RAM usage >2Gb, render crash

[nodar1978]

guys

 

i'm watching on task manager, and every time when memory goes up to 2Gb, max is closing, but i have memory 4GB, system is 32 but 3Gb i think is max usage of 32 systems.

video card is Nvidea Gefors GTS 8800.

processor: intel core 2 quad cpu Q6600 2.4GHz, 2.4GHz

is there any problem with video card? I'm upgrading this all time but doesn't help.

what can be a problem? can i solve it myself?

 

thans

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

If you haven't thrown the 3gb switch, throw that and see if it helps. Google it and you will find a plethora of instructions.

 

...oh, and I would recommend stopping upgrading this system, and invest in a 64bit system with a min of 6gb of ram, preferably 12. The difference in what you can do is night and day.

[nodar1978]

thank you very much for reply

 

yes i'm' going to buy now 64 system.

but could you please google it for me and give me the link, becouse i can't undarstend, should i do it in vray systems, or in PC options?

 

thank you

 

If you haven't thrown the 3gb switch, throw that and see if it helps. Google it and you will find a plethora of instructions.

 

...oh, and I would recommend stopping upgrading this system, and invest in a 64bit system with a min of 6gb of ram, preferably 12. The difference in what you can do is night and day.

[nodar1978]

i found how to switch system PC in 3GB, can it damage something in pc? or it is not possible?

thanks

 

 

If you haven't thrown the 3gb switch, throw that and see if it helps. Google it and you will find a plethora of instructions.

 

...oh, and I would recommend stopping upgrading this system, and invest in a 64bit system with a min of 6gb of ram, preferably 12. The difference in what you can do is night and day.

[mfured20]

Putting in the 3GB Switch CAN mess up your operating system IF you do it wrong. If you follow the instructions you should be fine. We are talking about the instructions that tell you to go into the boot file in the Windows directory and manually change the memory limit.

 

Here is Microsoft's page on how to do what we are talking about. It was the first link that came up on google. If you upgrade to a 64 bit system like Windows 7 or XP64 the problem will solve itself.

[kippu]

it wont mess up your system ...it will just give one more option while booting up ...its safe

[alias_marks]

I would add, it's safe to a certain point... there are some threads talking about how if you don't have a graphics card that likes the switch too much, it will kinda mess things up... as is the case with my old comp. things liek freezing the display... but nothing you can't fix if you need to by booting into safe mode.

 

I'd agree, the best thing to do is what Travis suggested and move to a 64 gb system, with 12 gb if you can.

 

Other items that might help to save memory - should be able to search around and find exactly how to do these.

1. save your file in wire frame before closing, re-open and render from there without loading material editor. (*saves lots of memory)

2. Set up a single machine backburner 'net render' and send that way, then close the original max file.

3. if you're using vray, render with dynamic memory to a vrimg file and then use vrimg2exr to convert to working raster exr file. Takes a lot longer, but at least you know the render will finish without crashing.

[maciejwypych]

The 3GB switch won't really help you.

 

It's simple to explain what it does, but people often misunderstand.

 

The /3GB switch changes the way the 4GB virtual address space is split up. Instead of splitting it as 2GB of user mode virtual address space and 2GB of kernel mode virtual address space, the split is 3GB of user mode virtual address space and 1GB of kernel mode virtual address space.

 

That's all.

 

 

You need to install 64bit windows, it manages the memory more efficient, and max will use the whole potential of your 4GB ram.

[ihabkal]

32 bit applications are limited to 2GB Ram, the 3GB switch will not save your max from crashing.

it is 2010, move to x64.

[TheAllusionisst]

It does help, just do it and move on. You can also do things like disable all the flashy features of XP like transparent titles, animated cursors, etc. as every little bit of memory at start up you save helps out in the end. Switch Max to single window wire frame as well to limit the amount of memory being wasted displaying your scene multiple times.

[Tommy L]

Oh come on, the amount of time you spend fussing around is not worth it. Just get a copy of Windows XP 64. Get an OEM copy off ebay if you really want to save a couple of bucks, you'll get it for about $150. Install an boom, 4G ram. Ideally, yes, buy a new system, but also get the Q600 machine on XP64 and you'll have a render node.

[nodar1978]

thanks guys to all of you.

i did it somehow, don know how but yes it helps, and program is not closing every time.

just last question: can i leave it always so? or better to go back at 2Gb after the rendering is finished?

