I need a new Computer

[iC4]

I wouldn't recommend it. First it uses the P4 with 533 mhz - get one with 800 mhz FSB if you choose intel.

Then if I read this right it only has an intel intergrated graphics controller and no graphicscard - thats not really good for maya or any other 3d program ;)

[Ice Czar]

definately avoid that VAIO
doesnt even have an AGP slot for an aftermarket graphics card

personally Id look to build a system, but if you havent done that before...

[Valkyrien]

can we ask why we shouldn't ask who's computer you're using? :p

[stephen2002]

You are going to get the most bang for the buck if you custom-build a system based around an AMD CPU. Go for a mid-range NIVIDIA (if you want Maya stay away from ATI) gaming card such as the GeForceFX 5700Ultra.

If you don't know what you are doing then I would say go for a low-end Dell system. Just make sure you do not go so low that you loose the AGP port.

[ruddiger52]

I was in the same boat a month ago. Just got to LA out of work and money but needed somethin to get a demo reel goin. Checked out some custom build sites. Ended up buying a used 3 yr old dell graphics workstation precision 410. dual pentium 3 533mhz. Even had a wildcat 4000 graphics card. the system was originally 4000$+. I had to upgrade the hardrive and memory but thats it. After all was said and done i spent maybe 750$. ANd this thing blows away a brand new highend powermac g4 i was usin at work 6months ago. handles maya fine. so hit up ebay find somethin cheap with dual processors. use your money for upgrades.

[Ice Czar]

I can easily agree with either of the 2 solutions above
(seeing how Im running a dual AMD :p )
however either building a system or troubleshooting a used system can involve a considerable learning curve
(time that would be well invested however)

if you wanted to price out a few components for a system or post a used system here Im sure we would all be happy to check it for compatibility issues (or obsolescence)

newegg and monarch computer have reasonable prices
and are trusted sources

slightly simpler would be barebone & combo systems
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=M&Category_Code=COM

cases drives ect are rather standard (with a few notable exceptions) but CPU to chipset to RAM to thermal solution
can be a challenge to the uninitiated

I built my very first computer and even after studing for several months beforehand I screwed up the RAM compatibility, took me quite awhile to sort it out, both time and money

compatibility of parts is probably the the hardest part for a n00b, actually inserting tab a into slot b is rather easy (with proper electrostatic precautions)
however troubleshooting any intergartion issues at the BIOS, OS or Software level is again a challenge, and optimizing even more of one

if you do elect to build a good power supply is very very important

[happyslave7]

I need Maya PLE to put together a demo reel. I think that I can do this with it with copyright and everything, but I'll check to make sure.


I've looked at that site Ice Czar, but I can't figure it out. I don't know what I need to do after I get the computer. What I need to put into it, etc. What computer do you recommend from this site?


I don't know if I have enough time or energy to learn Maya and how to put together a PC, though I will still keep looking for the time being.


I have looked at computers at TigerDirect.com:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31


Are some of these fine with Maya? I think this one is close to what Stephen was saying:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=698407&Sku=S450-4111%20BK


Would I have to install Windows XP, (or another OS if anyone here prefers another one) if I were to get this computer?


I have looked around on Ebay and found a few dual processor PCs, but then agian, I don't trust old computers (who knows what other people do to it!) And I certainly want to get the most bang for my buck! I'll post some links to ebay later.


Thanks for everyone's input!

What else, Oh yeah: VE, don't ask because it's a little embarassing.


-happyslave7

[ruddiger52]

before you do serious work with PLE, know that you will not be able to use that file on complete or unlimited versions. At least i was never able to.

[iC4]

Originally posted by happyslave7

Are some of these fine with Maya? I think this one is close to what Stephen was saying:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=698407&Sku=S450-4111%20BK


Would I have to install Windows XP, (or another OS if anyone here prefers another one) if I were to get this computer?


