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View Full Version : Which Part Should I Upgrade?

damage inc
05-06-2007, 06:43 PM
I appologize if there are too many threads asking this same thing. I searched but I would like replies a little more related to my situation.

I am noticing my computer starting to bog down in Maya when working with higher poly models (around 40,000 and up) and rendering is quite slow even with simple scenes. It isn't terrible, but I would like a boost in performance. I was planning on getting a new computer in about a year or two years but it doesn't look like my current one will be adequate for much longer. It looks like I'll have to upgrade it until I can afford a new one.

I built my computer about 3 or 4 years ago and it's basically:

CPU: 2.8ghz P4
Video: Ati Radeon x800 pro
RAM: 1GB (2x512) PC 3200


I've read here that the video card is what determines how well you can work with high numbers of polys, the cpu is what deals with rendering, and RAM is just good to have for everything. I'm mostly into animation and modeling so I'd rather get a boost in the viewport while I'm working. I can live with the slow rendering for now since I don't do too much of it.

So which part or parts should I upgrade? I know I have a minimal amount of RAM so that would be my first guess but from what I've read here a better video card like a Quadro wouldn't be a bad idea either. Should I just get a gig of RAM for now until I get a new computer or should I upgrade more than that?

Thanks for any help.
valdiorn
05-07-2007, 12:02 AM
Basically what you really need to upgrade is the CPU, that's what matter the most, but that would require you to pretty much reaplce the entire system.
You have a very powerful video card, you can't go alot higher than that (except maybe an old quattro card). Add 1 gig of RAM and you might gain 5% performance increase.

If you decide to upgrade the entire system, go for Intel Core2Duo/Quad. With a decent video card and 1-2gig DDR2 you can expect a performance increase of at *least* 300%, even more.
I upgraded from a P4 2.4Ghz, 512mb Ram, GeForce 5600 to a Core2Duo 2.4, GeForce 7600GT and 2gig RAM system last fall, and rendering times were improved by 1000% (yes that's three zeros, or 1/10th of what it used to be!) Best money ever spent... ever! :D
Giap
05-07-2007, 01:06 AM
You didn't write how much do you have for upgrading so I can tell now is that upgrade them all. However, I think the process to upgrade is CPU, then RAM, video card and if you have effort to do more, upgrade motherboard as well.
damage inc
05-07-2007, 01:26 AM
Thanks for the replies. Looks like the best I can get as far as a cpu is a 3.4ghz P4. I might as well wait until I can get a Core 2 Duo or Quad system. I appologize for specifying my budget for upgrades. I guess I don't really have a budget. If a couple hundred would help this rig last a year or so more than I'd be happy to do it but if it's the CPU that needs to be upgraded then I'll go ahead and wait until I'm ready to spend a grand or so on a whole new system.
A couple more questions, do you recommend buying a new computer like a Dell Precision & Boxx 4500/8300 or building a new one myself? I know it's probably cheaper to build my own but is there any advantage of buying a Dell or Boxx system besides it being built and having customer support?

And is there a big difference between GeForce 7 series and Quadros? I thought Quadros were the way to go if possible but it seems like a lot of people here have GeForces. Is it a cost issue or is the GeForce just as good as a Quadro with comparable specs?
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