Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/110536
Customized Power The Mac Pro Workstation from Safe Harbor Computers Let Safe Harbor Computers help you design your perfect graphics workstation. With 22 years of experience, we will help determine your needs, suggest options to optimize your productivity, quote ONLY the components you require, then assemble, test and deliver to your door a powerhouse you���ll truly appreciate and enjoy! The control panel lets the card determine which features to use based on the application. the OS X platform running parallels, Nvidia���s SLI Multi-OS can be helpful. This is a new SLI feature available on the FX 3800 that allows users to run multiple operating systems concurrently, while maintaining graphics performance. By installing two graphics cards and linking them via SLI, each card can carry the graphics load for its own operating system, while driving the same displays. The Viewperf benchmarks show that this card is a solid performer and extremely fast. The card is almost twice as fast as the previous generation, and the card���s speed is creeping up close to that of the Quadro FX 4800. This makes it hit the sweet spot in terms of price and performance. Of course, benchmarks are synthetic tests; real-world performance can differ considerably. So, I tossed the card in one of my production machines and used it in day-to-day production for more than a month. The card was rock-solid and fast. As a test, I loaded an extremely heavy Autodesk Maya scene from a production my studio was animating. The scene ran noticeably faster than it did on the Quadro FX 3700 that was previously in the machine. I also ran a test of H.264 video encoding in Premiere CS4. With Elemental Accelerator turned on, the speed increase was a factor of eight at minimum, sometimes more, depending on the content. This speed increase alone can make the card worth the investment for any studio doing a lot of encoding. Overall, I really liked the card. It offers a lot of power and performance for the price, and represents the best value in the Nvidia line. For those who have a serious need for graphics power, this is a quality card that will serve you well. n George Maestri is a contributing editor for Computer Graphics World and president/CEO of RubberBug animation studio. He can be reached at maestri@ rubberbug.com. Configured with your choice of hardware and software for maximum speed and efficiency, a Mac Pro from Safe Harbor Computers is the professional���s first choice for 3D graphics and animation. Maximize your productivity with 64-bit 8-Core processing power and up to 32 GB of memory. With the optional NVIDIA Quadro FX 4800 display card, make your machine perfect for motion graphics, 3D modeling, rendering, or animation. Adobe�� Photoshop�� CS5 Extended Visit www.sharbor.com to explore the possibilities and get an instant quote, or call us for assistance. Safe Harbor Computers is ready to get you in front of your new Mac Pro workstation! Vue 8 Infinite The ultimate solution for advanced digital imaging, delivering all the editing and compositing capabilities of Photoshop CS5 plus breakthrough tools that let you create and edit 3D and motion-based content. Breakthrough tools that enable you to select, adjust, paint, and recompose images with tremendous precision and freedom. RealFlow 5 Coming Soon! Advanced solution for creating, animating and rendering natural 3D environments. Offers highend 3D scenery solution for SFX studios, animators, illustrators, architects, matte painters and CG professionals. Combines a multitude of cutting-edge features that easily integrate with your workflow. Cinema 4D R11.5 Broadcast Edition Quick workflow, fast rendering, and easy export to popular compositing applications have established CINEMA 4D as the 3D Motion Graphics leader. New R11.5 features include new MoGraph dynamics, as well as enhanced 2D/3D integration for Motion and After Effects. Intuos4 - Wireless Buy RealFlow 4 for 4CPU now and get a free upgrade to RealFlow 5 upon release. RF5 includes new fluid system for realistic large-scale simulations, a brand new, fully multi-threaded body dynamics engine, and massive improvements on the speed of the particle-based solver. ZBrush�� 3 The popular and versatile pen tablet with the comfort and control that artists, photographers and designers demand is now wireless. Reduce cord clutter and enjoy the freedom to move about your work area. Features 2,048 levels of sensitivity for natural feel and accuracy along with eight programmable ExpressKeys. A digital sculpting and painting program offering powerful features and intuitive workflows. All of the tools needed to quickly sketch 2D or 3D concepts and take the idea all the way to completion. With the ability to sculpt up to one billion polygons, creation is limited only by your imagination. 800-544-6599 www.sharbor.com SOLUTIONS FOR GRAPHICS PROFESSIONALS Safe Harbor Computers W226 N900 Eastmound Dr. Waukesha, WI 53186 800-544-6599 / 262-548-8120 Information/Orders 262-548-8157 Tech Support/RMAs - M���F 9am���4pm CST 262-548-8130 Fax Terms: POs accepted from schools and government agencies. ��� All checks require 7���10 days to clear. ��� Defective products replaced promptly. RMA number required for all merchandise returns. Returns accepted within 20 days, in original packaging, postage prepaid, undamaged. Opened software not returnable. Shipping charges not refundable. Returns subject to a 15% restocking fee. ��� Not responsible for typos. Prices subject to change. �� 2010 Safe Harbor Computers. All rights reserved. May 2010 CGW0510-reviewfin.indd 31 31 5/5/10 4:00 PM