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**dalomar_cg** · 17-08-2007, 09:22 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

Well there a few things that stick out, and unfortunately the Vista 64-bit is the biggest. I would recommend sticking with XP if you can for a machine like that. It would be a shame to have a workhorse like that and have software that can't really run on vista, not to mention all the other stuff that goes along with it. Add the 64 bit on top of that and i think its just asking for issues. My XP x64 workstation that I built around Christmas has worked out fine, with the exception of a few small driver issues, so that would be the way I would recommend. Besides, there really aren't too many advantages for running vista anyway. 64-bit is whats going to allow for more ram.

The only other thing that I will comment on are the drives. Personally I would go for a RAID 1 setup, which would mirror your data, thus being the equivalent of a live back up. If one drive fails the you've got a whole other bootable drive there, so you shouldn't have any down time. You'll still need to do backups like normal, but it is an added level of protection.

Other then those two things I'd say go for it. You may also want to take a look at www.boxxtech.com as they make great systems for very reasonable. Literally all of our render nodes and almost all of our artist's machines are Boxxes and they work great.

**magnatizerr** · 17-08-2007, 10:43 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

Hi dalomar

Thanks for the reply. I would agree with you, I am alittle nervous about going to Vista so early on but my thinking was that this pc will last me for approx two years and I don't want to have to go through a re-install of the operating system one year down the line. Having said that the jury is still out on that one!

Regards the 64bit, I think which ever operating system I go with I'm going to need that - Ram usage etc. (Still can't get a any 'N' wireless adapters that will work with 64bit though)

The reason why I've only gone with the 150Gb HD without Raid is that I run Windows Home Server on a system in the Attic which does all my daily data and system backups so re-installs won't be a problem.

Unfortunately I'm in the UK and I don't think boxxtech supply over here - if they did then the pound / dollar exchange rate would make me smile!!

Anybody else using Rhino, Vray under Vista ultimate 64bit??

**dalomar_cg** · 17-08-2007, 11:35 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

Originally posted by magnatizerr

The reason why I've only gone with the 150Gb HD without Raid is that I run Windows Home Server on a system in the Attic which does all my daily data and system backups so re-installs won't be a problem.

As long as you got your bases covered ;D. Sounds like a pretty cool setup

Originally posted by magnatizerr

Unfortunately I'm in the UK and I don't think boxxtech supply over here - if they did then the pound / dollar exchange rate would make me smile!!

Yea that exchange rate kills...You'd like to get half off, but we get stuck paying double. I loved London, but man was it expensive.

I think I have a 3D World that has some good workstation suppliers over there in the UK...I'll see if I can track it down and post them if you'd like.

Originally posted by magnatizerr

Anybody else using Rhino, Vray under Vista ultimate 64bit??

I got a new laptop a little while ago with Vista Ultimate 32-bit (i'm in the process of setting up a dual boot) and I haven't had too many glaring issues. The only thing I have to say is use SR1. The original release of Rhino didn't run too well on Vista and SR1 cleared up allot of issues. Oh and do everything with admin privledges.

Good luck, and have fun with all that horsepower ;D

**Micha_cg** · 19-08-2007, 11:53 PM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

I use XP64 here since a half year and I'm very happy - less RAM usage than Vista, simple and stabel. For me, XP64 is the first choice for work machines.

**magnatizerr** · 20-08-2007, 04:23 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

Cheers Micha - it looks like this may have to be the option - OR wait for a little while?

Originally posted by dalomar

Yea that exchange rate kills...You'd like to get half off, but we get stuck paying double.

Dalomar - although that's good news for us sometimes, remember there are some software companies (Microsoft) who insist on charging the UK twice as much for the exact same software as you can get in the US!!

MICROSOFT Office Ultimate 2007 in the UK is Â£550 ($1092 in the US)
MICROSOFT Vista Ultimate in the UK is Â£250 ($497in the US)

NOW is that fair! :

**dalomar_cg** · 20-08-2007, 08:28 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

Yea, Microsoft is pretty evil. They have somehow convinced the world to pay an extreme amount for software that is completely crap.

On another note, Micha's right...My vista laptop uses 2/3 to 3/4 of gig of ram just sitting still.

**Micha_cg** · 20-08-2007, 09:07 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

XP64 ~120,-â‚¬

**Paraglobal** · 20-08-2007, 09:40 AM

Re: Hardware upgrade?

I'm very curious to try the mac....some day.

I have read very interesting speed tests at the rhino forum:
http://news2.mcneel.com/scripts/dnew...m=263451&utag=

Bye
Sergio

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