Computers

Guys I am on a mac....and have decided to buy a pc just for nascar2 and the trackpack....My question is, and I know you guys know what it runs best on, is what should I get.?...i already have a 17 inch Apple Monitor with a Vesa drivers and SVGA graphics I think....goes up to 1024x something resolutions....so I think that the monitor is ok for it to run on, as it came with a pc plug and play adapter. Now to the hard parts......What is the least amount of cpu I need to run it and the new BGN trackback on.....remember I have been on a mac all my lives, so you are basically talking to a pc dummy...Do I need a pentium or a 486 or a pentium 2? Do I really need a graphics (3d) card, and if so which one ? Rendition or 3dfx or what....I dont have much money to spend, so I just need the bare minimum....How big of a HD do I need....I would like the frame rate to be good, so which CPU or processor do I need. I dont like wheels much, so which is the best joystick or gamepad to buy....? What speed cd rom drive ? How much ram do I need...? What type of sound card do I need ? If you guys could please help me, I can try to help you out if I can. Remember I have never really used a pc in my life, so talk in simple terms. Please email me with answers...Thanks for your help....I am looking to spend less than a thousand since I already have a monitor and speakers. Dave Roland

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> Guys I am on a mac....and have decided to buy a pc just for nascar2 and > the trackpack....My question is, and I know you guys know what it runs > best on, is what should I get.?...i already have a 17 inch Apple Monitor > with a Vesa drivers and SVGA graphics I think....goes up to 1024x > something resolutions....so I think that the monitor is ok for it to run > on, as it came with a pc plug and play adapter. Now to the hard > parts......What is the least amount of cpu I need to run it and the new > BGN trackback on.....remember I have been on a mac all my lives, so you > are basically talking to a pc dummy...Do I need a pentium or a 486 or a > pentium 2? Do I really need a graphics (3d) card, and if so which one ? > Rendition or 3dfx or what....I dont have much money to spend, so I just > need the bare minimum....How big of a HD do I need....I would like the > frame rate to be good, so which CPU or processor do I need. I dont like > wheels much, so which is the best joystick or gamepad to buy....? What > speed cd rom drive ? How much ram do I need...? What type of sound > card do I need ? If you guys could please help me, I can try to help you > out if I can. Remember I have never really used a pc in my life, so > talk in simple terms. Please email me with answers...Thanks for your > help....I am looking to spend less than a thousand since I already have > a monitor and speakers. > Dave Roland

I'd look at a Pentium or AMD 233 as a minimum for good ***. I have the AMD 200 (k6) and love it. Systems with this can be obtained for less than 2k. Get the new Diamond Stealth II which is a Rendition card. Papyrus/Sierra games use Rendition. Wait for VooDoo 2 addon next year for 3dfx support. You could also look at other Rendition cards with either the v2100 or v2200 chipsets which just came out(stealth ii is v2100). Also, I'd recommend any Thrustmaster products(especially the Nascar Pro for driving sims). -- ___ _______ ________ ______ __ __ ______ ____ ___| |__ | __|__ __| _____| \ / / _____| \ | | _ \ |__ | | | | ____| \ \/ /| ____|| |\ | |_ ) | |_______| |__| |______| \ __ / |______|___| \____|________| "By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meets the definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited adverti***t to such equipment. BySec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the aforementioned Section is punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for each violation."

David, even in Canadian dollars that is not a good deal. I have a friend here who just bought a comparable system for around $1299 Cnd. I would recommend shopping around a bit more. The AMD K6 P200 is cheaper and performs better than Intel across the board (I have one!). Also, if you are primarily interested in running Nascar2, you need a video card which has the Rendition chip-set (for improved graphics) - I don't believe the Diamond Stealth is one (I may be wrong here). Also, unless you're interested in music (MIDI, sampling, etc.) The AWE64 is probably $100 more than you need - simple SoundBlaster Pro (or thereabouts) would suffice. Also, make sure you include a ThrustMaster Formula T2 wheel/pedal combo (mandatory to complete the experience). Sorry to throw a wrench in the works, but that just doesn't look right... C'mon people... pipe up and help this guy find an optimum setup! Simon Goodwin

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> I have found one its a (remember Im a mac guy here) > Pentium 200 mhz with mmx.... > Diamond Stealth Video Card the new one.....4 megs I think > Awe 64 Sound Blaster Card (i think) > 24x Cd rom > 15 inch Monitor > Is this ok ? I can get a great deal on it (1699 dollars) Is this good > enuff to run N2 and the BGN track pack ? My other question is when I > get N2 for it...Do i need to download any patches or anything to help it > along ? Thanks guys and again send me responses via e-mail..... > You pc guys and gals have been great Thanks > Dave

