Race 07 - Don't bother unless you have a good system

[Lew242]

I quite like Race 07, it'd not really the fault of the game, but the new street circuits (very pretty they are too) Pau and Porto run really badly on my system. I think this is because I only have a single CPU. So I end up running the game with the settings dumbed down, so I'd be better off playing GTR2 until I next upgrade. If Spa runs slowly for you on GTR2 it's a clear sign you'd be better off saving your money until you have upgraded your system.

[Dzul]

What's your system setup? CPU/GPU/RAM/MOBO/ETC...

[David Wright]

I quite like Race 07, it'd not really the fault of the game, but the new street circuits (very pretty they are too) Pau and Porto run really badly on my system. I think this is because I only have a single CPU. So I end up running the game with the settings dumbed down, so I'd be better off playing GTR2 until I next upgrade. If Spa runs slowly for you on GTR2 it's a clear sign you'd be better off saving your money until you have upgraded your system.

RACE 07 is more demanding than GTR2 in my experience but it runs fine on my AMD 64 3500+ which is getting on a bit now. RACE 07 also requires a Shader model 2 (DX9) graphics card which will restrict performance on PCs with older graphics cards.

I think preformance is more down to processor speed than the fact you have only a single CPU - neither ISI nor Simbin claim this game engine is designed for multi-threading.

[Gaiajohan]

It's true, Porto is a very heavy circuit, just like Vara raceway. Pau is quite easy on my system though.
SIngle or dual-core doesn't matter, as this game is optimised for 1 core.
It's more your GPU and ram.
The game is very ramhungry. I had a peakusage of 1.4GB, and that on a low resolution (1024*768), and in races with other cars I drive on medium detail.

[Lew242]

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1.81 GHz / 1.00 RAM, NVIDIA 7300
Running XP pro 64bit Edition

[Lew242]

Oh so get another GB of Ram and a slightly faster chip and I should be sweet?

[Dzul]

Well, you will benefit a lot with a faster CPU and a better Videocard, for sure.
The extra gig of RAM will help you with data loading, but for performance you
need a new videocard first: Anything from Nvidia's 7600GT or ATI's X1650Pro,
according to your budget and Motherboard port. Are you still on AGP or PCIe?

[ptasiek83]

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1.81 GHz / 1.00 RAM, NVIDIA 7300
Running XP pro 64bit Edition

GF 7300 is your problem mate! I didn't try Race 07, maybe I'll download a demo but my rig AMD Sempron 3000+ (939), 2 GB RAM and 7600 GT SPII 256 RAM has some serious power reserve in GTR2, GTL and RACE 06 played on 1280x1024 32bit, DX9.0, Anti-something 4x, everything maxed out. I tried it on 1600x1200 with the same settings and it runs also great but refresh rate on my monitor is killing me! (76Hz in 1600x1200).

I can say that Bioforge in 1024x768 runs on high with turned off full lightning effects (8600 GT needed there :D), Fear goes nerly maxed out on 1280x1024.

I heard that 8600 GTS or GTX I forget go pretty cheap right now and 7600 GT goes for next to nothing.

Dzul is right, 1 extra Gig of ram makes difference, but if you keep your system clear its not as important. The biggest boost will give you new videocard. If you are on AGP 7600 GT is the only choice there (for nVidia) and if on PCIE and got extra cash go for 8600. Form my experience i recommend nVidia cards, more comaptible and faster with games, plus I always had problems with those catalysts. They are real pain.

Cheerio

[Diswanio]

8800 GTX here

[Dzul]

If you are on AGP 7600 GT is the only choice there (for nVidia) and if on PCIE and got extra cash go for 8600.

I've got an AGP port on my MOBO with an XFX 7600GT XXX Edition and GTR2
runs very smooth on it. CPU is a P4 3.2 Prescott (w/ubercooler) and 2GB RAM.

[Gaiajohan]

nVidia will come soon with AGP-cards from their 8xxx-series. :)
http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2839&Itemid=1

At least they're working on a chip.

[ptasiek83]

nVidia works miracles with their video cards under AGP :D. I've got my 7600 under PCIE and I wait for some movement with 9600 series. 8600 should be much cheaper then.

[Lew242]

Yeah I'll check out the 7600 Nvidia cards, see if I have enough cash.
I'm on PCIE so I'll check out the prices on the more powerful 8000 cards too.

