CGTalk - which machine for cg for <$3,000 USD?

View Full Version : which machine for cg for <$3,000 USD?

mdwsr

01-27-2005, 04:58 PM

Let's say you had $3,000 USD to spend on a new machine for computer graphics. For the sake of simplicity, let's limit it to the basics (tower, keyboard, mouse, monitor), and a package for those of us who either do not have the time or ability to build our own.

What would you get?

And again for simplicity, limit it to Apple or Windows.

I am looking at this package, since I already have a Sony that has been proven to be bulletproof: Sony VAIO (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_DisplayProductInformation-Start?ProductSKU=VGCRA826GKIT9&Dept=cpu_VAIODesktopComputers&CategoryName=cpu_raseriesdesktops)

greyface

01-27-2005, 05:04 PM

That's a lot of money, you can get a very good system with that. Personnally, I'd go for an Athlon 64 with an SLI board and a quadro fx 1400, if ever they come out, and 2 gigs of RAM. that way you can get a second quadro if you need more performance later. You could also get a dual cpu system if you want to do a lot of rendering - will you?

mdwsr

01-27-2005, 05:14 PM

You could also get a dual cpu system if you want to do a lot of rendering - will you?

Personally yes, I do some rendering but it's not my main focus at this time. Maybe that would be a good point for discussion though.

I've been out of the technology loop for some time, I mainly brought this up to see where we are now, and what's soon to be released. I've been reading about 64 bit possibly coming, and where are we concerning the merging of HDTV and computers?

greyface

01-27-2005, 05:30 PM

HDTV isn't really there yet, Apple computers are the only ones who have that technology well integrated, and can play HD no problem. One thing to consider is if you get an athlon 64 SP system now, you will be able to upgrade it to a dual-core chip sometime this year, without changing the mobo.

Vertizor

01-27-2005, 05:33 PM

One thing to consider is if you get an athlon 64 SP system now, you will be able to upgrade it to a dual-core chip sometime this year, without changing the mobo.
Without "physically" changing the mobo, I believe a BIOS flash upgrade is needed thouhg. Sorry for nit-pick. :)

rybeck

01-28-2005, 10:07 PM

Wonder what would be loss if I don't go for dual (such as Opteron) rig? I am struggling to decide between dual and single setup right now, and would appreciate for your opinions...

(ADDED) BTW, I will use it for 3d App. (MAYA), A/V editing (Premiere 6), and CG (Photoshop & Painter)...

greyface

01-29-2005, 02:47 AM

I also hesitated a lot for my system, wether I'd go dual or single. I ended up going single for several reasons:

1. way cheaper processors, and motherboards - allowed me to get more ram, and other things.
2. Can be overclocked much easier, because of the motherboard availability, and space for heatsinks.
3. Viewport performance will be better on the Single processor, as you would probably get a much faster single processor than if you got a dual.
4.You will soon be able to upgrade to dual-core, so you can get a dual processor.
5.RAM is cheaper: non-ECC
6. You can get SLI boards, very good for long term investment, as Quadros are coming out for SLI.

there are more things but this is most of it. One thing to note, NVIDIA just announced the Nforce 4 Professional, which supports dual opteron and PCI-E. But I don't think that should influence you too much compared to what I stated before.

lots

01-30-2005, 06:15 AM

6. You can get SLI boards, very good for long term investment, as Quadros are coming out for SLI.

Well I agree with everything that you said except that ;) Opteron has a few Nforce Pro boards coming in the next month or so that support SLI (the Tyan in particular, with true 16x by 16x PCI-E slots at 16x speeds each).

isil

01-30-2005, 12:40 PM

What's this thing about upgrading to dual core chips? I might have got it wrong but are you talking about the main cpu chip? And in that case is there anyplace one could get some info on the matter?

cheers, Simon

troyer

01-31-2005, 01:06 AM

isil

01-31-2005, 12:13 PM

have a look
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,116154,00.asp

Ah, interesting! That's something to look forward to :bounce:

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