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»	COMBATSIM.COM ARCHIVE FORUM » Archives » Falcon 4.0 Archive 2 » Graphics Cards

Author

Topic: Graphics Cards

Peter Snook
unregistered

posted 02-13-2000 01:23 AM

Ive got a 12Mb Voodoo 2 card, and Im thinking about replacing it with a 32Mb TNT2....any advice would be appreciated

IP: Logged

Mr_Sinister
Member
Member # 404

posted 02-13-2000 01:54 AM

TNT2 is about at its ends,,, same with V3,,,

unless you want the V3 3500 for TV support,, your better off getting a GEFORCE or waiting another month for the hot V4 and V5s

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Mr. Sinister of the 4444th Armada Wing

Posts: 319 | From: | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

Bill Hewett
Member
Member # 115

posted 02-13-2000 07:42 AM

I would recommend you pick up an inexpensive second Voodoo2 and run in SLI. With a fast processor VD2 SLI is almost as fast as VD3.
Save your money and wait a couple more months for some upcoming really hot graphics cards (e.g. nVidia's).
Note that the Glide API is best for Falcon 4.

Posts: 1279 | From: MA, USA | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

Electricity
Member
Member # 3131

posted 02-13-2000 08:38 AM

Bill is right. You can get a voodoo2 for DIRT CHEAP, and it will be just about the same as a voodoo3.

The only exception is if you want to run EAW or Mig Alley in 1280X960, then you should jump to the GeForceDDR.

Posts: 291 | From: | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

RazorBlade
Member
Member # 494

posted 02-13-2000 12:51 PM

The Matrox G400 Max is the fastest card for F4 so if you use it for almost 90% for F4 then that is a good choice. If you want a card that is very fast overall then go for the Geforce. This card (and also the TNT2) has some problems with F4. You can read about that in the FAQ at www.ibeta.com .

Posts: 212 | From: Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel (Netherlands) | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Bill Hewett
Member
Member # 115

posted 02-13-2000 01:23 PM

Sorry RazorBlade, not true! I have tested both the Voodoo3 3k and the G400 and the Voodoo3 is superior. Plus I can overclock the VD3 more easily (running at 178 Mhz with no problems). Note that Falcon4 was optimized for 3dfx's Glide API.

Posts: 1279 | From: MA, USA | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

von Krarr
Member
Member # 215

posted 02-13-2000 05:34 PM

Also the V3 is the only chipset that isn't going to give you DX7 problems.

Posts: 963 | From: Vancouver, BC, Canada | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

Electricity
Member
Member # 3131

posted 02-13-2000 09:06 PM

The GeForce SDR and DDR are faster than the G400 in F4 on my tests. Bill, how much better is the Voodoo3 than the G400?

Posts: 291 | From: | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

RazorBlade
Member
Member # 494

posted 02-13-2000 11:19 PM

Did you guys test the G400 Max or the G400? In tests on this site (combatsim) it showed that the G400 max was faster then the V3 3000 and the V3 3000 was faster then the normal G400.

Posts: 212 | From: Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel (Netherlands) | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Toecutter
Member
Member # 436

posted 02-14-2000 05:55 AM

I`ve read this article here a while back and as I`m in the market I`d like the issue settled. Remember, I have no stake here just wanna end up with the best.
Now all these tests happened b4 the 08 patch if I remember it correctly and b4 these new hacked V3 drivers...but-read for yourself: http://www.combatsim.com/htm/aug99/g400-max5.htm[/URL]

There are 2 pages to this article...
BTW, I have been reading these boards like forever and never heard anyone complain about the DevCreate Surface with a G400...
D`appreciate the input.

Posts: 1724 | From: States | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

Electricity
Member
Member # 3131

posted 02-14-2000 08:44 AM

I tested the G400, not the G400MAX.

Posts: 291 | From: | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Stan Man
unregistered

posted 02-14-2000 09:58 AM

Peter,

To get back to your original question, is this relating to F4 primarily, or to other sims as well, such as Flanker 2 and Jane's F-18?

It's pretty well established at this point that F4 runs smoother in the Glide API (i.e. Voodoo), while the latter 2 sims are optimized for D3D (i.e. TNT2, Matrox, etc.).

If F4 is your "cup of tea" definitely stick with your current Voodoo2 and pick up an identical second one to run in SLI mode. It'll be both cheaper and better than any D3D option out there. It won't make your "Flanker" or your "Hornet" ecstatic, but your "Falcon" will be quite pleased

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Peter Snook
unregistered

posted 02-14-2000 01:26 PM

Thanks for the replies!!

As far as sims go, Falcon 4, Flanker 2 and Mig Alley are the ones I play most. What kind of improvement would I see by adding a second Voodoo2 ?

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IronHand
unregistered

posted 02-16-2000 04:00 PM

I originally had a Voodoo 3 3000 in my PII 450 with 128mb RAM. I then swapped the V3 for a Matrox G400 MAX. Result - Falcon 4 frame rate fell by about 30%. Then swapped the PII 450 for a PIII 700e - result not much change. Put the V3 back in - result Fantastic. Forget G400 MAX or TNT 2 Ultra or for that matter any DX driven graphics card and stick with a GLIDE driven card ie: 3DFX Voodoo 2, 3 and later. If, like me, you have the chance to try various graphics cards then you will definitely be disappointed by the rave reviews given to the G400 MAX - it's definitely NOT the best card for Falcon 4. Don't get me wrong, it's an excellent card with an absolutely crystal clear picture and vibrant colour at very high refresh rates and resolutions. The dualhead feature is also excellent but is only of any real use for applications that support it ie Windows Applications like Photoshop or Quark or Freehand or even Excel but not really for games.

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Jason
Member
Member # 1545

posted 02-16-2000 04:24 PM

Hey,
I got a question and i know it's really stupid but i need to ask it. 3d accelators are the same thing as video cards right?? Also,
I am running a 300 mhz celeron with 96 mb ram 4mb video card generic everything. i am going to get falcon 4.0 soon and what video card(and 3d accelator if they are two thingas) should i get for between 100 and 200 dollars.......please forgive the stupid question, i still have a lot to learn

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_________________________
don't listen to the bitchin' betty

Posts: 220 | From: | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Mr_Sinister
Member
Member # 404

posted 02-16-2000 07:37 PM

GeForce is a kick *** card yes,,

but I dare not cross the line of 3dFX's V3 and the Stability. Even today I still can't find a damn thing wrong with my V3 3500.

I also have 2 TNT2 ULTRA's on machines on my LAN,,, Speed is above average but find alot of problems with the card.... sometimes I just wanna kick it out the window,,,

But if you want the King of the Hill then look down the road of GeForce today

or wait less then a month for Vodoo4's Jesus, can things get any better?????

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Mr. Sinister of the 4444th Armada Wing

Posts: 319 | From: | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

Toecutter
Member
Member # 436

posted 02-17-2000 03:48 AM

Thanx IronHand. Yeah I was afraid of that...sigh
Might just have to throw in a cheap V anything for now and wait till the V4-5 is out...They had me the first time I heard the xpression: FS-AA...

Posts: 1724 | From: States | Registered: Sep 1999 | IP: Logged

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