[splitpbt]

Yeah I'll check out the 7600 Nvidia cards, see if I have enough cash.
I'm on PCIE so I'll check out the prices on the more powerful 8000 cards too.http://www.madshrimps.be/?action=getarticle&number=1&artpage=2752&articID=601

Let’s compare specifications:


Sparkle 8600 GT Calibre 8600GT XFX 7600GT Original 7600GT
Productionprocess 80 80 80 90
Core clock 540 MHz 630 MHz 650 MHz 560 MHz
Shader clock 1180 MHz 1404 MHz - -
Memory clock 1400 MHz 1620 MHz 1600 MHz 1400 MHz
Amount of memory 256 512 256 256
Memory bus width 128 128 128 128

Only a few weeks ago we compared the new 8500 GT to the cheaper and older 7300 GT video card and found the new NVIDIA budget card to be average at best. This week we compare the mid range offering, a Sparkle 8600 GT 256Mb which can be found at ~€100 in stores, to a ~€100 XFX 7600 GT 256Mb which comes with higher clock speeds. To round up the comparison we threw in a factory overclocked Calibre 8600 GT with 512Mb. Let´s see if the new cards can beat the revived price/performance champ.
Test Setup

Our test system is based on an Intel Core 2 Duo with Intel 975x “bad axe” motherboard, 2Gb of system memory, a fast Western Digital Raptor hard drive and fresh install of Windows XP SP2. While Windows Vista has been released earlier this year, and it has DX10, we’re waiting for games to actually make good use of the new DX10 features to make it worth switching operation system, as well as SP1 to work out the kinks in the system. With OEM’s asking Microsoft to keep XP around a bit longer it seems we’re not the only ones finding a lack of reasons to “upgrade” to a new OS. Our tests were done with the latest NVIDIA Forcedrivers available at the time of writing. For the 7600 GT card it was 94.24, for the 8600 GT’s it was 158.22.
Conclusive Thoughts

So is this new small mid-range video card from NVIDIA worth your money? If you can find it at the right price we definitely think so; while the 8600 GT doesn’t provide the speed bump over the 7600 GT as the last one did over the 6600 GT, it doesn’t fail to impress. Originally marketed as a mid-range priced product, 8600 GT based products can now be had at low-range prices, not in the least thanks to competitive products from Sparkle, their 8600 GT is available for less than ~€99 making it quite a good deal. Offering playable frame rates in the latest games at medium detail and resolution, older games can be played at higher detail, all this from a video card 1/5 the price of the high end.

When it comes down to a head to head with the 7600 GT, the 8600 GT proves to be superior, both cards are almost evenly priced in shops, there should be no doubt which one to go for, if given the choice. The dedicated shader engine on the new 8 series gives the card a boost in the latest games, leaving the 7600 GT behind. Only in older game engines both cards perform on par, but the 8600 GT has shown a benefit in the image quality department, being able to render 4xAF without performance impact.

Sparkle’s 8600 GT offers an excellent price/performance deal, for those wanting more performance they made the Calibre 8600 GT, they added 256Mb for a total of 512Mb memory and increased clock speeds on the GPU and memory. The combination of the factory overclocked and extra memory really shows in the benchmarks, the Calibre is in the lead in every game and benchmark chart, even when the Sparkle 8600 GT is running at higher GPU speeds. The performance lead does make games more enjoyable with the Calibre, but unfortunately there is a down side to all of this, the Calibre cooler is noticeable louder and the price of the card is too high, at €145 it’s in fact almost as expensive as Sparkle’s own 8600 GTS which will give you higher performance still.

The 7600 GT is no longer a valuable option if you are shopping for a new PC, the 8600 GT comes at the same price with better performance, the XFX version with higher default clock speeds is slightly more expensive, but the factory overclock doesn’t give enough of a boost to push the 7600 GT past the 8600 GT. Unlike the 7300 GT vs 8500 GT comparison, the newer card does prevail.

If you are planning on building an affordable desktop PC or looking for a budget upgrade to give your PCI Express based PC a gaming boost, the Sparkle 8600 GT 256Mb comes recommended!

[Dzul]

:rolleyes: A thorough brief review Split, thanks! :up:

[splitpbt]

:rolleyes: A thorough brief review Split, thanks! :up: noprobs mafrien', but you should follow that link in there to get the full pros and cons m8.

[ptasiek83]

I still stand on my opinion, that this is the matter of money. 8600 is twice as expensive as 7600. Twice as better too :D. I wish money grew on trees.

[splitpbt]

I still stand on my opinion, that this is the matter of money. 8600 is twice as expensive as 7600. Twice as better too :D. I wish money grew on trees.a Sparkle 8600 GT 256Mb which can be found at ~€100 in stores, to a ~€100 XFX 7600 GT 256Mb

[Stormin]

Runs very well on my 2.4 gig machine with 1.5 gig RAM and ATI x800xt card..

[ptasiek83]

News flash! Yesterday my friend came by with the DVI-HDMI cable and Race 07. Well, I connected my PC and set resolution of game to 1920x1080 60Hz and guess what? My Gigabyte 7600 GT SPII 256MB was doing great! Frame rate was unbelievably fluent, graph options were maxed out! Well, right now I am getting myself Gigabyte 8600 GTS (to play BioShock in this resolution) and such a cable and moving to the day room or whatever you people call it! My monitor is cr4p.

[ptasiek83]

a Sparkle 8600 GT 256Mb which can be found at ~€100 in stores, to a ~€100 XFX 7600 GT 256Mb
BTW, I have never heard of XFX or Sparkle, but it is better to spend extra buck and get one made by Gigabyte, Asus and other. All my friends have Gigabyte GeForces, me too, and I am very happy, quality stuff, lives long and stays cool.

