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Calling all FAST Hi-Res Photoworks Systems

Question asked by Jonathan Ridley on May 28, 2008
Latest reply on Jun 3, 2008 by Martin Wrann

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Calling all FAST Hi-Res Photoworks Systems

I would really like to hear from anyone who has a well running system that is consistently producing high quality photorealistic renderings with PhotoWorks. I am looking for the technical specs of systems with the least amount of bugs, crashes and quickest rendering times so please include as much info on this as you can.

I need to go out a buy a complete new system in the next week or two and interested in any suggestions that you may have.

Thank you,

Jonathan

Jonathan Ridley Jun 2, 2008 3:40 PM

Correct Answer

Thanks for all the suggestions. I presented my case and they decided to buy the following system:

Dell Precision T7400 Mini-Tower, Dual Core Xeon Proc X5272, 3.40GHz,6MB L2 Cache,1600MHz
311-7702 1 16GB, DDR2 ECC SDRAM Memory 800MHz, 8X2GB, Dell Precision T7400
310-7949 1 Entry Level, USB, No Hot Keys keyboards, Dell PrecisionWorkstations

341-5355 1 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s, 7200RPM HardDrive with 16MB DataBurst Cache, Dell Precision T7400/5400
341-5369 1 C1 All SATA Hard Drives Non- RAID for 1 Hard Drive Dell Precision T7400
341-3414 1 NO FLOPPY DRIVE, Dell Precision 490/690, Factory Install
467-4316 1 Windows XP 64 SP2 with WindowsVista Business 64 Edition License, Dell Precision English, Factory Install
310-7959 1 Dell USB 2-Button Entry Mouse with Scroll for Dell Precision
313-5710 1 16XDVD-ROM, Data Only, Dell Precision T3400
420-8857 1 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.0,with Media,Dell Precision

---------

= +4 K

+

Quadro FX 5600

23 inch screen

Jonathan

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Dan Riffell May 29, 2008 12:19 PM

Why not build one? http://helmer.sfe.se/

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Jonathan Ridley @ Dan Riffell on May 29, 2008 3:51 PM

Dan,

How much did this system cost?

Thanks,

Jonathan

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Mark Matthews May 29, 2008 12:27 PM

Mine is probably not the fastest system, but i've found that having at least the quad core makes rendering much faster, especially if all your rendering is screen resolution (for me 1920 x 1200).

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Brian Hoerner May 29, 2008 7:26 PM

I prefer the EuroCom or XI workstations, many options, depends on what cash is available.

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Tom Nicholson @ Brian Hoerner on May 29, 2008 8:45 PM

as those all seem to be great configs, at least for the desktop, building your own computer is ALOT cheaper. case in point.

About to hit the 'checkout button' on this.

all parts from TigerDirect.com

computer case - $30
windows vista biz 64 bit - $140
intel mobo w/ C2Quad Q9300 - 2.5GHz - $340
8GB PC6400 dual channel mem - $130
quadro FX 1700 vid card - $430
600 watt PowerSupply - $70
400gb SATA-300 hdd - $90

----

end line, ~$1,500 after taxes and shipping..

at XI, same comp would be 2,700..

you do the math

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Jonathan Ridley @ Tom Nicholson on May 29, 2008 9:29 PM

Currently considering any options with a max at $4 Grand for the computer alone.

Thanks for the suggestions,

J

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Rob Rodríguez @ Jonathan Ridley on May 29, 2008 10:21 PM

If you have 4k to spend I'd go with a dual quad core system with 4 gigs of RAM in a 32 bit system and 8-? gigs in a 64 bit system. I think you'll find the processor(s) and RAM will make the biggest difference for PW. If you you're going to be saving large image sizes (6000 pixels or more) I'd definately take a look at 64 bit.

I have a single quad core Dell now with 4 gigs of RAM on XP 32 and it's been great with PW. 6000 pixel size images are about the limit of it's saving capability.

