Which is better, 2 video cards or bigger ram

[itoocson]

I just bought a computer with just one gig ram (it's all I can afford right now). My question is, it it better to increase the ram or get another video card to speed up the rendering process? I am asking this because the instructions on the video card said that I can install a second card to enhance graphics performance.

[BrianKitts]

don't confuse graphics preformance with rendering power. your processor does the crunching for rendering, not your video card. Another or better video card will just aid in better viewport viewing. If you have no problem navigating your models on screen then you'd benefit more from the extra ram, but don't think that that's gonna speed up your times either; check out this similar thread....

 

http://www.cgarchitect.com/vb/16139-rendering-time.html?highlight=processor+video+card

[AJLynn]

Also, two video cards (even SLI or Crossfire) don't currently do much if anything for performance in pro 3D apps - that only helps with games. If you have a card you are happy with, adding another will have little or no effect, but if you are running out of RAM while working (which causes the computer to start using hard drive virtual memory, which is incredibly slow) then adding more RAM, to eliminate the need for virtual memory, would speed it up a lot. If you're never overrunning your 1GB, then more RAM won't do much for you either.

[itoocson]

Thanx guys, that info was very helpful. I should have consulted you people before I bought the computer. Oh well at least now I know what to do if i ever need to enhance my computer's performance. Thanx again.