Re: GPL novice question

On Tue 21 Nov 2000 04:57:55a, Alex wrote:

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>Hi all, > >Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days >I know that my other life is over. The problem is >that I am experiencing few disappointments: >First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off >the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the >car doesn't seem to have enough power under >acceleration (I am driving Eagle with default setup). >Though I don't expect help in first:), I would appreciate >any ideas about the second. > >Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking >until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in >the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? > >And the last question is technical. I am running GPL >on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use >Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. >I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, >but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? > >Many thanks in advance, >Alex.

Welcome to your New Life, Alex. :) First point: Get a 3D card. GPL looks *massively* better with one. A Voodoo card is the best, as GPL was written with them in mind. There are patches to allow you to use Direct3D and OpenGL, but they often cause problems. And yes, you will drive better. This isn't a game where you do well by throwing the car around like a madman (usually) - a smooth and flowing lap will generally be a fast one. And 36fps (GPL's maximum) makes that a lot easier to achieve. Speaking of patches, make sure you have the version 1.2 patch (get it from www.papy.com and make sure you downlad the right version). If you want to play online (and you will - see www.vroc.net) it's vital. If you're getting a 1:31 after 3 days, then ther's not much doubt about your ability - you just need (a *lot* of) practice for this game. Without seeing you drive, I'm not sure about your handling problem - possibly you've got some of the driver aids on (turn them all off now!), but of course 1967 cars handle very differently from 2000 ones. Setups are a vexed question: a lot of people think that it's best to stick with the defaults for a while - another reason for getting the v1.2 patch, as its default setups are better than the original ones - whereas some people get more out of fiddling about and seeing what happens. Lastly (this is another point people disagree on - as with most things in this sim) - I think it's a good idea not to confine yourself to the "obvious" tracks (Monza and the Glen). Get out on Rouen, Spa or Mosport for a while - you can learn a lot. Anyhow, as you've probably grasped by now this newsgroup is not short of people with opinions on GPL, so if you don't like my ansewrs ask someone else... :-) -- David. (GPLRank handicap: -5.92) The GPL Scrapyard - http://www.hillclimbfan.f2s.com "After all, a mere thousand yards - such a harmless little knoll, really" - Raymond Mays on Shelsley Walsh.

In article <8vd8uv$6lr$[email hidden]>, Ville V Sinkko <[email hidden]> writes:

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>Alex <[email hidden]> wrote: >> Hi all, > >> Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days >> I know that my other life is over. The problem is >> that I am experiencing few disappointments: >> First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off >> the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the > >Uhm. 1:31 in THREE DAYS? It took me two months. >We should try and join our forces so we can keep this >Alex guy's postings out of Eldred's sight. Otherwise >they might prove dangerous. .)

No, I'm ok...really I am...TRUST me... <goes off to play Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff"...> :) Eldred -- Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPL hcp. +49.12 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

Hi all, Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days I know that my other life is over. The problem is that I am experiencing few disappointments: First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the car doesn't seem to have enough power under acceleration (I am driving Eagle with default setup). Though I don't expect help in first:), I would appreciate any ideas about the second. Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? And the last question is technical. I am running GPL on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? Many thanks in advance, Alex.

Make sure you don't have Braking Help and Throttle Help selected in Options. Also be sure you select Grand Prix when you go to Training and not Advanced Trainer or Novice Trainer. A Voodoo 3 card or similar will get you 36 fps on your system no worries, yes, that will make it a bit easier to drive the car and your times will come down,plus it looks much better. Sid. "Alex" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Hi all, > > Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days > I know that my other life is over. The problem is > that I am experiencing few disappointments: > First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off > the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the > car doesn't seem to have enough power under > acceleration (I am driving Eagle with default setup). > Though I don't expect help in first:), I would appreciate > any ideas about the second. > > Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking > until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in > the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? > > And the last question is technical. I am running GPL > on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use > Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. > I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, > but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? > > Many thanks in advance, > Alex. >

