's ready for retirement. Natural selection, that kind of > thing. > > Rafe Mc In the end, that's what happened. Survival of the fittest. What sucks is that my old US Robotics 28.8 was rock-solid for VROC, and I bought the IWill board because it had an ISA slot for it. I built my Athlon just for GPL, so the old modem was an integral part of the design. Oh well, the 56K modem seems to work fine for now. Gary

On Sun, 18 Nov 2001 00:01:29 +0100, Spadge Fromley <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>On Wed, 14 Nov 2001 16:11:25 GMT, Alison Hine <[email hidden]> >wrote: > >>Agreed, and hopefully we can work around the constraints. I just wanted >>to know what the options are. The best thing would be to be able to >>easily drop down on clock speed if/when necessary. > >Well, if the P4 overheats, it slows the chip down, right? So, why not >just shove a pencil into the fan on the CPU whenever you want to play >GPL?

NOw there's an unwise solution. P4's may be more robust (temp wise) than Athlons, but you shouldn't go stopping the fans on 2ghz cpus. If you really wanted to slow it down, you can always use something like CPUBoost to alter the FSB on the fly, whilst in Windows. Much simpler, much safer. Rafe Mc

On Sun, 18 Nov 2001 23:22:59 GMT, [email hidden] (Rafe McAuliffe) wrote:

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> >NOw there's an unwise solution. P4's may be more robust (temp wise) >than Athlons, but you shouldn't go stopping the fans on 2ghz cpus. If >you really wanted to slow it down, you can always use something like >CPUBoost to alter the FSB on the fly, whilst in Windows. Much simpler, >much safer. > >Rafe Mc

But, where's the fun in that? Hey, you could stick a piece of card in the fan to make it sound like an engine. -- Spadge Fromley ''collect your rubbsih and in my belly it will go ...''

> Hey, you could stick a piece of card in the fan to make it sound like > an engine. > LOL that gave me flashbacks to my Raleigh chopper days.

On Mon, 19 Nov 2001 01:10:28 -0000, "Mark Aisthorpe" <[email hidden]> wrote: > >LOL >that gave me flashbacks to my Raleigh chopper days. As intended. <g> -- Spadge Fromley ''collect your rubbsih and in my belly it will go ...''