AboutKarl Zick Expertise I am very familiar with all brands of computers and computer components and the best places to purchase them. Can also provide a lot of help to the 'build your own PC' folks.
Experience over 20 years experience as a computer systems consultant and PC builder/user/trouble shooter.
Education/Credentials BSEE from VMI and CIS degree from El Camino.
Question I'm sorry but I don't exactly know who else to turn to besides asking a question here. I am currently an Architecture student, and I need to buy a new desktop to help me render.(Currently using the HP Pavilion HDX Laptop) My current laptop(if you can even consider it as one) is not even close to being fast enough for 3D modeling and rendering. I am all about speed and efficiency, I want something fast and out of this world, where I don't have to sit here for 6 hours waiting for a render to complete. So here's my dilemma and thank you in advance for taking the time to answer my question.
1. What part of the computer needs to be good/fast for 3D modeling and rendering (here are the programs I use: 3dstudio max, rhinoceros 4.0, google sketchup, adobe suite cs4, and computer games (i.e WoW, Warcraft 3, Left 4 Dead)
2. I was considering buying an Alienware A51 Desktop, do you have any input on whether or not this is suitable for my needs? Or is there another brand I should be looking at that's even better and faster?
here are the stats:
* Intel® Core™ i7-940 Performance 2.93GHZ 8MB Cache
* Alienware® P2 Chassis with AlienIce™ 3.0 Video Cooling - Space Black
* Alienware® Standard System Lighting - Fusion Red
* Alienware® Standard System Cooling
* Alienware® 750 Watt Multi-GPU Approved Power Supply
* Single 1,792 MB NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 295
* Alienware® Approved Intel® X-58 Motherboard- Socket 1366 Core i7 Ready, Dual Triple Channel DDR3 Memory
* 12GB DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 6 x 2048MB
* Microsoft® Windows® VISTA 64-bit Home Premium with Service Pack 1
* Single Drive Configuration - 500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ 16MB Cache
* 500GB Serial ATA 3Gb/s 7,200 RPM w/ 16MB Cache
* Single Drive Configuration - 20X Dual-Layer Burner (DVD±RW) w/ LightScribe
* Dual High Performance Gigabit Ethernet Ports
* High-Definition 7.1 Performance Audio
* No Monitor
* Premium Keyboard - Logitech® Deluxe 250 Keyboard
* Logitech® G5 Laser Gaming Mouse
* 1-Year AlienCare Warranty Return To Base + Toll-Free Phone Support
* None
* Alienware® Mesh Cap, Alienware® Mousepad, Alienware® Desktop Binder, Owner Identification Card, Internal Wire Management - FREE!
Quoted Price: $6468.1 (Australian Dollar)
Price is not really a issue, but if you have a better brand that can give me a bigger bang for my buck..It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks a million,
Richard
Answer Hi Richard,
Sounds like you have done your homework if you want to stick with a PC. The quad-core i7 is off the charts on performance ratings.
However, the really serious graphics pro's still stick with the Mac. You might try investigating them before you make a decision.