I have looked around on Ebay and found a few dual processor PCs, but then agian, I don't trust old computers (who knows what other people do to it!) And I certainly want to get the most bang for my buck! I'll post some links to ebay later.



well it's ok, but if you go with AMD get an athlon 64 system. also the graphicscard could be better.

most times windows xp will be installed, but most times it's only the home version

I wouldn't recommend ebay!

My suggestion: go to a local computer store and buy one of their ready assembled systems (but ask here before you buy ;) )

[MadMax]

I just built a couple of really sweet AMD systems dirt freakin' cheap.

brand new Chaintech motherboard, nVidia nForce 3 250 chipset. 1000mhz Hypertransport. Much faster than any Intel motherboard.

Has integrated SATA on the chipset, and a ton of extra features. Newegg was selling the board for 99.00 with a 20.00 instant rebate!

However that has expired. MWave however still sells this board for 83.00

So far I have to say it is an awesome deal.

A64 cpu's start at 169.00 and go up to 398.00

You can very easily build an extremely fast, reliable system with this for well under 1k.

[Ice Czar]

Originally posted by happyslave7
I've looked at that site Ice Czar, but I can't figure it out. I don't know what I need to do after I get the computer. What I need to put into it, etc. What computer do you recommend from this site?



recommend or built to fit your budget? :p
Start (http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=M&Product_Code=800026&Category_Code=AMDBarebones) > Select
Pre-Tested and Setup AMD XP Barebones System $18.00 $18.00
Case: 100034 - PS 300W - Monarch 1150 USB 2.0 Tower Case $49.00 $49.00
Motherboard: 110096 - Abit NF7-S nForce2 (v.2) Audio/LAN/USB/IE $94.00 $94.00
Processor: 120721 - AMD Athlon XP 2700+ .13 Micron 333 FSB $99.00 $99.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease (Cools CPU $12.00 $12.00
*Heatsink Fan: 130121 - Thermaltake A1671 AMD XP up to 3400+ Heat $14.00 $14.00
Memory: 140834 - DDR (333) 2700 - 512 MB Corsair VS (VS512MB333) $99.00 $99.00
2nd Memory: 142834 - DDR (333) 2700 - 512 MB Corsair VS (VS512MB333) $99.00 $99.00
Power Supply: 100311 - PS 480W - Antec True480 w/Gold Plated Con $91.00 $91.00
Warranty: 800036 - Motherboard-CPU Warranty - 3 Year w/30 Da $29.95 $29.95
Case Fan: 130116 - 80mm - Thermaltake 80mm Ball Bearing DC C $25.00 $25.00
Round Cables: None
Subtotal for 800026 with your selected options: $629.95


http://www2.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjsp/test_report/NF7/01.php
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/techspec.php?categories=1&model=6

just an example leaving you some $$$ for drives, graphics card and shipping (look at their refurbished section)
but with a good Power Supply (PSU) something you should never get cheap on, and a good thermal solution (very important) and a Gigabyte of RAM which for graphics I consider a minimum

If you talk to them they might knock off a little considering the case comes with a PSU you dont want, and Id consult them on your RAM since its not actually listed in the compatibility chart at Abit (cant test everything and thats slower RAM than what the board can support), but they are pre testing the system for you and they do want to sell you a system so they will help
and should help you catch any glaring errors though Ive checked most of it, the case is cheap but it comes with an exhaust fan, I added an intake fan (a good one) and the case has a duct feeding directly to the CPU's Heatsink Fan (on the side cover), its small without alot of frills but reliability is more important than looks

you would need to load an OS on it yourself however
they might offer that though, and are a well respected source
with a 9.6 (out of 10) rating at resellerratings

that will still probably blow your budget depending on what you get for drives and a graphics card but it close

as far as Recommend goes well that a different ball o wax

I like my Rig
Dual Opteron 244s (1.8GHz)
4GB PC2700 Registered and ECC (Crucial)
Tyan K8W
PNY QuadroFX 3000
PC Power & Cooling 510AG
+ Accessories and Drives
in a 4U Rackmount

but that would blow your budget to hell
just the mobo would eat over half your budget

[iC4]

