Upgrade Advice for 3D Studio MAX User

[RockDog]

Hi,

I need help recommending an upgrade for a 3D Studio MAX user (older ver.3 I think?) who is currently using the following system and does not play games. The budget currently stands at $400. I was considering recommending the nVidia Quadro FX700 or FX500, but I'm not sure if we're beating a dead horse here.

Just for kicks we installed a spare GeforceFX 5200/128MB but the performance was basically the same with little or no improvement.

AMD Athlon XP 2400+
2000MHz
256KB L2 Cache
http://www.amd.com/gb-uk/assets/content...7_Electrical_Specification_Rev_ENG.pdf

EP-8KHA+
http://www.epox.com.tw/eng/products_content.php?ps=93

512MB DDR266
1GB DDR400
1.5GB Total RAM

Current Video Card
Gainward CARDExpert Geforce3 PowerPack
http://www.digit-life.com/articles/gf3gainwardcardexpert/index.html

Thanks,
RockDog

 

[sandorski]

More ram might help(editops, just noticed you have 1.5gb, should be enough), but if you're just looking for a video card update, I hear that a 6800GS can be modded (simple firmware flash IIRC) into a Quattro.

Link to thread on subject

 

[lifeguard1999]

3D rendering, such as when you are outputting a BMP or PNG, is entirely CPU limited.
3D interactivity of the model within 3DS Max is GPU limited.
Of course, larger models require more memory.

I would recommend either the:

NVidia Quadro 700 for $380
NVidia Quadro 1100 for $488
NVidia Quadro 3000 for $989

 

[otispunkmeyer]

Originally posted by: sandorski
More ram might help(editops, just noticed you have 1.5gb, should be enough), but if you're just looking for a video card update, I hear that a 6800GS can be modded (simple firmware flash IIRC) into a Quattro.

Link to thread on subject

whoa! 4 wheel drive, 20valves and turbo charged?


im sure you meant quadro

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: otispunkmeyer

Originally posted by: sandorski
More ram might help(editops, just noticed you have 1.5gb, should be enough), but if you're just looking for a video card update, I hear that a 6800GS can be modded (simple firmware flash IIRC) into a Quattro.

Link to thread on subject

whoa! 4 wheel drive, 20valves and turbo charged?


im sure you meant quadro

Doh! hehe, yes.

 

[firewolfsm]

will this work in a 7900GT, i could use awsomeness to switch between quatro and geforce instantly.