Computer spec for using NXT

[Glenn Massey]

I have been asked what spec I need to run NXT as my work computer is to be upgraded.

 

Is there a spec anyone can suggest?

 

I have been running it on a pretty poor machine which does work but is slow and unreliable.

 

I don’t have a lot of knowledge about graphics cards etc.

 

Any comments appreciated

[George Ioannidis]

Some useful information can be found here. Generally speaking, the more and faster CPU cores you'll get the faster nXt will render. So mobo with dual CPU quad core processors will be good (for 8 cores total). Support all this with LOT of fast RAM (1600MHz or higher - 8 or 16GB DDR3 will be fine) and for quick navigation and view handling of complex models choose good graphics card (I personally prefer high-end gaming cards rather than overpriced professional ones). Also fast hard disk drive helps in overall feel of the system (how fast it will boot and load all the stuff needed for 3D modeling and rendering). Take a look at new SSD for system  boot drive (OS and programs) and fast SATA 3 HDD for data storage. All this hardware needs a LOT of power, so be generous with power supply (1000W are obviously the minimum required :) ) And house it all in nice case with good cooling system (especially for the CPUs - choose the most silent coolers).

[Chas / Aug Posekany]

Underline the part about the case and quiet cooling fans.

My newest home office machine sounds like a window air conditioner.

[pun1407]

why not change to water cooling system? and what is your config?

[Chas / Aug Posekany]

I was looking at a refrigerated water cooled system last year but the company quit shipping due to some technical issues. Never went back to look and see if they had solved the issue.

[George Ioannidis]

My son was looking once on water cooling systems, but as soon as he read some spooky comments on overclockers forum about catastrophic failures he bought air coolers. Some really big fans (230mm diameter) for case and for CPU Xigmatec cooler (which are in all of our office machines now). His machine is barely hearable even at night.

[George Ioannidis]

Water cooling is good for heavily overclocked systems usually used by hard-core gamers.

[George Ioannidis]

It's true. Gradually I'd changed all CPU coolers with silent ones. The biggest problem were the GPU cooler fans, all working on high speed (because of their small diameter). Some of them were replaced too with really big fans, rotating on lower cycles per second, making the overall noise level very acceptable. Good technique to "cover up" machine noise is to have music playing on slightly higher dB level :) In your case Chas, put some nice heavy metal really loud and the noise will disappear! :D

[Chas / Aug Posekany]

The upgrade I just got on my office PC has CPU coolers that run silent most of the time. The run off of a thermostat of some sort and only crank up when called for and they gradually change speeds as needed.

[Chas / Aug Posekany]

Roy,

How do I go about inquiring into my license product key? I finally got this big upgrade to my PC so I could go 64 bit and cannot find my sheet from McNeel with my prodcut key information so I can reload the software.

[Roy Hirshkowitz]

Send an email to [e-mail].  Let her know exactly what's up.  Make sure she knows the product is AccuRender nXt for AutoCAD.