Buying A new System PC or MAC for Maya. Currently a PC user.

[Shogmaster]

I really don't see a good reason for you to "switch". G5 PowerMacs are already lagging behind A64/Opteron and even dual Nocona Xeon systems in power. Gaming on Macs is still second class, OSX is no more stable than a well managed XP, building your own PC will be way way cheaper than any Mac workstations, etc etc etc.

Just build yourself a nice new PC box.

[MaDSheeP]

I agree 100% with the previous post, Macs are pretty, but $3000 for a Mac no faster than my 2 year old home built PC??? well, that is a little harsh, but my GF's $3000 G4 is worlds slower than my 2100+ AMD system built at the same time.

I love windows, and i find it incredibly stable, not to mention, if you know what you are doing you can root around in all the inner working of the system. Just try finding where to up the mouse DPI rate in Mac OSX, Hah! its like they try and save you from yourself with that OS

Build a monster PC system, it will be 1/2 the price of the top end Mac setup =)

And, it will play all of the latest games

[itsallgoode9]

I am with the other two opinions about staying with pc. Although the macs are stable as hell and look better than pc's I don't that justifies paying the horribly overpriced point for a terribly underpowered machine. One big thing I have with them is that software is still not readily available for the macs, so that can be a pain. I used a Dual Processor G5 at work and loved it, but due to the price and availibitly of software, I probally will never own one unless it is to supplement my PC.

[Beamtracer]

I always think of Windows as the platform for teenage boys who want to play games. As far as broadcast television and film goes, there's a huge movement away from Windows to the UNIX based operating systems, Linux and Mac OS X.

I love windows, and i find it incredibly stable, not to mention, if you know what you are doing you can root around in all the inner working of the system. Strange you say that, because Windows is the least configurable OS out there. Microsoft doesn't allow the public to see its secret code.

I've got OS X running on multiple machines here. It doesn't flake out. It doesn't get viruses. It doesn't get spyware and malware.

If you just want a dirt-cheap build-yourself-box for Maya, you should go Linux, which is the most configurable OS out there. No need to send your money to Microsoft. Linux has thousands of free open source apps. Ah, I forgot, you want a machine to play games.

software is still not readily available for the macs, so that can be a pain.
I find a better combination of content creation software for OS X, that gives me a competitive advantage to Windows users. The other software makes my 3D work look better. Plus there's a better workflow in OS X. Look at the system in its entirety, not just the headline megahertz rate.

Think about which platform you'd feel better with as your all-round workstation.

[Shogmaster]

I always think of Windows as the platform for teenage boys who want to play games. As far as broadcast television and film goes, there's a huge movement away from Windows to the UNIX based operating systems, Linux and Mac OS X.

Oh Christ. Another pointless Mac evangelizing post that has nothing to do with helping the person in question. What's funny is that you just made fun of the guy you are supposedly trying to help by calling him a teenage boy who just wants to play games.

And as for this "huge movement", wake us up when Apple recieves enough benefit from it to rise above the 3% marketshare.

Strange you say that, because Windows is the least configurable OS out there. Microsoft doesn't allow the public to see its secret code.

This doesn't matter a single bit to the original poster. None. Get back on track.

I've got OS X running on multiple machines here. It doesn't flake out. It doesn't get viruses. It doesn't get spyware and malware.

Neither does my windows boxes. Do I get a cookie?

If you just want a dirt-cheap build-yourself-box for Maya, you should go Linux, which is the most configurable OS out there. No need to send your money to Microsoft.

Oh yeah, we can't possibly condone the evil Microsoft getting any of our money. You might go straight to geek hell!

Linux has thousands of free open source apps. Ah, I forgot, you want a machine to play games.

Yeah, call him a boy again. That'll win him over.

I find a better combination of content creation software for OS X, that gives me a competitive advantage to Windows users.

How about just dealing with facts. With exception of Apple written apps, there are more Windows based creativity and productivity apps then anywhere else. Get a Mac if you must run Final Cut Pro. Otherwise, I can't think of one single major 2D/3D professional creativity app that Mac has that Windows does not.

The other software makes my 3D work look better. Plus there's a better workflow in OS X. Look at the system in its entirety, not just the headline megahertz rate.

Better workflow? Please illustrate one example of this better workflow which will gain real dividends that a PC Maya box user can't enjoy like his Mac counterpart.