I would recommend something like this

1 x Samsung SpinPoint P80 80GB
1 x AMD Athlon 64 3000+ boxed, 2.0GHz, 512kB Cache
1 x DIMM 512MB PC3200 DDR CL2.5 (PC400)
1 x Club-3D GeForceFX 5700, 128MB DDR, DVI, TV-out, AGP
1 x Gigabyte GA-K8N, nForce3 150 (PC3200 DDR)
1 x NEC ND-2500A weiß Bulk
1 x Casetek CK-1016 Midi Tower ATX
1 x Antec SL350, 350W ATX

~ 750 Euro

I won't buy an xp anymore

[MadMax]

Originally posted by iC4-
I would recommend something like this

1 x Samsung SpinPoint P80 80GB
1 x AMD Athlon 64 3000+ boxed, 2.0GHz, 512kB Cache
1 x DIMM 512MB PC3200 DDR CL2.5 (PC400)
1 x Club-3D GeForceFX 5700, 128MB DDR, DVI, TV-out, AGP
1 x Gigabyte GA-K8N, nForce3 150 (PC3200 DDR)
1 x NEC ND-2500A weiß Bulk
1 x Casetek CK-1016 Midi Tower ATX
1 x Antec SL350, 350W ATX

~ 750 Euro

I won't buy an xp anymore


I almost agree with that list, but why recommend the NF3 150? It's slower, it had a crippled hypertransport bus stuck at 600mhz, compared to the newer NF3 250 which runs at 1000mhz.

There are a couple of the 250's already available, and there are half a dozen more in the next couple of weeks.

It is a far superior chipset to the 150.

[iC4]

Originally posted by MadMax

There are a couple of the 250's already available, and there are half a dozen more in the next couple of weeks.


if it's available get the 250, but here in austria there is not one board available - so I suggested the 150 ;)

[Ice Czar]

Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64 Barebones System $18.00 $18.00
Case: 100034 - PS 300W - Monarch 1150 USB 2.0 Tower Case $49.00 $49.00
Power Supply: 100311 - PS 480W - Antec True480 w/Gold Plated Con $91.00 $91.00
Motherboard: 110876 - Gigabyte GA-K8NNXP nForce3 150 DDR400 LAN $189.00 $189.00
Processor: 120746 - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512K $211.00 $211.00
Heatsink Fan: 130956 - Thermaltake A1770 AMD Opteron Heasink w/F $29.00 $29.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease (Cools CPU $12.00 $12.00
Memory: 140866 - DDR (400) 3200 - 1 GB (2 pcs 512) Corsair $289.00 $289.00
2nd Memory: none
Warranty: 800036 - Motherboard-CPU Warranty - 3 Year w/30 Da $29.95 $29.95
Case Fan: 130116 - 80mm - Thermaltake 80mm Ball Bearing DC C $25.00 $25.00
Round Cables: None
Subtotal for 800075 with your selected options: $942.95



or



Pre-Tested and Setup AMD Athlon 64 Barebones System $18.00 $18.00
Case: 100034 - PS 300W - Monarch 1150 USB 2.0 Tower Case $49.00 $49.00
Power Supply: 100311 - PS 480W - Antec True480 w/Gold Plated Con $91.00 $91.00
Motherboard: 110876 - Gigabyte GA-K8NNXP nForce3 150 DDR400 LAN $189.00 $189.00
Processor: 120746 - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512K $211.00 $211.00
Heatsink Fan: 130956 - Thermaltake A1770 AMD Opteron Heasink w/F $29.00 $29.00
Thermal Grease: 800018 - Shin-Etsu G675 Thermal Grease (Cools CPU $12.00 $12.00
Memory: 140804 - DDR (400) 3200 - 512 MB (2 pcs 256) Corsa $149.00 $149.00
2nd Memory: none
Warranty: 800036 - Motherboard-CPU Warranty - 3 Year w/30 Da $29.95 $29.95
Case Fan: 130116 - 80mm - Thermaltake 80mm Ball Bearing DC C $25.00 $25.00
Round Cables: None
Subtotal for 800075 with your selected options: $802.95