% Is this ok ? I can get a great deal on it (1699 dollars) Is this good % enuff to run N2 and the BGN track pack ? My other question is when I % get N2 for it...Do i need to download any patches or anything to help it % along ? Thanks guys and again send me responses via e-mail..... Regarding the patches: If you get the BGN track pack at the same time N2 (and install the track pack after N2), all of the patching will be taken care of. If you will starting out with N2, go to Sierra's web site and get the patches. -- **************************** Michael E. Carver ************************* Upside out, or inside down...False alarm the only game in town. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=<[ /./. [- < ]>=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Sounds like a pretty good system to me. Shouldn't have any problem with N2 and the track pack. Of course, depending on what ya want to spend, you might can upgrade to the 233 mmx chip . (when I ordered my dell, i think it was an additional 75). Also, seriously consider a 17" monitor, I had a 15 and got a 17 with the new system, big time difference. -- Don Burnette

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> Hey guys i want to thank everyone who helped me out in my search for the > perfect computer for N2. > I have found one its a (remember Im a mac guy here) > Pentium 200 mhz with mmx.... > Diamond Stealth Video Card the new one.....4 megs I think > Awe 64 Sound Blaster Card (i think) > 24x Cd rom > 15 inch Monitor > Is this ok ?

If you're going to be running N2 exclusively you might want to check out using one of the Rendition video cards. These cards aren't supported by a lot of other games/sims but it helps with the Papy sims. With this video card N2 runs fine on my P133, so I suspect a 200MMX should be more than adequate. If you install the BGN track pack it will install the patches along with the new tracks and cars and other goodies. If you're looking for more toys, there are plenty of utilities and fixes and stuff out there on the Net - a good starting point would be The Pits (www.theuspits.com). ...from a PC guy who's saddled with a Mac at work... -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Alan J. Claffie PARSIMONIOUS RACING Internet Grand National aclaffie 'at' bgnn.com Dalton, MA #93 Buick Riviera Alleged Racing Writer for "The Racin' Paper" WWW.BGNN.COM - NASCAR's Busch North Series on the Internet 7

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> > Hey guys i want to thank everyone who helped me out in my search for the > > perfect computer for N2. > > I have found one its a (remember Im a mac guy here) > > Pentium 200 mhz with mmx.... > > Diamond Stealth Video Card the new one.....4 megs I think > > Awe 64 Sound Blaster Card (i think) > > 24x Cd rom > > 15 inch Monitor > > Is this ok ? > If you're going to be running N2 exclusively you might want to check out > using one of the Rendition video cards. These cards aren't supported by a > lot of other games/sims but it helps with the Papy sims. > With this video card N2 runs fine on my P133, so I suspect a 200MMX should > be more than adequate. > > My other question is when I > > get N2 for it...Do i need to download any patches or anything to help it > > along ? > If you install the BGN track pack it will install the patches along with > the new tracks and cars and other goodies. If you're looking for more > toys, there are plenty of utilities and fixes and stuff out there on the > Net - a good starting point would be The Pits (www.theuspits.com). > ...from a PC guy who's saddled with a Mac at work... > -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- > Alan J. Claffie PARSIMONIOUS RACING Internet Grand National > aclaffie 'at' bgnn.com Dalton, MA #93 Buick Riviera > Alleged Racing Writer for "The Racin' Paper" > WWW.BGNN.COM - NASCAR's Busch North Series on the Internet 7

I just saw a CTX at Best Buy with AMD K6 233, 32meg of EDO, 4 gig hard drive and Matrox Mistake 220(not bad?) for $1299.00 with Windows, Works and MORE!(exciting huh?) Of course, you'd have to get a monitor, wheel, joystick, JEDI KNIGHT(great game), 3DFX Pure 3d, Stealth II, Nascar II, MS Cart Precision Racing(bill needs the dough to tide him over till windows 98), mouse pad, internet access, printer, etc....................IT JUST DOESN'T END! -- ___ _______ ________ ______ __ __ ______ ____ ___| |__ | __|__ __| _____| \ / / _____| \ | | _ \ |__ | | | | ____| \ \/ /| ____|| |\ | |_ ) | |_______| |__| |______| \ __ / |______|___| \____|________| "By US Code Title 47, Sec.227(a)(2)(B), a computer/modem/printer meets the definition of a telephone fax machine. By Sec.227(b)(1)(C), it is unlawful to send any unsolicited adverti***t to such equipment. BySec.227(b)(3)(C), a violation of the aforementioned Section is punishable by action to recover actual monetary loss, or $500, whichever is greater, for each violation."