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configuration

Post Date: 2007-10-01
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John View Drop Down
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  Quote John Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: configuration
    Posted: 01 Oct 2007 at 3:09pm

I am looking for a laptop for work and had some questions about configuration. I was thinking of Alienware Area-51 M9750 or DS Tornado G3 Pro. Here is what I need:

 

Intel Processor 2Ghz

2GB Ram

Open GL Video Card with 256 MB dedicated RAM

Windows XP Pro

DVD writer

 

The program I am running is a 3D modeler called Wildfire from PTC. It will  not run on Vista and must have Open GL video.

 

The question I have is about video cards. They are:

 

Can you get one video card at the time of purchase and latter purchase a second card to run SLI?

Are DS Laptops Open GL video?

 

It looks like the DS computers are faster for the same price. I have a budget of about $3500. It must be a laptop because am always in a different building. I need wireless connection for the internet. It does not need to be N, G is fine. I do not need a HD DVD or screen.

 

Thanks for your help

John
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commast View Drop Down
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  Quote commast Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Oct 2007 at 7:25pm
I really don't think you can install another card in SLI later on, it must be done while DS built your laptop. Open GL mostly depend on the drivers and all Nvidia GeForce card are compatible with OpenGL.
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Phreak View Drop Down
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Posts: 118 		  Quote Phreak Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Oct 2007 at 7:31pm

You just need this computer for work? and what type of work?



Edited by Phreak - 01 Oct 2007 at 7:33pm
Core 2 Quad Q6600 OC @ 2.7Ghz
2GB DDR2 Corsair 800Mhz XMS2
GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
nVidia 680i LT
Stage 3 w/ TwisterBoost
EXTREME DS case
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John View Drop Down
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  Quote John Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Oct 2007 at 9:14pm
I only need it for work. I use a program called Wildfire to do 3D solid modeling as a mechanical designer.
 
However, I would like to use the computer for gaming if possible. I like to play RPG and RTS games.
 
I do not know what SLI gives you. I do not know if I need it for gaming or for watching DVD's. We use the computer for watching DVD's.
 
Thanks
John
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commast View Drop Down
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  Quote commast Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Oct 2007 at 11:27pm
Originally posted by John


 
I do not know what SLI gives you. I do not know if I need it for gaming or for watching DVD's. We use the computer for watching DVD's.
 
Thanks
John


SLI is only needed if you want to run the games at a really really high resolution. I doubt very much that you need it for a laptop since the average laptop lcd screen is about 17". Watching DVD doesn't required SLI, all you need is a powerful cpu and video card.
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Phreak View Drop Down
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Posts: 118 		  Quote Phreak Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Oct 2007 at 11:50pm
John, if you budget is $3500, what i would do is try and spend maybe 1k on a laptop, and then get a desktop as well.
 
Desktops outperform laptops in gaming by far. you can spend $1500 on a solid gaming desktop that will have amazing performance.
you get more performance for your buck with desktops... way more.
 
this build seems like a good build for what you need the laptop for:
 
 
here is a solid gaming pc at a resonable price if you do want to get both.
 


Edited by Phreak - 02 Oct 2007 at 12:00am
Core 2 Quad Q6600 OC @ 2.7Ghz
2GB DDR2 Corsair 800Mhz XMS2
GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB
nVidia 680i LT
Stage 3 w/ TwisterBoost
EXTREME DS case
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Oct 2007 at 12:48am
Phreak, great job! A laptop can be a great tool, it can do SLI (Only in Windows XP at the moment) if you need that extra rendering power. If you really do need all the power in a portable computer, and its going to be used for 3D work, go with the G3.
 
If you can use a desktop computer, you will get more performacne for the same ammount of money.
 
[This concept is true for either Digital Storm's or Alienware's laptops].
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Vjzzerdrjx View Drop Down
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Posts: 57 		  Quote Vjzzerdrjx Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 02 Oct 2007 at 9:37am
http://www.digitalstormonline.com/laptoploadsaved.asp?id=84451

This would be ultimately what he is looking for in the G3.  The extra cost isn't really worth it for the .26ghz increase from the E6700 to the X6800.  Cache and FSB is the same.  I basically did that so you can get the SLI 7950's....that would fit perfectly into you're budget and get you one hell of a laptop.  Battery life is the only thing I would wonder about.




Edit:  And I set up a raid 0 for 2 100gb 7200's because rendering SUCKS and that will help along with the extra VRAM with the second 7950. 

If I'm off on anything here please feel free to correct me.  I'm starting school in 3 weeks for animation and right now polishing my computer knowledge on the graphics/rendering side of things.


Edited by Vjzzerdrjx - 02 Oct 2007 at 9:40am
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Oct 2007 at 1:51am

Looks good!
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John View Drop Down
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  Quote John Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Oct 2007 at 10:08am
Thanks everyone
 
Vjzzerdrjx why did you select 2 100 GB hard drives instead of 1 160 GB hard drive?
 
I currently do not have SLI and am running my software. How high end does the games need to be be for SLI to be useful? I am looking at games like Assassin’s Creed, Medal of Honor Airborne Assault, Darkest of Days, World in Conflict, Age of Empire III, and Rise of Legends.
 
Thanks
John
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Oct 2007 at 12:02pm
He selected2 100GB HDD for Raid 0 (faster load times).

SLI is only beneficial if you are SLIing the top end card (Ultra) in high high resolutions with max setting..
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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Vjzzerdrjx View Drop Down
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Posts: 57 		  Quote Vjzzerdrjx Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Oct 2007 at 10:22pm
It's a laptop skyR Tongue No such thing as ultras in this case...quadro yes, ultra no.  The model that offers SLI quadro's is 5k though.....so in his $3500 budget, the G3 I configured would be the best bang for his buck yeah?
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Alex View Drop Down
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Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Oct 2007 at 10:32pm

Yeap, looks good!
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skyR View Drop Down
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Posts: 2220 		  Quote skyR Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 03 Oct 2007 at 10:39pm
Just saying SLI in general.

You don't even need SLI for a labtop ~-~
The only thing that keeps me wishing on a wishing star.
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