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new 3D work rig - advice needed

Xtremepenguin

Xtremepenguin

Xtremepenguin

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19 Dec 2003
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2,308
Hi guys,


I'm looking to get a new pc, it will mostly be used for 3D work (3DS Max and mudbox) and other graphics work, so needs grunt in the cpu and ram front.

I'd also like a dell 2407wfp but im not sure if it is worth all that money, is it much of a step up from say, a decent 22 inch monitor?

Here is a spec i have made, let me know what you guys think as I'm quite out of touch with hardware these days.

Ideally i'd like to make it fairly quiet as i dont like loud pcs.

I think im gonna go for xp64bit for now as the programs i use have decent support for it.


rigspec.jpg



Thanks guys
 
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I'd say that getting the 16mb cache hd's would be advantagous for the 3d work (faster loading, saving, access times etc):

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-120-WD&groupid=701&catid=14&subcat=940


there are 32mb cache hds out there too but those start to get a bit pricey.


The image quality on a 2407 is amazing. The panel used is much better than those used in 22" monitors (better colours, better viewing angles etc). I'd avoid the HC version though, lots of problems with ghosting apparently.
 
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sorry but thats a gamers rig :)

you need quadro or firegl graphics, they are designed for 3d programs such as 3ds max.

OS - don't bother with xp64 you may as well get vista 64bit as most of the newer stuff is supported quite well.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, Ill look at bigger hard drives!

As far as the graphics card goes, it came top in a 3d world consumer graphics card test as it performed very well in their 3d program tests. It also gets a fair few recommendations on cg sites. I cant afford a pro user graphics card so this one will have to do i think, unless anyone can suggest an alternative?

Id like to stick with xp64 as some of the programs i use are having problems in vista, and for what i need, xp64 seems to give better performance and stability from what i have read.


How loud is this system likely to be do you reckon?
 
Your gfx card is fine, Id get more HD space and have you thought about a dual monitor setup ? Id rather have 2 x 22" than 1 24"
 
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Xtremepenguin said:
Thanks for the advice guys, Ill look at bigger hard drives!

As far as the graphics card goes, it came top in a 3d world consumer graphics card test as it performed very well in their 3d program tests. It also gets a fair few recommendations on cg sites.
Click to expand...

I'd like to see that review as there is no way a games card can beat a dedicated workstation card in 3D. As for cost, they start at under the price of your 8800GTS, iirc its the Qfx570 which might not be good in games but for 3d work its a far better solution.
 
lsg1r said:
I'd like to see that review as there is no way a games card can beat a dedicated workstation card in 3D. As for cost, they start at under the price of your 8800GTS, iirc its the Qfx570 which might not be good in games but for 3d work its a far better solution.
Click to expand...


As i said, it was a consumer graphics card test. Also, as i understand it, a similarly priced professional card might not even be as powerful due to consumer cards being more subsidized and geared towards people who are more cost conscious.

two 22 inch sounds good, but the dell is very sexy! I cant decide!
 
i think you shoudl deffiayly get one of these hdds while on special offer
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-120-WD

excellent drive and really good price.

as for noise it should be pretty quiety noisest part being gfx but that case does a great job sealing in the noise. the thing that will make the noise is the fans but you only need them on low speed or medium at most. so then you wont hear them,
 
If you're needing acurate colour (i.e professional texturing in 3ds max) stay well clear of the 22" monitors, if not I'd go for the 2x22", the extra space for toolbars in 3ds max is VERY helpful (unless you memorize every shortcut key, then by all means go for the 24").

About the graphics card since you said you were using 3Ds Max / Mudbox that both have (well, default to) using DirectX for the viewports the 8800 GTS should be fine unless you're using very high-poly models. If however you said you were using Maya and zBrush or intend to in the near future definitely try to go for the Quadro or FireGL.

*If* you wanted to you could also change 2x2GB to 4x1GB of the same memory and save yourself £60. That way you could buy 2x250GB 16MB Cache HDDs.
 
Xtremepenguin said:
As i said, it was a consumer graphics card test.
Click to expand...
yes but 3ds max is far from consumer isn't it.

Also, as i understand it, a similarly priced professional card might not even be as powerful due to consumer cards being more subsidized and geared towards people who are more cost conscious.
Click to expand...
Only in games as the gpu is specifically modified to make it more suitable for the environment its in.

I found from a quick google a specperf bench for an 8800GTX (ie faster than the gts) and it was hitting 5.24 versus 16.69 for the lowest fx 360. Even allowing for differences in system thats a huge difference between a £300+ consumer card and a sub £100 workstation card in 3ds max. Now games the 8800GTX will beat the fx but you see in the specialist world of 3D hardware, games hardware just does not cut it.
 
A user on cgtalk a while back bought a £600 Quadro card and compared it to his 8800 in Max, he now wants to sell the Quadro.
 
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That RAM is silly. Get 2x GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC) for £79.88 including tax. That comes out to a savings of £72.86.

EDIT: If you wanted to apply those savings elsewhere add £44.64 to what you have there and you could get a GTX.
 
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Chaos said:
Just out of interest xtreme are you going to be learning max from scratch ?
Click to expand...

I'm in my final year now so i'm fairly good with max, just need a new pc for my final year project!

BillytheImpaler said:
That RAM is silly. Get 2x GeIL 2GB (2x1GB) PC6400C4 800MHz Ultra Low Latency DDR2 Dual Channel Kit (GX22GB6400UDC) for £79.88 including tax. That comes out to a savings of £72.86.

EDIT: If you wanted to apply those savings elsewhere add £44.64 to what you have there and you could get a GTX.
Click to expand...

Good plan! So i wont loose any performance doing it with 4 sticks? Will the geil be good for overclocking the cpu?
 
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