Expert: Bill DeShawn - 9/21/2007

Question
Hi, I was doing heavy duty architectural work and rendering in ACAD 2007 and MAX, when I decided to switch in ACAD 2008. I was experiencing display problems in shading mode before, working with the previous version (confused and misplaced surfaces) but I used to figure out how to handle them switching between wireframe and shade mode, but now the situation is getting wild and beyond repair. I suspect that my graphics card is getting old (NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4400) and I am planning to kick it out but at first I have to be sure that this is the case. And if this is the case what kind of card could be suitable in the range $200-$300 ? Thank for your time in advance.

Answer
Bill:
It seems that the debate over hardware never ends.  I don't sell equipment and when I buy it, I am happy sometimes and sometimes I'm not.  When I'm not, I just lick my wounds and try again.  

One debate led a guy on the newsgroups to choose the following hardware:

1. Thinkpad T61 $1898
Intel Core 2 Duo T7700 (2.4GHz 800MHz 4MBL2)
Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium
15.4 WSXGA+ TFT
NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M (256MB Open GL)
2 GB PC2-5300 DDR2 SDRAM 667MHz SODIMM Memory (2 DIMM)
UltraNav (TrackPoint and TouchPad)
160GB Hard Disk Drive, 5400rpm
DVD Recordable 8x Max Dual Layer, Ultrabay Slim
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
9 cell Li-Ion Battery

2. Vigor gaming Ares Series $1965
Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile Processor T7700 at 2.4 GHz, 800MHz FSB, 4M Cache
15.4 WSXGA+ 1680x1050 ClearView Glossy-Matt Wide Screen TFT
2GB Corsair SODIMM PC2-4200 DDR2 533MHz Memory (2 X 1024MB)
160GB High Performance S-ATA150 5400 RPM Hard Drive
nVidia GeForce Go 8600M GT 512MB DDR2 16X PCI Express DirectX 10 Ready
Internal 8X Super Multi DVD+/-R/RW (4X+DL) + 24X CDRW Drive
High Definition Azalia 7.1 8 Channel 3D Digital Audio w/2 Speakers
WiFi Wireless Intel 3945 802.11a/b/g Wireless Card
Internal Bluetooth Module
Built-in Gigabit 10/100/1000 Mbps NIC
56K Modem with V.90 Technology
4 USB, Firewire, VGA, Express Card Slot, and 4-in-1 Card reader
Intergrated 2.0M High-Resolution Digital Video Camera
Integrated Fingerprint Reader for Data Security
Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Professional Edition w/Original Disc

3. Xoticpc/PCtorque NP5791 ~$2114
17" WSXGA "Matte" Super Clear Ultra Bright Screen (1680x1050)
- ~Intel® Core™2 Duo T7700 2.4GHz w/4MB L2 On-die cache - 800MHz FSB
- 512MB PCI-Express nVidia GeForce 8700GT DX10 (User Upgradeable)
- ~ 2,048MB DDR2 667 PC2 5300 (2 SODIMMS) Dual Channel Memory
- NP5790 Orange Frame Trim Color
- ~Combo 8x8x6x4x Dual Layer DVD +/-R/RW 5x DVD-RAM 24x CD-R/RW Drive
- ~ 250GB 5400RPM (Serial-ATA 150)
- Internal 7-in-1 Card Reader
- Built in 1.3Megapixel Camera
- Sound Blaster Compatible 3D Audio - Included
- Integrated System Speakers - Included
- Internal Bluetooth 2.0+ EDR
- Built-in Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965 802.11 a/g/n
- Basic Black Business Case - Included
- Smart Li-ion Battery (8-Cell)
- 110/220V 120W Auto Switching AC Adapter - Included

4. HP 8510p

It looks like he chose a "mobile" setup.  

Another guy says:
Best price/ performance you can get is 8800gts(320mb). It will easily outperform quadro 5500. If, u have more money go with the 8800 gtx.

Don't let the mobile setup scare you.  Look at the specs.  Desktops can use some of the same hardware, but of course the cards can be bigger, which means savings and possibly more features.  The main thing is that you get a multi-core computer.  Try to get Windows XP still.  If you can't and Vista is all you can get, I guess you have to roll with the punches.  I would get a 512MB Video card if at all possible.  Do NOT get RAID, especially if you have to learn how to use it.  I made that mistake on this computer.  I got it fixed like 6 times since I bought it and it finally is working well.

Happy Hunting

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn