hardware requirement advice

[Jennifer]

Hi,

 

Since this is for a laptop, you can't really upgrade the video hardware once you get the machine. They should have specs on the amount of video memory, and the chipset used, just as with buying a video card.

 

How much extra memory you'll need will depend on the size of the files you plan on editing. The less Windows has to swap to the hard drive, the better, and larger memory size helps there.

 

The cost of a laptop is more dependent on the quality of the screen, I've seen. Definitely compare specifications on display update (refresh) speed, and give them a personal look for the clarity. You get what you pay for, so larger screens, higher resolutions, higher contrast ratios, and faster video is what will cost you the most. A higher contrast ratio adds a lot to the cost of LCDs, but is important if you are doing renderings.

 

If this is you main machine, then you may want to look at a docking station and an external video monitor/keyboard/mouse. A CRT can be much larger, of course, and the contrast ratio and resolution will be much higher than an LCD.

 

3ds max/VIZ uses a lot of RAM, and CPU speed is certainly important for editing and rendering.

 

What kind of computer to buy is more dependent on how much you want to spend. There is always buyers remorse, and whatever you buy will be cheaper next month. Computers at the high end don't give the bang-per-buck that a little more modest system does, and high-end machines tend to drop price faster as new hardware comes out.

[scorpio]

hi all

need some technical advice here.

what are the hardware requirements for softwares like 3dviz, photoshop, autocad and flash?

eg: would Autocad's performance be enahnced with a powerful graphics card?? what does the ram do to the performance capability of each software? & etc.

 

thanks.i need the info to setup my laptop.

[scorpio]

thanks

what u meant is the RAM plays a vital part in the performance of 3dvzi/max, if i understood correctly.

 

what about the video card? what does it do good to?

 

is a slower processor speed w/ higher graphics card better than one with a faster processor but w/ less powerful graphics card?

[Jennifer]

Hi,

 

Many factors go into the speed of the computer. For CAD, display speed is certainly important, but if the CPU isn't up-to-speed, then display speed doesn't matter; the CPU needs to be fast enough, the video hardware needs to be fast enough, and so on. A balance is reasonable.

 

Is this a laptop you already have, or are looking to buy? As I said, you can't really change the video 'card' on a laptop once you buy it; it's part of the laptop.

 

If you are rendering, a slower processor is never a good idea. CPU speed and memory size contribute the most. Video speed is not an issue there.

 

Again, the amout you want to spend on the laptop will be the biggest limiting factor.

[mbr]

From my experience, I have not noticed a huge difference in graphic cards.

 

I have an ancient Dell 933 PIII (I think) with an equally ancient Geforce 2 64mb. I only use that computer for online/webstuff now and have a workstation that has a Quadro 4 700 gxl (not incredible, but should be phenomenally faster). I can barely tell the difference working with Max (viewport movement, OpenGL, etc.).

 

Point is, as Jennifer says, put the cash into the processor if it's for arch viz stuff. But get a good graphics card.

 

I am also in the market for a laptop, what I've found is Dell's 8500 or M50. The M50 is a workstation model that costs a ton, but has great features. The graphics card is a Quadro 700 Go (the best I know of for a laptop). But it ain't cheap.

The 8500 is more of the consumer machine and maxes out with a 64 mb nVidia card (probably perfectly capable). You can put at least 2 gigs of ram in it, if you want (that's overkill, in my book as it would cost you 50% of an entire separate computer).

 

Also take a look at the refurbished Dell's, you can occasionally pick up some sweet deals (they fluctuate, though, so keep an eye out for what the discounts are).

 

Oh, and I agree, pay for the best screen you can. The 8500 comes with a snazzy 15.4" widescreen, but upgrade it to the UXGA (I think that's it).

 

Let us know what you decide.