Computer processor question

[cnsranch]

Thinking of getting a used laptop for the shop - would be used almost exclusively for Designer.

What size processor and RAM do I really need?

[atauer]

CNS,

The system requirements should be listed in the FAQ on our website. It really depends on the computer OS you are going to be running on the computer.

[cnsranch]

Alex -

Not to sound like a smart a**, I know what the requirements are, what I want to know is what do I need to be satisfied with performance -

i.e., processor speed, etc.

[atauer]

It depends on what your OS is going to be. If you are going to be running just the Carvewright software, the system requirements that we show are plenty enough for what you are wanting.

[cnsranch]

Thanks, Alex

[HighTechOkie]

The simple answer....the fastest/most money will allow. I have tried a few times to get an answer out of LHR on this, and no one will give a straight answer. The biggest limitation with a laptop (especially older models) is their weak graphics processors and OpenGL performance.

For a Windows XP machine, I would say 256MB ram will get you by with no other programs running (antivirus/antispyware etc.) Otherwise 512MB is a minimum. If you ONLY use it for Designer...you might be able to get away with a lite(custom stripped down) version of XP or 2000. The less crap running in the background means more resources available for Designer and a more pleasant user experience.

I recently built a new pc with a Core 2 Duo 8400, 4GB ram and an ATI HD3870 graphics card. I was using a P4 2.4Ghz, 512MB and a Geforce FX5200. Definitely a jump in performance, but I'm not able to attribute it to any one component. I do plan on softmoding the HD3870 to a FireGL V7700 to unlock opengl performance caps on gaming cards. I'll let you now when I get around to playing with that as to how well it effects performance.

Rob

[www.go3d.us]

I recommend window xp, 1g or 2g of ram and 80g of hard drive would be fine, intel or amd dual core cpu, qua core is better but it not available for laptop yet, and most important is the video card ram must be at least 256mb, 512mb is the best.
Hope this help.

[Bubbabear]

I am mostly with go3d. Ram is dirt cheap right now. You will probably need an antivirus because you will most likely get it on the net to get updates for designer and maybe even Dl some of the patterns you find with it directly. But I am a ram fanatic.

[Deolman]

It doesn't matter which version of windows you are running - Microsoft Operating Systems thrive on memory. The more memory you can put into the PC the better it will run. A slow PC with lots and lots of ram will generally show better performance over a faster PC with minimal ram. Ram is cheap now - put in as much as you can afford. If you can't afford it now, put in larger modules to leave open slots for future expansion. If you are making it a dedicated PC and you want to speed it up, look at this web site:

http://www.blackviper.com/

The author is basically a gamer and he knows how to speed things up. By using a flash drive instead of a network you can turn off a lot of services. Just be sure to have an anti-virus program running on the other PC you are getting your files from.

[Bubbabear]

Very good site Deolman I sure wish we could get Leo LaPort and the whole gang from tech tv back again