Why why why?!

[DaForce]

the 3gb switch allows windows XP (32bit) to allocate up to 3gb of memory per application, normally it will only allow up to 2gb. (well closer to 1.8gb actually)

Basically it gives you more memory for that application to use without crashing.

There is a thread on it. .... i think its called the ultimate 3gb swith thread or something... search for it

[Da_elf]

we should get the info onto www.vray.info and then put that addres in a sticky topic

[rpc212]

Yep, 3GB switch needs to be sticky! It is a necessity these days it seems!

[DF02]

ok, thanks for the clue. i'll look for it.

[Da_elf]

less and less neccisary as we are making our steps into xp64 domain

[paulison]

Oh hey just another point to add to this thread. Earlier someone asked :

"is there any displacement in the scene?"

I dont think the question was answered, but it can be a huge cause for memory being used up. For example, we are rendering some houses with displacement for the roof tiles. The map was converted from a photo and made into a greyscale but the map is very detailed. Using this map makes the computers crash where if we use a different map for displacement, then its fine. Basically I think the cause may have been discussed before that the displacement texture is too detailed/ large. Can you imagine how detailed the geometry is going to be if created from every pixel of a very large displacement texture map? Id suggest reducing the colour depth and image size on displacement maps where possible. If im wrong, someone please correct me

[deflix]

just out of interest....

Why does Vray Crash when it runs out of memory?
Why cant it use a swap file?
What is dynamic memory and static memory in VRAY, and why isnt it automatic when this 'limit' is reached?
and why was Windoze XP Pro designed with a memory limitation when 1gig costs 90quid?

.........Im off to have a stiff drink and contemplate........

[DaForce]

When XP was designed 1GB of memory certainly didnt cost 90quid

[flipside]

When XP was designed 1GB of memory certainly didnt cost 90quid

still it is stupid, why on earth is there a limit??

[dlparisi]

I always thought it was related to the 32bit math in that 32 bit could only access a certain amount of memory. Once you go to 64bit that limit jumps WAY up. Can anyone expand on this?

[DaForce]

Yeah im sure there is some reason like you stated dlparisi.
Even the 3gb switch doesnt work for alot of people, and therefore to unstable to put into all xp builds (i guess)

[DF02]

"is there any displacement in the scene?"

for me, yes, there's displacement in the scene.
at the end i can render at 3600x2700, after i remove all my speedtrees.

as for 3GB switch, I am more worry about the side effects.

[RErender]

as for 3GB switch, I am more worry about the side effects.

There is a very small possibility of side effects.

As long as you create the boot.ini file so that there is an option to boot with or without the switch you will not get locked out of windows for more than one boot if there is an issue.

Microsoft has patches if you have any driver incompatibility ( You may just have to convince them that you absolutely need them for your livelihood. )

We have 20 winXP machines running the switch and have had no issues attributable to the switch.

I can't imagine limiting yourself to only 1.6 GB when you could have a ceiling of 2.6 to 2.8 GB.

Done preaching now

[s0real]

i personally never got the 3gb switch to work...just got a BSOD on startup.

i think it might be something to do with the fact that i have a dell workstation...

[percydaman]

i personally never got the 3gb switch to work...just got a BSOD on startup.

i think it might be something to do with the fact that i have a dell workstation...

ive gotten the 3gb switch working on our dell renderfarm. and thank god i did, or life would be incredibly rough right now. 3 million polys in a scene is no longer the exception, but the norm.

Ive also gotten it to work on my workstation, though somehow nobody else can get it working reliably, even though all our machines are very similiar.