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obelisk
03-12-2005, 05:23 AM
Hey XSI Guys,

I posted this over in Maya too, so apologies if anyone's reading this for the second time.

I'm trying to put together a new system to run XSI (and maybe Maya or Blender and the Adobe CS) but I can't get my head around this video card thing [Mac user walks into dark forest of PC componentry]. I wouldn't mind being able to play games too.

ISSUES

- Radeon's are out for Maya, and not rrecommended for Softimage right?
- According to Softimage qualifications, GeForce is out but everyone I talk to tries to sell me one (especially the 6600GT).
- Quadros cost the absolute bomb unless you software mod GeForce to Quadro (which is the scariest thing little old mac-boy has ever heard)
- FireGL V3100 PCIE seems to be the only card in my range that gets a tick from Softimage.

QUESTIONS:

- Do I need that tick from Softimage?
- Is there a mid range Video card out there that will handle Maya and Half-Life2?
- Does anyone use that FireGL card, and how do they find it?
- What do you guys use instead?

I'd appreciate any help I can get on this. It's difficult to get a retailer to tell you why they're suggesting what they're suggesting.

Cheers

-O
JDex
03-12-2005, 05:49 AM
If you do not need a maintenance contract from SI, go with the 6600GT. If you do go with a FireGL or a low end Quadro.

Do not bother softmodding...

I am running XSI w/o issue on my wee-little Geforce 5200Go laptop card... no biggie.
wmendez
03-12-2005, 07:39 AM
I Agree with JDEX

In addtion the safest bet if going with a cosumer card is to go the Nvidia route. I have also used FireGL (mobility)on an IBM Thinkpad A31p and T42p with no problems.

For hardware questions regarding XSI you can always e-mail sihardware(at)softimage.com
obelisk
03-12-2005, 10:56 PM
Thanks guys. Guess I need to relax a little about the hardware qualifications. I'll look into the alternatives you've suggested.

-O
zukezuko
03-12-2005, 11:02 PM
Quadro Fx 1100 is a decent card.
about 700$
runs smoothly on my pc.
freddie
03-13-2005, 09:24 AM
I´m about to buy a new card since my old quadro 4 900xgl almost bought the farm last summer in a thunderstorm :sad: (the best card I´ve had to this point)
But I´m going for the MSI 6800GT:bounce: :D
Asgorath
03-13-2005, 11:16 AM
Here is the page of XSI Video Card certification if it helps:
http://www.softimage.com/partners/xsi/Hardware_Partners/Hardware_Cert/windows_xp_v4.htm

But it doesn't mean other won't work, but just not being tested...

But I agree the nVida 6800GT is really sexy =]
freddie
03-13-2005, 12:55 PM
For what I understand of the certified cards is that is just for maintaince contract as JDex says :)

the 6800GT seems nice and it would work fine with XSI(for wath I´ve heard and read here), but I´m gonna miss my old quadrocard :cry:
obelisk
03-13-2005, 09:05 PM
Thanks guys. The more I look into this and the more feeedback I get from you guys, the more it seems like we're comparing silk and cashmere, when wool or cotton will do (at least for my immediate purposes). While the 6800GT is the popular pic here, it's also a little expensive for my budget. I think I'll go with the 6600GT and see how we go.

I appreciate the input gang.

cheers,

-O
wmendez
03-13-2005, 11:37 PM
For what I understand of the certified cards is that is just for maintaince contract as JDex says :)

the 6800GT seems nice and it would work fine with XSI(for wath I´ve heard and read here), but I´m gonna miss my old quadrocard :cry:

Here's a little Scenario:

Customer: Hi I am having display issues

Soft: What kind of card and driver do you have

Customer: Nvidia 6800 or Consumer card, etc

Soft: err, sorry that card is not support, or certified by us

Customer: Can you test the problem on your end?

Soft: Sorry we do not have those cards in house


Consumer cards run XSI fine for the most part except for some issues with Radeons. I don't see or have heard anything concerning the 6800's but if you do come across a scenario like the one above it will be difficult for soft to repro if they don't have that particular card in house.
BAM!
03-14-2005, 09:09 PM
any of the above is fine. just don't get an ATI card. my 9800pro, as good as it is for gaming, it has given me countless instability problems which i never had with Maya before.

anyone care for trade?
Vertizor
03-15-2005, 01:32 AM
Radeon X800 Pro here. I think I'm one version behind on Catalyst drivers. Games run great. XSI runs awesome. I don't have Maya but if the PLE version is any indication, it seems quite stable for me. I can't tell, because of all the watermarks in shaded mode.
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