3dsmax 4.2 | the hardware

[NaiLZ]

Hi everybody,
We just got our software a few days ago. However we are still in need of a computer to use 3dsmax and autocad. I am not really sure what parts of the comptuer these applications will take the most advantage of. Like does a Quadro(or the like) really have a big impact on 3dsmax and autocad performace? You get the point. I just need reccomendations on what to put into the computer.
Thanks
-Neil

[Clark Gilbert]

First of all what is a "Quadro"????

Oh well....but from using different CAD stuff on different computers i think that for a computer with it you need a decent graphics card...at least 500 mhz and probably 256 MB of RAM...those would make everything run pretty good...other than rendering with 3d studio (havent done that much) but u might need even more to make it a some what speedy process...



P.S--> Also if u want to get something really cool for using CAD stuff get a "Space Ball" they are a really really really cool mouse thing that has a ball on it and you can move around 3d objects like nothing you've ever seen.

[Kyle Fenton]

You need the most of everything to run these programs. More is better.

The main things though is the graphics card

The best is--The Nvida Geforce 3 MX ( http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL....0.5.0.1?58,36 --This is the Mac version, I know there is PC version but don't know where you can find it) can render animations at real-time (Or so they claim). Due to its 76 gigaflop speed.

The next is memory, the more, the faster, the better, and its dirt cheap. I see some places where you can upgrade your Ram to 2 gigs for less the $400.

Processor--I know if you have the right hardware, you can upgrade your processor for about $100 or so, and keep your old processor in there. 3d Max does take advantage of Dual Processors.

Those the three highlights.

[NaiLZ]

Thanks for the help guys. However you did not exactly answer my questions but I did find them else where but thanks for the attempt, now i will attempt to clarify some stuff aswell.

Quadro is the name of the CAD/CAM chip that nVidia uses. Its actaully a GeForce with some extra extensions. You can turn your GeForce into a Quadro thru software or by doing some stuff to the board its self. The software mode is identical to the hardware in every respect(incl speed) except the OS does not recognize it as a Quadro.

ther is no such thing as a GeForce 3 MX for the PC but there is a GeForce 3, GeForce 3 Ti200, and GeForce 3 Ti500. You can find them at most online retailers for $300-$400. Also 3dsmax does not run on the Macs.

Real-Time rendering can be done with any graphics card it just depends on what is being rendered. The GeForce Quadro DCC+ can render in 3dsmax real-time(30fps) or close to.

As for RAM you are mostly correct. The more ram you have is better but past 512MB you run into the problem of Errors in memory like switched bits. This can lead to a loss in system stabilty.

Dual processing(SMP) is good, and 3dsmax can use it. However you cannot combine 2 cpus of different speeds. Unless perhaps you have some very weird motherboard.

I have heard of the Labtec(parent company) "Space Ball" its pretty darn cool. Although for CAD/CAM i would actaully recoomend a Wacom(www.wacom.com) with the 4D mouse. Just my preference.

I know this is kinda technical so if you would like me to explain is further contact me on either AIM(GX NaiLZ) or ICQ (47390655)

-Neil Tong
Team 751

[Clark Gilbert]

Those Wacom things are pretty cool too....also they are A LOT cheaper....


I still think i would perfer a space ball or something similar for stuff like AutoCAD or any solid modeling program....

But thanks for telling me about those Wacom things...may have to buy the cheap one just to mess around with it if i find a little extra cash that needs to be spent.

[Kyle Fenton]

Also 3dsmax does not run on the Macs.

It does and its doesn't per se. You can run Connectix's Virtural PC version 5 (http://www.apple.com/macosx/applications/virtualpc/). However they still have no direct access to your accelerator card. Also programs like Maya and 4d can import and export in 3d studio format.

The more ram you have is better but past 512MB you run into the problem of Errors in memory like switched bits. This can lead to a loss in system stability.

This was a problem with Windows 9x. It was a bug that was actually a simple fix. Windows XP can have unlimited Ram, because it corrected that problem.