Think about which platform you'd feel better with as your all-round workstation.

I think most of us in this thread has answered that question.

[lots]

I'd stick with PC with windows as thats what you know. Its going to be cheaper than most anything else, while remaining just as powerful as more expencive Macs. Sure Windows is under the spotlight more for security problems, but take a look at its market share and then think of all the computers in the world. If Windows makes up more than 90% of the entire market, and there are litterally millions systems out there running it, its no wonder its the main target for attack.

BTW: Windows is just as configurable as linux, you just need to know where to look. The only drawback is that you cannot alter the source code and recompile things. But really, do you do that in linux?

I didnt think so.

Sure you may recompile the kernel, but have you ever modified its code your self?

[kromekat]

Switch to a Dual 2.5 G5 and I am positive you won't regret it in terms of it being a stable, secure, productive, hard working, long lasting, friendly, responsive and very powerful machine. - and dont be misled, it can render faster than some comparable Xeons, up to about dual 3-3.2Ghz, and much you'll hear against Macs will come from those that know how a G4 runs, not a top end G5.

But - that aside, as always, you should go with the environment, platform and system you are most comfortable with ultimately. :)

[MadMax]

Switch to a Dual 2.5 G5 and I am positive you won't regret it in terms of it being a stable, secure, productive, hard working, long lasting, friendly, responsive and very powerful machine. - and dont be misled, it can render faster than some comparable Xeons, up to about dual 3-3.2Ghz, and much you'll hear against Macs will come from those that know how a G4 runs, not a top end G5.

But - that aside, as always, you should go with the environment, platform and system you are most comfortable with ultimately. :)

Render faster in what circumstances? against a PC that is turned off?

In Maya, AMD is is hands down the winner for speed. Mac can't even come close to touching it. Sorry Mac guys, that's how it is.

The question that should be asked here is if you buy Maya for OSX, can you get 3rd party applications for it? Some, but not a lot. It is a simple fact that many 3rd party developers just don't support Apple when they design plugins and shareware addons for popular programs. Lightwave users on the Mac have been left out of the Lightwave community with virtually no plugins at all.

Maya isn't much better. For developers it's a simple matter of money. there isn't enough of an Apple market for small to moderate developers to do OSX ports of their software.

If you use a PC now, don;t waste your money on a Mac, it isn't worth it. Macs are not upgradeable, PC's. Macheads will howl over that one but show me one person who bought a 2.0ghz G5 that was able to upgrade their machine to 2.5ghz.

Can you upgrade and buy a new MB when Apple changes their system?

Nope. Everytime there is a new Apple, you buy a whole new system, you can't upgrade you current machine. That gets pretty expensive at 3,000.00 a pop.

[sketchbook]

i have 2 pc's and 2 macs. one problem with the PC is that it can only use 2 gigs of memory per app, which when i am rendering LARGE scenes really is a problem. on my mac i can use all 8 to my knowledge.

secondly - you need to really know what you are doing when getting a PC. My windows box gets viruses and spyware every single day. it's insane. i can go months or a year without needing to update any mac software. windows takes a lot of preventative maintainance. i am not saying all PC's are like this, but they CAN be like this. you just need to be really careful about where you surf and what you install, etc. i just like that on my mac it is never an issue at all. if i were more of a geek i am sure i could keep the PC running smooth.

if you build a PC, you also better know what you are doing. i had a friend who seamed to know what he was doing build one for me, and it was toast within months. there are so many components made by so many companies oversees, that you never know what components are going to work together well. if you can do it, go that route. if you are more like me and can't tell what type of mobo to buy, then a mac or then again a dell might be best for you.

OK, so i am of the opinion that if you are not worried about all the maintainance and potential security problems of a PC, go that way. i myself need to get a newer PC so that working is faster. my mac can render fine, but the OGL speed is bad, even with a 6800 ultra.

good luck.

[Velk]

First off let me say that I'm a PC user running Maya, I haven't run it on a Mac so the following comments should be liberally doused with salt.

Macs are more expensive however they do ship with some pretty cool software that I'm sure you are aware of but it does (in my mind) help justify the cost. For $3000 you get not only a good machine but the software to edit video, burn DVDs and edit and record audio.

Personally I'm thinking of switching myself over for these and other reasons and am interested in what everyone else has to say.

