GPL--advice

Hi folks, So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2 system, which of the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? OR I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or that sort of thing. thanks very much, David

For the same price of an old VooDoo2 card, you can upgrade to a K6-2/450 or better. Provided of course that your bus can be set to 100 mhz. That alone will give you a hell of a lot more fps. The video card, because these two still are heavily dependent on the CPU, They wouldn't be a good buy for the CPU that you have.

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> Hi folks, > So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2 system, which of > the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? > >buy a new k2-450 CPU > OR > >switch the Voodoo 2 for a Voodoo 3? > I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or that sort of > thing. > thanks very much, > David

-- ========================================= Mike Barlow of Barlow Racing? ========================================= Racing online with the help of...... Race Communications Association http://members.xoom.com/RCA/toc.html Holodyne Engineering Mystic Music (have Your !!Name/Address!! placed here)

I have a K6-2/300 not o'clocked ,128meg ram ,Guillemot Voodoo Banshee 16 meg. I easily maintain 25 fps at the starting line w/13 cars . After start 36 fps and silky smooth no matter what. From what I read here that is about the best you can expect. I don't have any plans for any future upgrades as it would simply be a waste of money. Oh yeah, I just got started in VROC and get 36 fps at ALL times on a 56k modem. If I can get this performance so can you. Just spend the time optimizing your system. Don't spend the money if you don't need to. A faster system may help in other programs but it ain't gonna get you any more than 36 fps in GPL. Joe

get the cpu, plus more ram. Rik Anthrax

A K6-2/450 , 128meg and Voodoo 2 gives me 36fps almost all the time, start line seems to see it drop to around 26fps. I know it sounds stupid but have you checked that you have nothing running in the background? ICQ net detect, system maintenance scheduler etc Having those running will occassionaly see frame rate drop to 32fps on mine > I have a K6-2/300 not o'clocked ,128meg ram ,Guillemot Voodoo Banshee 16 > meg. I easily maintain 25 fps at the starting line w/13 cars . After start > 36 fps and silky smooth no matter what. From what I read here that is about > the best you can expect. I don't have any plans for any future upgrades as > it would simply be a waste of money. > Oh yeah, I just got started in VROC and get 36 fps at ALL times on a 56k > modem. If I can get this performance so can you. Just spend the time > optimizing your system. Don't spend the money if you don't need to. A faster

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> system may help in other programs but it ain't gonna get you any more than > 36 fps in GPL. > Joe > > Hi folks, > > So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2 system,

which

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> of > > the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? > > >buy a new k2-450 CPU > > OR > > >switch the Voodoo 2 for a Voodoo 3? > > I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or that sort > of > > thing. > > thanks very much, > > David

I've been pretty thorough about optimizing, and nothing's running background. However, I did say I have a k6-300, rather than a k62-300. Maybe that accounts for the difference? thanks one and all for the suggestions, DK > A K6-2/450 , 128meg and Voodoo 2 gives me 36fps almost all the time, start > line seems to see it drop to around 26fps. > I know it sounds stupid but have you checked that you have nothing running > in the background? ICQ net detect, system maintenance scheduler etc > Having those running will occassionaly see frame rate drop to 32fps on mine > > I have a K6-2/300 not o'clocked ,128meg ram ,Guillemot Voodoo Banshee 16 > > meg. I easily maintain 25 fps at the starting line w/13 cars . After start > > 36 fps and silky smooth no matter what. From what I read here that is > about > > the best you can expect. I don't have any plans for any future upgrades as > > it would simply be a waste of money. > > Oh yeah, I just got started in VROC and get 36 fps at ALL times on a 56k > > modem. If I can get this performance so can you. Just spend the time > > optimizing your system. Don't spend the money if you don't need to. A > faster > > system may help in other programs but it ain't gonna get you any more than

