Topic: Do you think I can run Lumion with this configuration?

[Syd]

Processor Type   Core i7
Processor Speed   2.6 GHz
Processor Count   4
RAM Size   16 GB
Graphics Chipset Brand   NVIDIA
Graphics Card Description   nVIDIA® GeForceTM GTX 960M 128bit w/ 2GB GDDR5
Graphics Card Ram Size   2 GB

about the graphic card, I don't get it, does it mean it uses 2 Gb of Dedicated Ram plus 2 Gb of Ram?
or it only has 2 Gb dedicated memory?

anyway what do you think?

[Morten]

Hi Syd, welcome to the Lumion forum.

The GTX 960M has 2GB memory but unfortunately it does not have enough PassMark points to meet the minimum requirements for Lumion.

There's more information in this Knowledge Base article.

[Syd]

Thanks, I checked it out. my problem was that I didn't know that the word "M" at the end a graphics card stands for Mobile. And the fact that a Mobile graphics card is weaker than the same Desktop model.

Anyhow, this is the setup I think I can afford, ( it's a laptop): ( I wanna double check it with you first)
***************************************
CPU   Skylake Core i7 6700HQ 2.6GHz-3.5 6MB
Chipset   Intel® HM170
LCD   15.6 FULL HD LED
VGA   GeForce GTX 970M 3GB GDDR5
Graphics VRAM 3GB GDDR5
Memory   16GB DDR4 2133MHz
******************************************
-what do you think?

-The salesman said that it has a 3GB Dedicated Graphics Card, and if it needs more, it automatically integrate into and use from the 16 GB Ram it has. Is that correct?

- It's like I'm bargaining here  , but from your experience,( and according to the categories in this link you've mentioned) do you think it'll be able to overcome "MODERATELY COMPLEX SCENES IN LUMION" or as the data indicates, I'm stuck with "SIMPLE SCENES IN LUMION" ?

-More over, Since this link states the System Requirements for the latest version of Lumion, do you think I stand a better chance using the previous versions, like 6 ( or even 5), for the more complex scenes?

[Morten]

Hi Syd, the GTX 970M has just under 4,000 PassMark points which is at the half-way point between simple and moderately complex scenes, so adjust your expectations accordingly.

QUOTE FROM THE KNOWLEDGE BASE ARTICLE:

SIMPLE SCENES IN LUMION: (e.g. a small building/interior without much detail)
Minimum 2,000 PassMark points and 2GB dedicated graphics card memory (RAM).

MODERATELY COMPLEX SCENES IN LUMION: (e.g. a moderately detailed office complex)
Minimum 6,000 PassMark points and 4GB dedicated graphics card memory (RAM).

VERY COMPLEX SCENES IN LUMION: (e.g. a large park or part of a city)
Minimum 8,000 PassMark points and 6GB dedicated graphics card memory (RAM).

ULTRA COMPLEX SCENES IN LUMION: (e.g. a super detailed city, airport or stadium)
Minimum 10,000 PassMark points and 6GB dedicated graphics card memory (RAM).
_________________________________

Have you considered buying a desktop PC to get more for your money, or does it have to be a laptop PC? How much does this particular model cost?

(Regarding using an older version of Lumion, that's not going to make much difference. Also, Lumion 5 is no longer for sale)

[Syd]

I know pc is really better, but unfortunately it has to be a laptop. cause I'm moving all the time.
It's MSI. and it's cost $ 1350.

I bought Lumion 5 years ago, and never used it. so does it make a difference in my case?


I'd appreciate if you could answer this question too:

-The salesman said that it has a 3GB Dedicated Graphics Card, and if it needs more, it automatically integrate into and use from the 16 GB Ram it has. Is that correct?

~Regards

[Morten]

I know pc is really better, but unfortunately it has to be a laptop. cause I'm moving all the time.
It's MSI. and it's cost $ 1350.

Fair enough, and MSI is a good brand, so this is probably as good as it's going to get for that amount of money.

I bought Lumion 5 years ago, and never used it. so does it make a difference in my case?

