Hoe much CPU does GPL want?

Is a P2 333 (with 12MB Voodoo2 card) sufficient power to run GPL with all options on at 30+fps in full-field race conditions? I'm getting a computer upgrade (from my P200), and I'd like to go to a P2 400 but they are very expensive CPUs, twice the cost of the 333. I realize I MIGHT be able to overclock the 333, but then again I might not. So is the 333 enough power for GPL, or does it really want more? You can assume I'll have a lot of memory (probably 128 MB). Joe

I have a Celeron 300a which I run at 450 MHz, and GPL wants all of it:-). I'm sure a P2 333 will be sufficient, but IMHO an overclocked 300a is a cheaper and better alternative if you take the risk involved in overclocking. -Jan Otto

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>Is a P2 333 (with 12MB Voodoo2 card) sufficient power to run GPL with >all options on at 30+fps in full-field race conditions? >I'm getting a computer upgrade (from my P200), and I'd like to go to a >P2 400 but they are very expensive CPUs, twice the cost of the 333. I >realize I MIGHT be able to overclock the 333, but then again I might >not. So is the 333 enough power for GPL, or does it really want more? >You can assume I'll have a lot of memory (probably 128 MB). >Joe

I run a P200MMX at 3x75Mhz A Diamond Monster (Voodoo 1) SB 128PCI (which I still have intermitant problems with....) 128Mb SDRAM (10ns) all off of a Quantum Fireball 4.3 SE SCSI Full field, full details (including mirrors), Runs at 30FPS on a closed 'testing track' and 25-30 in a race. It does bog down to 25fps when there's something big going on sometimes, but the way I look at it over 25fps is gravey. I'd say you shouldn't have any problems with a P2 333 would be great, provided you have some other choice gear to back it up. Cheers Joe Walsh

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>I'm sure a P2 333 will be sufficient, but IMHO an overclocked 300a is a >cheaper and better alternative if you take the risk involved in >overclocking. >-Jan Otto >>Is a P2 333 (with 12MB Voodoo2 card) sufficient power to run GPL with >>all options on at 30+fps in full-field race conditions? >>I'm getting a computer upgrade (from my P200), and I'd like to go to a >>P2 400 but they are very expensive CPUs, twice the cost of the 333. I >>realize I MIGHT be able to overclock the 333, but then again I might >>not. So is the 333 enough power for GPL, or does it really want more? >>You can assume I'll have a lot of memory (probably 128 MB). >>Joe

I would agree with Jan. I also upgraded to a celeron 300a and at 300 it was good, 338 was better, then at 378 it was getting really good but it finally got right at a full 450mhz. I get 30fps on the grid with all graphics and a full field of ai cars, halfway to the first turn it's at 36fps all the way. The only time it slows is a Monza, 30+fps. John

300x200 ??? No-no just kidding :) But I would like to know your resolution. Im running a Celery 300 at 464Mhz, 2xV2 12mb, 1024x768, all details ahead on, only textures in mirrors on, everything else on, bias approx. in the middle(bit over). Framerate at 36, 98% of a lap(Monza, Spa, so far ...), When alone. Drops to everything between 18-36 depending on how many cars, sounds there is, and how close they are. Typical 25-30 fps with three cars attacking me :) Happy racing. Knudse. If in doubt ... Overtake. .

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> I run a P200MMX at 3x75Mhz > A Diamond Monster (Voodoo 1) > SB 128PCI (which I still have intermitant problems with....) > 128Mb SDRAM (10ns) > all off of a Quantum Fireball 4.3 SE SCSI > Full field, full details (including mirrors), Runs at 30FPS on a closed > 'testing track' and 25-30 in a race. It does bog down to 25fps when there's > something big going on sometimes, but the way I look at it over 25fps is > gravey. > I'd say you shouldn't have any problems with a P2 333 would be great, > provided you have some other choice gear to back it up. > Cheers > Joe Walsh

No, it isn't, at least not at the higher resolutions. I'm running a PII 333Mhz clocked to 416Mhz with a Voodoo 2. The problem lies with the number of competitors which makes high demands on the CPU. In general I get mid 30s most of the time running with a field of 13 at the 9 something by 7 something resolution with detail slider at around 60% and only cars in the mirrors. Remember that you most need frame rate when things get intense. I've tried adding a second V2 (borrowed) which proves worthwhile in graphically intensive sits such as Monaco or a tightly bunched field. However it doesn't help with the AI load. Nonetheless I'm going SLI. You should consider the Celeron 300A - cheaper and at least as clockable as the PII333. Either way, make sure that your m/board is decent quality (a known brand - I can vouch for the Gigabyte GA6BXC) and that it supports the higher bus speeds (75 and 83 and their 100+ equivs).

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>Is a P2 333 (with 12MB Voodoo2 card) sufficient power to run GPL with >all options on at 30+fps in full-field race conditions? >I'm getting a computer upgrade (from my P200), and I'd like to go to a >P2 400 but they are very expensive CPUs, twice the cost of the 333. I >realize I MIGHT be able to overclock the 333, but then again I might >not. So is the 333 enough power for GPL, or does it really want more? >You can assume I'll have a lot of memory (probably 128 MB). >Joe

Sorry- Car textures in mirrors ofcause. Knudse.