> About a year ago or so - I did some research on video cards - and people
> told me that TNT2 and better video cards -- with a processor speed of less
> than 400 Mhz (I have a p2 300) you wouldn't see any improvement over a TNT
> or a Voodoo3. I got a Voodoo 3 2000 real cheap -so I stuck with that.
> BTW - I'm oversimplifying what they said and these WERE people who knew
> what they are talking about...
>
> Has anyone upgraded a Pentium II box ~300 Mhz to GeForce from a Voodoo3?
> Did they see a significant improvement?
I haven't upgraded one but yes, upgrading any system from a Voodoo3 to a
GeForce will show an improvement, especially on older systems. This is
because the GeForce doesn't have the processor as a bottleneck because it
has it's own on-board processor that handles the video _instead_ of the CPU.
That is the big advantage of a GeForce over 3dFX technology.
The GeForce is doing the Processor's job. So not only will your video speed
up on sub 500mhz systems but your processor will have less workload to keep
track of... As stated before on a PIII 500+ system you start to see
diminishing returns because Intel's SSE technology or AMD's 3d NOW!
technology does the same job as the GeForce's on board processor and takes
no performance hit from it.
> Basically - I"m holding out till fall or so to upgrade - and figured I'd
> just sit with what I have.
If what you have is working then you really don't _need_ to upgrade. But
the difference you would notice for your system would be... to put it
midly... incredible.
> Another question - how many games actually use 32-bti video? I thought it
> wasn't supportred in DX7?
I THINK... don't quote me on this I'm not at home so I cant check my specs:
Quake 3 arena
Unreal Tournament
Asheron's Call (I THINK they support 32 bit color)
Most 3D Racing Games
Also key to note: Most, if not all, new games coming out from now on will
more than likely support 32 bit Color. The only reason they weren't before
was because nobody but TNT supported it. Now several new technologies are
supporting it. As far as I'm aware, 3dFX is the only graphics platform
going to Generation 3 without 32 bit color.
Again:
If what you are using works and you don't have any problem using it, then do
not upgrade until you upgrade your system. There's no need to rush out and
buy a card that you don't _need_ just because others are ;)
Kev
> Thanks
Most welcome