I recently installed the video card mentioned above to replace my my 8800gt. Since this is my first proper workstation card, is there any setting that I need to adjust in both Max and card’s software to get the most out of this combination. Consider this a clean install of Max.

The specs that I am running is Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit with 4 gb of ddr2 and a Intel Q6600 2.4 ghz.

Thanks in advance.

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 OC to 3.0Ghz
8 Gb DDR2-6400
Nvidia GeForce 560 Ti
3ds Max 2011 64 bit

check out the HELP MENU for CUSTOMIZE menu to setup your driver…

ATI may have a specific Performance Driver you can download from the ATI site and install then select that driver in the CUSTOMIZE menu.

The setting may take or not (vista/7 UAC?), may have to right click on 3ds icon RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR so your custom settings you make save...otherwise if not, you may run next time, and nothing saved you specified.

from “my” understanding, Performance Drivers are what make the FirePro and Quadro type cards worth their cash.  Otherwise, Direct3d 9.0 (10.0 apparently does not work).  Open GL supposed to be the slowest, but perosnally try each and every one and use what you find out best.  Direct3d 9 apparently lets you have more features such as shadows, ambient occulusion etc...but maybe the ATI Performance Drivers also do… I would assume so with the cash you plunked down.

I am sure someone with more experience with ATI will jump in… but here is some info to help until then.

Intel i7 930 2.8Ghz 8 CORE HT / CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus (no OC yet!)
Nvidia EVGA GTX 260 v296.10 driver (Nitrous in max) / Dual Dell Professional P2311H 23” Displays
ASUS P6X58D-E / Corsair Dominator 12GB 1600 DDR3 / Antec tp750 blue / Antec 300 Illusion
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
3ds max design 2012 x64 SP2 (since the 1st DOS version!), Mudbox 2012 x64 SP3, Softimage 2012 x64 SP1, Maya 2012 x64 HF2, Adobe CS5.5 x64, CorelDRAW x5 SP3, Painter 12, etc etc
Wacom Intuos4 v6.2.0w5 / 3DConnexion Space Navigator (drv6.15.2)/ Logitech Performance MX mouse (5.33.14)

From what I have found, there are no performance drivers for this card for Max… unless there is one and someone can provide a link to where I can find one.

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 OC to 3.0Ghz
8 Gb DDR2-6400
Nvidia GeForce 560 Ti
3ds Max 2011 64 bit

Yeah I have it set to DirectX 9. I have changed some setting in my render to speed up my render times, but I have yet to come across a setting that takes advantage of having a professional workstation card. Are these cards supposed to be “plug and play” in terms of their setup?

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 OC to 3.0Ghz
8 Gb DDR2-6400
Nvidia GeForce 560 Ti
3ds Max 2011 64 bit

Is this a norm for all 3d packages or just Max? Does Maya use the graphics card to assist in rendering?

Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 OC to 3.0Ghz
8 Gb DDR2-6400
Nvidia GeForce 560 Ti
3ds Max 2011 64 bit

Like Steve said, the CPU (or CPUs) of the PC do the render processing.

The video card does the processing of the viewports… i.e. wireframes, hiddenlines, shaded, etc etc.

Yes, you would think that naturally a high end (or even a high end gaming card) would TAKE OVER OR HELP OUT when rendering time comes (it’s called a GRAPHICS card of course).  You can’t use the PC anyways until it’s done… so what a waste that the $$$$$$ Quadro just sits back and watches the CPU do all the work.  You would think true EFFICIENT parrallel processing would involve both the CPU and GPU… instead of one working while the other isn’t? Can’t wait for a version of 3ds putting to put to use a DUAL CPU (8+ cores each), and a array of video cards in SLI mode to all work together pushing out renders.

Yes… i know, soon, hopefully this will be a reality...but man, why is it JUST NOW arriving (yeah, sure, been thought of since the beginning of time I will be told)… just like everything in technology… things are moving fast.... but seems to take forever on the important OBVIOUS stuff we need NOW....not 10 years from now. So I would assume hopefully 3ds max 2011 might have something like this??? probably not....make us wait… give it to us gradually over the next 5 years (or 10).... probably Excaliber (XBR) will more than likley have this… but who knows how long that will take. Hopefully SOONER than later....  average lifespan of humans isn’t really that long you know...especailly when waiting for software to do what we need NOW...and all that time sitting as STOP lights.

Intel i7 930 2.8Ghz 8 CORE HT / CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus (no OC yet!)
Nvidia EVGA GTX 260 v296.10 driver (Nitrous in max) / Dual Dell Professional P2311H 23” Displays
ASUS P6X58D-E / Corsair Dominator 12GB 1600 DDR3 / Antec tp750 blue / Antec 300 Illusion
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
3ds max design 2012 x64 SP2 (since the 1st DOS version!), Mudbox 2012 x64 SP3, Softimage 2012 x64 SP1, Maya 2012 x64 HF2, Adobe CS5.5 x64, CorelDRAW x5 SP3, Painter 12, etc etc
Wacom Intuos4 v6.2.0w5 / 3DConnexion Space Navigator (drv6.15.2)/ Logitech Performance MX mouse (5.33.14)

hahah!  yeah Beer!

maybe try out a Nvidia GTX 260… great performance for the price!  Unless your a ATI fan, you can probably get a bigger bang for the buck… but from my past experience I have had odd problems with ATI cards… so i stick with nvidia and intel anymore.

Intel i7 930 2.8Ghz 8 CORE HT / CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus (no OC yet!)
Nvidia EVGA GTX 260 v296.10 driver (Nitrous in max) / Dual Dell Professional P2311H 23” Displays
ASUS P6X58D-E / Corsair Dominator 12GB 1600 DDR3 / Antec tp750 blue / Antec 300 Illusion
Windows 7 Pro x64 SP1
3ds max design 2012 x64 SP2 (since the 1st DOS version!), Mudbox 2012 x64 SP3, Softimage 2012 x64 SP1, Maya 2012 x64 HF2, Adobe CS5.5 x64, CorelDRAW x5 SP3, Painter 12, etc etc
Wacom Intuos4 v6.2.0w5 / 3DConnexion Space Navigator (drv6.15.2)/ Logitech Performance MX mouse (5.33.14)

Yeah I have it set to DirectX 9. I have changed some setting in my render to speed up my render times, but I have yet to come across a setting that takes advantage of having a professional workstation card. Are these cards supposed to be “plug and play” in terms of their setup?

As you have undobtfully noticed you replaced 8800gt with ati 3870 card- ei equivalent of 8800gt in ati terms. Sadly you didnt pick 3870 but its redicilously more expensive firepro counterpart- 3750 (they even sound alike. only part not sounding alike is the price).

Thanks for the comments. I just decided that I am going to return that Ati card since it does nothing to help me along. I just going to spend the cash I paid for it on more important items.... like beer. :)

I dont agree with the beer, but good call :)

Be aware that ANY dx10 capable card isnt going to work right under vista/7 and/or any OS that supports dx10. Max doesn’t like this. If you’re having viewport speed issues, switch to windows XP.

Also, for Max, the difference between gtx260 and 8800gt is nonexistent in the same way ati equivalents didnt make the difference (that ati card was actually faster than 8800gt, not that you noticed i gather)

EoDEo

Ideas drift like petals on the wind. You have only to lift your face to the breeze.