ATI vs NVIDIA

[samuelspode]

Ok two questions, i'm ordereing my parts tonight so i need answers quick. i knew nobody would reply to the last post so i'll make it easier for yall....

I'll be using MAYA ZBRUSH AFTER EFFECTS

I do alot of DEM work so i need the ability to view my dem's in maya in a poly form so lots and lots of polys on screen at one time! Currently when i try to convert nurb displacments to polygons my computer dies 7 times out of 10

Should i go for

-ATI Graphics or NVIDIA
-INTEL or AMD
-2gig ram or more?

Please give me your opinions.
Thanks

[Blytheye]

nVidia do a quadro graphics card which sounds petty top end, and I think combined it has 1gb of dedicated RAM (4x256mb hence quadro). I don't know if ATI do any quadro cards, but anything below a quadro would be hard to differentiate between ATI and nVidia. As you're going to be working with lots and lots of polygons, I suggest the quadro, though it is quite expensive.

And definately get as much RAM as you possibly can, because I assume you'll be running multiple programs (switching between Maya and Zbrush etc)

As for Intel or AMD, in the thread I posted Strattus said: "Intel core 2 duos are taking advantage from Amd's X2. That's because they are much cheaper, and their overclocking possibilities are great." but I don't know which he is referring to, Intel or AMD. I think he means Intel, but I'm not quite sure.

How much of a problem is money, if it is a problem?

[Kage]

3D RENDERING CARDS:

ATI and Nvidia both do forms of 3D rendering cards.
Nvidia's Quadro, and ATI's FireGL range.

I don't think a 3D rendering card is worth the selling price for what you get though.
A high end gaming card will pump around enough polys in the viewports when working on models, and in this case, it doesn't matter which make you go for. Its the type of card you go for.

PROCESSOR:

Your biggest problem in 3D rendering is the processor, as this does all the work.

I'd go for an Intel Core 2 DUO. I'd go for the medium priced one, and then I'd probably overclock it to match the top end one which can be done, even on air cooling, though if you have water cooling. even better :p

There are Quad cores out now, which has probably pushed the Core 2 DUO's down, which basically involves 2 Core 2 DUO's on one dye, but its up to you which one you go for.

Quad isn't really needed now, but 3D applications can take use of multiple cores, so rendering will get faster, the faster the processor you have. Its as simple as that.

MEMORY:

Memory also improves rendering speed, and also cacheing of texturures and pixel information for high end big renders (i.e over HD res)

2GB's should be enough for this. I have 1GB, and could do with another 1GB on top.

When getting a new motherboard to support all this new technology, make sure you go for a good one. In all, its the motherboard which has to carry around all the data. A bad board will give you bad performance.
So make sure you go hunting for reviews first on different brands of motherboard, to make sure you get the appropiate one for what you want to do.

I hope this helps :)

[samuelspode]

thanks guys. Ive just priced up an amd version of what i want and it came in at 650quid ish. But going on you advice i think i'm going to now price up an intel version. Heres a screeny of the bits.................

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a47/c0xy_2003/system1.jpg

look any good to you guys?

[samuelspode]

Blytheye --i dont want to spend more than 700 pounds

[samuelspode]

oh and as for intel being cheaper than amd, they are not!

[Blytheye]

oh and as for intel being cheaper than amd, they are not!

So I guess that Status meant the AMD's are better.

Btw, is that really all you need to build a computer?

[samuelspode]

maybe, but ive heard intel are better but more expensive..... ****** computers!!!!!arrrghhh ive been trying to choose for days now

[Kage]

Intel are better at the moment than AMD.

AMD processors used to be the best there was, until the Core 2 DUO arrived from Intel that has blown them out of the water in performance/price/and offering very good energy features, so it runs as cool as an AMD CPU does, so you can overclock like hell.

AMD's latest CPU, the FX, and even the Dual cores don't match up to the Intel Core 2 DUO. Look at reviews and you'll see. Even in terms of price for 3D rendering, its not worth going for AMD at the moment.

My next build will be a Core 2 DUO, as this will speed rendering up no end.

To build a PC in terms of order:

Case,
PSU (Has to be powerful to work with the PC depending on parts. Minimum 500 watts I'd say)
Motherboard,
CPU,
RAM,
Hard drive,
Graphics,
Sound (I hate pre-built sound cards)
DVD writer

Thats basically all you need.

[Blytheye]

What about all the parts to fit them together, or do they all come with the required cables etc?

[Levant]

First of all, I desperate need to buy the same videocard you are buying FOR THAT LOW PRICE. In this country they sale for 130€! and there for 80 quid, this country is a rip off, oh well it looks like a good combo and most things are cheaper then in my country. But the ''building-the-pc'' is hard i think because you need to setup the bios properly.

[samuelspode]

ive been building comps since 1999 and know pretty much what i'm doing. Why cant you order that card from the site dont they deliver where you are??

[samuelspode]

well thanks for everyones input, ive put the order in and am now waiting for my shiny new parts to arrive. I went for the amd option just because ive been an amd fan for years and want to give their dual core chips a go. Thanks again

[Kage]

Ah okay... their dual chips aren't no where near as good as Intels though. Being a fan of a chipset isn't really that good :p

I have an AMD now, but my next ones going to be an Intel, and then...who knows. They all run the same once you build them, but some run better than others.

The chip will be good, but for 3D rendering right now, the Core 2 DUO's are the BEST out there for home use.

All parts should come with right cables, with the PSU and motherboard coming with the most vital bits.

I'm starting up a computer building business in my spare time, so will have to be buying parts quite alot :p

[e283]

Ah this thread is good. Teach me a lot on my planning on getting a mobile workstation. :o

Gonna go to UK and learn Computer Animation & Special Effects. So I'm planning to get a mobile workstation (easy to move around) and I'm wondering what specs to get.

Basically from this thread, I'm recommended to go for..
- Core 2 Duo
- Quadro Graphic Card
- 2 GB RAM

Right now I'm thinking of getting HP Compaq NW9440. Is that a good choice? It doesn't have Windows Vista though. Wonder if in the near future, it can be installed w/ Vista when purchased? :blah: