Yet Another Computer Spec Question

[kansuke]

Hey all,

I tried to do a search of this topic and couldnt find anything so forgive me if it is a popular one.

That being said, I have to get a new pc I am not a geek, and I am trying so save where I can, but am willing to plunk down the money in order to get a decent machine. I am using Maya 8.5 and Zbrush 3.1. I'm thinking that I need at least 4G of RAM DDR3.

I have a few questions:

How much processor do I realistically need? I am willing to spring for a box with an i7 core processor, but do I really need it? What processor do you folks recommend?

Also: graphics cards dont matter much to us (modellers/artists) - or do they??

Lastly and most confusing to me is 32 or 64 bit? Will I have to upgrade to a 64 bit version of these programs or is that an option upon install?

If there is anything else you guys think is important please let me know.

THANKS A LOT!!!

_K

[joojaa]

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Also: graphics cards dont matter much to us (modellers/artists) - or do they??

Its the ONLY thing that matters! All other things are inconsequential choosing a bad gfx card will equal to computer that you have no use for.
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Lastly and most confusing to me is 32 or 64 bit?

Well i todays climate i would say you need 16 gigs of memory tough you may want to upgrade your maya. The thing with 32 bit and 64 bit is in the pointers. And they are about amount of memory. a 32 bit application and operating sytem can not address more than 4 Gigs of memory. Of wih the os reserves at least 1Gig for itself so your left with more like 2.5 gigs of memory to spare IF you tell your os to use the 3 G extensions. Otherwise your limit is more like 1.5 G.

Since memory is the most significant obstacle to having huge polycounts id say you must be 64 bit if you want to be modern.

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Will I have to upgrade to a 64 bit version of these programs or is that an option upon install?[

You nee dto upgrade both the application AND opearting system.

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How much processor do I realistically need?

If you do 3D computer graphics you need a computer thats not available. In other word this means you can not realistically buy a computer that would satisfy your need thus you buy the fastest you can afford. Nothing less is enough.

You will pay for the slowness every time you do anything. Geek or not.

PS: if you do 3d graphics your a geek no matter what. Its subsumed in the definition of 3d graphics. (the fact tahtyour not very geek doesn't alleviate the definition)

[kansuke]

so are there two separate versions of Zbrush 3.1 then, a 32 and 64?? I guess it sounds like I will have to get a 64 bit version of zbrush or no ????? I dont understand.

Thanks.

[peter-mark]

Hey, although what Jooja said is true, you might dont have enough money to afford best processor and 16 gigs of ram ( i am not sure if you are ever going to need this unless you are planning on huge scenes with thousands of objects or in super high resolution ).

I recently upgraded to quad core Q8400 and i am totaly satisfied for the money invested in it. Althought i am planning on upgrading in about half of an year even more, this process does its job and does it very well, rendering times are now just fine.

It is of course better if you go for 64bit, but again, thats more money you need to spend and unless you are going for more than 4 gigs ram you dont need it. 4 gigs are just fine for small to med scenes, if you are not going for doing some rainforests with every single tree or 10m polygons models in maya you should do ok.

Generaly i think it is most important to realize what you are aiming for with your system and what your budget is. If you just want to upgrade to some decent level which will allow you to do 3d on some solid level and dont have too much money, buy quad core Q8400, 3-4 gigs of ram and some decent graphic card for 50-100 bucks so you can work with hd video lagfree. Thats all you need.( probably some mainboard if you have some realy old one ) And you are good to go for some time.