Vista - Petaurus

Petaurus · 02-04-2009

Hi guys, new to this forum and graphics cards problems in general. Ok so I have a Dell Precision T7400, 16 GB memory, and 2 ATI FireGL 7600 512 Mb graphics cards installed - so I have a ridiculous amount of shared graphics memory, something in the order of 3 GB. I am trying to run 3D reconstructions of CT scans, so assembling image stacks into a 3D structure. I know this sounds fairly specific but I have a feeling that my problem is not dissimilar to 3d gaming issues.

The issue is that the computer totally underperforms - I get memory errors with datasets that are not particularly large, or the programs crash on me. It doesn't seem like the assembly process uses up all that much memory (judging by the task manager), but crashes seem to happen while the model is loaded into memory, once it is loaded there are no further problems. I have a feeling that performance has actually got worse, but purging the caches etc. doesn't work.

I hope this is specific enough. I basically look for some issue with this kind of configuration that makes 3D rendering processes use up too much memory...or thereabouts. Apologies for sounding clueless...any hints would be greatly appreciated!

**MrNeeds** · 02-04-2009

Quote: Originally Posted by Petaurus

Hi guys, new to this forum and graphics cards problems in general. Ok so I have a Dell Precision T7400, 16 GB memory, and 2 ATI FireGL 7600 512 Mb graphics cards installed - so I have a ridiculous amount of shared graphics memory, something in the order of 3 GB. I am trying to run 3D reconstructions of CT scans, so assembling image stacks into a 3D structure. I know this sounds fairly specific but I have a feeling that my problem is not dissimilar to 3d gaming issues.

The issue is that the computer totally underperforms - I get memory errors with datasets that are not particularly large, or the programs crash on me. It doesn't seem like the assembly process uses up all that much memory (judging by the task manager), but crashes seem to happen while the model is loaded into memory, once it is loaded there are no further problems. I have a feeling that performance has actually got worse, but purging the caches etc. doesn't work.

I hope this is specific enough. I basically look for some issue with this kind of configuration that makes 3D rendering processes use up too much memory...or thereabouts. Apologies for sounding clueless...any hints would be greatly appreciated!

i dont think that memory is the problem, it maybe that your 2 v7600's are too underrated for the work your trying to do, if you are going to use high detail 3D imaging and processing then i can only suggest switching to Nvidia, physics processing is a lot better with PNY cards.

Petaurus · 02-04-2009

Thanks very much - I don't think that's it though, because I am able to reconstruct datasets of similar size on a 4 Gb RAM 64 bit XP laptop with a single 256 Mb Nvidia Quadro FX 360M.

**sygnus21** · 02-05-2009

What drivers are you using and have you tried a different one?

Petaurus · 02-05-2009

I updated the FireGL driver recently with the latest version on the Dell update website, to no avail. Do you have a specific driver you would suggest?

**Everlong18** · 02-05-2009

Which version does the Dell website have? Have you checked them against ones on the ATI website?

**roy69** · 02-05-2009

Have you tried disbleing one of the graphics cards. Not all programs get on well with 2 enabled. Some programs can even run slower.

02-04-2009	#1 (permalink)
Petaurus Vista Business x64 3 posts	Petaurus Hi guys, new to this forum and graphics cards problems in general. Ok so I have a Dell Precision T7400, 16 GB memory, and 2 ATI FireGL 7600 512 Mb graphics cards installed - so I have a ridiculous amount of shared graphics memory, something in the order of 3 GB. I am trying to run 3D reconstructions of CT scans, so assembling image stacks into a 3D structure. I know this sounds fairly specific but I have a feeling that my problem is not dissimilar to 3d gaming issues. The issue is that the computer totally underperforms - I get memory errors with datasets that are not particularly large, or the programs crash on me. It doesn't seem like the assembly process uses up all that much memory (judging by the task manager), but crashes seem to happen while the model is loaded into memory, once it is loaded there are no further problems. I have a feeling that performance has actually got worse, but purging the caches etc. doesn't work. I hope this is specific enough. I basically look for some issue with this kind of configuration that makes 3D rendering processes use up too much memory...or thereabouts. Apologies for sounding clueless...any hints would be greatly appreciated!
My System Specs

02-04-2009	#2 (permalink)
MrNeeds Vista Home Premium x64 1,179 posts	Re: Petaurus Quote: Originally Posted by Petaurus Hi guys, new to this forum and graphics cards problems in general. Ok so I have a Dell Precision T7400, 16 GB memory, and 2 ATI FireGL 7600 512 Mb graphics cards installed - so I have a ridiculous amount of shared graphics memory, something in the order of 3 GB. I am trying to run 3D reconstructions of CT scans, so assembling image stacks into a 3D structure. I know this sounds fairly specific but I have a feeling that my problem is not dissimilar to 3d gaming issues. The issue is that the computer totally underperforms - I get memory errors with datasets that are not particularly large, or the programs crash on me. It doesn't seem like the assembly process uses up all that much memory (judging by the task manager), but crashes seem to happen while the model is loaded into memory, once it is loaded there are no further problems. I have a feeling that performance has actually got worse, but purging the caches etc. doesn't work. I hope this is specific enough. I basically look for some issue with this kind of configuration that makes 3D rendering processes use up too much memory...or thereabouts. Apologies for sounding clueless...any hints would be greatly appreciated! i dont think that memory is the problem, it maybe that your 2 v7600's are too underrated for the work your trying to do, if you are going to use high detail 3D imaging and processing then i can only suggest switching to Nvidia, physics processing is a lot better with PNY cards.
My System Specs

02-04-2009	#3 (permalink)
Petaurus Vista Business x64 3 posts	Re: Petaurus Thanks very much - I don't think that's it though, because I am able to reconstruct datasets of similar size on a 4 Gb RAM 64 bit XP laptop with a single 256 Mb Nvidia Quadro FX 360M.
My System Specs

02-05-2009	#4 (permalink)
sygnus21 Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 1,025 posts	Re: Petaurus What drivers are you using and have you tried a different one?
My System Specs

02-05-2009	#5 (permalink)
Petaurus Vista Business x64 3 posts	Re: Petaurus I updated the FireGL driver recently with the latest version on the Dell update website, to no avail. Do you have a specific driver you would suggest?
My System Specs

02-05-2009	#6 (permalink)
Everlong18 Windows 7 x64 1,287 posts	Re: Petaurus Which version does the Dell website have? Have you checked them against ones on the ATI website?
My System Specs

02-05-2009	#7 (permalink)
roy69 Vista home premium 64 bit 2,108 posts	Re: Petaurus Have you tried disbleing one of the graphics cards. Not all programs get on well with 2 enabled. Some programs can even run slower.
My System Specs