I'm starting to use 3D modeling applications which are failing because I have OpenGL 2 on my current laptop. I know I have to get a new PC for this as there is no driver with OpenGL 3.0 for my current system. But, how to tell which CPUs have OpenGL 3.0? My PC is only 6 months old and I don't want to run through this again (new PC incapable). Any info, I'm not seeing OpenGL in the Intel specs on their site. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
-
Have a passion for hardware and the written word? Tom's Hardware is seeking contributors!
Why did you buy a laptop with an atom processor in the first place?
Intel Atom Z2760
Its like digging though mud to find stuff on that cpu's IGP, http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?242824-
That is all I could find on the thing, from what I read it should work on Opengl 3.2 even. But as you said it dose not I am at a loss.
If your looking into another laptop, make sure its either a laptop with I3 series, I5 series or I7 series CPUs or from amd an A8 series CPU. But remember its not the CPU that determines what openGL you use its the graphics core on the CPU chip also known as IGP (Integrated Graphics Processor ) that dose.
Unless you have a video card, this is the way to go if you want to game, or use GPU heavy application.
If you want to give me a list of store you can order from and a budget I can find you a new laptop or desktop whatever you prefer. It would also be helpful to know what the pc you want is for I am guessing 3d modeling as you stated this if so, then you should get something with a decent video card and not IGP.
You are too funny. Why would any average user know what the heck an Atom processor's limitations are?
Bought as average user, looking at hardware reviews for reliability, battery life for those of us who are highly mobile and general storage needs.
Atom limits are irrelevant for most of us in 99% of circumstances. Enter 3D modeling/printing usage, and most marketed mobile
systems fall short, yes? Just as is the case for gamers, specific needs not met by "average" PC. Category "Gaming PCs" in some vendor sites, no "3D Modeling" category. Still on the bleeding edge.
Intel spec, after serious digging on Intel's site, says Atom is only capable of OpenGL 2. No drivers made for OpenGL 3. Not finding OpenGL version for other processors, hence my apprehension selecting a new PC.
As for "But remember ...IGP...", Remember? Remember? Way over my head. I have no clue what IGP is. Remember I'm here because I have no clue and am hoping to get one. I also have no (genuine knowledge) clue if this is "GPU heavy". I'm assuming the G stands for
Graphics and if that's the case, about the only thing more G(PU) heavy would be 3D animation. But from what I understand, modeling
alone is G heavy. Discovered the hard way that 3D modeling's posted system requirements are grossly underrepresented on their web sites. Min requirements posted (2GB RAM) supports starting the software and not much else - min 8 GB RAM to actually use the features. Only zBrush posts both, min and realistic system requirements.
What I'm in need of:
8.1 - don't want win 7 or 8 only to upgrade to 8.1, no ability to create image any more for restore. restore is now factory ship state and rebuild from there.
Mobile (laptop), for 3D scanning. Scanner is USB attached.
- Needs to be able to support at least 10 FPS (frames per second).
Graphics support for 3D modeling. From what I understand that means
- OpenGL 3
- 8 GB RAM
- 2 GHz Min CPU speed - harder to tell these days, lots of vendor sites aren't listing Turbo mode speed for PC, just default processor speed.
- Graphics card? - I hear the modeling software would run better with a graphics card, not "integrated" CPU (I have no idea about this, but guessing this is your IGP).
Storage - up to 1 TB, to collect scans from site visits. Can be offloaded to other storage end of day, to clear for next day.
Battery - either longish life or access to battery to swap out to a fresh one part way through day. Cannot stop customers for intermittent hours to recharge. Best case, can charge for 1 hour, after 4 hours running. Noticed many new mobile systems have no access to batteries, completely enclosed, non-replaceable let alone swappable. May need to buy 2 PCs if this criteria can't be met.
Connections - HDMI, WiFi, 802.11, USBs, SD card
Not likely to pay another $300 for the following features, but if it's there, great:
Keyboard preference, not necessity - No numeric keypad, makes me sit stretched over to alpha side during long hours at the machine with alphas shoved over to the left to make room for the numeric keypad. Currently use WiFi keyboard if I have to to avoid using numeric keypad keyboards, at home and work.
