GPL K6/2 vs K6/3 results.

The "Which K6" question seems to get asked every few weeks. Since I recently spluged on a K6-3/450, here are the results of a bit of testing I recently did. GPL 1.2 running at 800x600 on a 90MHz, 12M Voodoo2. Tyan 1590, 128M, 1M L2. All graphics options maxed (ooops..except for mirrors = cars and track), 16 sounds issuing from a SB-Live. 19 AI cars. Framerate numbers are taken from the back the grid, using default track.ini positioning. The first framereate is prior to the flag drop, the second is 2~3 seconds after the "launch," as the field accelerates. K6-2/450 Monza 9.7 on the grid, 8.x underway. Spa 8.1, 7.x Glen 9.3, 8.x K6-3/450 Monza 13.7, 12.x Spa 11.5, 10.x Glen 13.3, 11.x Although it's difficult to objectively measure, I get the impression that this ~40% framerate increase continues throughout the race. The K6-3 chip produces noticeably smoother gameplay, and keeps the framerate counter pegged more often. If I get the time, I'll do some more testing, probably with a smaller AI field. FWIW, I also did some Unreal Tournament testing. Framerate taken at a fixed spot went from 31.3 to 40.2. -Greg -- Note! Anti-spam tactics engaged! Remove the duplicate "g" and "s" before replying.

That's running at 100 MHz FSB, I presume? Very interesting, thanks for the info.

Actually, I'm also curious as to how it would compare with my non-CTX K6-2 400, although I guess your K6-2 450 does have the new core?

Very interesting stuff, I didn't think the faster L2 cache would matter in 3D games. I guess I was wrong. So I guess looking at the numbers, even a K6-2 500 would be slower than a K6-3 450? I guess they'll be even more of these K6 questions when the K6-2+ (doesn't have a name yet) comes out.

thanks for the info Greg, just what I was looking for. I have a K6-2 350 and was unsure whether to buy a k6-2 or k6-3 to upgrade.

I upgraded from a K6-2/350 this past summer to a K6-2/450 rather than a K6-3 simply do to availability. But by this summer I hope that the K7-1000mhz chips are out. That will be my next upgrade along with a Voodo5 (?) The only problem that I can see popping up is that I'm presently basing everything on the requirements of GPL. But what if the new WCS and or Trans-Am sims takes us by surprise. Will they be optimized for glide ? Joel Willstein

You really don't need a Athlon (K7) 1 gig to run GPL, I have a Athlon 550, and it runs GPL about as well as it can be ran. You really don't need a Voodoo 5 to run GPL either. But I see what your saying, you just never know what the next-gen sims are going to require. That WCS looks like it is going to want a FAST cpu.

Glad you got my point. But trying to stay current is half of the fun for me. Joel Willstein

On Sat, 01 Jan 2000 15:52:39 -0800, Greg Campbell

Quoted text (14 lines)

>GPL 1.2 running at 800x600 on a 90MHz, 12M Voodoo2. Tyan 1590, 128M, 1M >L2. All graphics options maxed (ooops..except for mirrors = cars and >track), 16 sounds issuing from a SB-Live. 19 AI cars. Framerate >numbers are taken from the back the grid, using default track.ini >positioning. The first framereate is prior to the flag drop, the second >is 2~3 seconds after the "launch," as the field accelerates. >K6-2/450 >Monza 9.7 on the grid, 8.x underway. >K6-3/450 >Monza 13.7, 12.x >Although it's difficult to objectively measure, I get the impression >that this ~40% framerate increase continues throughout the race. The >K6-3 chip produces noticeably smoother gameplay, and keeps the framerate >counter pegged more often.

Thanks, that's quite interesting. I have a similar system, but with a Rendition Verite 2200 and a K6-2 400 CXT. I hope I can compare the numbers on the weekend. -- Matthias Flatt

> That's running at 100 MHz FSB, I presume? Yes. -Greg -- Note! Anti-spam tactics engaged! Remove the duplicate "g" and "s" before replying.