This article answers the question: "How to choose the best powerful laptop for working with graphics in applications like 3ds Max and After Effects?". The price of a laptop for 3D modeling is much higher than the cost of a regular computer. If you are not ready to pay more than 50 thousand rubles, then do not count on the stable operation of complex applications.
CPU
Three-dimensional modeling applications are primarily demanding of three PC parameters:
processor performance;
video card speed;
RAM amount.
In the market of computer components for users, only central processors from AMD and Intel are represented. Top models from any manufacturer are great for computer games. If you need a powerful laptop for working with graphics , you should opt for laptops with Intel processors. In terms of performance, AMD CPUs are significantly inferior to competitors.
The best choice is the i7 family. The number of cores is at least four. It is desirable that the marking include the suffix H or Q. X - which means extreme with increased performance. The H-processor is designed specifically for high performance in processing computer graphics.
The suffixes Y, U, and M are included in the labeling of CPU models with reduced power consumption. Such processors will help increase the laptop’s battery life. This characteristic is secondary, since we choose a powerful laptop for working with graphics .
Frequency and Cache
Before choosing a specific CPU model, you need to study two main characteristics - the clock speed and cache size. If you choose between processors of the same architecture, the rule is this: the more the better.
Inexperienced users rarely check the cache size. A cache is memory located in the processor itself. The cores exchange information with her as quickly as possible. The more instructions can be stored in the cache, the less often the CPU should access RAM. Therefore, the CPU works more efficiently if the amount of this memory is higher.
If you compare the CPUs of different architectures, you need to study the summary tables of performance. It is imperative that performance is tested during the execution of the same tasks. This is the only way to approximately understand how stable a powerful laptop for working with graphics will work . Rating models published in specialized publications. I must say that they usually contain information about laptops of the most popular manufacturers. Therefore, it is difficult and sometimes impossible to compare little-known models without independent device tests.
Video card
If your budget is limited, choose a laptop equipped with a productive gaming graphics card. Pay attention to the following parameters: memory and core frequencies, GDDR size, bus capacity. In any case, the choice should be made in favor of large numbers. To simplify the task, browse sites that display video card test results.
If the price doesn’t really matter, choose a powerful graphics laptop with an Nvidia Quadro or AMD FirePro graphics card installed. Such devices are used by creators of special effects for films, and by engineers for complex modeling, and by scientists for mathematical calculations.
Laptops with integrated graphics accelerator are absolutely not suitable for graphics processing. Their performance is enough only for office work and multimedia functions.
RAM
A powerful laptop for working with graphics should be equipped with at least 8 GB of RAM. In addition, professionals are advised to pay attention to timings and frequency.
Timings indicate how long it takes to access RAM. The smaller the timings, the better. Frequency determines how much data can be transferred from RAM to other devices in one clock cycle. The higher the rate, the better.
If you picked up a laptop that fits perfectly in all respects except the amount of RAM, do not rush to refuse to buy. Find out if you can install additional memory slots in it or replace the ones with which it is equipped by default.
Monitor
When choosing a powerful laptop for working with graphics , you need to pay attention to the display. The most common LCD screens are two types of laptops: TN and IPS. Monitors of the latter type are best suited for graphics processing. Their advantages:
The disadvantages of IPS matrices include a long response time. By this term is meant the period necessary to change the activity of a pixel. A long response time is critical for movie or computer gamers. For work aimed at processing graphics, this drawback is not critical.
The response time of the TN matrix is minimal, but the color accuracy is not high enough. Small viewing angles make the work uncomfortable.
A powerful laptop for working with graphics. How to choose a screen size?
Screen size - a characteristic that is selected taking into account personal preferences. Only general advice can be given on this topic. If a laptop is needed for work on business trips, for use during the educational process, it is better to prefer a device with a 13-15 inch display. The weight and size of such a laptop are small, which provides convenient movement.
If frequent transportation of the laptop is not required, it is better to choose a device with a large screen. The fact is that the professional software interface includes many elements. On a small screen, their piling will make the work comfortable. On large - the user will be able to distribute panels and windows in a convenient manner.
In addition, you need to determine whether additional monitors are connected to the laptop in the future. Working with graphics on multiple screens is more convenient. For example, on one of them you can place the controls, on the second - the main work area, on the third - the texture editor. This approach eliminates the need for frequent switching between software workspaces. This will speed up the tasks.
If you intend to use a laptop with additional monitors, check that it is equipped with the required number of video outputs.