[macd1102]

xfx makes some of the best video cards, i have a bfg 8800 gtx. never heard of sprinkle

[Gaiajohan]

xfx makes some of the best video cards, i have a bfg 8800 gtx. never heard of sprinkle

There's almost no difference in graphics card from difference brands.
Sometimes the cooler is different, but further reference board, same chip.
The difference between the brands is what is in the [package you buy.
Brand 1 will give you a game and a splitter.
Brand 2 ives you 2 games etc./

[ptasiek83]

I am Yourapeein, so I am not familiar with US graph cards manufacturers, but the difference between the makes may be bigger than just a cooler. GeForce xxxx xx is only a chip made by nVidia, whole rest is made by manufacturers like Leadteck, Asus, Gainward, Gigabyte etc. But I agree, that cooling system is the most important thing here. It also influences powr consumption of a card. I suppose, that quality of whole card is dependable on manufacturers also.

[Gaiajohan]

But most times they use the reference board nVidia gave as a reference. And yes, sometimes they make mistakes. Wasn't it XFX that had trouble with their first series of 6600GT? One transistor was poor quality.
Some brands have more coolingproblems than others. Also XFX sometimes has trouble with this.
XFX is also most time very cheap, and yes Sparkle is cheaper, and also available here, but imo not known enough.. Don't know how it works with guarantee there.

The big brands are ASUS, club3d, Gainward, Gigabyte, MSI and Sapphire and XFX.
XFX only does nvidia, and Sapphire only ATi, the rest do both brands..

XFX has sometimes special editions.
ASUS is a brand which will never do strange things, like strange cooling design or whatever, they'll always follow reference board, and are very reliable.

[ptasiek83]

I remember long time ago when video card and motheroard of the same brand just didn't work together. Some voltage issue. Don't remember the brand though. Well, doesn't matter, it is all made in Taiwan :D

[Gaiajohan]

I remember long time ago when video card and motheroard of the same brand just didn't work together. Some voltage issue. Don't remember the brand though. Well, doesn't matter, it is all made in Taiwan :D

AGP 1x and AGP2x had different voltage than AGP4 and AGP8;)

Though AGP4 and 8 have different slots than 1 and 2.
I have an old videocard which works in both types. (GF2 MX)

[RKipker]

I still stand on my opinion, that this is the matter of money. 8600 is twice as expensive as 7600. Twice as better too :D. I wish money grew on trees.

Here are some prices form Teiger Direct


$119.99
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT / 512MB DDR2 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / DVI / VGA / HDTV / Video Card

$84.99
NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS / 512MB DDR2 / SLI Ready / PCI Express / DVI / VGA / HDTV / Video Card


$269.99 (BEST BUY.... IMHO)
EVGA GeForce 8800 GTS Video Card - FREE Enemy Territory: Quake Wars PC Game, 320MB GDDR3, PCI Express, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, Video Card
Featuring the world's first DirectX® 10 GPU and a powerful unified architecture that delivers an incredibly true-to-life gaming experience.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2900232&CatId=2669

[Bruno-F1]

Don't buy a NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS - the GS model is much slower than the GT !



@ ptasiek83: How can the the cooler influence the power consumption of a card ? Does the card need less energy when cold ?

[goggo]

I have a 22" Samsung Panel an with 1650 X1080 and my Race has huge Framerate Problems . It starts with 60 and its dropping to under 20 .
My VGA is a His Xt850x AGP and it runs fine with the old 19" Benq.
Any advice for better fps . Do I upgrade to 1950pro 512MB . Makes that sense to spped up Frames?

Intel Duo4300,2GRam,X850XT His VGA, 3.2GB Samsung HD, 22" Samsung 226BW

[redi]

@ ptasiek83: How can the the cooler influence the power consumption of a card ? Does the card need less energy when cold ?

The cooler does not influence power consumption! The heat produced by the chip is the same with or without cooler, but with the cooler the heat is removed from the chip into the surrounding air keeping the chip within working temperatures.

[redi]

I have a 22" Samsung Panel an with 1650 X1080 and my Race has huge Framerate Problems . It starts with 60 and its dropping to under 20 .
My VGA is a His Xt850x AGP and it runs fine with the old 19" Benq.
Any advice for better fps . Do I upgrade to 1950pro 512MB . Makes that sense to spped up Frames?

Intel Duo4300,2GRam,X850XT His VGA, 3.2GB Samsung HD, 22" Samsung 226BW

Could you explain a bit more how the frame rate drops? Does it drop instantly, or gradually over time (e.g. over 10minutes or longer)? When and how does it drop (track, location on track, number of cars visible, track details, etc).

The 1950Pro is a better card than the 850, but your frame rate drop could be a driver/memory management issue. It could also be a heat problem, so make sure the card's fans are working and not clogged up with dust.