I'm getting a new computer and would appreciate thoughts on  a good video card  for rendering in TC.
I've seen posts on the old forum about this subject but I don't know to access it.

Thanks
Don.

re: old forum
http://forums.imsisoft.com/forums/index.cfm?CFApp=200&

It appears to be on an ancient server, so it will take some time to log on.

It's been said that it really doesn't matter what video card you have when using TurboCAD, but IMO it never hurts to be prepared. There's always other app's where a decent video card will be useful.

re: old forum
http://forums.imsisoft.com/forums/index.cfm?CFApp=200&

It appears to be on an ancient server, so it will take some time to log on.

It's been said that it really doesn't matter what video card you have when using TurboCAD, but IMO it never hurts to be prepared. There's always other app's where a decent video card will be useful.

Thanks John,

I used the link, but it won't allow me to log on.


Don.

If I get the logon page with 4 or 5 fields looking for info, I click on the link for the other form that just has Name and Password. It may ask for you to logon a second time (security?), but after that, I'm in. Then all I get is the "Are you so-n-so"  yes/no dialog.

I just tried getting on to the old forum, but it appears to have crashed again. :-(

I'm getting a new computer and would appreciate thoughts on  a good video card  for rendering in TC.
I've seen posts on the old forum about this subject but I don't know to access it.

Thanks
Don.

We have been using these for mapping plus Autocad.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/ati-radeon-hd-4000/Pages/ati-radeon-hd-4000-series.aspx

Don't have a 4870 yet for the TC machine -- but that and an ASUS M478T with a phenom 4 core and 8GB of memory should perform reasonably well. 

HI!

Your machine seems a real performer! How much time does Rentertest takes in 800x600? (I feel curious )

Also, I am not sure if TurboCAD handles this as some other 3D modelers, but high-end professional video cards provides anti-aliasing for Wireframe and hidden line views. This is a functionality not available with common gaming graphics adapters.  And if you like to have a preview render in OpenGL, pro graphics are known not to stutter when you rotate an object or you move in a scene.

These are the only advantages of a pro (lots of $$) versus a gaming (about 250$ for a recent one).
The advantages of a fast gaming card is only noticeable in OpenGL render mode.

Also, I strongly recommend (as AMD/ATI are the same company / affiliates) That if one buys an Intel i920 to i940 (neat processors) that he shall combine it with a nVidia video adapter. If one buys an AMD phenom, get it combined with an ATI. Less "oh that thing doesn't work well because of the combination". This may avoid any driver problems. I'm not saying that you are running after trouble if you do otherwise.

HI!

Your machine seems a real performer! How much time does Rentertest takes in 800x600? (I feel curious )

Also, I am not sure if TurboCAD handles this as some other 3D modelers, but high-end professional video cards provides anti-aliasing for Wireframe and hidden line views. This is a functionality not available with common gaming graphics adapters.  And if you like to have a preview render in OpenGL, pro graphics are known not to stutter when you rotate an object or you move in a scene.

These are the only advantages of a pro (lots of $$) versus a gaming (about 250$ for a recent one).
The advantages of a fast gaming card is only noticeable in OpenGL render mode.

Also, I strongly recommend (as AMD/ATI are the same company / affiliates) That if one buys an Intel i920 to i940 (neat processors) that he shall combine it with a nVidia video adapter. If one buys an AMD phenom, get it combined with an ATI. Less "oh that thing doesn't work well because of the combination". This may avoid any driver problems. I'm not saying that you are running after trouble if you do otherwise.

The fast machine is at the office -- 500KM away. 

I have asked the engineer to run the tests. I suppose I will be told where to go.

My Dual Core AMD (2.2 GHz) with 3GB and a ATI X1800 Video Card takes 4min 49 sec -- way too sloooowwww!



Update:

The fast machine did the render test in 3:43. Please note that both these machines are on the "balanced power plan" -- otherwise they start to fry the desks...