[happyslave7]

Okay, I've been searching around, and I'll leaning towards getting a custom built computer. I went to the Monarch site Ice Czar listed before and went to their custom build section and tried to include the specs some of you have listed here. Here are the specs:

Monarch GT64 Custom PC/WS (Athlon 64)
Cases: - NO PS - Antec Performance One P160 ATX Mi
Power Supply: - PS 480W - Antec True480 w/Gold Plated Con
Motherboards: - Gigabyte GA-K8NNXP nForce3 150 DDR400 LAN
Processor: - AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 512K (Retail Box-w-Fa
Memory: - DDR (400) 3200 - 512 MB (2 pcs 256) Corsa
Hard Drive: - IDE - Samsung (SP0802N) 80 GB/7200-RPM/2M
CD Drive: - DVD-RW - Lite On LDW-851S 4x/2x-DVD+-RW/8
Video Card: - Gainward GeForce FX 5700 LE 256MB DDR/8x- AGP/TV-Out/DVI

This also includes a Windows XP Pro OS for $152.

The subtotal is $1292. Not including shipping and handling.


So far so good, but I think I still need to skim down the price. What do I not need, or perhaps need something added? Where can I get this for cheaper? Thanks a lot everyone. :)

Will this custom system run nicely? I don't need the best, but I just need something to run Maya PLE and to make a demo reel on.


-happyslave7

[happyslave7]

Oh Ice Czar, I posted before reading your post.


I'll check out those systems!


Thanks.


-happyslave7

[MadMax]

Originally posted by happyslave7
Okay, I've been searching around, and I'll leaning towards getting a custom built computer. I went to the Monarch site Ice Czar listed before and went to their custom build section and tried to include the specs some of you have listed here. Here are the specs:


Power Supply: - PS 480W - Antec True480 w/Gold Plated Con

Motherboards: - Gigabyte GA-K8NNXP nForce3 150 DDR400 LAN





only a couple of minor things come to mind.......

One, the Antec Power Supply is a bit pricey. but it's a great PS. You can get the Thermaltake Pure Power 480 for a bit less. I have both, I've seen no difference between them.

The motherboard. The one you have selected uses the older nForce3 150 which is a good chipset, but it had some minor problems. It was limited to 600mhz Hypertransport.

Gigabyte sells an nForce 3 250 board, the K8NSPRO, for 139.00. The 250 is the latest chipset, and has the most features. I also recall that it is about 50.00 less than the K8NXP.

Otherwise thumbs up.

[Ice Czar]

personally Id say stick with the Antec True power series
but you could go for the Antec True Power 430 Dual Fan for $87.00

but thats just because I will no longer recommend a power supply until I can actually see a multimeter readout of the voltage stability under a dynamic load ( Review > My Comp.....again (http://www.cgtalk.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=142165&highlight=transient)

but reviewing the specs for that board...
it has an option to use a daughter card the K8 DPS
(Dual Power System) which would augment the VDR (Voltage Regulator Down an Intel Voltage regulation spec (http://www.intel.com/design/Pentium4/guides/252885.htm) and boost the power to 6 phase

very strange, need to research that
cant seem to actually find the daughter card for sale
wonder if its included?

(its the strange blue slot at the top of the board (http://www.giga-byte.com/MotherBoard/Products/Products_GA-K8NNXP.htm#))
there is a picture of it in the manual (http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard/Support/Manual/Manual_GA-K8NNXP.htm) (PDF) page 21 but its listed as an option

Dual Power Sysytem K8 (DPS K8)
Specially designed for AthlonTM64 platform, the Dual Power System delivers a total of 6-phase power circuit to provide more solid and durable power supply for the new generation AMD platform. Ensuring a more secure and stable platform than ever before. that sounds like a good thing though and could go a long way towards making up for the shortcomings of many PSUs (which I gather is the reason its being implemented)

one thing Ive always liked about Gigabytes though is the standard Dual BIOS, something Ive bought as an after market addon for a few boards, they are a great safety feature in the event of a bad BIOS Flash (or if your modding a BIOS)

[happyslave7]

Okay, thanks for all your posts! Very Helpful.