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> > 36 fps in GPL. > > Joe > > > Hi folks, > > > So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2 system, > which > > of > > > the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? > > > >buy a new k2-450 CPU > > > OR > > > >switch the Voodoo 2 for a Voodoo 3? > > > I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or that

sort > > of > > > thing. > > > thanks very much, > > > David

Boy I was a fat lot of help wasn't I ? Didn't pay attention to the fact that it wasn't a K6-2. What are your actual frame rates ? Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. It may actually be time for YOU to upgrade. I still contend that you really don't need to have a mega-buck system to run GPL though. If you're a working stiff like me you have to really stretch the old computer budget. The last thing I bought was a CD burner. ($170) There goes my budget for the next six months. Joe

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> I've been pretty thorough about optimizing, and nothing's running > background. However, I did say I have a k6-300, rather than a k62-300. > Maybe that accounts for the difference? > thanks one and all for the suggestions, > DK > > A K6-2/450 , 128meg and Voodoo 2 gives me 36fps almost all the time,

start > > line seems to see it drop to around 26fps. > > I know it sounds stupid but have you checked that you have nothing running

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> > in the background? ICQ net detect, system maintenance scheduler etc > > Having those running will occassionaly see frame rate drop to 32fps on > mine > > > I have a K6-2/300 not o'clocked ,128meg ram ,Guillemot Voodoo Banshee

16 > > > meg. I easily maintain 25 fps at the starting line w/13 cars . After > start > > > 36 fps and silky smooth no matter what. From what I read here that is > > about > > > the best you can expect. I don't have any plans for any future upgrades > as > > > it would simply be a waste of money. > > > Oh yeah, I just got started in VROC and get 36 fps at ALL times on a 56k

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> > > modem. If I can get this performance so can you. Just spend the time > > > optimizing your system. Don't spend the money if you don't need to. A > > faster > > > system may help in other programs but it ain't gonna get you any more > than > > > 36 fps in GPL. > > > Joe > > > > Hi folks, > > > > So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2 system, > > which > > > of > > > > the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? > > > > >buy a new k2-450 CPU > > > > OR > > > > >switch the Voodoo 2 for a Voodoo 3? > > > > I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or that > sort > > > of > > > > thing. > > > > thanks very much, > > > > David

You say you've optimized, but have you turned down any of the graphics options in GPL? Graphics in the mirrors REALLY give you a huge framerate hit, so that's definitely one area to cut down. Eliminating sparks, smoke, etc., also can help the frame rate a lot. Remember, too, that your screensaver can eat up a lot of CPU cycles even when it's not active. I use a simple "blank screen" for a screensaver, just to be sure it's not taking up ANY CPU cycles or memory. Hope this helps a bit. -- JB

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>I've been pretty thorough about optimizing, and nothing's running >background. However, I did say I have a k6-300, rather than a k62-300. >Maybe that accounts for the difference? >thanks one and all for the suggestions, >DK >> A K6-2/450 , 128meg and Voodoo 2 gives me 36fps almost all the time,

start >> line seems to see it drop to around 26fps. >> I know it sounds stupid but have you checked that you have nothing running

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>> in the background? ICQ net detect, system maintenance scheduler etc >> Having those running will occassionaly see frame rate drop to 32fps on >mine >> > I have a K6-2/300 not o'clocked ,128meg ram ,Guillemot Voodoo Banshee

16

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>> > meg. I easily maintain 25 fps at the starting line w/13 cars . After >start >> > 36 fps and silky smooth no matter what. From what I read here that is >> about >> > the best you can expect. I don't have any plans for any future upgrades >as >> > it would simply be a waste of money. >> > Oh yeah, I just got started in VROC and get 36 fps at ALL times on a

56k

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>> > modem. If I can get this performance so can you. Just spend the time >> > optimizing your system. Don't spend the money if you don't need to. A >> faster >> > system may help in other programs but it ain't gonna get you any more >than >> > 36 fps in GPL. >> > Joe >> > > Hi folks, >> > > So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2 system, >> which >> > of >> > > the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? >> > > >buy a new k2-450 CPU >> > > OR >> > > >switch the Voodoo 2 for a Voodoo 3? >> > > I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or that >sort >> > of >> > > thing. >> > > thanks very much, >> > > David

