Hardware Guide for X3

[Keith Jeffery]

Why is there no 64 bit version of X3?

Porting to 64-bit is not free, time-wise. Simply put, like other features that don't get completed in a version, it wasn't high enough on the priority list this release.

[Sledge]

Keith,

Thanks for that. I don't have my tinfoil hat on, so whilst the 64bit OS can access >4Gb or RAM, is there any X3 32 bit memory limitations? I recall something about a 2GB threshold.

I know there's a switch parameter you can add to the boot.ini that forces the OS to contain itself to the amount of RAM you designate by this parameter and I was wondering if this was the reason (ie 2GB application limitation) such a switch was used.

Lew,

It's all good - cool bananas

[Keith Jeffery]

Thanks for that. I don't have my tinfoil hat on, so whilst the 64bit OS can access >4Gb or RAM, is there any X3 32 bit memory limitations? I recall something about a 2GB threshold.

Yes, Windows puts limits on how much memory an application can access. A 32-bit application is only allowed to access 2 GB of memory, even though, in theory, they could access 4 GB of memory. This limitation still exists in the 64-bit versions of Windows.

I know there's a switch parameter you can add to the boot.ini that forces the OS to contain itself to the amount of RAM you designate by this parameter and I was wondering if this was the reason (ie 2GB application limitation) such a switch was used.

Yes, you can set how much memory is divided between "user space" and "kernel space", but the application has to be built with IMAGE_FILE_LARGE_ADDRESS_AWARE, which Chief is not.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/libr...8VS.85%29.aspx

[Bennie]

What is Raid? What is the difference between 0 Raid and 1 Raid? Do I need to get this on my new computer?

[lbuttery]

Bennie:

rather than type lots of info here

try a google search on wiki Raid backup

or raid backup


Lew

[cadstudio]

Keith, what about SS HDDs? Have you done any tests with them to determine if they're worth it with X3?

[Doug Park]

We don't have any information on SSDs (solid state drives). I would wait a bit before investing in them. Instead look at getting a hard drive with a larger disk cache as that will most likely help more than an SSD. But since we haven't benchmarked these we don't know for sure. Other here may have experience with them.

[PhoenixConstruction]

In my new system, I'm using an OCZ Colossus 500Gb SSD, and I'm telling you, this thing RIPS! As soon as someone comes up with something to benchmark, I'll put a test on it. At any rate, I'm using it for Win7 OS, and all of my programs.

[Allen Brown]

In my new system, I'm using an OCZ Colossus 500Gb SSD, and I'm telling you, this thing RIPS! As soon as someone comes up with something to benchmark, I'll put a test on it. At any rate, I'm using it for Win7 OS, and all of my programs.

George, what CPU?

[PhoenixConstruction]

I thought you'd never ask

[Jon Scussel]

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Jon

[Ray C]

I thought you'd never ask

Hi George
I put together pretty much the same machine a few weeks ago. Haven’t had time to really move into it yet.
Have a question about your monitors set up. The machine I’m still working with has dual 20” ViewSonics and Chief fills both completely when spanned across. A while back I changed one of the monitors to a 22” wide screen for a while. The physical height of the wide screen is ½” taller than the standard 20” monitor. When Chief spans that set up there is a ½” or so blank area at the bottom of the taller screen. I guess my question is,,, when you have Chief spanning those two monitors (30” & 21”) (assuming you do fill both with chief) are you able to fill both screens top to bottom?

I hope this is not confusing,,, I would upload a picture but do not have that w screen and 20 set up at present.

TIA Ray C

[Allen Brown]

Dude, you've got some issues.

OK, after reading that, now I've got issues.

[PhoenixConstruction]

My only issue, is finding the time to overclock this mustang. With the built in HVAC system, it's only running at 32c, and under load (rotating a line drawing rendering technique in Chief), reaches only 44c. With a threshold of 85c (max, about 95), seems like I've got a bit of wiggle room. With the stock of 3.4Ghz, I hope to make 4.5 or 5Ghz

[Pat1217]

Here's George with his Super Puter. The monitor is to his left so you can't see it.