I just got a computer (no not a Dell). ;)


These are the specs:

Case, Anthenatech 350w ATX
PS Titanium Coat super silent 450w (They're replacing the 350w)
CPU Athlon 64 3000+RTL
CPUFAN, FoxCon AMD OPK8
VGA, MSI FX5700-VTD256 256MB VIVO
DVD-RW dual drive
XP home OS
1 Gig RAM DDR400 (2x512MB)
HDD MAXTOR 160GB/7200 8MB buffer
MoBo GIGABYTE GA-K8N PRO (I don't know if this is the same as the K8NSPRO?)

Well, there's some other stuff this comes with, such as speakers, mouse keyboard, etc, It all came out to be $1300.

What do you guys think?


Thanks,
-happyslave7

[Ice Czar]

well you definately dont want XP Home
get either W2K Pro or XP Pro
and while your at it download
Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Evaluation (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/evaluation/default.asp) (free)

consider getting 2 smaller HDDs instead of one larger one (there are distinct advantages to that)

Id still say go Antec True Power :p
never heard of that power supply (not a good sign)

[MadMax]

Originally posted by happyslave7

MoBo GIGABYTE GA-K8N PRO (I don't know if this is the same as the K8NSPRO?)



Looks good.

On the motherboard though you would have been better off with the K8NSPRO. same company, but not the same board.

The K8N Pro that you got is the nForce3 150. It has less features. Compared to the nForce3 250, a lot less features.

K8N Pro also has a slower Hypertransport bus than the K8NSPRO.

The K8NSPRO is the nForce3 250 Pro version, with built in SATA control on the chipset, gb Ethernet, hardware based firewall. And it's a faster chipset. K8N Pro is a 600 mhz. HT bus, the K8NSPRO can be set to 1000mhz.

With all the controllers built into the chipset, they don't saturate or effect teh performance of the PCI bus.

FYI, there is less than a 20.00 difference in the cost of the two boards.

[mayakindaguy]

IceCzar's usually right on. If at all possible I would suggest again to check with local shops like a Fry's for things like hsf and case fans and even the psu. Then often can shave off 5-10 each because they are sometimes cheaper and no shipping if you're buying individually. Definitely buy the grease stuff from a store. Just wondering though why you guys don't suggest the AS5 and the Zalman hsf over the Thermaltake. Cause I love mine. :D

Oh, and the AMD64 setup is great, but if you aren't concerned with 64 bit computing which probably won't be bug free probably until end of 2005 I'd consider a P4 system because of the overclockability and the money you'll save on RAM or so that you can get 2x512mb rather than 2x256 which will barely cut it for the most part.

Darn those inflated RAM prices. between that and gas I'm having a hard time filling up that piggy bank of mine.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by mayakindaguy
Oh, and the AMD64 setup is great, but if you aren't concerned with 64 bit computing which probably won't be bug free probably until end of 2005 I'd consider a P4 system because of the overclockability and the money you'll save on RAM or so that you can get 2x512mb rather than 2x256 which will barely cut it for the most part.

Darn those inflated RAM prices. between that and gas I'm having a hard time filling up that piggy bank of mine.


That made absolutely no sense.

Why would a P4 system save money on ram?

why do you think that by going P4 he could get 2 x 512 instead of 2 x 256?

The ram costs the same amount either way.

[mayakindaguy]

Oops that was my bad. I thought that the 64 mobo needed registered dimms. Shouldn't have assumed prior to posting. Was thinking that getting a well priced 2.4C or 2.8C that'll likely do 3.6 and saving a bit with unbuffered RAM compared to registered would save enough difference for the extra RAM.

