opinions on this budget upgrade

[biliousfrog]

Does your motherboard support the current dual/quad core CPU's? You're probably looking at a whole new system by the time you've replaced the CPU, motherboard, possibly memory and graphics card.

The benefits of softmodding are minimal at best. I tried it a few years back on a 6600GT and the results were terrible but some people claim that it works great...though, whether there is any actual difference in performance is up for debate. It isn't possible with newer cards which is why the software is no longer developed.

[bluestreak]

hey biliousfrog thanks for the response...

yeah i didn't mention the other parts i was getting, but yeah i know i'll
be needing a new mobo, memory and psu.

i just wanted to know if the 7900 gtx is still a good card for maya and zbrush,
or is it considered way out of date.

i know of the problems of the geforce 8 cards with maya...and so that's why
i'm considering the 7900 gtx. (also because of price, i know somone selling it for about $65)

so has anyone found good drivers for the 7900 gtx?

i'm also considering a used quadro fx 1400 (around $100) anyone with opinions on this
card with maya and zbrush?

thanks in advance

[azmin]

I'd rather get another gig of ram. They're so cheap now anyways.
Sorry i can't comment about the card tho'.

[Saurus]

I get another gig of ram and probably reinstall Windows. Also, don't upgrade to latest version of CG programs. Get version of programs that are pretty close to the year your cpu was released.

[Simon]

The 8800 is perfectly stable with all 3d programs now. There is an issue with the viewport in Maya, but you just need to change a setting to fix it and stop it happening.

I'm going to disagree with Saurus and say don't get an older piece of software. Get last years version of software. As it will be mature and things like memory leaks will be ironed out. Often older versions of software are actually worse resource hogs.

I'd tone down your processor upgrade to a fast duel core instead of a quad core. You'll save yourself a wad of cash... I dont know what your usage patterns are however but unless you spend a lot of time rendering you wont get a huge perfomance boost with a quad (you'd still get a small one due to the increase in multithreading in software nowadays).

Get a zalman 500PSU and 2gig to 4 gig of 6400 ram (its dirt cheap)

-Si

[imashination]

I get another gig of ram and probably reinstall Windows. Also, don't upgrade to latest version of CG programs. Get version of programs that are pretty close to the year your cpu was released.

I couldnt disagree more. Apps get faster annd faster and more optimised. using an old version is a terrible idea.

[ThE_JacO]

I get another gig of ram and probably reinstall Windows. Also, don't upgrade to latest version of CG programs. Get version of programs that are pretty close to the year your cpu was released.

I have to agree with Mash (and I hate having to agree with Mash), this is very bad advice by any standard, sorry.

New versions of software become faster and more memory efficient with time, not the other way around, unless you go back in time enough to when very important features and qualities were missing from their back-ends, in which case you might save a few megs of ram on startup, but you'll be using a cripple and ancient app.

Always use the latest stable version of your app of choice or the one with the upgrades/features you need. Hardware shouldn't drive the choice of app, it should be the other way around.

[Saurus]

Hmmm...don't know about that, but 3 comments did knock my suggestion. Yeah optimization does add speed, but I always thought added new features and fancy GUI kills whats been gained through optimization...similar to OS :D. I just recently installed Photoshop C3 on my lappy and it was feeling a bit bloated compared to the previous photoshop installed. So you guys think that Maya that was released when the CPU was released will be slower than todays Maya running on the same system?

[ThE_JacO]

Hmmm...don't know about that, but 3 comments did knock my suggestion. Yeah optimization does add speed, but I always thought added new features and fancy GUI kills whats been gained through optimization...similar to OS :D. I just recently installed Photoshop C3 on my lappy and it was feeling a bit bloated compared to the previous photoshop installed. So you guys think that Maya that was released when the CPU was released will be slower than todays Maya running on the same system?

3D applications don't follow the same trend of adobe apps.
The frontload of loading max, maya, xsi, c4d etc hasn't changed dramatically over the years, but mray is tenfold more efficient than it was 5 years ago, and so are particle systems, fluid solvers etc.
With the same hardware, unless the software company is completely turning the tables around, upgrading software will normally offer you a performance increase.

It's also not possible to buy older versions of 3D software usually.

In general it was bad advice I'm afraid :)

[bluestreak]

thanks guys for all the responses...

uh, how did this thread become one on software?...no worries though, just
had a few questions on cards...btw i use maya and zbrush.

is the 7900 gtx still a good option for about $65?
are there any problems with it and maya?

Simon:
-what are the drivers that people are using with their 8800's to avoid
the selection and viewport problems with maya?

-and what settings were you talking about?...and does it allow for dualview?


and finally, what lower end quadro fx is comparable to the 8800's?
i'm thinking of the quadro fx 1400 ($100) or possibly a quadro fx 3400

thanks again

[Simon]

thanks guys for all the responses...

uh, how did this thread become one on software?...no worries though, just
had a few questions on cards...btw i use maya and zbrush.

is the 7900 gtx still a good option for about $65?
are there any problems with it and maya?

Simon:
-what are the drivers that people are using with their 8800's to avoid
the selection and viewport problems with maya?

-and what settings were you talking about?...and does it allow for dualview?

thanks again

The problem is this bloody annoying viewport update opengl bug (that gives an irritating flicker and a lack of viewport updates). It took me 3 months of headaches and manic spacebar mashing before I found a fix. however it just requires a setting or three in the nvidia control panel. I can help you if you get it. (although you probably wont anyway).

It allows for duel screens fine. I run 2 24" dells off my 8800gtx.

I personally think a 7900 would be an under investment, its a great card but you can get better value with a 8000 range setup. Also the quadro would probably be a misinvestment too, unless you can find a reeeealy great deal on a reasonably up to date card.

(btw this message was written under the influence. I will edit when sober. ;) )

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