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    SU and LO CPU vs GPU usage (for documents in LO)

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    • bmikeB Offline
      bmike
      last edited by

      How much work in SU and LO is done by the GPU vs. the CPU?

      I read that LO 2015 can now take advantage of the GPU when rendering certain types of graphics (vector, I believe).
      I also understand that SU uses the CPU for most drawing - until textures and shadows come into play (shadows are something I rarely use in day to day work, but occasionally I do studies for clients).

      I do use hidden line in SU a lot to peak inside geometry to understand whats happening inside the structure.

      My workflow is 60% SU, 30% LO, and a mix of video and photo output (never photo realistic rendering).

      On my machine LO is a slow beast whenever I get into a complex model for construction documents. Recently I have been having to setup my pages as raster, and then I come back and set them to hybrid or vector depending on what I need for output.

      I'm working on a late 2011 MacBook Pro 17" 2.4g i7 processor, 16g ram, AMD Radeon HD 6770M

      I'm in the market for a new computer, been eyeing the new iMac Retina if I want a desktop, or the 15" MacBookPro. Wondering if I should I weight the build towards the better processor or the GPU (not a choice on the laptop, but I have options on the iMac?

      Does it matter? Or maybe I'm just playing with dated hardware... and anything will be an improvement.

      mike beganyi design + consulting llc

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      • sketch3d.deS Offline
        sketch3d.de
        last edited by

        roughly, everything modeling (and file saving/opening) is CPU, everything display/printer output, some render plugins and raster export is GPU (OpenGL).

        a high-clocked intel Core i5/i7 (recent IV. Gen.) and a dedicated (not shared) video subsystem in form of the nVidia GeForde GTX series w/ min. ~3,500 passmark points should play fine.

        Norbert

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        • bmikeB Offline
          bmike
          last edited by

          I opted for the 15" MacBook Pro and am very happy thus far. A complex remodel project that I'm doing construction docs for is moving along without stressing the new machine like it did my old one (I have them sitting side by side...)

          Not the ideal workhorse for some folks - but as I'm mobile its a good choice for me.

          I've been using the activity monitor - I can see CPU load but not GPU load, but can check that the discreet card is in play whenever I have this file open.

          Will do some comparisons on a series of shadow studies I did earlier in the year to see how it handles that.

          mike beganyi design + consulting llc

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