[Cosmo]

who says Macs are more expensive....

these days that's absolutely not true anymore..... one should compare a Dual G5 with a Dual Xeon..

at work we use both.... Macs are more stable, deal a lot better with video.... as far as 3d, well it's about the same as on a Windows based machine....

I do prefer OS X to XP, so i am on Mac.... i play games on my Xbox or PS2.

[MadMax]

secondly - you need to really know what you are doing when getting a PC. My windows box gets viruses and spyware every single day. it's insane. i can go months or a year without needing to update any mac software. windows takes a lot of preventative maintainance.

so does that mean you fall into the category of not nowing what you are doing? I have machines that run 24/7, and I haven't seen a virus in years let alone every day. Or spyware for that matter.

People making the claim that Windows is so difficult to maintain are showing their ignorance of Windows basics. Plain and simple. There is no magic secret to installing and setting up reliable protection for a Windows system. Anti Virus and Firewall software that automatically schedules and scans your system, checks for updates and installs them for you are readily available.

i am not saying all PC's are like this, but they CAN be like this. you just need to be really careful about where you surf and what you install, etc. i just like that on my mac it is never an issue at all. if i were more of a geek i am sure i could keep the PC running smooth.

Not all PC's are like that and it isn't hard to manage. People who stupidly download stuff they have no idea what it is and have no reference for it deserve what they get. take the computer back ot the store for a refund, they are too stupid to use it anyway.

As for Macs being so perfect, that is BS. You don't get viruses because no one who writes viruses is interested in messing with Apple. You may want to be in denial over that topic, but it's a fact.

there are so many components made by so many companies oversees, that you never know what components are going to work together well.

AHHHH Monday morning fear mongering. Grossly exaggerated fear mongering I might add. It's an excuse for not being able to do even a moderate amount of research.

OK, so i am of the opinion that if you are not worried about all the maintainance and potential security problems of a PC, go that way. i myself need to get a newer PC so that working is faster. my mac can render fine, but the OGL speed is bad, even with a 6800 ultra.

Since there isn't REALLY "all the maintenance" associated with a PC build, I suspect like most of us he can just turn it on and have it work, like the majority of us.

[MadMax]

who says Macs are more expensive....

these days that's absolutely not true anymore..... one should compare a Dual G5 with a Dual Xeon..

It's absolutely true. Especially whne you compare what you get for the money. higher price tag, slower performing system.

at work we use both.... Macs are more stable

How do you get MORE STABLE than 100% up time and running 24/7 without issue? Never quite understood that claim........ I've got machines that haven't been turned off in weeks.........

I'd say the claim that Mas are more stable is a bit of an exaggeration.

deal a lot better with video....

Really? where is your proof of this? I'd think a smart man like Robert Rodriguez would have used Macs HD work in Sin City instead of Opterons...... Go figure. In fact, I hear a lot of raving about Opterons being used for HD.

Fact is, macs DON'T deal any better with video at all.

as far as 3d, well it's about the same as on a Windows based machine....

No, no it is not.

the best and smartest thing the Macs have going for them is the good sense to have adopted AMD based technology.

[Cosmo]

i come from a design background.... so i do think a machine/system should look good too
besides stability

i will ignore comments from 15 year olds just meant to bash........

[MadMax]

i come from a design background.... so i do think a machine/system should look good too
besides stability

i will ignore comments from 15 year olds just meant to bash........

In other words, you can't answer the challenges thrown back at you.

You Mac heads come in here and throw around how elite Mac is and how it is perfect, and never goes down, never crashes and never has viruses. And then go on with long lists of PC faults, that are rather grossly exaggerated fear mongering.

then when someone says you are wrong or challenges you, you grab your purses and whine "I won't answer 15 year olds, wah wah wah"

There wasn't any basing here, you just can't respond to the facts.

[-Vormav-]

PS: I AM NOT TRYING TO START AN ARGUEMENT WHICH IS BETTER MAC OR PC? Just trying to find the right path.... use to force padawan....

Whoops. ;)


Anyway, my only suggestion is that, if you're really serious about using this computer for any sort of CG work, don't even consider games when you're trying to decide on your system. Compromising in anyway to be able to play some games on your system can lead you to problems... That being said, the mac vs. pc arguement aside, a decent AMD64 system would probably be just fine for most of the work you might do...