Thats pretty good after only 3 days!! It took me roughly four months to beat the Monza benchmark! Chris -- Simbok Racing www.geocities.com/simbokza Alex <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > Hi all, > > Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days > I know that my other life is over. The problem is > that I am experiencing few disappointments: > First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off > the benchmark in Monza,

Alex <[email hidden]> wrote:

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> Hi all, > Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days > I know that my other life is over. The problem is > that I am experiencing few disappointments: > First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off > the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the

Uhm. 1:31 in THREE DAYS? It took me two months. We should try and join our forces so we can keep this Alex guy's postings out of Eldred's sight. Otherwise they might prove dangerous. .) +Cinquo

Alex <[email hidden]> wrote... > Hi all, ><snip> > And the last question is technical. I am running GPL > on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use > Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. > I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, > but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? Definitely. A frame rate less than 36 (most of the time) indicates that your CPU has run out of steam. In GPL this means that your controls are adversely affected and the car is even more difficult to drive. -- Tony Whitley GPLRank +12.8

Alex wrote: > > Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking > until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in > the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? > What you need to change in the setup is the differential settings. To cure the understeer on entry, the coast side angle should be set higher. For my Ferrari, on most tracks a 60/60 setting with 1 clutch works best (can get to 85/85 on some tracks, even). However, you need to be more careful not to spin on braking with such a setup. -Gregor

Hm, default setup, not enough power, doesn't want to turn? To get the obvious out of the way: You're not running a full tank of gas are you? "Alex" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Hi all, > > Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days > I know that my other life is over. The problem is > that I am experiencing few disappointments: > First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off > the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the > car doesn't seem to have enough power under > acceleration (I am driving Eagle with default setup). > Though I don't expect help in first:), I would appreciate > any ideas about the second. > > Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking > until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in > the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? > > And the last question is technical. I am running GPL > on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use > Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. > I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, > but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? > > Many thanks in advance, > Alex. >

I know this has already been said, but get a V3 3000 AGP, it will make a huge difference. GPL is definitely easier at the max frame rate of 37 fps. Also turn off traction control (throttle help) and you'll be able to out-accelerate the AI cars. And check you don't have a full fuel load. "Alex" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Hi all, > > Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days > I know that my other life is over. The problem is > that I am experiencing few disappointments: > First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off > the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the > car doesn't seem to have enough power under > acceleration (I am driving Eagle with default setup). > Though I don't expect help in first:), I would appreciate > any ideas about the second. > > Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking > until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in > the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? > > And the last question is technical. I am running GPL > on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use > Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. > I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, > but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? > > Many thanks in advance, > Alex. >

In article <RuDS5.1399$[email hidden]>, "Simon Brown" <[email hidden]> writes: >Also turn off traction control (throttle help) and you'll be able to >out-accelerate the AI cars. Really? I always lose spots at the start, even if I start on the front row... :( Eldred -- Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999 Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett GPL hcp. +49.12 Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you with experience... Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

The V3 is a great card, but is getting aged. In the interest of future titles, you might want to consider something like the GeForce2 MX card, it is reasonable, and does a fantastic job. GPL with the d3d patch looks great with it as well. -- Don Burnette Dburn in N3 and Legends ICQ# 74084566 "Simon Brown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:RuDS5.1399$[email hidden]... > I know this has already been said, but get a V3 3000 AGP, it will make a > huge difference. GPL is definitely easier at the max frame rate of 37 fps. > > Also turn off traction control (throttle help) and you'll be able to > out-accelerate the AI cars. And check you don't have a full fuel load. > > "Alex" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Hi all, > > > > Finally I've got a copy of GPL and after 3 days > > I know that my other life is over. The problem is > > that I am experiencing few disappointments: > > First and worst is that I am almost 2 second off > > the benchmark in Monza, the second one is that the > > car doesn't seem to have enough power under > > acceleration (I am driving Eagle with default setup). > > Though I don't expect help in first:), I would appreciate > > any ideas about the second. > > > > Also, the car doesn't want to turn unless I am braking > > until the very apex. Is it the way GP cars handled in > > the old days or I can cure it somehow in the setup? > > > > And the last question is technical. I am running GPL > > on the Celeron 800 without 3D video card and use > > Thrustmaster T2 wheel. I am getting 20-25 fps in training. > > I am sure I can improve the picture by getting good video, > > but can I expect any lap time benefits from better hardware? > > > > Many thanks in advance, > > Alex. > > > >

