View Full Version : New Hardware Advice Needed
chandrika
02-02-2010, 08:12 PM
I am looking into getting a new computer,
I am looking into what are the best specs for various components
I have read
processor: Intel Core i7 Processor
graphics card : NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295
ram: not sure
My current computer is a sony vaio with intel core 2 duo, 2gb ram, and nvidia geforce go 7600 (128mb) and I am trying to use some 3D graphics programmes and they keep crashing and giving out of video memory errors.
I probably cant afford the very highest spec, and my other consideration is that i like windows xp professional...but I think that limits the amount of RAM i can use to 4GB. I have heard there is some virtual xp for windows 7, so maybe thats not an issue.
Questions:
1) Does windows xp limit the processor power or graphics card i can choose?
2)What would be a decent amount of memory for a graphics card for doing 3D stuff?
3) Is the virtual xp for windows 7 any good?
4) What is the maximum ram available these days?
1) Does windows xp limit the processor power or graphics card i can choose?
2)What would be a decent amount of memory for a graphics card for doing 3D stuff?
3) Is the virtual xp for windows 7 any good?
4) What is the maximum ram available these days?
1) No it doesn't. That's dependent on the mother board that you choose.
2) It really depends on what kind of 3D stuff you are referring to.
If you are going for high end gaming then you'd probably end up with two GPU's in SLI or Crossfire mode (two GeForce GTX 295 cards running as one). The more pipelines on the card and the faster the GPU with it's onboard ram the better. Mid Range gaming you could get by with just one card with around 512mb or ram to 1 gig of ram onboard. (The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 295 would be overkill for this sort of thing)
If you are talking more about 3D creation (3D Studio/Maya) then you don't need as much power though it doesn't hurt. I've done some 3D work on video cards with 256mb of ram before. It's more processor power for rendering than video card.
3) Virtual XP works pretty well in the few instances where I needed it. Keep in mind though it does slow down the computer a bit when running programs.
4) Also dependent on the motherboard and which version of OS you are running.
The 32bit version of Windows XP can only support up to 4 gigs of ram, but you won't actually get 4 gigs of ram use depending on what you have installed. Things like the video card will take up some of those resources so you'd be better off just sticking with 3 gig of ram and saving your money.
The 64bit Windows XP can in theory go up to 128 gigs of ram, but you won't find a motherboard that can get anywhere near that. I'd honestly say 4 gigs to 6 gigs is about as much as you'll ever need (for now) for anything you do. More ram doesn't necessarily mean your computer will run any faster.
First, to clarify one thing: the limitation on memory is not a limitation in Windows XP per se, it is a limitation of all 32 bit operating systems - there is only enough address space for 4GB of memory, including system RAM and the RAM on your video card. To have access to more than 4GB of memory, you need to have a 64-bit processor and either Windows XP Pro X-64 or a 64 bit version of Windows 7. Personally, I would lean more toward a 64 bit version of Windows 7, because XP 64 was not very widely used or tested.
1) Not really. There is a limitation on discrete processors, but you are not likely to reach that limit. As far as video cards, you would only be limited by whether or not XP drivers are available and actively maintained for that card.
2) Depends on the 3D stuff you are doing. 512Mb is generally sufficient for most purposes, but if you are rendering 3D movies, you may need something considerably larger. I have a video card on order now that has 2GB of onboard memory, which I am told should vastly improve 3D rendering.
3) It is good for business applications. I would not use it for rendering or any 3D or graphics applications, though. There is simply too much overhead from running two operating systems at once.
4) This will depend on your motherboard and your operating system. Most motherboards support a maximum of 16Gb of system RAM, a 64-bit operating system will handle many times that.
Or, you know, what Rah said. :)
I stand corrected on the processor limit.