Oh, and sorry to butt in on your post, but can anyone think of a good dual opteron rig cutom built for around the $2000 mark. And are there any issues that I should be aware of like psu and hsf for the opterons. Those 248s look really nice, but over 600 a piece, it doesn't fit into my budget:hmm: And those mobos for like 400 dollars and registered RAM. Ack. I want...really really want...but need some direction.

Thanks

[MadMax]

Ah, that makes sense now.

However the price of registered dimms is only slightly different from that of regular dimms.

On the average of 20.00-35.00 per stick. Compared to the overall cost of a system, that isn't very much money at all.

[mayakindaguy]

oh and if I have to go down to the 1.6 to 1.8 ghz opterons, how well do they perform compared to other systems in rendering and handling particle effects. I've seen the 248 benchmarks that are pretty sweet. However, I've not seen any benches for 2.0ghz and under opterons. Also how do the opterons compare to their xeon counterparts in Maya. I think the opterons were a bit better, but then I heard a rumor that Maya was coded better for Xeons. Sounded like an unfounded rumor to me.

Also why doesn't NewEgg sell the 2.0ghz opterons. They only sell the 248 and the 1.8 and under. Is there a problem with that specific cpu or is the profit margine too low.

Thanks

[MadMax]

Originally posted by mayakindaguy
oh and if I have to go down to the 1.6 to 1.8 ghz opterons, how well do they perform compared to other systems in rendering and handling particle effects. I've seen the 248 benchmarks that are pretty sweet. However, I've not seen any benches for 2.0ghz and under opterons. Also how do the opterons compare to their xeon counterparts in Maya. I think the opterons were a bit better, but then I heard a rumor that Maya was coded better for Xeons. Sounded like an unfounded rumor to me.

Also why doesn't NewEgg sell the 2.0ghz opterons. They only sell the 248 and the 1.8 and under. Is there a problem with that specific cpu or is the profit margine too low.

Thanks


Like anything if you step down, performance goes down as well. That is like asking how does a P4 2.8 compare to a P4 3.4

Across the board, they are comparable. Opteron's at 2.0 and 2.2 compare pretty evenly with P4 3.2/3.4 in render speeds.

The 1.6/1.8 Opterons compare well with the P4 2.6/2.8

Cost wise, AMD has placed the chips on a pretty solid parity with Intel. They are within a few dollars either way.

As for the rumor that Maya was specifically coded for Xeons, if true then they did a bad job of it. Opteron outperfroms the Xeon pretty easily.

Regarding Newegg and what they stock, that is kind of an odd deal. There certainly isn't a problem with the CPU, it might be that Newegg gets a better deal on the high and low end and not as good in the middle.

[mayakindaguy]

Benches at zoorender.com have the dual 248 opteron rendering the scene in 38 seconds for the software render which is quite impressive. Now this is just a user bench and by no means and absolute indication of cpu performance. The 3.06 Xeon did 52 sec. Don't know what's wrong with that guys rig. The p4 3.0 does 1:02 stock speeds and around the 50s when overclocked stably @ 3.5 ghz. Hardware rendering both the xeon and opteron are neck and neck pretty much.

Just wondering if with dual 1.8 opterons whether I will get a considerable increase over a AMD 64 or overclocked P4 rig, which would cost less.

[happyslave7]

I might go crazy if I keep thinking about all this computer stuff (things I really don't know a lot about).

I think this computer will be just fine in getting something done in Maya, right?

And if I need to upgrade to XP pro, then I will. :p



Thanks again everybody,
-happyslave7

[Ice Czar]

Originally posted by mayakindaguy
any issues that I should be aware of like psu and hsf for the opterons.

most dual boards either Xeon or Opteron would require SSI (Server System Infrastructure) compliant power supplies, that is EPS12V (http://www.enhanceusa.com/documents/EPS12V_v1.6.pdf) which in addition to an extra four sockets attached to the main power connector (for 24 instead of the normal 20 on an ATX) will also have additional power connectors for the board
(an 8 socket and in some cases more for powering AGP pro ect)

(note PSUs for AMD MP CPUs are often quite special, triple check what is required for one of those, they are neither ATX or exactly EPS12V)

the socket 940 (Opteron) come with a very trick heatsink cam setup
and you would of course get a compliant heatsink, all tha major players make hi9gh quality copper heatsinks, in various U
and there are even a few waterblocks out there now

[Ice Czar]

Originally posted by happyslave7
And if I need to upgrade to XP pro, then I will. :p


Home wont support SMP (Dual Processors) and at one point it was stated it wouldnt support Hyperthreading either (but does)
its really not what you want to be running on an animation rig period, save your money, if your going 64bit, play around with the free evaluation for a while and see if it fits you, in which case your good for awhile

otherwise buy XP Pro (or if you dont want to hassle with all the activation mumbo jumbo) W2K

the number of processors and the amount of memory they will support, the administrative controls, security ect
make it really the only choice
(excluding Linux)
Win98, 95, ME, and XP Home arent suitable for your choosen profession ;)

Win XP Home Edition: A Bad Choice Gets Worse (http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,599410,00.asp)
Windows XP Home Edition vs. Professional Edition: What's the difference? (http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_home_pro.asp)

you will eventually need Pro
and Bill is rich enough without you having to purchase twice :p

[Landis]

Hey guys! Great thread! Thought I might jump in on it! Heres what I got....

I am looking to improve the performance of working in side of Maya....seems a bit slow...moving from Blender 3d (OPENSOURCE...GREAT APP!!...quite a few differences under the hood though). I currently have a dual 1GHZ machine, TYAN Motherboard, 768 MB PC133, 80GB HD, and last but not least...a 3D Labs Oxygen GVX-420. I was looking to upgrade the motherboard/processor and video card...but after reading thorugh yer guys posts, it sounds like I might be able to get away with just upgrading my video card....plus....as from what I have read this is the device that is really pushing the "real time" portion of my workflow...well...that and system memory. Anyways, I guess what I am getting at is what type of video card do you all reccommend? It seems to be a battle between ATI and NVidia.

The thing that sucks is when I purchased this card I thought I was good to go! 256 MB of texture memory...4 Glint proccessors...guess it is all a bunch of bulshit...that or I dont have it set up right (have it set to the Maya preset...there are 2...1 for alpha something or other and one without...not sure which one to go with).

Anyways, any help on this would be greatly appreciated.

[mayakindaguy]

I don't even think that card is supported by alias.

Check this link

http://www.alias.com/eng/support/maya/qualified_hardware/QUAL/maya_50_win.html

Pick a card from there. If you have some cash to spend get a Quadro FX 1100 when the 1300 and 4000 come out. It should be cheaper or if you're not on a budget buy the higherend class. If you have to save money and are worried about gaming look into the 6800 line by Nvidia.

[Landis]

Sweet. Thanks man! Ok, heres the deal. I was looking at the Quadro 1100 and it said that it was a dual head but they were DVI's....is there a converter for this type because I dont have LCD's, I have a Sony 21" and 17" but they are both Trinitron CRT's!

Also, what is up with the 3DLabs Wildcatt VP's and the Fire GL's? Are these not good because I can get myself into a 3DLabs WILDCAT VP870 for under $300 and the VP880 for under $400. Is this a good price or no? How do these cards compare to the Quadro's and the FireGL's? How does the VP range compare to other wildcats (II, III, etc.)?

And last but not least, I went to your link and it said to set some of the 3DLabs cards to use the Maya+Alpha preset but ny doing this it unfortunatley causes OpenGL overlays to be disabled. This is what I have my card set to...could this increase performance by turning this (overlays) back on....or turning alphas off rather....phew...kinda confusing but I am sure that you are with me. Regardless of performance, what would be benefit of enabling OpenGL overlays?

[Ice Czar]

my Quadro shipped with two adapters
I RMAd a VP990 and spent twice as much to get it,
if that answers your question

[Landis]

Originally posted by Ice Czar
...RMAd...

What do you mean by "RMAd"?

[Ice Czar]

I sent it back and paid the restock fee (15%)

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