Topic: Would this be a good computer for the software?

[rv4life]

Hello,

I am wondering if the computer I am about to purchase would be good for running Lumion?  Attached are the specs.  Thank you!

[Morten]

Hi rv4life, if you click here you can compare the specifications with the minimum and recommended system requirements for Lumion.

Based on your specifications list, I would recommend a faster graphics card, at least 16GB system memory and Windows 7. The rest looks fine.

[V&B]

Beware that if you pick a better GPU (which I would), your powersupply of 650 isn't sufficient.

[Morten]

Indeed, if he picks a faster graphics card he should add 150-200 Watts to the Nvidia/AMD specified minimum power requirement for that graphics card - just to be on the safe side. There's more information in the Hardware section of the Knowledge Base.

[rv4life]

Thank you for the information and advice.  I did make changes to the order and now have the updated information attached.  Do you think this would be a good option?  It seems to match the requirements.  I am not the most knowledgeable when it comes to hardware.  Much better with software.  Thank you!

[Morten]

Hi rv4life, I can see that you've added more system memory and a bigger power supply, but have kept the graphics card and Windows 10.

WINDOWS 10
Windows 10 will restrict you in terms of the total memory you can use in Lumion. The limit is currently 4GB, regardless of how much graphics card and system memory your PC has. Our developers are working hard on getting rid of the 4GB memory limit in Windows 10 but it will take a while. In the mean time, we recommend Windows 7 which allows you to use all the graphics card memory and system memory. Click here for more details.

GRAPHICS CARD
The graphics card you picked is an AMD R9 390 with 6,848 PassMark points. Please see below what sort of scenes you can expect to work on with that graphics card, i.e. moderately complex scenes. Would you be ok with that?

[rv4life]

Hi rv4life, I can see that you've added more system memory and a bigger power supply, but have kept the graphics card and Windows 10.

WINDOWS 10
Windows 10 will restrict you in terms of the total memory you can use in Lumion. The limit is currently 4GB, regardless of how much graphics card and system memory your PC has. Our developers are working hard on getting rid of the 4GB memory limit in Windows 10 but it will take a while. In the mean time, we recommend Windows 7 which allows you to use all the graphics card memory and system memory. Click here for more details.

GRAPHICS CARD
The graphics card you picked is an AMD R9 390 with 6,848 PassMark points. Please see below what sort of scenes you can expect to work on with that graphics card, i.e. moderately complex scenes. Would you be ok with that?

Thanks for the reply.  So I was able to add Windows 7 and upgraded the graphics to 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970, which is higher on the points list.  It asks me if I also want to add a "Workstation Graphics Card".  I don't need to for the software right?  Thanks for your great advice.

[Morten]

It's basically a way to add a secondary graphics card that powers another monitor. That way you can get work done in your CAD software on monitor 2 while Lumion is rendering a video on the GTX 970 on monitor 1. If you're planning on rendering videos at night, the GTX 970 should be fine (You can still hook up 2 monitors to the GTX 970 but you can't do any heavy work while Lumion is rendering).

So, what sort of monitor set-up do you have in mind? One or two monitors, and one or two graphics cards? And which monitor resolution? The reason I ask is that a high resolution monitor requires a faster graphics card. The GTX 970 is great for a 1920x1080 resolution monitor.

Regarding Windows 7, this is the perfect choice for now. You'll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free as soon as our developers have fixed the problem with the 4GB limit in Windows 10 - or before Microsoft's "free upgrade" offer expires in a few months - whichever happens first.

[rv4life]

It's basically a way to add a secondary graphics card that powers another monitor. That way you can get work done in your CAD software on monitor 2 while Lumion is rendering a video on the GTX 970 on monitor 1. If you're planning on rendering videos at night, the GTX 970 should be fine (You can still hook up 2 monitors to the GTX 970 but you can't do any heavy work while Lumion is rendering).

So, what sort of monitor set-up do you have in mind? One or two monitors, and one or two graphics cards? And which monitor resolution? The reason I ask is that a high resolution monitor requires a faster graphics card. The GTX 970 is great for a 1920x1080 resolution monitor.

Regarding Windows 7, this is the perfect choice for now. You'll be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free as soon as our developers have fixed the problem with the 4GB limit in Windows 10 - or before Microsoft's "free upgrade" offer expires in a few months - whichever happens first.

Thanks for the info.  I will almost always have only one program running at a time and will only have one monitor.  I was thinking about this as a monitor: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-G276HL-Gbd-27-Inch-Widescreen/dp/B00G5AEZOQ/ref=br_lf_m_yg7yxn7x4fes3jt_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=pc

Thanks again

[Morten]

Thanks for clearing that up - the GTX 970 is a good choice then

[rv4life]

Thank you again!

[V&B]

Thanks for the info.  I will almost always have only one program running at a time and will only have one monitor.  I was thinking about this as a monitor: http://www.amazon.com/Acer-G276HL-Gbd-27-Inch-Widescreen/dp/B00G5AEZOQ/ref=br_lf_m_yg7yxn7x4fes3jt_ttl?ie=UTF8&s=pc

Very cheap. Could be a good deal but what are your requirements? are Colors important? What about IPS, or back-light bleeding, pixel-warranty, and please keep your future in mind; Are there some developments whereby you need a better or more monitors?

This would be a good alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00P0EQD1Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1454397080&sr=1-2&keywords=u2713hm

[Morten]

This would be a good alternative:

http://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-27-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00P0EQD1Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1454397080&sr=1-2&keywords=u2713hm

(Hi rv4life, the Dell monitor is nice but if you were to pick it, please note that we would recommend an Nvidia GTX 980 or faster for that monitor resolution)

[V&B]

as always you are right, Morten 

[Morten]