Docking station capable - icing on the cake. I plug into full sized monitor when home (HDMI/VGA converter) and backup drive. Last USB hub I used immediately blew all USB ports on my Desktop so I'm not likely willing to try that again. Using various connector/converters in the mean time.
Stores and PC advice I've received so far:
- Avoid Dell, Alienware is $$$$ and Dell.
- Take a look at Acer V5 and V7s. Fell into endless CPU/OpenGL spec deadends here.
- HP has quality issues (reason I got a new Samsung, my HP laptops are dying in 2 years, dead on 3rd year, overheating hard drives).
Stores I've used,
- Staples,
- B & H photo
- BestBuy (great return policies if PC is just WRONG),
- Frys
Hear good things about NewEgg and TigerDirect.
Mainly I just want a respectable vendor who will take back a DOA. Not willing to save money using unknown vendor.
Budget, I'm shooting for under $1K, if possible. Priority is workmanship. Don't want to pay for bells and whistles I have no use for. Seeing (gamers) recommendations to 3Ders based on budget, with gamer bells and whistles.
Bought as average user, looking at hardware reviews for reliability, battery life for those of us who are highly mobile and general storage needs.
Atom limits are irrelevant for most of us in 99% of circumstances. Enter 3D modeling/printing usage, and most marketed mobile
systems fall short, yes? Just as is the case for gamers, specific needs not met by "average" PC. Category "Gaming PCs" in some vendor sites, no "3D Modeling" category. Still on the bleeding edge.
Intel spec, after serious digging on Intel's site, says Atom is only capable of OpenGL 2. No drivers made for OpenGL 3. Not finding OpenGL version for other processors, hence my apprehension selecting a new PC.
As for "But remember ...IGP...", Remember? Remember? Way over my head. I have no clue what IGP is. Remember I'm here because I have no clue and am hoping to get one. I also have no (genuine knowledge) clue if this is "GPU heavy". I'm assuming the G stands for
Graphics and if that's the case, about the only thing more G(PU) heavy would be 3D animation. But from what I understand, modeling
alone is G heavy. Discovered the hard way that 3D modeling's posted system requirements are grossly underrepresented on their web sites. Min requirements posted (2GB RAM) supports starting the software and not much else - min 8 GB RAM to actually use the features. Only zBrush posts both, min and realistic system requirements.
What I'm in need of:
8.1 - don't want win 7 or 8 only to upgrade to 8.1, no ability to create image any more for restore. restore is now factory ship state and rebuild from there.
Mobile (laptop), for 3D scanning. Scanner is USB attached.
- Needs to be able to support at least 10 FPS (frames per second).
Graphics support for 3D modeling. From what I understand that means
- OpenGL 3
- 8 GB RAM
- 2 GHz Min CPU speed - harder to tell these days, lots of vendor sites aren't listing Turbo mode speed for PC, just default processor speed.
- Graphics card? - I hear the modeling software would run better with a graphics card, not "integrated" CPU (I have no idea about this, but guessing this is your IGP).
Storage - up to 1 TB, to collect scans from site visits. Can be offloaded to other storage end of day, to clear for next day.
Battery - either longish life or access to battery to swap out to a fresh one part way through day. Cannot stop customers for intermittent hours to recharge. Best case, can charge for 1 hour, after 4 hours running. Noticed many new mobile systems have no access to batteries, completely enclosed, non-replaceable let alone swappable. May need to buy 2 PCs if this criteria can't be met.
Connections - HDMI, WiFi, 802.11, USBs, SD card
Not likely to pay another $300 for the following features, but if it's there, great:
Keyboard preference, not necessity - No numeric keypad, makes me sit stretched over to alpha side during long hours at the machine with alphas shoved over to the left to make room for the numeric keypad. Currently use WiFi keyboard if I have to to avoid using numeric keypad keyboards, at home and work.
Docking station capable - icing on the cake. I plug into full sized monitor when home (HDMI/VGA converter) and backup drive. Last USB hub I used immediately blew all USB ports on my Desktop so I'm not likely willing to try that again. Using various connector/converters in the mean time.
Stores and PC advice I've received so far:
- Avoid Dell, Alienware is $$$$ and Dell.
- Take a look at Acer V5 and V7s. Fell into endless CPU/OpenGL spec deadends here.