[nodar1978]

I've got windows VISTA, and only vista takes as i know 1.1Gb memory.

so what was left from defoult memory (which was 2Gb) was 1 Gb, and was not enough. now it work.

I will try to find in vista help how to remove the animated things and staf like that.

i want to leave this virtual memory as it is now, is it ok? or better to go back at 2Gb?

 

 

It does help, just do it and move on. You can also do things like disable all the flashy features of XP like transparent titles, animated cursors, etc. as every little bit of memory at start up you save helps out in the end. Switch Max to single window wire frame as well to limit the amount of memory being wasted displaying your scene multiple times.

[braddewald]

32 bit applications are limited to 2GB Ram, the 3GB switch will not save your max from crashing.

it is 2010, move to x64.

 

This hits the nail on the head. Upgrading to a 64 bit system will solve everything at once and let you use all of that RAM you already paid for.

[braddewald]

Oh come on, the amount of time you spend fussing around is not worth it. Just get a copy of Windows XP 64. Get an OEM copy off ebay if you really want to save a couple of bucks, you'll get it for about $150. Install an boom, 4G ram. Ideally, yes, buy a new system, but also get the Q600 machine on XP64 and you'll have a render node.

 

Then I saw this, also hitting the nail on the head.

[TheAllusionisst]

There are plenty of people in these economic times who can't afford the options bandied about, if system adjustments let them continue on with the resources they have, then why not share some tips and tricks related to their question.

[Eric Sosa]

32 bit applications are limited to 2GB Ram, the 3GB switch will not save your max from crashing.

it is 2010, move to x64.

somehow rigth, 32bit systems are limited to 3.1gb ram usage max.

 

u can try lost, realy lost of tricks with 32 bits, tho nowadays, 64 bits systems will no only stop u'r max from crashing, they would take advantage of u'r ram & CPU resources.. and the best thing, they'll make u a faster & more efficient 3d artist.

 

why people keep on talking about video cards with vray???....vray has NOTHING to do with video card performance!!

 

system "memory" george....that's u'r problem.

[Tommy L]

There are plenty of people in these economic times who can't afford the options bandied about, if system adjustments let them continue on with the resources they have, then why not share some tips and tricks related to their question.

 

Agreed Russell. However, the best course of action here is not to put a plaster on it. Its to address a fundamental problem in his setup.

He has Vista, 4G RAM and crashing problems. No big surprise, that is a recipe for memory shortages. Any further massaging of that workstation is not a satisfactory solution. I understand times are hard. Damn, I haven't had a good paying job since October. But things happen and you just have address these issues or they actually become bigger problems than they are now. This is something that has no doubt held the guy back over an extended period of time. For a primary workstation, that setup is just not good enough for what he is trying to achieve.

So yes, sticking plaster solution is 3g switch. The medium solution is double the RAM and upgrade (or down, depends how you look at it) to XP64, but the ideal would be just to buy a new machine (plus medium solution) and have the bare minimum of what an artist should have....a separate machine for rendering so you don't work with one hand tied behind your back.

 

Edit: And by the way, Im kind of sick of hearing economics as a big excuse for everything. Yes, its a pain in the ass and a real problem. But come on, business is business, if your business model cant handle it, its time to do something else. The world hasnt stopped turning, businesses need to advertise, games need to get made and GI solutions dont compute themselves. You need good machinery to be a competing professional. Id rather sell my car than downgrade my farm.

Edited March 5, 2010 by Tommy L
Edit:

[braddewald]

+1

[TheAllusionisst]

Agreed Russell. However, the best course of action here is not to put a plaster on it. Its to address a fundamental problem in his setup.

He has Vista, 4G RAM and crashing problems. No big surprise, that is a recipe for memory shortages. Any further massaging of that workstation is not a satisfactory solution. I understand times are hard. Damn, I haven't had a good paying job since October. But things happen and you just have address these issues or they actually become bigger problems than they are now. This is something that has no doubt held the guy back over an extended period of time. For a primary workstation, that setup is just not good enough for what he is trying to achieve.

So yes, sticking plaster solution is 3g switch. The medium solution is double the RAM and upgrade (or down, depends how you look at it) to XP64, but the ideal would be just to buy a new machine (plus medium solution) and have the bare minimum of what an artist should have....a separate machine for rendering so you don't work with one hand tied behind your back.