[Cosmo]

we work with Macs, Silicons Graphic Onyx, Dual Xeons..... so i know what i am talking about...

if you read my post, i said that there isn't much of difference, Macs do handle video better without buying special video cards,
heck even the old SGI machines have faster video i/o....

well, ignore mode is now really switched on.......

[Samurai Hack]

secondly - you need to really know what you are doing when getting a PC. My windows box gets viruses and spyware every single day. it's insane. i can go months or a year without needing to update any mac software.

I still don't understand the virus problem. Any machine is susceptible if proper precautions aren't taken and any machine can be safeguarded with a little common sense. Case in point:
A few months ago I set up a satellite system for my unit that's is deployed. We got a simple deal; a dish, a modem, and more bandwidth than we need. One of the computers hook up to the system went down almost imediately (Windows 2000 Pro) because it didn't have proper antivirus and firewall software installed. My two laptops have been running no problem for 4 months (Win XP Pro on one and Home on the other.) Not one virus, no spyware. Nothing. I leave them on 24/7 and I'm on a broadband connection that just screams "Hey I've got bandwidth, hit me up." I've seen numerous occasions where people attack Windows with this argument and it's ridiculous.

Bottom line, don't get into the Mac/Windows/Linux argument. Most people sit there and tell you why the other one is worse but everyone has their own idea. Figure out what you want the computer for, figure out what software you want to run, find out which one has the better support and all the software and plugins you may want. Find out what you're more comfortable with. Regardless of which you choose, the performance you get will be the performance you pay for.

EDIT: By the way almost forgot, I'd recommend going with windows since that is what you're familiar with. You can get a good AMD rig these days for good prices and if you go with a 939, you'll have plenty of options later like XP64 and dual core and all that happy hoopla.

[kromekat]

Render faster in what circumstances? against a PC that is turned off?

In Maya, AMD is is hands down the winner for speed. Mac can't even come close to touching it. Sorry Mac guys, that's how it is.



..and so it goes on...

Go here (http://www.3dfluff.com/mash/cbtop.php) and read up on some benchmarks using Cinebench.

I seem to remember reading that Maya was currently somewhat faster at rendering than Cinema also.

As I said already, if you are comparing with G4's fair enough, but G5's are a far more worthy 3D beast - not that I ever found the G4 significantly lacking compared to the alternatives already outlined in the thread.

I wasn't trying to bait any PC devotee/evengelists in to a frenzy. :rolleyes:

[Ravix]

Im just waiting for the day when i can have the cheapness of a PC runing something like OSX, so far u have to have both Computers if u like OSX.


this treads should be call "the stupid power of pc VS the smart software of fancy weaks.

windows whats happening its so old u still have to manage windows and BS is so boring it dosent give me the comfort of OSX , and apple doesnt give the price, and software that i want , the truth is that i hope to get an Alienware and start the journey to Linux

why Im writing this?

Beacuse Im a cg artist tired of that the big guys dosent care about us(cg artist) we need better OS and hardware, i will know for sure that if im just another simple user i will be on osx but no i expect lot from my hardware and software and right now they are divided


a little story.
Last week i was on my powerbook doing this tasks at the same time Rendering on Maya , painting on photshop , mixing wiht TDJs + midi inputs,safari, ical,adressbook, i was on very good mood all because EXPOSE, maybe pc are faster on hardware but OSx make u faster on the interface manage.

[ThomasLC]

I am a PC user, I've been with a pc since MS-DOS 5.0 days […] Tell me what I should do and if a G5 is gonna give me better performance with MAYA than a MAYA on a AMD FX with a PCI-E NVIDIA 6600GT

I can't answer about maya performance, haven't tested, but I guess that "performance" will be better (faster) with AMD… but raw processor speed does'nt always mean faster workflow…

so I think you've answered yourself :

use to force padawan ;)


personnaly, I use both.

I think that the situation will be different in a few weeks when XP64 will be released. untill then, the biggest issue with windows is the ram limitation. even if a dual xeon is sometimes way faster at rendering than a dual G5, I still have to rely on the mac to do the eaviest renderings because XP just can't render such scenes : I can launch 3 or 4 instances of these rendering on a single mac where the XP box can't handle a single one ! (both system runs 4Gb)

note that I'm using lightwave and maya may have a better memory management…

I don't understand why you should/want to switch, but after all it's just a matter of feeling…

Anyway, if you need a high end system (stable and robust dual proc 4to8Gb etc) the price won't be that different between mac & pc but be aware that the main issue with osX is openGL performance (slower than XP) and of course the fact that some usefull apps'n'plugs aren't avalaible…

I don't know if you can afford both, but everyone in this thread will agree that PC can be dirt cheap and still give nice performance, so if I where you, I'll take a big G5 and a good AMD, I think this will be a win-win mini studio !

enjoy !

thomas.

