graphics software and processor?

[d_masse]

Anybody using graphics software such as Autocad, 3d studio MAX, Director, etc....
Does a pentium pIII 733 mhz 'coppermine' (single processor) run smoothly?
Thanks for any info.

[This message has been edited by d_masse (edited 07-27-2000).]

[Xayd]

The amount of video and system RAM is gonna be the key there.

For CAD, I'd say your minimum that's "do-able" would be 256-512 megs of RAM, and a high end gaming card with 64 megs of RAM, Geforce2 or Voodoo5. If you can wait and money isn't an issue for this, the next Voodoo with 128 megs of RAM (and external power supply ::drool: http://www.pcmech.com/ubb/smile.gif should probably do the job.

Xayd

[Floppyman]

I took an autocad class last year at my school we ran Autodesk's Autocad on pII's with 14" monitors and 4mb videocards..and even some older pentiums with 14" monitors and older videocards. Sure it wasn't the greatest setup but it ran autocad quite well actualy....so I think a PIII 733mhz processor will be a good choice. Agree with Xayd as well. HTH

[This message has been edited by Floppyman (edited 08-06-2000).]

[HAL9000]

I service one company that uses autocad on about 20 computers. They are all running 8Mb video cards as they said they saw no advantage running higher. Where they saw the performance was 128Mb ran great, 256Mb RAM was better. Processor speed seemed to be the big thing.

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If it ain't broke, you're not pushing hard enough!

[Tiretool]

I'd have to say that the top of the line video card probably isn't necessary for these types of programs. Sure it would look pretty and all... but it seems like overkill. High amounts of ram and a good processor seem to be the most important factors.

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Life: Sexually transmitted, always fatal.

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tiretool@pcmech.com

[Byte 2.0]

I had a customer that had been running autocad on a 133 intell with 32 ram and a 4 meg video card...Yes it was slow but run able...

She ask me to build a system on a budget for autocad...

I built up a AMD k6-3/450
64 meg ram
8 meg AGP ATI video card...
with other standard parts....

She was happy as she could be with the system....I told her it would run even better with more ram, but that was out of the budget.

Autocad needs....RAM more more more
processor and about a 8 meg video card....
alot of people say ATI make a good cad video card....


The other program 3d studio MAX Director will run good on a system that can handle autocad good...3D studio works the processor alot, but I have see all these programs run good on P2 300 mhzs with 64 ram....I think you will probably be in good shape...
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[This message has been edited by byte (edited 08-06-2000).]