Yes, see below.

-The salesman said that it has a 3GB Dedicated Graphics Card, and if it needs more, it automatically integrate into and use from the 16 GB Ram it has. Is that correct?

If the laptop PC ships with Windows 10, you will need to use the very latest version of Lumion, i.e. 6.5.1, to be able to take advantage of the 16GB system memory in addition to the 3GB graphics card memory. If you use an older version of Lumion on Windows 10, it can only use a maximum of 4GB memory which will feel very restrictive (and Lumion will crash the moment it exceeds 4GB).

If the laptop PC ships with Windows 7, all versions of Lumion will be able to use the 16GB system memory in addition to the 3GB graphics card memory.

[Morten]

P.S. Please click here and follow the instructions in step #2 to register your Lumion license. This will give you access to the full forum for commercial users (which is hidden until you have completed the registration procedure).

[peterm]

Hi Syd

Just to add: there are other configurations of MSI laptops for the GTX970M. 

I'm not sure how much more they would be, or if outside your budget, but these with a GTX970m come in 3GB or 6GB versions: GT72 DOMINATOR (GTX 970M)  (click on Specification menu then the meu for GT72 Dominator-214 or GT72 Dominator-216).

[Syd]

I checked that laptop, but, it's too expensive for me. I also checked that link.
Honestly it ships with no OS. So I can install whatever windows I like. But I think windows 7 is kinda too old now, and maybe, windows 10( Enterprise or 1607) is better.

About the  windows;
But in case I wanted to use Windos 7, does using the previous versions of Lumion,like 5, have an advantage over using the latest ones? In other words, I definitely cannot expect to run "MODERATELY COMPLEX SCENES IN LUMION" on windows 10 + Lumion 6.5.1 ( or maybe Lumion 6), but is it possible to run them on Windows 7 + Lumion 5? ( on the same computer)

- You mentioned that Lumion, 6.5.1 works great with windows 10. Alright then. Luminon 6.5.1 it is.
But what about Luminum 6?( I think it's older than 6.5.1) Does it also work fine with Win 10?

- You gave me some great information on that version stuff. So kudos on that! But still, didn't get my answer. let me put it this way.
Is it really how this Graphics card and Ram work together? That when we need more than that 3GB that's dedicated , it goes and borrows some from that 16 GB Ram?

[Morten]

I definitely cannot expect to run "MODERATELY COMPLEX SCENES IN LUMION" on windows 10 + Lumion 6.5.1 ( or maybe Lumion 6), but is it possible to run them on Windows 7 + Lumion 5? ( on the same computer)

No, it will not make much difference if you try to run an older version of Lumion on the same computer.

Bear in mind that scene complexity refers to the number of 3D Points (based on both imported models and Lumion models), the number of models, the number and resolution of textures (and the number of Lumion materials of course), and older versions of Lumion treat those things the same way as newer versions of Lumion.

The PassMark point requirements have risen over the years of course, but that's because Lumion now includes some functionality that dramatically improves rendering quality (realistic reflections, Hyperlight 2 etc).

- You mentioned that Lumion, 6.5.1 works great with windows 10. Alright then. Luminon 6.5.1 it is.
But what about Luminum 6?( I think it's older than 6.5.1) Does it also work fine with Win 10?

No, as mentioned earlier, Lumion 6.5.1 is required if you want to use Windows 10. If you try to run Lumion 6.0 on Windows 10, it can only use a total of 4GB memory and will crash if you exceed that limit.

Is it really how this Graphics card and Ram work together? That when we need more than that 3GB that's dedicated , it goes and borrows some from that 16 GB Ram?

As mentioned in my previous reply, the 16GB system memory will be used when the 3GB graphics card memory is full, but only if you use one of these combinations:

1) Windows 10 + Lumion 6.5.1 (and upcoming versions).
2) Windows 7 + old and new versions (no guarantee about upcoming versions).

We highly recommend that you use Windows 10 and the latest version of Lumion as all of our development efforts will focus on this Windows version from now on.