Calling all Maya/graphics experts

[razor2025]

Don't blow your money away at getting a Quadro FX cards yet. There are some "gaming" video cards that can be easily flashed into Quadro FX cards. Quadro's are mostly same as their gaming counter-part. For example, I know that certain 6600 series cards (ones with A1-A4 revision) will likely to flash to Quadro cards. A 6600 is around $100 at most, while a equivalent Quadro card would be $200+, you can save A TON of $$ if you can find the right card and flash it. This also goes for same with ATI's card and their FireGL series.

 

[ribbon13]

Originally posted by: razor2025
Don't blow your money away at getting a Quadro FX cards yet. There are some "gaming" video cards that can be easily flashed into Quadro FX cards. Quadro's are mostly same as their gaming counter-part. For example, I know that certain 6600 series cards (ones with A1-A4 revision) will likely to flash to Quadro cards. A 6600 is around $100 at most, while a equivalent Quadro card would be $200+, you can save A TON of $$ if you can find the right card and flash it. This also goes for same with ATI's card and their FireGL series.

You need NV40 or NV48!

Ahem..

Originally posted by: MrX8503
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/30/...est_dvd_writers_true_speeds/page9.html

Overall the NEC burner is better than the plextor, but almost all the top end burners are pretty similar. I would go with the NEC to save $20. I dont know about plextor but NEC also has alot of unofficial firmware upgrades.

Burn quality > Speed

 

[Viditor]

And keep in mind that with Maya (and most rendering programs), the video card is used pretty much just for previews; the actual (time-consuming) rendering is done with your CPU. It also won't do anything for Photoshop. So you can probably skimp a bit on the GPU if it means you can get a faster CPU and more RAM instead

True. However, when rendering an animated segment it saves a HUGE amount of time if you can have a decent preview before you perform a render. When you make a mistake or need a correction, it's always best to do it before you actually render the scene (or you will be re-rendering all day!).

I should add that most professionals (including myself) spend as much or more time previewing a scene as we do actually rendering it. The render is the most time consuming single aspect, but previewing is the function performed the most often.

 

[Fox5]

Memory amount and memory bandwidth are very important for most 3d rendering programs.
Get an nvidia based card, modded Geforce with Quadro drivers or a Quadro, because ATI has poor OpenGL drivers.
Many apps are multithreaded, and would benefit from dual core.
Since your budget is rather small, it is probably a good idea for you to get a socket 939 dual core, a modded geforce, and then pc4000 ram and overclock the fsb/htt of the cpu to make up for the extra bandwidth a true dual socket system would have. I'm actually not sure if system bandwidth makes a large difference, but video bandwidth does. If you're using a program that's software rendered, then perhaps the system bandwidth matters.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: Fox5
Memory amount and memory bandwidth are very important for most 3d rendering programs.
Get an nvidia based card, modded Geforce with Quadro drivers or a Quadro, because ATI has poor OpenGL drivers.
Many apps are multithreaded, and would benefit from dual core.
Since your budget is rather small, it is probably a good idea for you to get a socket 939 dual core, a modded geforce, and then pc4000 ram and overclock the fsb/htt of the cpu to make up for the extra bandwidth a true dual socket system would have. I'm actually not sure if system bandwidth makes a large difference, but video bandwidth does. If you're using a program that's software rendered, then perhaps the system bandwidth matters.

In general, it's not a good idea to OC a rendering machine when you're making a living from it...the chances for a mis-rendered frame increase. You're absolutely right about both the memory and OpenGL comments though!

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Viditor

And keep in mind that with Maya (and most rendering programs), the video card is used pretty much just for previews; the actual (time-consuming) rendering is done with your CPU. It also won't do anything for Photoshop. So you can probably skimp a bit on the GPU if it means you can get a faster CPU and more RAM instead

True. However, when rendering an animated segment it saves a HUGE amount of time if you can have a decent preview before you perform a render. When you make a mistake or need a correction, it's always best to do it before you actually render the scene (or you will be re-rendering all day!).

I should add that most professionals (including myself) spend as much or more time previewing a scene as we do actually rendering it. The render is the most time consuming single aspect, but previewing is the function performed the most often.

I can vouch for this. I just moved from an 9600XT to a X800XT and my time in preview in A:M is much better. I drop fewer frames running an animation before it is rendered, so it is easier to spot mistakes (like colliding objects).

Also, no O/C and if you plan to make a living with it, buy the real product and don't flash another device to what you want. Video editing and CG are the two hardest things on a computers resources. You want the best, most stable solution. Anything else can ruin a day's work which is nothing like losing the current level in Far Cry.

On memory timings, value to best is maybe 1-3% improvement, sometimes. Over the lifetime of the PC, the premium of $50-75 a stick worth it. But, in the short run, that is $100-150 that could bump the CPU to the next level and be more than 3% faster. Your call.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: gsellis

Originally posted by: Viditor

And keep in mind that with Maya (and most rendering programs), the video card is used pretty much just for previews; the actual (time-consuming) rendering is done with your CPU. It also won't do anything for Photoshop. So you can probably skimp a bit on the GPU if it means you can get a faster CPU and more RAM instead

True. However, when rendering an animated segment it saves a HUGE amount of time if you can have a decent preview before you perform a render. When you make a mistake or need a correction, it's always best to do it before you actually render the scene (or you will be re-rendering all day!).

I should add that most professionals (including myself) spend as much or more time previewing a scene as we do actually rendering it. The render is the most time consuming single aspect, but previewing is the function performed the most often.