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Gary Garrison @ Tom Nicholson on May 30, 2008 2:33 PM

Using Newegg I got this:

Case (i have this one at home... It's nice.)
E8500 Wolfdale (3.16Ghz) C2Duo
FX1700 Quadro
750w PSU
8GB DDR2-1066
Flash Card Reader (USB 2.0)
2x 250GB SATAII (3gb/s - 7200rpm)
Logitech wireless keyboard + Mouse
2x DVD+/-R w/Lightscribe (20x) (SATA)
XP Pro 64-bit
24" Widescreen LCD (ACER, 2ms)

=$2069.83
(see attached .zip for the PDF of the shopping list)

I prefer to spec complete systems for people because that way they can decide not to include somthing, rather than have to spend more money later to go get a part should have had in the first place.

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Martin Wrann @ Gary Garrison on Jun 2, 2008 5:37 AM

Photoworks loves CPU-cores. The more, the better.

Don't even think about using a dual-core.

If you want maximum rendering performance, get a skulltrail-system with 2 quad-core xeons. This will easily hit 4k, along with PSU, GPU and EEC-RAM. Keep in mind that "normal" ATX-cases won't fit with the skulltrail-mainboard.

Together with enough RAM (at least 4GB) and a 64-bit OS this machine should scream with photoworks.

If this is too much effort, get a single quad-core at the highest possible clock rate with enough RAM.

A 32-bit OS is a bad choice for both systems. Get Vista x64, its much better than XP x64.

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Jonathan Ridley @ Martin Wrann on Jun 2, 2008 3:40 PM

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Martin Wrann @ Jonathan Ridley on Jun 3, 2008 4:26 AM

You won't get happy with a system like that.

Too much RAM (you will never ever need that much RAM), the CPU is fast, but has only 2 cores - and the machine is manufactured by dell

4k is way to much for a machine like this (typically for dell).

The rig in my signature did cost 950€ and will easily outperform the spec'd system...

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12 Replies

Dan Riffell May 29, 2008 12:19 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Why not build one? http://helmer.sfe.se/
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- Jonathan Ridley @ Dan Riffell on May 29, 2008 3:51 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Dan,
  
  How much did this system cost?
  
  Thanks,
  
  Jonathan
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  - Dan Riffell @ Jonathan Ridley on May 29, 2008 4:36 PM
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    I'd back up Jeff's guess here: http://www.eng-tips.com/viewth....cfm?qid=217906&page=1
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Mark Matthews May 29, 2008 12:27 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Mine is probably not the fastest system, but i've found that having at least the quad core makes rendering much faster, especially if all your rendering is screen resolution (for me 1920 x 1200).
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Brian Hoerner May 29, 2008 7:26 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I prefer the EuroCom or XI workstations, many options, depends on what cash is available.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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- Tom Nicholson @ Brian Hoerner on May 29, 2008 8:45 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  as those all seem to be great configs, at least for the desktop, building your own computer is ALOT cheaper. case in point.
  
  About to hit the 'checkout button' on this.
  
  all parts from TigerDirect.com
  
  computer case - $30
  windows vista biz 64 bit - $140
  intel mobo w/ C2Quad Q9300 - 2.5GHz - $340
  8GB PC6400 dual channel mem - $130
  quadro FX 1700 vid card - $430
  600 watt PowerSupply - $70
  400gb SATA-300 hdd - $90
  
  ----
  
  end line, ~$1,500 after taxes and shipping..
  
  at XI, same comp would be 2,700..
  
  you do the math
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions
  - Jonathan Ridley @ Tom Nicholson on May 29, 2008 9:29 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Currently considering any options with a max at $4 Grand for the computer alone.
    
    Thanks for the suggestions,
    
    J
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
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    - Rob Rodríguez @ Jonathan Ridley on May 29, 2008 10:21 PM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      If you have 4k to spend I'd go with a dual quad core system with 4 gigs of RAM in a 32 bit system and 8-? gigs in a 64 bit system. I think you'll find the processor(s) and RAM will make the biggest difference for PW. If you you're going to be saving large image sizes (6000 pixels or more) I'd definately take a look at 64 bit.
      
