Hardware Guide for X3

[PhoenixConstruction]

OK Chad, you asked for it We build cars also

Now I KNOW we're really off topic Oh well, it was getting boring here anyway.

[Chad Cardin]

George thats sweet!!! My two brothers just got two classic cars a 65 Mustang fastback and then a 71 chevelle. the mustang is dark green and the chevelle is like a rootbeer metallic. You should start a thread about your car building, would love to hear more about it!

[PhoenixConstruction]

Don't do that much these days, just to busy. I built the chevelle with my son a few years back, and he still takes it to car shows. Used to race it, until he started a family, and decided that ten thousand dollar motors weren't in the budget. It's blown & injected, does just over 10 seconds in the 1/4 mile, and is FUN to drive.

[lbuttery]

A Cray Supercomputer


George:

I remember them also

Now that was fast .....


BTW: I have a Dodge Magnum RT, how do they compare to "muscle" cars ???

I'm not that into cars but have always had a V8 as I haul and tow and do like to pass on a hill when I need to

Lew

[thorn]

A 64 bit OS is a must have.

Windows 7 64-bit is the best OS to run X3 on. X3 will ship as a 32 bit application.

I thought a 32 bit application running on a 64 bit system was still only able to acces a maximum of 4GB memory.
So does a Windows 7 64 bit really make a differance?

[lbuttery]

So does a Windows 7 64 bit really make a differance?


yes

maybe not to that particular software, but if you have multiple things running like a web browser and a paint program and ....

then each of them want a piece of the pie

64-bit helps them all run a bit better/faster

plus, you will be ready for any software that is 64-bit capable and Chief will be ready one fine day


Lew

[Doug Park]

Actually a 32 bit application can only access 2GB of memory.

The additional memory is put to use by the OS for disk caching and other activities so it does make a difference.

[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

[PhoenixConstruction]

Ray;

I'm not spanning the desktops, I have it set up for different backgrounds, and different resolutions for each display. I can move from one to the other. I run Chief on the 30", so at the same time can run other apps on the other monitor.

[thorn]

Is Nvidia still the prefered video card over ATI? In the past most have said Nvidia seems to work better with Chief. Is that still the case? Do you see that changing with X3?

[lbuttery]

Thorn:

the recommendation is still with Nvidia

CA has indicated that ATI has become better, they used to have driver issues, etc

the main requirement is Open GL 2.1

Lew

[dshall]

Ray;

I'm not spanning the desktops, I have it set up for different backgrounds, and different resolutions for each display. I can move from one to the other. I run Chief on the 30", so at the same time can run other apps on the other monitor.

I do it this way, but I do put my CA library browse on the second monitor. It is very convenient that the library does not need to stay in the CA window and can be moved to the other screen.

[PhoenixConstruction]

I do it this way, but I do put my CA library browse on the second monitor. It is very convenient that the library does not need to stay in the CA window and can be moved to the other screen

I also use my second monitor for the library, when I use it. I really don't use my library that much, unless I want to wow someone with a presentation. My main concern is "Get it drawn - Get it built". Actually I understand it's a bit more than that, but the libraries really slow Chief down, so I keep them pretty empty (stock), unless I really need something. I want the speed, and I mainly need to get Construction Docs done for permits, so we can get to work.

[Bennie]

Just got a price on this system from a local computer shop

Intel I7 power system
Intel I920 retail CPU
EGVA X58 Sli Le motherboard (6xddr3-1600,4x pci-express,6xsata2,raid0,1,0+1,5,jbod,gbe,12xusb)
6 GIG DDR3-1600 CL8 Memory
500 GIG western digital raid edition HD,mirrored
Lite-on DVDRW Lightscribe
EVGA Geforce 275 video card (1280M)
Windows 7 64 Bit Business
Thermaltake 650M 650W 2.3 True power supply
ATX case $ 1,963.00

Any thought's or suggestions,Is there any thing I should change or add? I also plan on getting 2 24" wide screen monitors(will that work good)?

[thorn]

Trying to decide on the amount of memory to put in upgrade. Where am I going to notice the difference (in and out of Chief) depending on the amount of memory used? (I am on a budget!)