RAM problem

[Eric]

Just bought 256 more mg of ram so that my 3d modeling program would be able to load larger scenes that usually make my program crash would work alright, but when i checked the system resources, im still using almost all of my resources just opening 3d studio max. my computer performance hasnt changed a bit...not sure if there is something i need to configure. My computer IS recognizing the extra ram which is why im confused..thanks in advance if you have any info for me.

[Paleo Pete]

Post some system information, maybe we'll be able to figure something out. Especially try to find out the chipset, if it's an older computer running a first generation Pentium, 266MHz or under. If it's P-II or later, that might not matter. I'm wondering though, about the 64MB memory limitation on some older motherboards/chipsets.

Also, check your virtual memory settings, and when you try to run the program that's giving you trouble make sure everything possible is turned off, either by running msconfig or [Ctrl] [Alt] [Del] and shutting them down there.

Updating to the latest video drivers might help too, and Direct X as well. I'm not sure if Direct X would have anything to do with 3D graphics programs, but it might help.

Look through the help files for the program, or check their website for FAQ or tech support.

BIOS settings related to memory might also be worth checking out. Take a lpook at System Optimizations (http://www.pcguide.com/opt/opt/index.htm) and BIOS Settings (http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/set/index.htm) in the PC Guide.

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[scada]

3d Studio Max is a memory hog. I had to install 512MB of memory before I got good performance out of it. I also had poor performance using the program with Windows9x switching to NT made a world of difference for me.

Good Luck


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[Eric]

I have a PII 450 mhz with a voodoo2graphics card. I just got a job as an artist for a gaming company and they said that it might just be my graphics card and that im running windows 98...like you said. I am going to try to install windows 2000 anyway, so that might help. i heard that 98..although it recognizes it, doesnt really take advantage of the extra ram as much. Thanks again for the help..if you have any other ideas, i would appreciate it.

[bassvax]

Eric I really believe you'll see great improvement with a monster video card over anything else since you've got some serious RAM going now. I went from 8MB integrated AGP to a Voodoo 4-4500 32MB PCI card and things that were designed in 3D modeling software were visible for the first time. If your job is involved in this I would take it to the limit. I can't tell you with experience, but your processor can have some to do with your 3D experience as well. What it means that the PIII has better 3D instruction capabilities I'm not sure...maybe someone can ring in with an experienced perspective on the diff a CPU upgrade would make.

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Jerry

[scada]

Yep, you might want to look at getting a new video card. Maybe your new bosses will pay for it. (to be honest most retail cards are not made for "professional" use. But they come damn close.)

I belive the the PII has the same "video" extensions as the PIII. (The P4 however has gotten a new set of video extensions.) But not all programs make use of these extensions anyway. Stay with the Intel chips and you should be OK. (support for AMD's video extensions is getting better but why take a chance.)


Good Luck http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Eric]

Thanks for all the info guys...im going to try the video card route...it seems that its the best route..thanks again
Eric