Specific system advice??

[Linus27]

Hi, I need to build a system to use specific software. The software that will be used is.

Autodesk: Architectual Desktop
Autodesk Vis 2006

The work will be 3D views of basements in large houses and walk throughs.

Would a standard powerfull system running 2 x 7800 GT graphic cards be suitable or would I need specific hardware to use do these tasks?

Any help greatly appreciated

 

[AWPC]

Those programs would not require nor fully utilize a powerful gfx card. Any recent card with 256MB Ram would be enough as the Ram would only be used to display high res images.

All 3D gfx applications need very powerful CPUs + GBs of Ram & fast n large HDs for max performance.

You need to get either a dual or quad core CPU + 2GB Ram (XP 32 bit version only uses up to 3.5GB so if you require more than that then you need to either buy XP64 bit edition or Server2003). The CPU is the main thing which will save a lot of time and give you more flexibility to render previs but like most things you get what you pay for and even a fast dual core with a reasonable amount of ram/hds will be £1.25-1.5K.

Its all budget driven really as an ultra fast system will cost £3.5-4K & upwards.

Have you considered using a renderfarm to process the 3D data then save the files into a movie file format that XP can read/display. Sometimes that can be much cheaper but obviously if it is something you will be doing for a long period of time the costs can eventually overtake what the hardware would have cost you plus the hardware costs can be written off on your business accounts. A lot of people use Apple Macs for this type of work.

 

[Townlea]

hey linus (mike)

Do not buy 2x7800gt's just stick to one ATI 512mb 1900XT X .... much faster and less power usage and heat output