[tozger]

I guess, I have my answer. I will stick with my good old Windows in a new AMD64 FX CPU with a NVIDIA6600GT and a 1GB ram. I expect major speed up with the new 64 Bit Windows but I will also Dual Boot my machine with a Red Hat Linux for Maya or just for Stand Alone Mental Ray.

Macs do have upgrading problems but when I get my new Motherboard I can even upgrade it to Dual Core AMD CPUs and I think thats a major advantage over MACs upgraedibility disability. MACs are real good looking machines, inside the box is really neat and clean.

I have to disagree with people who says I have problems with viruses and spyware with windows machines, because over 90% of the computers are installed with Windows therefore the over 90% of the people who makes these trouble applications aims for windows, so it is a natural thing, would be the other way if Mac was leading, and if you take care of your windows you will not see any of these problems.

[maX_Andrews]

It's true that in Maya rendering is faster on PC's. Here is evidence:
http://www.barefeats.com/maya.html

If you want to game and want decent performance and are used to windows, go with windows. I am a LONG time mac user (since I was born) and OSX is hands down the most productive OS I have used. The shareware for mac, combined with its stability and lack of viruses, as well as useful interface functions like expose make it IDEAL for graphics art work and video editing. If you are going to be editing photos or videos then hands down mac is the fastest and cheapest solution.

But you don't sound like you'll be doing either of these things. so stick to the PC for now :)

[mustique]

I wouldn't buy a new system "right now" cause dual-core cpus will come sooner than expected according to anouncements from both Intel and AMD.

Chances are Apple will get out a quad-cpu system with two dual-core cpus even before
Intel and AMD systems get delivered, shortly after MAcOsX Tiger (looks cute btw)
is released.

So it might be worth to wait another month before making a final decision.

[MadMax]

Chances are Apple will get out a quad-cpu system with two dual-core cpus even before Intel and AMD systems get delivered, shortly after MAcOsX Tiger (looks cute btw) is released.

So it might be worth to wait another month before making a final decision.


Since AMD moved up their dual core launch to this month, I doubt we will se a quad Mac first.

And any way you cut it, a Tyan K8WSE dual motherboard, nForce4 chipset with dual lanes of PCI-E and SATA II is going to be hard to beat by anyone, especially with dual core 2.4ghz. Opterons on it.

[Shogmaster]

Chances are Apple will get out a quad-cpu system with two dual-core cpus even before
Intel and AMD systems get delivered, shortly after MAcOsX Tiger (looks cute btw)
is released.

Oh man..... do you even know what you are saying? Quad proc dual core set up? LOL. Seeing as how dual proc G5 PowerMac case is the size of a small fridge, I guess this quad proc get up must be the size of a volkswagon? :P

IBM is plenty busy with things like the Cell for Sony and the CPU for Xenon/XBox 360, so don't bother expecting crazy things from Apple/IBM for a while.

[mashakos]

For some of us who have had to learn programming - and go through years of troubleshooting Win's issues - to be able to work with windows efficiently, using a mac would be like... a formula 1 racer getting a chauffeur :p

[maX_Andrews]

There is talk of upcoming dual-core power PC (G5) chips to come out by the end of the summer, with speeds 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 Ghz.

Apple is currently completely re-writing its openGL support to better utilize advanced graphics cards. OSX.4 tiger includes coreimage, and corevideo technologies, which is basically out-of-the-box video and image hardware acceleration, built in at the system level. This allows interactive real-time effects on multi-stream high definition video possible, something windows users will only be able to dream about.

In any case, this thread has been completely hijacked. I cannot understand why these things escalate so quickly to mac vs. pc battles. They OBVIOUSLY have their own strengths and weaknesses, no amount of ranting or raving or finger-pointing is going to change that. So STOP COMPARING PHALLIC ORGANS.

The starter of the thread wanted to know what the best introductory system to 3D is. Based on current technology, pricing, and flexibility, windows running on a fast AMD or midrange intel is going to be your best bet. RAM and graphics card are your two secondary concerns.