I noticed a drastic improvement when switching from V2 to V3 (2000) but I have Intel inside... -- Oliver Nikolic DP-MAX Computers http://www.dp-max.co.yu/ BeoRocket Racing Team (retired) http://www.beorocket.co.yu/

My frame rates are actually quite fine (800 x 600; 36 fps after everyone gets rolling for a bit), only they've been accomplished through what are--for me--some compromises I'd rather not have to make, such as: -reducing # of opponents to 12 -detail bias about 1/4 of an inch from the rightmost limit -the mirror patch (mirror refeshed every third frame) -sound quality=0 -number of sounds = 4 -no tire-beveling -no sky (er, well . . . no clouds) I'd simply like to get some of that stuff back, for a reasonable number of dollerze. Thanks, David > Boy I was a fat lot of help wasn't I ? Didn't pay attention to the fact that

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> it wasn't a K6-2. What are your actual frame rates ? > Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. It may actually be time for YOU to > upgrade. I still contend that you really don't need to have a mega-buck > system to run GPL though. If you're a working stiff like me you have to > really stretch the old computer budget. The last thing I bought was a CD > burner. > ($170) There goes my budget for the next six months. > Joe > > I've been pretty thorough about optimizing, and nothing's running > > background. However, I did say I have a k6-300, rather than a k62-300. > > Maybe that accounts for the difference? > > thanks one and all for the suggestions, > > DK > > > A K6-2/450 , 128meg and Voodoo 2 gives me 36fps almost all the time, > start > > > line seems to see it drop to around 26fps. > > > I know it sounds stupid but have you checked that you have nothing > running > > > in the background? ICQ net detect, system maintenance scheduler etc > > > Having those running will occassionaly see frame rate drop to 32fps on > > mine > > > > I have a K6-2/300 not o'clocked ,128meg ram ,Guillemot Voodoo

Banshee > 16 > > > > meg. I easily maintain 25 fps at the starting line w/13 cars . After > > start > > > > 36 fps and silky smooth no matter what. From what I read here that is

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> > > about > > > > the best you can expect. I don't have any plans for any future > upgrades > > as > > > > it would simply be a waste of money. > > > > Oh yeah, I just got started in VROC and get 36 fps at ALL times on a > 56k > > > > modem. If I can get this performance so can you. Just spend the time > > > > optimizing your system. Don't spend the money if you don't need to.

A > > > faster > > > > system may help in other programs but it ain't gonna get you any more

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> > than > > > > 36 fps in GPL. > > > > Joe > > > > > Hi folks, > > > > > So, with an AMD k-300 (mildly oc'd to 333), 64 mb, Voodoo 2

system,

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> > > which > > > > of > > > > > the two following Ways To More FPS would you think best? > > > > > >buy a new k2-450 CPU > > > > > OR > > > > > >switch the Voodoo 2 for a Voodoo 3? > > > > > I'm trying to make this a cheap boost--no motherboard swaps or

that

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> > sort > > > > of > > > > > thing. > > > > > thanks very much, > > > > > David

>My frame rates are actually quite fine (800 x 600; 36 fps after everyone >gets rolling for a bit), only they've been accomplished through what >are--for me--some compromises I'd rather not have to make, such as: >-reducing # of opponents to 12 >-detail bias about 1/4 of an inch from the rightmost limit Hmmm, then buy a bigger screen, so you can leave the slider 1/4 of an inch from the right side and still move it to the right. :) Seriously though, the only thing the 'detail bias' slider influences is the distance at which GPL displays hi-res textures. F.i. in Monza, when you come onto the main straight, you can see the two towers on the left side of the track. With the detail bias slider on full, you can see the second tower in hi-res when exiting Parabolica - not that you can distinguish anything, since the tower is approx 4x8 pixels wide in 800x600, but it is a hi-res texture. Now, if you put the slider into the middle position, you will practically see the same picture while exiting Parabolica. When you come close enough to actually distinguish details of the tower texture (which you wouldn't even do in a race, right?), GPL will already have switched to the hi-res texture, so you don't actually sacrifice display quality. But you will take a lot of workload off your graphics card. If you put the detail bias slider to the full left position, the textures will look less crisp close up, but once you're racing, you (that is 'I', of course) won't see a difference anyway. 'Detail bias' does not mean 'number of trackside objects'. IMO, trackside objects are important as braking markers, but I don't need extremely detailed textures on them at the expense of framerate. Do you really feel you're missing something by not having detail bias on full? I assume this can be annoying. If I understand correctly, you can remedy this by getting a better PCI soundcard, e.g. SB Live! value. Do you miss them? I don't. -- Wolfgang Preiss \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.