Thank you everybody for your advises, I've looked in car stats and they have only around 400bhp, so I guess I have the power I am supposed to have with those engines. When running in the fast curves in Monza I badly wanted to use throttle and brake at the same time, however on single axis it wouldn't make much sense. Does split axis in GPL really help to stabilize the car? And if so, will I be able to configure pedals Thrustmaster pedals as split axis, and use Logiteach Formula Force (if I can find one) as a steering device? Many thanks in advance again:) Alex.

Couldn't drive without it! SLG [email hidden] (Alex) wrote:

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>Thank you everybody for your advises, >I've looked in car stats and they have >only around 400bhp, so I guess I have the power >I am supposed to have with those engines. > >When running in the fast curves in Monza >I badly wanted to use throttle and brake at the >same time, however on single axis it wouldn't >make much sense. Does split axis in GPL really >help to stabilize the car? And if so, will I be >able to configure pedals Thrustmaster pedals >as split axis, and use Logiteach Formula Force >(if I can find one) as a steering device? > >Many thanks in advance again:) >Alex.

(All spelling errors are intentional and are there to show new and improved ways of spelling old words. Grammatical errors are due to too many English classes/teachers)

Agreed, but if you want a card just for GPL then the V3 does give better frame rates. I have a GeForce 2 gts myself (using d3d patch of course), and the frame rates under the most demanding conditions (race starts) are worse than I used to get on my last video card, which was a V3. The V3 also slightly out-performed a V5 5500 AGP (which I owned briefly before selling) in GPL. You're right though of course :), anyone who plays more than just GPL shouldn't get a V3. "Don Burnette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:DlGS5.12485$[email hidden]... > The V3 is a great card, but is getting aged. In the interest of future > titles, you might want to consider something like the GeForce2 MX card, it > is reasonable, and does a fantastic job. GPL with the d3d patch looksgreat > with it as well. > > -- > Don Burnette

Simon, have we talked about this on VROC? Anyway, from my experience, the Geforce 2 MX (not even the GTS) far outperforms the Voodoo 3 (my previous card) in GPL. I previously had 800*600 at 36fps, now I have 1280*1024 at 36fps. Perhaps you didnt have the proper drivers for your Geforce. Ashley "Simon Brown" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:HyRS5.2836$[email hidden]... | Agreed, but if you want a card just for GPL then the V3 does give better | frame rates. I have a GeForce 2 gts myself (using d3d patch of course),and | the frame rates under the most demanding conditions (race starts) areworse | than I used to get on my last video card, which was a V3. The V3 also | slightly out-performed a V5 5500 AGP (which I owned briefly beforeselling)

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| in GPL. | | You're right though of course :), anyone who plays more than just GPL | shouldn't get a V3. | | "Don Burnette" <[email hidden]> wrote in message | news:DlGS5.12485$[email hidden]... | > The V3 is a great card, but is getting aged. In the interest of future | > titles, you might want to consider something like the GeForce2 MX card,

it

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| > is reasonable, and does a fantastic job. GPL with the d3d patch looks | great | > with it as well. | > | > -- | > Don Burnette | | |

Alex, Yes, split axes will give you greater car control. You can use the Logi WMFF wheel and split axes with the stock Logi pedals (the earlier model is superior, altho now hard to find), or you can use the Logi wheel with 3rd party pedals--I use TSW pedals, but others have used TM or CH Pro pedals. --Steve Smith Alex <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Thank you everybody for your advises, > I've looked in car stats and they have > only around 400bhp, so I guess I have the power > I am supposed to have with those engines. > > When running in the fast curves in Monza > I badly wanted to use throttle and brake at the > same time, however on single axis it wouldn't > make much sense. Does split axis in GPL really > help to stabilize the car? And if so, will I be > able to configure pedals Thrustmaster pedals > as split axis, and use Logiteach Formula Force > (if I can find one) as a steering device? > > Many thanks in advance again:) > Alex.

