#best video accelerators
4 messages in this thread
ted
wayne hodgkins sent me. i am planning to buy 3D-Studio in 1994 as well as a
new PC…..probably a PCI/Pentium….and want to ensure i get the best
price/performing video accelerator card for 3D-Studio. the short list seems to
be the ATI Ultra Pro/PCI, Mattrox, or DIamond Viper. Any and all advice would
be greatly appreciated. what do you use ?
thanks
You don't mention amount of RAM or harddrive on the Pentium. If you're
working within a budget<g>you might consider a 486/66 with 32meg and
a large harddrive (1G or better). The extra RAM would be more cost
effective than the Pentium, all things being equal.
Of the three cards you mentioned, the Viper would be the one I'd
choose for price/performance. I'm not familiar the ATI/PCI and am
always leary of new technology unless you've got time and money to
burn. Vibrant has a video accelerator called Liquid Speed which will
give an increase in screen redraw times in the display screens of 3DS
thus making you more productive. Good luck and above all have fun.
DAVE,
As Ted B said RAM is real important, 16 is a min. I would also add a
video out card to the list. A Visionetics or a Targa 32 plus. But
also research Mattrox as they have some new equipment that is getting
rave reviews. I am not sure it Ted was talking about a software
driver from Vibrant or hardware??? Also add a CD-Rom capable of Multi
session Kokak Cd reading. It should have double or triple spin speed.
This can sub for a way to do video capture if you do not get a Video
in-out card like Targa or others.
What brand of Pentium Box are you considering? This can be important as the
motherboard designs are new tech as yet.
For monitors I personally like NEC and Viewsonics. Sony makes some real nice
Video out monitors for the recording side of desk top video.
What is your budget? This will give us a little more insite into where your at
for hardware.
I am sure others will pop in here with their opinions also. check back in
another day. Please let us know the final result and later your "Fingers-on
Test Results"<g>.
What ever you do you will have a lot of fun with 3Dstudio and Ani-Pro.Enjoy
It's a really creative TOOL. PAT
Dave,
To maximize the performance of the 3D Studio modeling functions (3D Editor,
Keyframer, etc.) you will want to pick a card that is supported directly by the
inline 3DS R3 drivers.
The Viper and the ATI cards are currently supported. Matrox is not currently
supported, but we expect to have support for it in the next driver update.
Also, the best performance/price systems will have a copy of Liquid Speed. It
doubles the performance of the 3D Editor and makes the Keyframer up to 1/3
faster. It is available from us by calling 800-937-1711 or (512) 250-1711.
Best Regards, Brian Massey Vibrant Graphics, Inc.