The thing I notice most in the heat of racing about the detail bias setting is the detail of the cars ahead as they get closer. They can be very weird until you get close and then they resemble real cars. But I agree that I'll take frame rate over such a minor annoyance any day. And if you're fast enough (I'm not), then you never have cars in front anyway! Gene

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> >My frame rates are actually quite fine (800 x 600; 36 fps after everyone > >gets rolling for a bit), only they've been accomplished through what > >are--for me--some compromises I'd rather not have to make, such as: > >-reducing # of opponents to 12 > >-detail bias about 1/4 of an inch from the rightmost limit > Hmmm, then buy a bigger screen, so you can leave the slider 1/4 of an > inch from the right side and still move it to the right. :) Seriously > though, the only thing the 'detail bias' slider influences is the > distance at which GPL displays hi-res textures. F.i. in Monza, when > you come onto the main straight, you can see the two towers on the > left side of the track. With the detail bias slider on full, you can > see the second tower in hi-res when exiting Parabolica - not that you > can distinguish anything, since the tower is approx 4x8 pixels wide in > 800x600, but it is a hi-res texture. > Now, if you put the slider into the middle position, you will > practically see the same picture while exiting Parabolica. When you > come close enough to actually distinguish details of the tower texture > (which you wouldn't even do in a race, right?), GPL will already have > switched to the hi-res texture, so you don't actually sacrifice > display quality. But you will take a lot of workload off your graphics > card. > If you put the detail bias slider to the full left position, the > textures will look less crisp close up, but once you're racing, you > (that is 'I', of course) won't see a difference anyway. 'Detail bias' > does not mean 'number of trackside objects'. IMO, trackside objects > are important as braking markers, but I don't need extremely detailed > textures on them at the expense of framerate. Do you really feel > you're missing something by not having detail bias on full? > >-the mirror patch (mirror refeshed every third frame) > I assume this can be annoying. > >-sound quality=0 > >-number of sounds = 4 > If I understand correctly, you can remedy this by getting a better PCI > soundcard, e.g. SB Live! value. > >-no tire-beveling > >-no sky (er, well . . . no clouds) > Do you miss them? I don't. > -- > Wolfgang Preiss \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.

cancellation warned.

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>Boy I was a fat lot of help wasn't I ? Didn't pay attention to the fact that >it wasn't a K6-2. What are your actual frame rates ? >Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut. It may actually be time for YOU to >upgrade. I still contend that you really don't need to have a mega-buck >system to run GPL though. If you're a working stiff like me you have to >really stretch the old computer budget. The last thing I bought was a CD >burner. >($170) There goes my budget for the next six months.

This is why having plastic gets me in so mouch trouble....<g> Eldred __ Own Grand Prix Legends? Goto GPL.GAMESTATS.COM/VROC If all the world's a stage, where is the audience sitting? remove SPAM-OFF to reply.

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>The thing I notice most in the heat of racing about the detail bias setting >is the detail of the cars ahead as they get closer. They can be very weird >until you get close and then they resemble real cars. >But I agree that I'll take frame rate over such a minor annoyance any day. >And if you're fast enough (I'm not), then you never have cars in front >anyway!

I'm slow enough so that cars in front of me never actually get closer. :) -- Wolfgang Preiss \ E-mail copies of replies to this posting are welcome.