[maxx10]

If I was you, I'd wait after NAB, and see what Apple has to show (probably FinalCut 5, Shake 4, Motion 2?? and a totally new app??) ... since you don't live of only Maya :thumbsup: and if you find these apps compelling and without a windows equivalent (for you) then consider switching...

[mustique]

I wouldn't buy a new system "right now" cause dual-core cpus will come sooner than expected according to anouncements from both Intel and AMD.

Chances are Apple will get out a quad-cpu system with two dual-core cpus even before
Intel and AMD systems get delivered, shortly after MAcOsX Tiger (looks cute btw)
is released.

So it might be worth to wait another month before making a final decision.


Oh man! Intel already anounced its dual-core procs! Where have you been?

Quad cpu systems from Apple? Are you nuts!! Apple will continiue with its single threaded dual-proc systems for at least 3 years!

Wait another month? Why not wait another 6 or 8? And another one after that?
Come 'n! We all know that you should buy the best you can at the timepoint you need it!

[sparaig]

Oh man! Intel already anounced its dual-core procs! Where have you been?

Quad cpu systems from Apple? Are you nuts!! Apple will continiue with its single threaded dual-proc systems for at least 3 years!

Wait another month? Why not wait another 6 or 8? And another one after that?
Come 'n! We all know that you should buy the best you can at the timepoint you need it!


WHo can say what the future will bring, but Apple has traditionally introduced new stuff during the World Wide Developer Conference, which is in May. If they introduce MacOS X 10.4 BEFORE that period, you know its because they want to show something really spiffy besides MacOS x 10.4 at the WWDC. If they don't, then it will likely just be the OS release that will be the Next Big Thing.

Either way, if you KNOW that there's a new set of harrdware, OS's, etc. (either or both x86 and Mac) about to be released in the next month or so, its foolish to buy something today if you can wait that extra month.

[Vertizor]

So after all this bickering, I wonder what the original poster, tozger, wound up doing?

PC vs. Mac aside, if he's already using a Mac, and already has Mac software, switching to PC now would mean... buy all new software again! When I first bought Cinema 4D I had asked the sales rep what if I were to switch to a diff platform like Mac. I was told there'd be a $100 platform upgrade fee, but I'd be stuck with the same version. Not everyone does dual platform like Lightwave, and there may be cases where there is no simple platform upgrade. So keep that in mind.

Lastly, I hear Amiga is trying to make a come back. Perhaps tozger should scrap both PC and Mac and buy an Amiga instead :D

[Vertizor]

Either way, if you KNOW that there's a new set of harrdware, OS's, etc. (either or both x86 and Mac) about to be released in the next month or so, its foolish to buy something today if you can wait that extra month.
Heh. Show of hands please, how many people went out and bought the latest Mac system as soon as it debuted in MacWorld or WWDC?

Battery/power adaptor recalls, yeah ok most all laptop manufacturers have had one of these at least once in their lifetime.

Screen problems: dead pixels, white spots, etc. That's the nature of LCD screens, but the media took it and ran with it because of Apple's constant bragging about quality.

I could go on but the point is, it's not smart to buy something as soon as it comes out. A smart shopper would wait and see how the product is received before making a purchase. Some go as far as waiting for a second revision to fix initial problems. And all this sums up to: buy what you need now, pick from products with fewer horror stories. Waiting another month for the newest whiz-bang product off the assembly line is, to put it lightly, not a good idea.

One last comment: anyone still convinced of Apple's manufacturing quality, here's a little FYI. Apple doesn't manufacture everything they sell. In fact, Asus makes their iBooks, and one other Taiwanese company makes their PowerBooks. I want to say FoxCon but I'm not 100%. And well all know who Asus is and what they do ;)

[ktamiola]

Bravo ...!