I can vouch for this. I just moved from an 9600XT to a X800XT and my time in preview in A:M is much better. I drop fewer frames running an animation before it is rendered, so it is easier to spot mistakes (like colliding objects).

I didn't mean to imply that preview isn't important, just that if the choice is between a faster CPU/more memory and a slightly faster video card, you might be better off with the CPU/RAM upgrade instead. A lot of it depends on how complex the scenes/animations you are designing are.

Professional rendering opinions duly noted, though.

 

[suklee]

He decided to go with a DELL!

Intel Pentium D 840 (Dual core 3.2GHz, 2x1MB L2 cache, EMT64)
Dual channel 2GB (DDR2 533MHz NECC)
Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400 (128MB)
RAID 5: 3x160GB HDD
DVD +/-RW
Sound: Creative Audigy 2
Windows XP Pro (licensed)
Dell 20 inch WideAspect 2005FPW LCD
3 years DELL warranty on parts and labor

Total cost: US$2700ish

How'd he do?

 

[HO]

He could've had an Opteron system for the same money and gotten much more scalability in the bargain. Not to mention that the Opteron box would eat the Dell for lunch in Photoshop for sure and most likely Maya.

As long as he's happy...

 

[gsellis]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: gsellis
wrote some stuff

wrote some more stuff

No worries with you Matthias.

As for the Dell, it can be a good deal if you want support and possibly overnight repairs. It is sort of like being self-insured vs buying insurance.

 

[Viditor]

Originally posted by: Kai920
He decided to go with a DELL!

Intel Pentium D 840 (Dual core 3.2GHz, 2x1MB L2 cache, EMT64)
Dual channel 2GB (DDR2 533MHz NECC)
Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro FX 1400 (128MB)
RAID 5: 3x160GB HDD
DVD +/-RW
Sound: Creative Audigy 2
Windows XP Pro (licensed)
Dell 20 inch WideAspect 2005FPW LCD
3 years DELL warranty on parts and labor

Total cost: US$2700ish

How'd he do?

Not the choice I'd have made (there's a reason most of the top animation and production houses have converted to AMD...). That said, it should work just fine for him...and gsellis' point on the warranty is well taken.

 

[mutated]

What a waste! I am a Maya user and Opterons ROCK for Maya!

 

[suklee]

Too bad it wasn't MY money! Apparently Mr. Dell was more convincing.

Oh well, hope he's happy with it - it should be delivered before the end of the month.

 

[gsellis]

Jeez... The Dell is a good deal with the service contract for many folks. HP is now ramping up on a dual Opteron workstation, but I don't think it is fully in the market yet (I could be wrong). But either way, it is useless to post that it was 'wrong'. It was right as it is far superior to what he has and is on par with faster systems.

Just because someone does not have the longest e-penis, does not mean they cannot use it.

Edit - Kai... At least you have a seriously easy out? "Something's wrong with it? Did you call Dell about how to fix it?"

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: ribbon13

Originally posted by: MrX8503
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/30/...est_dvd_writers_true_speeds/page9.html

Overall the NEC burner is better than the plextor, but almost all the top end burners are pretty similar. I would go with the NEC to save $20. I dont know about plextor but NEC also has alot of unofficial firmware upgrades.

Burn quality > Speed

Yep, that is what's so great about the NEC 3550a drive. It's fast AND produces high quality burns. Can't ask for much more. Great drive!

 

[MrX8503]

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: ribbon13

Originally posted by: MrX8503
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/30/...est_dvd_writers_true_speeds/page9.html

Overall the NEC burner is better than the plextor, but almost all the top end burners are pretty similar. I would go with the NEC to save $20. I dont know about plextor but NEC also has alot of unofficial firmware upgrades.

Burn quality > Speed

Yep, that is what's so great about the NEC 3550a drive. It's fast AND produces high quality burns. Can't ask for much more. Great drive!

He's saying that the plextor is better, when there is no real difference between plextor and the NEC one. Just the fact that the NEC is $20 cheaper.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: MrX8503

Originally posted by: JackBurton

Originally posted by: ribbon13

Originally posted by: MrX8503
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/12/30/...est_dvd_writers_true_speeds/page9.html

Overall the NEC burner is better than the plextor, but almost all the top end burners are pretty similar. I would go with the NEC to save $20. I dont know about plextor but NEC also has alot of unofficial firmware upgrades.

Burn quality > Speed

Yep, that is what's so great about the NEC 3550a drive. It's fast AND produces high quality burns. Can't ask for much more. Great drive!

He's saying that the plextor is better, when there is no real difference between plextor and the NEC one. Just the fact that the NEC is $20 cheaper.

I know. And I'm saying the NEC has both (speed and quality), and is cheaper.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: gsellis
Edit - Kai... At least you have a seriously easy out? "Something's wrong with it? Did you call Dell about how to fix it?"

Heh, you betcha. Kind of glad I don't have to be responsible for an expensive workstation like that!

 

[trevelynzx]

hey buddy -- the ONE thing i've found to be most useful to the 3d modeler/animator, or anything related is DUAL MONITORS. i just bought 2 20.1" Dell 2005FPW Ultrasharp monitors, and they've already bumped up my productivity by about 20%

as far as the rest goes, these guys are right -- it's all about the ram and processor. however, don't skimp on the video card if you're an animator or FX artists... those particles/physics solves can really tax the GPU. if you want good viewport response get a decent video card, such as a Radeon. good luck!