How to upgrade existing computer to run renders on autodesk?

[Anonymous]

Hi guys,

Im currently in my second year at architecture school and have recently been learning how to render and do simple animations on autodesk. Being a poor student and only having an existing home computer, I was wondering if anyone could advise me on how to update my system so I would be able to run some simple renders on my computer?

I have attached an image below of my system details and was hoping someone might be able to advise me?

My computer doesnt have a graphics card and I know I need to get that sorted, so if anyone knows of a suitable one that would be great!

Any help would be much appreciated!

Cheers

Pete

[ntellery · Accepted solution]

Best is 64bit more ram and a fast cpu.

Most operations occupy a single core but rendering and regenerating will use more.

Even if only single core use, it means other background stuff is not crowding Acad.

Windows 32bit will only use about 3.5gb ram and autocad itself only about 2gb so you could hunt down a matching 2gb or better replace both with 2gb.

Trading up to windows 7 64bit would allow you to use more RAM but check your other programs. Win7 64bit has been very good for me.  If you can get Win7 64bitcheap enough somewhere.

You should be able to pick up a cheap gaming card from NVidea for around $100 that will improve screen display.  Rendering though is all CPU unless the latest gen cards will chip in (scuse the pun).  Prob incompatible with your system though.  Not worth you getting a high end Worksatation level graphics card as the system will not get near to macing it out.

Ram $50, Card $120  Win7 ?

I worked on a very similar system short time ago and you should have no problems running 'simple' renders now but the extra ram will help and be cheap.  Other than that I would just save for a new system as adding bits will not help that much.

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the advice, I really appreciate it. I'm looking into the windows 7 update now.

Yeah I know in the long run a new system would be best, just needs must at the min!

Thanks again