I can't remember discussing it before, but I suppose it's possible :) As for the numbers, well it's not always a simple equation as to what gives any particular frame rate. 800*600 at 36fps and 1280*1024 at 36fps doesn't really tell us much, since both situations are managing the maximum frame rate. I'm very careful when I do frame-rate checks in GPL to make sure it's a fair test. The test I do is to start a full grid (19 opponents) race at Monza, from the in-car view, and at the back of the grid. Also I have all details turned on and the detail slider bar turned to full. The res I tested was 1024*768. These results are for the first few seconds *before* the flag drops. The GF2 gts manages 21-22 fps. My V5 5500 AGP (which i've now sold) managed 25-26 fps (on single-chip setting and slightly slower on fastest performance). The V3 3000 AGP managed 26-27 fps. I'm pretty sure of these numbers, they don't change much with different drivers for either the V3 or the GF2. I'd be very interested to hear how your geforce MX gets on in the same test. One other thing, the V3/V5 were both running using Glide. "Ashley McConnell" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:8vgouf$gvg$[email hidden]... > Simon, have we talked about this on VROC? > > Anyway, from my experience, the Geforce 2 MX (not even the GTS) far > outperforms the Voodoo 3 (my previous card) in GPL. I previously had > 800*600 at 36fps, now I have 1280*1024 at 36fps. Perhaps you didnt havethe > proper drivers for your Geforce. > > Ashley >

On Wed, 22 Nov 2000 23:03:15 GMT, "Stephen Smith" <[email hidden]> wrote:

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>Alex, > >Yes, split axes will give you greater car control. You can use the Logi >WMFF wheel and split axes with the stock Logi pedals (the earlier model is >superior, altho now hard to find), or you can use the Logi wheel with 3rd >party pedals--I use TSW pedals, but others have used TM or CH Pro pedals. > >--Steve Smith

Damnit, I have to test this if it does that much as you people say. Does anyone still have the split-axis conversion schematics for the Thrustmaster T2 pedals? I seem to have lost mine, I got two years ago(didn't do it then because Colin McRae didn't support it) and now I can't find it anywhere on the net either. /Magnus GPLRank hcp: -29.07

> >Also turn off traction control (throttle help) and you'll be able to > >out-accelerate the AI cars. > > Really? I always lose spots at the start, even if I start on the frontrow... > :( Me too Eldred - I can out-race them, but not out-drag them at the start. In fact I believe I'm an above-average starter, as well - I normally do well at the start in online races (could be because I have an analogue clutch pedal). GPLRank: -20.59 (sorry mate! ;-) )

I think the reason why I'm used to gaining places at the start is that I usually skip qualifying and start from last place, in which case you can comfortably gain a few places by turn one. The last time I started a race in pole I lost several places by the first turn. > Me too Eldred - I can out-race them, but not out-drag them at the start. > > In fact I believe I'm an above-average starter, as well - I normally dowell > at the start in online races (could be because I have an analogue clutch > pedal). > > GPLRank: -20.59 (sorry mate! ;-) )

> I think the reason why I'm used to gaining places at the start is that I > usually skip qualifying and start from last place, in which case you can > comfortably gain a few places by turn one. The last time I started a race > in pole I lost several places by the first turn. Yes, it's noticable that the front AI cars start *much* faster than the ones at the back (which is probably compounded by the fact that they tend to queue up for T1, rather than all smashing into each other like human drivers ;-) ).