How upgrade my system?

JoelM3DM · 4 Nov 2015, 21:33

I am about to start a large project, after not SUing much for months. I want my system ready for a large model.

The biggest problem is slowing down to a crawl when models get large. It drives me nuts! Please give me some tips for the most effective things I can do. I have some money. I have a pretty good system, but it still slows.

WINDOWS 10 PRO
AMD FX 6350 SIX CORE PROCESSOR 3.9 GHz
8 GB RAM
64-bit OS
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 650 - 1024 Mb

kaas · 5 Nov 2015, 07:03

@joelm3dm said:

..The biggest problem is slowing down to a crawl when models get large. It drives me nuts! Please give me some tips for the most effective things I can do...

WINDOWS 10 PRO
AMD FX 6350 SIX CORE PROCESSOR 3.9 GHz
8 GB RAM
64-bit OS
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 650 - 1024 Mb

Define 'large' models? Without a bit more information or a reference file of an earlier large model, it's difficult to find the actual problem.

In general though:

I'm not sure how the amd cpu speed relates to intel. At the moment, you dont't gain much in SketchUp with the six cores of your cpu. A recent dual or quad core, higher clocked, cpu might be better if your primary focus is Sketchup.
If you're using a lot of high-res textures maybe it could be the texture memory of the gtx650? Have a look at the new gtx900 series. They should give a nice boost as well.
If you have the money, you could increase the ram, that's always fine.
Also, having a fast SSD helps a lot for you system as well.

Normally my advice would also be: maybe have another look at your modelling strategy, hierarchy and styles. By temporary switching off high poly objects and/or with a more simple style, SketchUp might pick up speed again. Maybe you could share a screendump of a large model, with the model statistics and layers?

Finally, do a search on this forum for 'hardware' topics. This question has been asked before and you might pick some great advice.

Max

numerobis · 5 Nov 2015, 12:44

Only Sketchup or also rendering?
Budget?

JoelM3DM · 5 Nov 2015, 13:05

This just for SketchUp, no rendering. I don't have the money for a new processor, but I will get more RAM if that would help. I already have SSD.

My modeling strategy is something I need to improve. That is one area I never learned much about. I think SU needs a switch to automatically turn off extra detail.

juju · 5 Nov 2015, 15:10

@joelm3dm said:

This just for SketchUp, no rendering. I don't have the money for a new processor, but I will get more RAM if that would help. I already have SSD.

My modeling strategy is something I need to improve. That is one area I never learned much about. I think SU needs a switch to automatically turn off extra detail.

there's aplugin for that, Tig's Matrixproximity. Although I have to admit that it will require a bit of work on your end...

sketch3d.de · 6 Nov 2015, 12:04

@joelm3dm said:

... but I will get more RAM if that would help.

more RAM obviously only if RAM is full, check the Windows Task Manager for this.

@joelm3dm said:

My modeling strategy is something I need to improve. That is one area I never learned much about.

Making SketchUp run faster

upgrading to a GeForce GTX 750Ti would roughly double, to a GTX 960 roughly triple the GPU speed... which won't help if the CPU (likely) is the bottleneck.

If ever buying a new system, go with a high-clocked intel Core i5/i7 CPU (SU is currently single-threaded, thus multiple cores don't help).

Norbert

mac1 · 7 Nov 2015, 18:44

My limited experience SU primitive geometry contributes as second order impact on processing speed:
Usually its is the graphics processor and computational load of the image textures;
I some times save model and use that, delete all materials and see what the speed a nd program size is;
That at least gives you some idea of the problem facing you. The actions can be done:

Model work in monochrome mode since it reduces the processing load;
2 Save the materials as a collection. That creates a skm file and since you can open in the windows explorer you will have an idea of which materials are causing the problem and take action to change size if possible, usually it seems a few are culprits. ( If you want to open change extension to zip and the you can open.;
You gave no info on machine and sku version you have, but make sure the graphics card is set for operation when running SU. You can also particularize its setting for SU by using its control panel. My info on that is out of date but someone will have it for you. Can even give NVIDIA a call.
Select the widows styles and deselect enable transparency because that make process load more, also it sees thru the material or set opacity also., use layers to minimize processing load and scenes to help with navigation.
The new task manager ( came in about vista time frame? ) at bottom right corner has greatly expanded info ( resource monitor ) you can get, read its help, understand and then use that. It may point finger at problem area.
Shut down all other threads running you can.
Just some thoughts :smiley