Maya on a super computer?

Prentice · 16-02-2006, 04:42 AM

Hi everyone.

Within the next couple of weeks I'll be purchasing a new system. It's going to be a monster. I'm having it custom built by a computer company specializing in high end systems.

Quick specs: win 64bit, 32 gig of ram, 4X AMD-64 opteron processors. It's costing me something ridiculous like $12,000 (NZ)

I'm trained in Maya but know nothing about the programmes specs. I'm upgrading because I want to work with ALOT more detail. When making models I'd like to go all the way up to 2 million poly's + if possible - I was always under the impression that it was marely a case of the system I was running Maya on.

I've heard that Maya won't be able to take advantage of my system upgrade... something to do with memory limitations between 32 & 64bit.

I've also been told that other software 'can' take advantage of this such as Softimage.

Can someone clear this up for me by chance instead of me trauling websites looking for info on the matter. Is there any point in me upgrading if my current software's performance won't increase? & is there anyway I can get around this problem without having to learn a new software application?

Elminster-ZK · 16-02-2006, 06:36 AM

O.O That's like an APEXX 4.....

Animalator · 16-02-2006, 07:19 AM

I would suggest getting several machines instead of one big one. It would render out alot faster, and be a better investment. If you do buy the "monster" you would have to buy indivual maya software licenses for each core you have. I think maya supports 2 cores alone, but if you have any more then that you have to buy more licenses. I know lightwave and XSI can take advantage of on your "monster" system. You could build like 5-7 great machines for the price of one of which you plan on paying for. You would of course have to buy licenses for each machine, but I think its a better investment ovresll. Also, if something were to go wrong with your ONE machine while rendering, you would have to start all over, but if you have multiple machines rendering you dont have to worry about one failing cause you got like 6 others to take its place. I dont know what kind of work you do, but I know that your "monster" machine is more suitable for a studio environment rather then just for idividual use.

Another thing is that you could easily handle 2 million + polys with a far cheaper system. I think an opteron 280, 4 gig's of ram or more, and a quadro 4500 with win xp64 could do it, and I estimate that would come out to be around 3500-4500$, but id have to double check on that. Get three of those kicking and you'd have a nice set up going. Also check out www.BOXXTECH.com and look into their systems and render nodes. It might be what you're looking for.

16-02-2006, 04:42 AM	#1
Prentice Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 29 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Maya on a super computer? Hi everyone. Within the next couple of weeks I'll be purchasing a new system. It's going to be a monster. I'm having it custom built by a computer company specializing in high end systems. Quick specs: win 64bit, 32 gig of ram, 4X AMD-64 opteron processors. It's costing me something ridiculous like $12,000 (NZ) I'm trained in Maya but know nothing about the programmes specs. I'm upgrading because I want to work with ALOT more detail. When making models I'd like to go all the way up to 2 million poly's + if possible - I was always under the impression that it was marely a case of the system I was running Maya on. I've heard that Maya won't be able to take advantage of my system upgrade... something to do with memory limitations between 32 & 64bit. I've also been told that other software 'can' take advantage of this such as Softimage. Can someone clear this up for me by chance instead of me trauling websites looking for info on the matter. Is there any point in me upgrading if my current software's performance won't increase? & is there anyway I can get around this problem without having to learn a new software application?

16-02-2006, 06:36 AM	#2
Elminster-ZK Pirate Hunter Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 130 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	O.O That's like an APEXX 4..... __________________ Temp Portfolio: http://www.zakkain.deviantart.com

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16-02-2006, 07:19 AM	#3
Animalator Look to your left.... Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: philadelphia Posts: 200 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I would suggest getting several machines instead of one big one. It would render out alot faster, and be a better investment. If you do buy the "monster" you would have to buy indivual maya software licenses for each core you have. I think maya supports 2 cores alone, but if you have any more then that you have to buy more licenses. I know lightwave and XSI can take advantage of on your "monster" system. You could build like 5-7 great machines for the price of one of which you plan on paying for. You would of course have to buy licenses for each machine, but I think its a better investment ovresll. Also, if something were to go wrong with your ONE machine while rendering, you would have to start all over, but if you have multiple machines rendering you dont have to worry about one failing cause you got like 6 others to take its place. I dont know what kind of work you do, but I know that your "monster" machine is more suitable for a studio environment rather then just for idividual use. Another thing is that you could easily handle 2 million + polys with a far cheaper system. I think an opteron 280, 4 gig's of ram or more, and a quadro 4500 with win xp64 could do it, and I estimate that would come out to be around 3500-4500$, but id have to double check on that. Get three of those kicking and you'd have a nice set up going. Also check out www.BOXXTECH.com and look into their systems and render nodes. It might be what you're looking for.

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