      I have a single quad core Dell now with 4 gigs of RAM on XP 32 and it's been great with PW. 6000 pixel size images are about the limit of it's saving capability.
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
  - Gary Garrison @ Tom Nicholson on May 30, 2008 2:33 PM
    Mark Correct
    Correct Answer
    Using Newegg I got this:
    
    Case (i have this one at home... It's nice.)
    E8500 Wolfdale (3.16Ghz) C2Duo
    FX1700 Quadro
    750w PSU
    8GB DDR2-1066
    Flash Card Reader (USB 2.0)
    2x 250GB SATAII (3gb/s - 7200rpm)
    Logitech wireless keyboard + Mouse
    2x DVD+/-R w/Lightscribe (20x) (SATA)
    XP Pro 64-bit
    24" Widescreen LCD (ACER, 2ms)
    
    =$2069.83
    (see attached .zip for the PDF of the shopping list)
    
    I prefer to spec complete systems for people because that way they can decide not to include somthing, rather than have to spend more money later to go get a part should have had in the first place.
    Like • Show 0 Likes0
    Actions
    - Martin Wrann @ Gary Garrison on Jun 2, 2008 5:37 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      Photoworks loves CPU-cores. The more, the better.
      
      Don't even think about using a dual-core.
      
      If you want maximum rendering performance, get a skulltrail-system with 2 quad-core xeons. This will easily hit 4k, along with PSU, GPU and EEC-RAM. Keep in mind that "normal" ATX-cases won't fit with the skulltrail-mainboard.
      
      Together with enough RAM (at least 4GB) and a 64-bit OS this machine should scream with photoworks.
      
      If this is too much effort, get a single quad-core at the highest possible clock rate with enough RAM.
      
      A 32-bit OS is a bad choice for both systems. Get Vista x64, its much better than XP x64.
      
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
      Actions
      - Jonathan Ridley @ Martin Wrann on Jun 2, 2008 3:40 PM
        Unmark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Thanks for all the suggestions. I presented my case and they decided to buy the following system:
        
        Dell Precision T7400 Mini-Tower, Dual Core Xeon Proc X5272, 3.40GHz,6MB L2 Cache,1600MHz
        311-7702 1 16GB, DDR2 ECC SDRAM Memory 800MHz, 8X2GB, Dell Precision T7400
        310-7949 1 Entry Level, USB, No Hot Keys keyboards, Dell PrecisionWorkstations
        
        341-5355 1 500GB SATA 3.0Gb/s, 7200RPM HardDrive with 16MB DataBurst Cache, Dell Precision T7400/5400
        341-5369 1 C1 All SATA Hard Drives Non- RAID for 1 Hard Drive Dell Precision T7400
        341-3414 1 NO FLOPPY DRIVE, Dell Precision 490/690, Factory Install
        467-4316 1 Windows XP 64 SP2 with WindowsVista Business 64 Edition License, Dell Precision English, Factory Install
        310-7959 1 Dell USB 2-Button Entry Mouse with Scroll for Dell Precision
        313-5710 1 16XDVD-ROM, Data Only, Dell Precision T3400
        420-8857 1 Cyberlink Power DVD 8.0,with Media,Dell Precision
        
        ---------
        
        = +4 K
        
        +
        
        Quadro FX 5600
        
        23 inch screen
        
        Jonathan
        
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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        Martin Wrann @ Jonathan Ridley on Jun 3, 2008 4:26 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        You won't get happy with a system like that.
        
        Too much RAM (you will never ever need that much RAM), the CPU is fast, but has only 2 cores - and the machine is manufactured by dell
        
        4k is way to much for a machine like this (typically for dell).
        
        The rig in my signature did cost 950€ and will easily outperform the spec'd system...
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions

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