- HP has quality issues (reason I got a new Samsung, my HP laptops are dying in 2 years, dead on 3rd year, overheating hard drives).
Stores I've used,
- Staples,
- B & H photo
- BestBuy (great return policies if PC is just WRONG),
- Frys
Hear good things about NewEgg and TigerDirect.
Mainly I just want a respectable vendor who will take back a DOA. Not willing to save money using unknown vendor.
Budget, I'm shooting for under $1K, if possible. Priority is workmanship. Don't want to pay for bells and whistles I have no use for. Seeing (gamers) recommendations to 3Ders based on budget, with gamer bells and whistles.
Ok first the issue is the price, what you seem to want is a workstation laptop. The best ones cost 2000$ ish, so we will have to make due with a gaming laptop at that budget as they have a decent CPU and Video Card ( Graphics). But may not have some of the preference. Also most laptops these days have options for mini HDMI/HDMI so that should not be an issue. The battery may be, its something we have to deal with these days.
Also dell may be a bit overpriced but they have some great workstation machines. But at 1000 thats marked off the list. I will most likely reccmend ASUS or MSI laptops.
Also what is the modeling program you will be using?
Also dell may be a bit overpriced but they have some great workstation machines. But at 1000 thats marked off the list. I will most likely reccmend ASUS or MSI laptops.
Also what is the modeling program you will be using?
When I look at workstation features, it looks they mainly revolve around don't want/don't need features: OS pro versions, high def and/or large displays, RJ45/ethernet, DVD drive, accountant keypad.
The above average PC needs are: graphics card, processor speed (2GHz or better), RAM (8GB), battery life (4hr or better) and features affecting battery life (processor, DDR3L, HDD vs SDD?, 4 cell/6 cell?) and there are multitudes of PC variants. CPUs and OpenGL version is what's blowing my circuits. I take it from this discussion, if a graphics card is present (seeing plenty of GT 750Ms and 840Ms), then graphics speed and OpenGL 3 is not going to be a problem. CPU variants seem endless.
Modeling programs to start with would be Netfabb, MeshMixer, MeshLab, and either zBrush's Sculptris or Cubify's Sculpt.
The above average PC needs are: graphics card, processor speed (2GHz or better), RAM (8GB), battery life (4hr or better) and features affecting battery life (processor, DDR3L, HDD vs SDD?, 4 cell/6 cell?) and there are multitudes of PC variants. CPUs and OpenGL version is what's blowing my circuits. I take it from this discussion, if a graphics card is present (seeing plenty of GT 750Ms and 840Ms), then graphics speed and OpenGL 3 is not going to be a problem. CPU variants seem endless.
Modeling programs to start with would be Netfabb, MeshMixer, MeshLab, and either zBrush's Sculptris or Cubify's Sculpt.
The reason I said workstations were because of their video cards and strong cpus, Firepro and nvidia quadro Video cards are the best of the best for work like 3 d modeling rendering etc You still want a good cpu regardless this also helps greatly.
If you want something decent here is some options.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834233023R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231002
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231238
You may need to buy an OS upgrade or new os for these machines.
I would normally tell you to go with the mentioned 2000$ workstation laptops for this type of work but you and you budget seem against that.
But remember theirs all type of portable energy solutions Google around and you can find one. But you will most likely pay a a decent price for them.
I would not go any less the the specs of these listed laptops. Not for 3d work anyways.
Also did you know you were gonna be doing 3d modeling? You seem to know more then you let on, then you should known an atom CPU would not of been a choice for this so don't come off as such a defensive ass next time. Its not my fault you bought a computer that dose not do what you need it to. Just saying, I was trying to help no need to me some damned hostile.
TRENDING THREADS
-
-
My week with Linux: I'm dumping Windows for Ubuntu to see how it goes- Started by Admin
- Replies: 221
-
-
Discussion What's your favourite video game you've been playing?- Started by amdfangirl
- Replies: 4K
-
Discussion PSU recommendations and power supply discussion thread - Tom's hardware- Started by Darkbreeze
- Replies: 2K
-
Question [Quick question] My nightmare is that what if Microsoft released windows 12 required AI PC's only- Started by DudeWithGTX2025
- Replies: 3
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram