Racing game to learn UK tracks

[born2bslow]

Nothing about GFX on the laptop, here are the specs for Project Cars. My PC run an i7 @ 3.2 Ghz and gtx770 and it really does pull some power, even in the menus.

MINIMUM SPECS
OS: Windows Vista, Windows 7 with latest Service Packs
Processor: 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400, 3.0 GHz AMD Phenom II X4 940
Memory: 4GB
Graphics: nVidia GTX 260, ATI Radeon HD 5770
DirectX: 9.0
Network: Broadband internet connection
Hard Drive: 25GB
Additional Notes: Racing Wheels

RECOMMENDED SPECS
OS: Windows 7 with latest Service Packs
Processor: 3.5 GHz Intel Core i7 3700, 4.0 GHz AMD FX-8350
Memory: 8GB
Graphics: nVidia GT600 series, AMD Radeon HD7000 series
DirectX: 11.0
Network: Broadband internet connection
Hard Drive: 25GB
Additional Notes: Racing Wheels

[GrumpyTwig]

ol said:

This is the laptop I was looking at. Fits the spec requirements for rfactor but would it run project cars?

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/computing/laptops/la...

If not, can anyone recommend one around that price that would run it well?

Thanks

It might manage rfactor but anything more recent it'll struggle, you don't just need it to run you need a decent and consistent frame rate ideally 60fps all the time but you certainly don't want it dropping below 30 as you're trying to hit that last apex and it's chugging along.

[WonkeyDonkey]

rFactor is probably the best bet, its an ancient game now so should run quite good, even on a Macbook.

Don't try and run it in a virtual machine, performance will be horrendous.
Just dual boot, you won't need much space if you're just installing Windows and rFactor.

[red_slr]

I run rFactor on my 5 year old Dell laptop and it runs fine.

[ol]

I've found a different laptop I can get second hand to solely run project cars and rfactor. I know very little about windows stuff and processors Etc. Would this run it well?

Screen

17.3 inch, 1366 x 366 HD

Graphics

intel HD 3000

Processor

Intel core i7 2620M @ 2.7GHz 4MB cache

2 Cores 4 threads

Memory

8 GB

Hard disk

750 GB

Battery

Battery is good

Optical drive

DVD/RW

Operating system

Windows 7 (64-bit)

Webcam

Yes

Card reader

Yes

WiFi

Yes

Extras

Power Supply, Office 2007 professional

Ports

3xUSB, USB3, LAN, VGA, HDMI


We tried to do a dual boot on the Mac but couldn't get it working. I'm not very technically minded so buying a Windows laptop will probably be the easiest...

Edited by ol on Monday 18th January 09:14

[GrumpyTwig]

That'd be worse from what I can find, while the intel integrated graphics are far more powerful these days than old integrated stuff it's still weak. The previous one would manage rfactor ok, the 520 is supposedly about on par with a nvidia 820 card so you can use that as a yard stick.

[ol]

Really? Even though this one is i7 and the other is i5? (Not that I really understand what that means!)

Would my MacBook be a better bet than either of those if I can get a duel boot on it?

Having watched a few project cars videos it does look much better graphically than rfactor...

Is there any cheap ish way to be able to run Project Cars?

[BaronVonVaderham]

PS4 + a new wheel. It will work every time with metronomic consistency. It's also pretty handy for other stuff like blu-rays, Netflix etc etc. 2nd hand one would be even cheaper.

[ol]

Hmm, you're probably right but I really like the G25 wheel. So annoying that they don't support it, seems crazy. The thrust master stuff looks a bit st and don't seem to have clutch / gear stick, and the G29 is pretty expensive.

Laptop would be easier as I travel a lot and means I could always take it with me...

Edited by ol on Monday 18th January 09:51

[born2bslow]

PS4 makes sense, not much bigger than a laptop to carry around, and Assetto Corsa is due out on console later this year.

Other option is a small form gaming PC, maybe have a look on overclockers. To get a laptop running project cars is going to be some serious money, I'd say upwards of a £1000. It really is very resource hungry.

If you like your G25 you will get on with G29 it's not that different :0

Restrictions around FFB copyright owners and the payments they demand are stopping old tech from being released on new consoles. The developers really have no say in it. Sony and Microsoft could fix it if they y were prepared to throw money at it but why would they?

[GrumpyTwig]

ol said:

Hmm, you're probably right but I really like the G25 wheel. So annoying that they don't support it, seems crazy. The thrust master stuff looks a bit st and don't seem to have clutch / gear stick, and the G29 is pretty expensive.

Laptop would be easier as I travel a lot and means I could always take it with me...

Edited by ol on Monday 18th January 09:51

powerful, cheap, portable. You can basically only pick 2 from the three, even more so with laptops. I'm afraid for Pc gaming the initial outlay is more than the consoles, but you get more value back with better graphics, modding support (lots of extra cars and tracks).

The macbook would probably manage rfactor though if you dual booted, if you're ok with rfactor (it's a bit crude visually but the simulation is more than fine). Though like I've said I'd be sceptical as to project cars even running on hardware of that level.

[Some Gump]

^ Is the OP after raging graphics ability, or good physics and accurate tracks?

I'm fortunate enough to have had a blast in Strakka's "good enough for Le Mans teams" simulator. The graphics would probably have been average in the PS2 era. The physics and FF were brilliant though. Given the initial remit, I'm not sure the nth degree of crowd detail was that important?

[SlipStream77]

I'd go for rfactor.

[GrumpyTwig]

Some Gump said:

^ Is the OP after raging graphics ability, or good physics and accurate tracks?

I'm fortunate enough to have had a blast in Strakka's "good enough for Le Mans teams" simulator. The graphics would probably have been average in the PS2 era. The physics and FF were brilliant though. Given the initial remit, I'm not sure the nth degree of crowd detail was that important?

The three go hand in hand to some degree, but I'm sure you know that....

[born2bslow]

The old "Project CARS is not a SIM" opinion had to be rolled out at some point, it really is quite sad. The OP mentioned Project CARS to learn UK tracks (although it doesn't have all those listed), it won't run on the laptop he is suggesting, Race07 or RFactor is probably his best bet. If he buys a PS4 Project CARs is his only option, whatever your opinion on the physics. Personally I love Project CARs, I also enjoy Assetto Corsa. The FFB gives more information in AC but is that realistic, who cares. Driving and smiling after a great year for driving games.

[Mattygooner]

It does indeed, it is quite dull, but maybe being involved in the development and seeing what went in to the engine, the input from the testers and drivers, we have to try and inform, but getting bored of it now, have tried.

OP, I would suggest running your current Mac with rfactor or Race 07 on a dual boot, ask in the PC gaming thread at the top, some very knowledgeable and helpful people in there who may be able to assist, ultimately everything I have gone back to has been disappointing after the current crop but I remember Race 07 being very good, GTR 2 and Power and Glory mod was also very good, it has to be around 2 quid now.

The G25 is a very good bit of kit and will be for some time so stick with it.

[ol]

Just to add some closure to this, I got sick of trying to bodge something together so I went and bought a PS4, Project cars and a Logitec G29. I'll try to sell my old PS3 and G25 wheel to recoup some of the costs, but it seems to be working well for now.

PS4 is a bit crap though - I had to download an update to be able to play DVDs, what's that all about?! It was a mission as I live in a hotel I had to use the connection from the managers office to do it. Then it tells me you have to pay to use the online service! I'm sure it didn't used to be what way for PS3 online when I used to do the Pistonheads Gran Turismo league thing.

Anyway, at least I now have something to practice on, even though it's missing Croft and Anglesey (both of which I've done for real anyway).

Thanks for for all the advice.

[born2bslow]

Well all the best with the new toys . Assetto Corsa will be out on PS4 soon too so you will have another game to help you. I don't think it has any of the tracks you need, they would probably be mods on PC anyway. I'm pretty sure PS4 version won't be moddable but never say never if they are approved. Both Project Cars and Assetto Corsa are really really good. You just need a full motion rig now

[ol]

My slightly 'Hilton hotel room rig' will have to do for now

[born2bslow]

You need one if these next, it's portable. See how it starts? Lol welcome to the virtual dark side

http://www.playseat.com/shop/eu/wl/playseat-challe...