How will GPL fare with this setup?

I'll be purchasing a new PC at the end of this month, and would appreciate some feedback on what sort of performance levels I can expect when playing GPL, i've listed the important spec's of the system i'm looking at below:- Intel PIII-450 128MD SD-RAM Diamond Viper 32MB TNT2 AGP I'm also planning on selling my Playstation to raise funds for a MS Sidewinder wheel, though one of my friends insists that steering wheels are useless control devices on anything smaller than a 19" monitor. I've never heard this argument before, does anyone have any comments? Thanks, Rick. -- -- R K Mather

> One of my friends insists that steering wheels are useless > control devices on anything smaller than a 19" monitor. I've never heard > this argument before, does anyone have any comments? Dig those crazy mushrooms man... ;-)

Rick: While I don't have your machine specifically, I would imagine it will handle GPL just fine, others might have more specific information but I'd go for it. Regarding your "friend", you just gotta love idiots who pontificate without a clue. In short: WHAT?????? That is the silliest thing I've ever heard, and I've been reading this board for a while. While there is a minority that will debate whether a wheel is necessary, most agree that it really helps, and this is one case where ... honestly ... size doesn't matter :) {mutters to himself} Useless with anything smaller than 19" inches, give me a break. Joe

[snip] Good CPU - plenty enough RAM, the video card, er, well... Not to stir up the Voodoo/TNT arguement again, but *right now* the Voodoo3 2000/3000 are a much better choice for GPL. The patch might change things, but that's far from certain. If you've got any Glide games, of course, then Voodoo is the obvious choice. An OEM Voodoo3 2000 is cheap enough to keep just until the next big 3D card cycle. I'd search the NG for TNT info, and check out the 1.1 patch readme on gpl.gamestats.com. [snip] I've got a 20" monitor, but I still think your friend's a nutter ;)... You might also want to look at Logitech and and ACT Labs FF wheels. Both are less expensive (at least in the states), and have been rated higher than the MS wheel (check gamecenter.com for a roundup). I'm going to get a Logitech wheel, as it's been rated as the smoothest, if not the strongest FF effects. Don't care about the pedals - I'll be using my Thrustmaster set. Good Luck! Kendt Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Share what you know. Learn what you don't.

That'll do just fine methinks... I got the same setup, but with dual V2's instead of the TNT card and I got solid 36fps with everything on. It does drop to about 25fps with 19 AI on grid. ehm.... GPL without a wheel if you don't have a 19" monitor??? -Get this friend professional help, now. You need a wheel to fully enjoy GPL, period. In view of the upcoming patch may I suggest a Force Feedback one. Although it's getting hard for me to read some things at 1024x768 resolution for normal desktop use, my 14" is more than adequate for playing GPL. Having said that, I recently read some very intersting debate on getting your peripheral in on thing by using a larger monitor for GPL. Jan. ------ >I'll be purchasing a new PC at the end of this month, and would appreciate ><Snip>

That friend of yours is pretty funny. I used my T2 wheel with a 13" monitor for a long time. A lot of people say wheels help and I'd agree, but you have to admit there are a few with regular joysticks that do really well too. I like a wheel because it gives a better feel of imersion in the game. As for the rest of your post, that system should run GPL just fine at 36fps with everything turned on. Vintook

<<Diamond Viper 32MB TNT2 AGP>> Hum...I'm not an expert, but I think you might be better off with a Voo Doo3 for GPL. Others may disagree and prove me wrong though.

Buy the wheel and get your friend some help. LOL

To run GPL the best ditch the TNT2 and get a Voodoo 3...then you will be set. PAPA DOC

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>I'll be purchasing a new PC at the end of this month, and would appreciate >some feedback on what sort of performance levels I can expect when playing >GPL, i've listed the important spec's of the system i'm looking at below:- > Intel PIII-450 > 128MD SD-RAM > Diamond Viper 32MB TNT2 AGP >I'm also planning on selling my Playstation to raise funds for a MS Sidewinder >wheel, though one of my friends insists that steering wheels are useless >control devices on anything smaller than a 19" monitor. I've never heard >this argument before, does anyone have any comments? >Thanks, >Rick. >-- >-- >R K Mather

Rick, Your friend just doesn't know what he is talking about. I've used a wheel for 3 years,1st with a 14 inch monitor,then with my current 15 inch monitor. I'm willing to bet that most auto sim racers that use a wheel have a 15 monitor. Joel Willstein

I agree on this point. Check into the TNT before you commit. Tore

I do have a 19 inch monitor, but it has no bearing on whether or not you should buy a wheel. I used to use a 17 inch monitor and a wheel. The difference between a wheel and joystick is the realism of driving GPL. Back in 1967 most of the F1 drivers used a steering wheel and pedals to control their car. If you aren't sure as to whether or not you will stick with automotive sims, perhaps you should consider the joystick. I think your friend wants to use your new computer with a joystick rather than a wheel. <g> Tore

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> >I'm also planning on selling my Playstation to raise funds for a MS > Sidewinder > >wheel, though one of my friends insists that steering wheels are useless > >control devices on anything smaller than a 19" monitor. I've never heard > >this argument before, does anyone have any comments? > >Thanks, > >Rick. > Rick, > Your friend just doesn't know what he is talking about. I've used a > wheel for 3 years,1st with a 14 inch monitor,then with my current 15 inch > monitor. I'm willing to bet that most auto sim racers that use a wheel

have > a 15 monitor. > Joel Willstein

Thanks for the advice. I'd still like a TNT2 card as I don't intend to use my PC just for GPL (maybe I can only say that now as i haven't played it yet...). Assuming I go for the TNT2, can anyone tell me what frame rates/level of detail I can expect. I also understand that Papy have released a patch to boost the performance of non-3dfx cards, how well does this improve things? Thanks, Rick. -- -- R K Mather

> I'm also planning on selling my Playstation to raise funds for a MS Sidewinder > wheel, though one of my friends insists that steering wheels are useless > control devices on anything smaller than a 19" monitor. I've never heard > this argument before, does anyone have any comments? Well, I haven't used them on smaller than 19", but I'd still insist your friend's full of shit on this one. -- Anssi Lehtinen

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>> I'm also planning on selling my Playstation to raise funds for a MS >Sidewinder >> wheel, though one of my friends insists that steering wheels are useless >> control devices on anything smaller than a 19" monitor. I've never heard >> this argument before, does anyone have any comments? >Well, I haven't used them on smaller than 19", but I'd still insist your >friend's full of sh*t on this one. >-- >Anssi Lehtinen

I gotta agree... I have a 15 inch monitor and the steering wheel has helped my lap times an ungodly amount. I used to run only about 1:03 at Long Beach on ICR2, now I can run 52 second laps there. That extra control and precision you get with a wheel REALLY helps you out! Get a wheel....get a wheel Dan Belcher Team Racing Unlimited