+1 for a SSD it should give you a real speed boost (and it's noiseless)

Looks like they are doing some re-evaluation on those ideas. http://www.theplantfactory-tech.com/index.php?post%2F2013%2F06%2F07%2FPlant-Factory-Studio-Pre-Release-Phase-II

SU 7 and up!

Sounds like you've built a nice render farm box. Now it's time to build a sketchUp machine. Thankfully the SketchUp machine will be dirt cheap because you only need a few gigs of ram, a gaming videocard and a single processor or high speed multi-core processor. I would say this could be done with a few hundred dollars depending on what parts you have laying around. You could get an 1155 board on ebay for like 50, an i5 or i7 in the 3 ghz range that can be overclocked to 5 ghz for around 150-200 and an older GTX 4 or 5 series for around 100. now if you have a few parts laying around you're set to build with sketchup and do renderings on your other box while you work. I would imagine that this will be faster than any settings you can make on that box you're currently using. However, I think you might be having an issue some where that can be resolved on your current system. Sketchup hasn't changed all that much over the years and you should be able to handle it with this setup. I wonder if this issue happens with all dynamic components or just a certain set? Yes, an SSD will be a noticeable increase in performance on the whole machine but specifically larger software packages like adobe and autocad. SketchUp will load much faster.

I was hoping that you would be on 2013 and it would be a driver issue that might be fixed with new Nvidia drivers.

Maybe because I use my laptop until it can't be sold anymore I think the screen will make a nice photo frame once I can detach it, and the rest goes through the extruder for 3d printing (ok, that is only a dream)

Isn't the Windows 8 UI a logical consequence from the previous versions? While a technology (graphic processors) is being learned, improved and polished, its development progress is showcased by mediums that it was not intended for (window effects like glass&shadows and other gimicks) and finally overexaggerated in a playful manner. Once this development is completed, the skills are applied for different purposes but don't play a visible role on the scene: [image: b4Xs_0.png]

Yeah, I see no big deal here myself. TinkerCAD had pretty much decided to go in another direction way before the buy out so it looks like a good deal for both parties. AutoDesk has really charged ahead on new mobile and web technology. What prices they are charging seem fair for what you get. Most so far have been free or next to free.

For those who have read this and curious about using dual graphic cards, the thread link below is also a good reference. http://sketchucation.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13326

A couple of alternatives with gesture control http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p015scm8 http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p016zr4t Brian

From what it looks like from searching the Nvidia website..It looks like the dual GTX 675M is the way to go? if I "understand" the specs well enough? Just not sure if the "gaming" claims have any value in the SU or Shaderlight world?

Twillight Render works with the Plugins animation of Sketchup! You can also use something like the free BBFlashback express for recording the animation on the screen you can also export your animation as simple images (25 images/ second) then make the animation inside Blender for example [image: file.php?id=4211&t=1]

@wyatt said: I'll check the cost to step up to an i7 ... Just to be clear... the i7 and Xeon E3 (for single CPU systems) are basically the same for each generation (Xeon has some more features like ECC, but they are not needed. And you get them without the internal graphics). So there is no need to switch to i7 now, if they offer you a faster Xeon. Maybe they are only selling Xeons in this product line...

I've never understood the Quadros... Way too expensive. It seemed like Nvidia milking the business world because they didn't know what they were buying. But the Titan is pretty awesome and not too outrageous for the bang.

@liam887 said: I also brought the machine into work for IT to look at, would point to a hardware failure. For me at work it's pretty rare to see hardware failure with NIC (IRL working as a team leader for the onsite IT support team for a organization with 700+ workstations ). For this year I think I seen only one failed NIC (HP JetDirect card). Anyhow HW failure sounds possible in your case. There is still a little change that some BIOS setting is causing the issue (example some motherboards will start dropping packets if two onboard NICs are enabled (some intel issue). Enabling UEFI boot also may mess NIC (another intel issue).

Seems SketchyPhysics can make the same!

@unknownuser said: about the maps thing... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGuEsT6KD9Y

A very funny gadget!

Springfield Missouri exterior temps 41f, interior temps 64f Not rendering, but working. i5 2500k at 4.8 ghz Core 0 54c Core 1 55c Core 2 51c Core 3 52c

thank you all for your responses. and disable the auto-save and also use the plugin "purge" I also began to use lighter styles, turn them off shades and styles that make the SU slower. regards regards Pedro