AMD X2 4600+ or AMD X2 5000+ ??????

[Husk]

I am going to upgrade my computer and I was wondering what the difference in rendering time (for 3d max 8) is with the AMD X2 4600+ and the AMD X2 5000+? is there a big difference?

thnx

[Mr. Bluesummers-3DT]

Let me say this about that... :haha:

First, the difference in price between those two chips is probably pretty steep. I would go with the slower chip to save some money, but that's partly because I'm rather broke at the moment. 10% faster is alluring, but it's probably 50% more expensive. Also, I hope your feeding this monster like 4 gigs of ram or your problem won't be the CPU. Don't forget to use the 3GB switch to make sure you're really force-feeding Max that memory.

Second, render speeds are mostly dictated by your understanding of the program and it's settings. I learned on an 800 mhz machine back when Max6 was new, and it taught me how to get the most juice out of my system. Techniques like hiding/unhiding, using layers, render optimization, and memory management are all skills that are cheaper (and longer lasting) than a faster CPU. While I don't want to divert your purchasing decision, I do want you to consider some of the other aspects involved in your situation.

If you're feeling up to it, try this;

Find a friend with a junky old laptop (about 600mhz and 256mb ram) and borrow it for a week (5 - 7 days).
Install Max8 on it.
Don't use your current machine for 3d during that week.


I assure you, your perspective will really get thrown for a loop. On a sludgy laptop, you learn what makes it move faster really quickly.

Anyway, I hope that gives you a little bit of direction. Good luck on upgrading your rig; it sounds like it's going to be a real beast!

[Kage]

Yeah, that'll be very very powerful either way! :D

[Husk]

ok, thanks.I'lll consider what you said. Actually I never thought of it quite like that...
I, think I'm gonna do a little more research on it first.... thanks again

[Animalator]

You also may want to wait before buying a AMD processor anytime soon. AMD is doing huge price cuts on all its processors once INTEL releases its new line of processors, which are also supposed to be far more superior then AMD's current line. There's a discussion over the situation at www.cgtalk.com in their tech and hardware section.