Need Computer for Animation/Rendering

N

Nikita04

New Member
Hi Guys -

I'm starting school online and need a new computer. I have a credit card to a local retail store and can only pay for so much. I am getting a degree in animation at an online school. The main software program i'll be using is Autodesk 3DS Max 9.0. Out of my choices that meet my financial needs, which tower would you recommend? :confused:

Tower 1 =

Processor - AMD Live Smarter digital entertainment, AMD Phenom 9500 Qual Core Processor (speed = 2.10Ghz)
Memory - 3072 MB
Video Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache w/ 128 MB
Hard Drive - 640 GB 7200 RPM SATA Drive

Tower 2 =

Processor - Intel Pent. Dual Core E2200 (speed = 2.20 GHz)
Memory - 3072 MB
Video Graphics - Intel Graphics Media Accelorator 3100 w/ 128 MB dedicated graphic memory
Hard Drive - 640 GB 7200 RPM SATA Drive

Tower 3 =
Processor - Intel Pent. Dual Core E2180 (speed = 2.0 GHz)
Memory - 3072 MB
Video Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache (don't know about MB)
Hard Drive - 360 GB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive


I'm very uneducated with computers and their components (but great at Autodesk) - so i don't know the difference between the two processors or the two video graphic components. Any and everything you guys can tell me about these three computer would help me bunches. Appreciate it! ;)
 
I'd say tower #1, mainly because of the processor, very few software can utilize quad core fully but most rendering software are actually capable of this. For serious 3D modeling and animation an nVidia Quadro FX or AMD (ATi) FireGL video card would be best but they can cost quite a bit unless you're willing to buy second hand.

Will you be using Mental Ray exclusively? Version 3.5 which you should have since it's incorporated in 3DS Max 9 should have support for more than 2 cores, so you should get better performance with the quad core.
 
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Yes tower #1 with upgraded graphics would be my choice , PLUS it's an AMD machine and the tend to run cooler than Intels(not sure about the phenoms temperatures though)
 
sg1 said:
Yes tower #1 with upgraded graphics would be my choice , PLUS it's an AMD machine and the tend to run cooler than Intels(not sure about the phenoms temperatures though)
Click to expand...

In my experience Intel processors run cooler than AMD's. I just upgraded from an AMD rig.

You can get an ATi FireGL V3350 for $110 and that includes shipping, or the nVidia Quadro FX370 for $127 which also includes shipping in the price.
 
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Nikita04 said:
Hi Guys -

I'm starting school online and need a new computer. I have a credit card to a local retail store and can only pay for so much. I am getting a degree in animation at an online school. The main software program i'll be using is Autodesk 3DS Max 9.0. Out of my choices that meet my financial needs, which tower would you recommend? :confused:

Tower 1 =

Processor - AMD Live Smarter digital entertainment, AMD Phenom 9500 Qual Core Processor (speed = 2.10Ghz)
Memory - 3072 MB
Video Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache w/ 128 MB
Hard Drive - 640 GB 7200 RPM SATA Drive

Tower 2 =

Processor - Intel Pent. Dual Core E2200 (speed = 2.20 GHz)
Memory - 3072 MB
Video Graphics - Intel Graphics Media Accelorator 3100 w/ 128 MB dedicated graphic memory
Hard Drive - 640 GB 7200 RPM SATA Drive

Tower 3 =
Processor - Intel Pent. Dual Core E2180 (speed = 2.0 GHz)
Memory - 3072 MB
Video Graphics - NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE Graphics with TurboCache (don't know about MB)
Hard Drive - 360 GB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive


I'm very uneducated with computers and their components (but great at Autodesk) - so i don't know the difference between the two processors or the two video graphic components. Any and everything you guys can tell me about these three computer would help me bunches. Appreciate it! ;)
Click to expand...

Tower #1 is the best for you. Compared to others, it has the capabilities of all your computer needs.
 
Thank You

Thank you guys very much. I could have made an educated guess but like i said I just don't know everything about computer components - and i appreciate the info on the graphics card. I may not buy it right away, but I will definitely look into getting the versions you suggested.

Nikita ;)
 
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