computer specs

[cmNET]

Hey guys, I hope this is in the right forum. I didn't know where to post or ask questions regarding computer hardware and 3d apps... so here it is.

This year I'm taking on a pretty large 3D project which will require me to get a new computer else I'll be forever rendering things.

I've read some reviews on computers and stuff and heard what ppl have had to say and some have said dual processors aren't good, some say they're the bomb etc etc. Some say ram is paramount etc etc.

Would someone be able to tell me what computer specs you would get for a new computer for doing intensive 3d work.
I will be working in 3dsMax for this project. Maya and lightwave maybe. I have heard from some people that max does not handle or wont use the power from dual processors also.. is this true??

anyway, for comptuer specs, I was thinking of:
dual xeon processors
2 gb ram
2x 120gb SATA HDD's
I was thinking of a 3dlabs wildcat4 or wildcatvp... but then again I have not much clue...

So here I obviously need some help.

Also, if you were to get a PC from a company that specialise in building computers for 3d, where would you get it from? I know boxxtech are good.. but I dont know of any others.

any help would be excellent!

[Matt_D_C]

Dual Xeon CPU's? You're decribing my dream computer! And if that's what you're thinking than money's not an issue- since I blabbed in my last post I'll keep it simple:

CPUS: Dual Xeon 2.6GHz (or higher)
Motherboard: SuperMicro P4DC6+
RAM: (2 or 4) Corsair 512MB RDRAM/RIMM (800MHz)
HD: Seagate U320 SCSI 10k RPM 146.8GB

[cmNET]

What about vid card?
or case for that matter..

I'd like a FireGL X2 (i think it is) but thats a bit much me thinks.

Plus if I were to get anything like this, it'd cost me a packet.. so I'm still checking out prices and stuff

[Matt_D_C]

Yeah that's what it's called. It's the Pro version of ATI's Radeon 9600/9800 series. It's supposed to be the first competitor to nVIDA's QuadroFX. Honestly, my customers tend to have frequent problems with a lot of ATI video cards, some hardware, but mostly drivers. My choice would definately be the QuadroFX 3000G. We're talking serious power with this thing- it's sick. It's got 3 parallel vertex engines, plus the videocard industry's first independent engine with vertex cache, and eight fully programmable pixel pipelines coupled to a high-speed DDR2 Graphics DRAM bus. We're talking true 128-bit floating point precision graphics pipeline. Other specs:

Memory Size: 256MB DDR
Memory Interface: 258Bit
Graphics Memory Bandwidth: 27.2GB/sec

Unfortunately, it's price tag is enough to make your stomach turn, but honestly, you couldn't go wrong with any of FX series. Or even the Quadro4 980 XGL is $600USD, and for the price, it's pretty bad-ass. For a little more, the QuadroFX 1000 has got 128MB DDR, 12Bit Subpixel precision, OpenGL quad buffered Stereo, 8 pixels per clock rendering engine, dual 400MHz RAMDAC, and up to a sickening 3840x2400 resolution. The 1000 will cost you about $900USD, and the 2000 is about $1400.

As for a case... I personally hate Antec or anything Alienware-ish. Ahanix has some sweet looking cases, but that's a matter of personal preference. Check out http://exoticpc.com they've got a decent selection on cases for around $50USD.