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8-core PC on its way. Need some help

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:21 am
by dilbert
I ordered my new PC yesterday. A BOXX, with 2 Xeon X5355 quad-core processors, 4 gigs of RAM, and running XP64. It should arrive within about 3 weeks. Here's my questions:

1. Running XP64, do I have to install Maxwell any differently from when I installed it on XP32?

2. I purchased another license for myself so that I'll be covered for all 8 cores (awaiting license file). When I receive the file, do I have to do anything special with it so that Maxwell will use all 8 cores?

Thanks in advance for the help. I'm not very savvy when it comes to hardware. Can't wait to run the speed test on this monster. It's a big investment, but my workload will increase exponentially with the time savings at render time. My last paying client had to wait 82 hrs for their image to render a few weeks ago, which doesn't give a very good impression.

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:31 am
by Hervé
a Boxx.. cool machines.. I still run my old AMD1900 from them... never had a glitch..

BTW hoow much did you $.... :wink:

Re: 8-core PC on its way. Need some help

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:32 am
by ivox3
dilbert wrote:I ordered my new PC yesterday. A BOXX, with 2 Xeon X5355 quad-core processors, 4 gigs of RAM, and running XP64. It should arrive within about 3 weeks. Here's my questions:

1. Running XP64, do I have to install Maxwell any differently from when I installed it on XP32?

2. I purchased another license for myself so that I'll be covered for all 8 cores (awaiting license file). When I receive the file, do I have to do anything special with it so that Maxwell will use all 8 cores?

Thanks in advance for the help. I'm not very savvy when it comes to hardware. Can't wait to run the speed test on this monster. It's a big investment, but my workload will increase exponentially with the time savings at render time. My last paying client had to wait 82 hrs for their image to render a few weeks ago, which doesn't give a very good impression.
1. No. On XP64 setups there will be 2 Program file directories [Program Files and Program Files(x86)] Maxwell will install to the x86 unless we get the release and in that case it'll install inside the 64bit folder (Program Files)
2. You should be receiving a special license that'll contain both licenses in one file. .....thusly allowing Maxwell to use all 8 cores. If you just use your regular license ..... all you get is 4 cores.

3. The speedtest already has an 8 core x5355 listed, .... so no surprise there.

4. I'm very curious how much Boxx is charging for such a unit ? .....if you don't mind.

a Boxx machine and and an extra license ....... :shock: .....that's a lotta jack.
:lol:

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:35 am
by Hervé
just checked... around $8K... wow.. out of range.. :?

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:45 am
by dilbert
Thanks for the help! Now I just have to wait for the PC to arrive.

As for cost, it was a lot less than Herve posted. I paid $5900.00, which was with a NVIDIA Quadro FX 1500 and a 250GB harddrive. I'm currently using a Quadro FX 1400, and have had no problems, so it seemed redundant to get a better card than that. Also, BOXX gives you a 5% discount if you are a member of the "CG Society", which amounted to about $300. Like I said, it's an investment. It'll pay for itself within about 3 jobs.

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:06 am
by Hervé
all good.. dunno, I just clicked configure.. 3 jobs.. nice.. :wink: :D

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:20 am
by dilbert
Yeah, I think by default they put in a Quadro FX 4500 which is much more. Don't get me wrong, right now I'm only getting about one decent job a month, which is why I'm still a freelancer. Maybe one day I'll get to quit my day job :( Hopefully now though I won't have to turn down work like I have in the past because I knew I couldn't meet the deadline with Maxwell. The extra speed will make a huge difference to my business.

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 11:50 am
by dd_
i too have just ordered an 8 core boxx station but the 5345, so im interested in this thread too. mine should arrive in less than a week and i really cant wait

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 12:11 pm
by dd_
i hope. on another note how quiet are these machines?
and on another note GODDAMMIT i didnt know about the 5% so now i just called them, fingers crossed

Re: 8-core PC on its way. Need some help

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:20 pm
by dyarza
dilbert wrote:I ordered my new PC yesterday. A BOXX, with 2 Xeon X5355 quad-core processors, 4 gigs of RAM, and running XP64. It should arrive within about 3 weeks.
Showoff! :lol:

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:50 pm
by jo
But what about the limit of 4 cores for license?
What is NL thinking to do about this issue?
Is it possible that you have to buy 2 licenses to run the software on 1 PC??!? :evil:

I hope NL is going to change their core's policy when they will release 1.2!!!

Ciao, Gio

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:01 pm
by dd_
yeah i agree. there was a time when they said they would relook into it as multicore machines became more and i think that time is here (imho)

Posted: Thu Mar 29, 2007 9:02 pm
by numerobis
...but first they have to wait till some more users have bought an additional license for their new multicore machine - and then is the time to switch to the new license policy... maybe some of the new licenses will become redundant... but, who cares? :roll: :?

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:56 am
by Tim Ellis
dd_ wrote:i hope. on another note how quiet are these machines?
Well you remember those old Hoover upright's with the canvas bag? That's how mine sounds. Very loud.


Tim.

Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2007 3:09 am
by ivox3
dd_ wrote:i hope. on another note how quiet are these machines?
and on another note GODDAMMIT i didnt know about the 5% so now i just called them, fingers crossed

Think of it this way Dave .......

If you have the system, ....you get noise.

If you don't have the system, ....you get noise.


What ya gonna do ...... ? :) I believe the answer is ...... anyone ?