New configuration question

[Anonymous]

At work we are currently using Archicad ver 8.1. and Art.lantis (not sure what version, I think 4). We're in the process of buying a new computer, but we don't have any feedback about how the next hardware works with archicad:

Processor - Intel 4 2.8 2x1MB S775 dual core D820
Graphic card - VGA PNY nVidia Quadro FX 1300 128MB PClex
Memory - 2 GB DDR2 433mhz dual channel kingstone

We're looking to buy something that will work for us for the next 2-3 years at least, so that we don't have to buy another computer. At the moment we have problems with slow rendering, so we want to speed the things up.

So, my questions are

1. Does Archicad 8.1 supports the dual core processors (does it work at all with it)?
2. If he does, does a dual core processor speeds the things up, or Archicad just understands one side of it?
3. Is there a difference for the speed of renderisations between a graphic card of 128 and 256 mb (related to Archicad and Art.lantis)? We really need to speed things up, sometimes we wait 15-20 minutes for an 640*400 picture in a little bit more complex projects, wich slows us down terribly.
4. What is by your personal opinion and past experience the best graphic card currently available for Archicad? I need something to speed up my renderisations.
5. Is 2 gb fast DDR enough?

Thnx in advance to everybody.

[Anonymous]

Well, after I posted I saw the section regarding graphic cards. Thnx guys, I was close to buy something that is more than suboptimal. So my question still regards the dual core processor - can archicad use it as it should work, or is it better that I buy a normal intel processor with as much power and cache available?

[Anonymous]

I'm not much of a hardware specialist, but recently bought a computer, so I'll share my experience:
1. No, it doesn't! AC9 doesn't too. Recently there was such discussion in the Forum. Look for it!
2.
3. As far as I know graphic cards do not affect rendering speed. With AC it may be different - I do not use it for rendering. Not sure if Artlantis can use dual processors. For Max it definitely speeds things up.
For the sake of comparison: http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=9699&highlight= The same picture at 640/400 was done in 14 min. Fine for me!
4. I use the main-board built-in graphic card (Asus). On my PC-assembler's advice. Works like a charm with AC. Saved a lot of money for something that would perform the same.
5. I've got 2GB fast DDR RAM. Seems it's too much for AC. On the XP's Performance window it never reached over 600MB!

[Stephen Dolbee]

If you can hold off buying new hardware until the requirements for AC10 are out, that would be my suggestion-unless you have no plans to upgrade anytime soon.