 

Edit: And by the way, Im kind of sick of hearing economics as a big excuse for everything. Yes, its a pain in the ass and a real problem. But come on, business is business, if your business model cant handle it, its time to do something else. The world hasnt stopped turning, businesses need to advertise, games need to get made and GI solutions dont compute themselves. You need good machinery to be a competing professional. Id rather sell my car than downgrade my farm.

 

Well nobody used the economy as an excuse, just mentioned it could be a factor in what solution some people choose to pursue. As for saying that "If your business model doesn't support it, time to do something else", Well I am sorry, I know too many great architecture firms that have laid off 50% of their staff, and industry experts just trying to make ends meet, it isn't their business model that is at fault......... I won't comment more on that statement and will leave it alone. I will just say, a smart business person cuts spending and losses when needed to stay in business IMHO

 

Otherwise the points are taken on 64 bit systems. How about people sharing their system, RAM and OS and how all their programs and plugins work (Or don't Work) and what steps they took to convert to 64 bit OS. Items like mental ray shaders that require 64 bit versions (for example) and plugin compatibiities. Perhaps a road map of pot holes to avoid would be useful in convincing people to make the switch.

[AJLynn]

If you can, get a "system builder" copy of Windows 7 64-bit - it's a better solution than the /3gb switch and it will run on your Core 2 Quad system and allow you to upgrade to 8GB later if needed. (You don't need a new computer.)

 

Watch for glitches with your drivers when using the /3gb switch! I've had drivers fail to load because the 1GB of system accessible memory was not enough. The 8800GTS driver was one of the problems. If you have problems, you can replace the /3gb switch with a /USERVA switch. An example of how this works: if you use /USERVA=2700 it will assign 2.7GB to the user space and 1.3GB to the system space. (/USERVA=3000 is the same as the /3gb switch.)

[TheAllusionisst]

...............If you have problems, you can replace the /3gb switch with a /USERVA switch. An example of how this works: if you use /USERVA=2700 it will assign 2.7GB to the user space and 1.3GB to the system space. (/USERVA=3000 is the same as the /3gb switch.)

 

Very good information.

[Tommy L]

Russell: You're right, bit of a brain-fart on my part there with he economy stuff...I guess Ive always been broke and its beginning to get to me.

 

Otherwise the points are taken on 64 bit systems. How about people sharing their system, RAM and OS and how all their programs and plugins work (Or don't Work) and what steps they took to convert to 64 bit OS. Items like mental ray shaders that require 64 bit versions (for example) and plugin compatibilities. Perhaps a road map of pot holes to avoid would be useful in convincing people to make the switch.

 

As for changing to 64 bit, there is much advice and I think if Nodar decides to go this route, he'll have many questions. The big question is "should I?" the big answer is "yes".

Other than that, you should be wondering whether to go W7 nor XP64. On your existing system, I would recommend XP64 (less system heavy), get an OEM version from ebay. You should experience VERY few if any problems with your existing software. The only issue Ive had is with a sound driver. Photoshop CS4 has its quirks, but its workable. I'd also look at upping the RAM.

[TheAllusionisst]

Tommy,

It is good advice, I know that you can got to "Frye Electronic" stores here and get builder versions of the OS's like stated by someone else. XP 64 has been around long enough to have most of the fixes and problems documented, but I have to ask myself if I wouldn't build for W7 rather than XP since XP is old in the tooth now and might stop getting support?

 

I would be interested in how W7 is working out for people, I am just lazy I guess and setting up workstations, all the software, plugins, customizations......... I hate it and would hope anything I did now wouldn't be outdated in a year or two. Then again, I usually buy one generation back or year old products so that most of the kinks have been worked out. Or so you would hope.

 

I haven't kept up with W7 or the new intel chipsets as I don't want the "wants"! But hearing how it is working out for others is good info to file away.

[Tommy L]

W7 is excellent, but designed for faster machines than the Q6600. I have XP running on Q6600's on the farm and they are flawless. I have W7 running on an I7 and I really have only good stuff to say about it, other than a few annoying permissions issues.

IMHO an operating system should be un-noticable, in that the only times an OS is an issue is when it doesnt work. Like ME or Vista.

XP64 is just Server 2000 with the 10+networking option locked. Its rock solid.

I think the Q6600 and xp64 are both excellent products. In a way, they were both over-sucessful. XP64 was released as a quick fix to 64bit necessity. Q6600 was way underpriced. Both have no real drawbacks.

Support issues were my concern also, so I opted for W7 as I was also buying complete CS4. Nodar's situation is different, he should go XP64 as the best/cheapest option.