Guys, shake hands ... :)

[novadude]

@Mustique: that is the first time I've ever seen anyone quote and ask themself where they have been for the past few weeks :)

[mlmiller1983]

I say use what works for you. I do use Maya Unlimited 6.5, Lightwave 3D 8.0, Photoshop CS, Premiere Pro 1.5, and After Effects 6.5 Pro on two dual Xeon Nocona PCs. One is a Dual 3.4GHz Intel Xeon Nocona, 3GB of Kingston ECC PC3200, 256MB Nvidia Quadro FX 4000, on a ASUS NCCH-DL motherboard. I'd say it handles maya very well and I haven't had any problems with viruses( its called a firewall and norton antivirus ). The other PC is a Dual 3.0GHz Xeon with 2GB of Kingston ECC PC3200, 256MB nVidia GeForce 6800 GT, 32MB Matrox Rt.X100 Xtreme Pro on the same motherboard as the first. This one is used for Lightwave and video editing. I don't have much experience with macs but I don't see anything wrong with them. People need to stop argueing about which one is better. Work with whatever you like and feel comfortable with.

[ktamiola]

Well,

I agree with tozger. I have both G5 dual 1.8 and use it for video post.. and Dell Precision 670 Dual 3.2 with Quadro FX 3400. The both are ok and do not cause problems. In my case, I work with XSI so I do not have problems which platform is better for Maya.

Best regards,

Camil

[djmagick]

Get a mac and save yourself a lot of headache. Just listen to these PC fans, they sound so neurotic, always trying to justify the meager savings they had.

[MadMax]

Get a mac and save yourself a lot of headache. Just listen to these PC fans, they sound so neurotic, always trying to justify the meager savings they had.


So totally unlike the rabid macheads who contribute nothing to ANY thread but spamming.

[Andrei2k]

Meager saving? avoid problems? Mac users that thinks their precious G5's are caught up to PC hardware are kidding themselves and being fooled by the "image" they are being sold rather than the performance and raw power they seek. A dual 2gh'z G5 for Maya is a joke even compared to my single proc 2.8 Ghz 533 fsb system. There are severe bottlenecks in graphics processing for Maya and 3D on a mac platform. 1000 fsb is plain bs because it runs like a turtle while enourmous ammounts of 3D data need to be transferred quickly. Thats the bottom line.

[enygma]

I think in Maya 6.5, the renderer is now actually optimized for the G5. I noticed in the highend3d test center that the 2.5GHz DP G5 is on par with the dual Opteron 250 in terms of the test scene render time.

My dual opteron cost me about as much as a dual 2.5GHz G5 with the same memory and hard drive space.

[novadude]

The complaints are about poor performance when working with the program not rendering. The opteron in that test had 1/4 the ram, and it isn't the highest speed opteron available. Also, other tests by the same user took 14 to 25 seconds longer.

Most well configured x86 workstations include a nicer quadro card when they are compared to equally priced g5's which only have 6800s.

[enygma]

I remember seeing his result before Maya 6.5 came around. I had an arguement with someone regarding not getting a Mac because of that result. I was just wondering if 6.5 actually did improve rendering performance like that on the G5.

[Saurus]

My dual opteron cost me about as much as a dual 2.5GHz G5 with the same memory and hard drive space.

What kind of video card you using?

[novadude]

He has a quadro 3400 in it, but because it isn't working I don't know if he included that card in his budget comparison. Looking at the prices the 2.5 Mac is at and the prices for opteron systems, the 3400 should fit in there and give much better VP performance than the Mac which lags behind a bit in Maya.

[enygma]

What kind of video card you using?
GeForce 6800 Ultra. I should have a QuadroFX 3400 soon. Gotta get my motherboard replaced and see if that fixes my issues. With the Quadro, I'll have the final tally in a few weeks once all the many invoices on the parts go through. I think the original PO was priced at around $6000 CDN.

EDIT: Although I would have personally preferred to get a Mac because I like the idea of having Final Cut Studio and Maya all on one machine and not having to juggle between my Powerbook and workstation, but I had things I absolutely needed Windows and Linux for, and I have been eyeing up dual Opterons for about a year and a half now. I would still love to have the Mac, but I also love this system.

[MadMax]

System worked with the 6800 installed just fine right?

removed and installed Quadro, no post right?


hmmmmmm........... I may have missed a coupleof the replies here, I'll have to go back and re read them. So if I missed it, why are you replacing the MB?

[enygma]

The quadro works fine in other systems.

[MadMax]

The quadro works fine in other systems.

And yet the 6800 worked without issue.

BIOS issues maybe?

You'll have a replacement board soon though, so I guess we'll see.

[enygma]

Well, we don't know what the issue is really. We have done everything. Different BIOS versions, even tried flashing the bios in the card on a different system. Just odd. Anyways, I really hope the replacement works. I'm just tired of dickin around with the machine.

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