What is the best hardware for 3D Rendering and animation in 3D Studio Max 2009? I also use 2D software such as Photoshop CS3. Here are my concerns. 1. Mac Pro or equivalent PC? (3Ds Max run in BootCamp) 2. Quadro or GeForce Card. I can't find a price/value caparison for production. I have several reasons to switch to a Mac. If 3Ds Max doesn't run well in boot camp or the Quadro series cards have significant value then I'll have to stick with a new PC. If I'm correct I cannot get the Quadro series card with a Mac Pro.

Rendering is done with the CPU so you should look for a fast CPU too.
As for GPU I would go for a quadro or firegl if you are serious,though normal gaming cards also work for casual stuff.Check out Quadro FX 4800.

Quote: Original post by Black Knight
Rendering is done with the CPU so you should look for a fast CPU too.
As for GPU I would go for a quadro or firegl if you are serious,though normal gaming cards also work for casual stuff.Check out Quadro FX 4800.

If rendering is done on the CPU what benefit does the Quadro/firegl Card provide over the gaming equivalent? In any event, since I am just 'playing around' at the moment if the GeForce cards can pull their weight until I start some professional level models and animation that sounds like the better choice.

The rendering done in the viewports of 3ds max use the graphics card.So if you have a very complex scene with tons of models then the graphics card should be powerful enough to handle that or you won't be able to work on the scene easily.For example at work we have a crappy x550 and on complex scenes it becomes a pain to even rotate the camera around :)

Quote: Original post by Black Knight
The rendering done in the viewports of 3ds max use the graphics card.So if you have a very complex scene with tons of models then the graphics card should be powerful enough to handle that or you won't be able to work on the scene easily.For example at work we have a crappy x550 and on complex scenes it becomes a pain to even rotate the camera around :)

Thanks for your help.