Dual processing(SMP) is good, and 3dsmax can use it. However you cannot combine 2 cpu's of different speeds. Unless perhaps you have some very weird motherboard.

I'm not sure, but I think that you can connect a new CPU via PCI, that can dubbed as a another processor. The system should support this, as long you have drivers for it.

One other thing I wanted to say is that for Auto Cad, a bigger Monitor is better for your eyes. Yes you can increase the resolution, but it makes things smaller and just be annoying after a while.

[NaiLZ]

Yes i suppose you could run 3dsmax using virtual PC but its just not worth it due to the extreme loss in performace. Especially due to the availability of better hardware for the x86 platform.

About the RAM i dont mean a limitation to the amount of RAM that the OS can recognize. I mean errors in the RAM. You will need to get ECC/Registered RAM to solve this problem(i neglected to say that last post).

As far as a CPU in a PCI board I have too seen them but they are not current and are very slow and would not really be worth the trouble of finding it given that the preformance boost will be nominal. Id say get a new mobo and cpu at this point. BTW 3dsmax has quite a few p4 optimizations

Hehe yes maya is nice besides the fact that it retails for 20K. Thats not to say we cant "use" it. 8 )

-Neil

[Nate Smith]

Originally posted by NaiLZ

Real-Time rendering can be done with any graphics card it just depends on what is being rendered. The GeForce Quadro DCC+ can render in 3dsmax real-time(30fps) or close to.

While more and more video cards(just about any one any more I believe) have some sort of 3D hardware acceleration, remember, there are two types of rendering going on when you're working with 3DSMAX. First, the real-time "preview" rendering, where 3dsMAX is showing you the objects you've created. Then, there is the "video post" rendering, which takes all the objects, applies the final textures, applies environment effects, etc. Without some special video card drivers that will work with 3DSMAX to copy an animation frame from video memory to 3dsMAX's "virtual frame buffer" for writing to disk, you could have all the video card power you wanted, and when it came time for the final render, it wouldn't do anything. Based on the experience I've had with 3dsMAX(just the older versions, unfortunately), your final render time is more a function of your processing power and system memory than of your video card and video memory.

[NaiLZ]

You are right about render time. I was not thinking when I said Real-Time. 8 ). Anyway thanks for the correction. On another note however there can be a great advantage to having a smooth preview. It can save you valuble render time that could be used to correct/improve the anim.
-Neil

[Jay Lundy]

Originally posted by NaiLZ
You are right about render time. I was not thinking when I said Real-Time. 8 ). Anyway thanks for the correction. On another note however there can be a great advantage to having a smooth preview. It can save you valuble render time that could be used to correct/improve the anim.
-Neil

Though even with the preview, if you have a fast enough processor and enough ram the preview renders smoothly no matter what your video card is. I have a geforce 3 ti200, but I still run the software z-buffer and the preview works fine (1.53 GHz processor, 512 MB ram).

BTW, I don't run on open GL or direct 3d because for some reason it doesn't work correctly for 3dsmax (it works fine for everything else) and I'm too lazy to find out why.

[NaiLZ]

In what way are you having problems in 3dsmax? I am having some stability problems. It randomly crashes. Is this is the same for you?

[Jay Lundy]

Whenever I use openGL or direct3d, it seems like it doesn't clear the viewpoints before it redraws them, so i am left with viewports that still show everything that has happened, even if something has been moved or deleted.

My 3dsmax seems pretty stable though. Sometimes is crashes randomly, but its pretty rare.

[Canadian_knite]

For the animation part of the first robotics compatition, are we allowed to install 3ds max on more than one computer or are we restricted to only one computer?

[Nate Smith]

Originally posted by Canadian_knite
For the animation part of the first robotics compatition, are we allowed to install 3ds max on more than one computer or are we restricted to only one computer?

Nope, the CD-Zilla lock used by 3dsmax limits it to installing on one computer...very similar to how WinXP does it...