Student requesting help- I need a new computer for modeling

Rhino Windows Hardware
1

Hi- requesting help. I am a student and have been using Rhino 6 on my 3 year old computer for 2 years and it’s been ok. I installed Rhino 7 free trial a few weeks ago and my computer has crashed twice since then. Yesterday while I was working on a project in Rhino 6 my computer completely froze.

I guess it’s time to buy a new laptop. I am not super computer savvy and have been researching online. From what I’ve read I need at least 32GB, 256?? and 15.6" screen. My initial budget was $750 but that doesn’t seem likely after what I’ve read. Tomorrow is Presidents day and I have seen some major sales.

Can anyone advise as to a computer that will suit the needs I have mentioned really trying to stay around $1,000.00? Exact links would be extra appreciated. TIA. Lisa

2

Personally, I’m not sure you need to buy a new computer if it’s only 3 years old. That will depend on how good it was for CAD/graphics operations when you bought it… Certainly V7 does make more demands on your video card, but it still might be OK.

Can you run the SystemInfo command in Rhino and copy/paste the results here?

3

Rhino 6 SR33 2020-12-8 (Rhino 6, 6.33.20343.16431, Git hash:master @ d492bef53a3f6a576db4d197feaaa7ddf0c7a653)
License type: Educational, build 2020-12-08
License details: Cloud Zoo. In use by: Lisa Dienst-Thomas ()

Windows 10.0.0 SR0.0 or greater (Physical RAM: 7.6Gb)
Machine name: LAPTOP-9KD5DT98

Computer platform: LAPTOP - Plugged in [97% battery remaining]

Non-hybrid graphics configuration.
Primary display and OpenGL: AMD Radeon™ Vega 3 Graphics (AMD) Memory: 256MB, Driver date: 9-9-2019 (M-D-Y). OpenGL Ver: 4.6.13559 Compatibility Profile Context 26.20.12036.1
> Integrated acclerated graphics device with 4 adapter port(s)
- Windows Main Display is laptop’s integrated screen or built-in port
- Secondary monitor attached to adapter port #1

OpenGL Settings
Safe mode: Off
Use accelerated hardware modes: On
Redraw scene when viewports are exposed: On

Anti-alias mode: 4x
Mip Map Filtering: Linear
Anisotropic Filtering Mode: High

Vendor Name: ATI Technologies Inc.
Render version: 4.6
Shading Language: 4.60
Driver Date: 9-9-2019
Driver Version: 26.20.12036.1
Maximum Texture size: 16384 x 16384
Z-Buffer depth: 24 bits
Maximum Viewport size: 16384 x 16384
Total Video Memory: 256 MB

Rhino plugins
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\SolidTools.rhp “SolidTools”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\Commands.rhp “Commands” 6.33.20343.16431
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\WebBrowser.rhp “WebBrowser”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\rdk.rhp “Renderer Development Kit”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\export_STL.rhp “STL Export”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\AnimationTools.rhp “AnimationTools”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\IdleProcessor.rhp “IdleProcessor”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\RhinoRender.rhp “Rhino Render”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\rdk_etoui.rhp “RDK_EtoUI” 6.33.20343.16431
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\rdk_ui.rhp “Renderer Development Kit UI”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\NamedSnapshots.rhp “Snapshots”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\Alerter.rhp “Alerter”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\RhinoCycles.rhp “RhinoCycles” 6.33.20343.16431
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\Toolbars\Toolbars.rhp “Toolbars” 6.33.20343.16431
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\3dxrhino.rhp “3Dconnexion 3D Mouse”
C:\Program Files\Rhino 6\Plug-ins\Displacement.rhp “Displacement”

4

OK, yeah, your graphics card is extremely weak - only 256 Mb memory, almost nothing by today’s standards. You could update the video drivers, as they are from 2019, but that probably won’t help much for Rhino 7 - might help keep Rhino 6 from crashing though, worth a try.

As for specs for a new computer, there is lots of discussion in the Windows Hardware category here. I don’t have any specific recommendations for under $1K, maybe someone else has though. Get the best video card you can for the price and at least 16 Gb RAM. Here are the recommended system requirements.

5

Helvetosaur thank you for your input.

A family member is recommending this…

MAINGEAR Element 2-EL2 17.3" Gaming Laptop Computer - Black; Intel Core i7-10750H Processor 2.6GHz; NVIDIA GeForce RTX - Micro Center32GB_DDR4-2933_RAM;

Any thoughts?

6

Probably a pretty good choice at the price point. Should work OK. Faster CPU base frequency would be better, but not a good reason to avoid this box. Their support policies seem good, at least on the website. Especially good if you live within carry-in distance.