1. Does WInXpPro64 do anything as yet for Vue? or only if Vue is released at some point as a 64 bit program? 2) Forgive dumb questions, never setup a network before, but is it possible to: a) connect my cable modem to a router, then have my original and one or two other PCs connected to this, b) Hub, router, what's the difference? :) c) Can 1 monitor be used for all three systems with some kind of switch unit?

Vue is NOT 64 bit ready...as a matter of fact neither is WIN 64. If you choose to use the Beta of WIn 64 you have to locate all your own drivers....it is very stripped down. A. We have 2 computers here at home both using cable modem & both hooked up to 1 router, so yes.

No, WinXP64 does nothing for Vue, yes, only if it's written in 64-bit. Of course, you'll need a 64-bit processor. Buy the router, it'll act as both a firewall and a DHCP server. A hub is a simple switch allowing more than one computer to access a shared resource. It won't issue your needed IP Addresses to multiple computers like the router will. Your gateway router will take the IP Address issued by your ISP from your DSL or cable modem; your gateway router will dynamically issue static IP Addresses to the machines/devices on your network (192.168.0.2...192.168.0.3...192.168.0.4 etc.). Of course, you'll have to know how to set up a network, which is fairly easy; just avoid mixing operating systems to make the setup easier if you're a novice. Stick with XP Pro or Home. Yes, you can use one monitor. Buy a KVM switch. With the KVM switch you'll need just one monitor, keyboard and mouse for your three or more machines. KVM switches are made by various manufacturers; stop by your local computer store. Ask about routers as well. A fairly decent 5-port KVM switch will cost $100 or a little more. A decent gateway router with a decent firewall will cost $89. Consider LinkSys or Netgear. The beefier the firewall, the more expensive the router. And don't forget to secure your network if you're going wireless. EDIT: Make certain your KVM switch handles both USB AND PS/2. Not necessary, but it makes life easier.

thanks for the input folks, appreciate it ! :)

Vue runs fine on Win64, in the Win32 emulator. No advantages over Win32. No disadvantages either, except for animations - there are fewer codecs available under Win64. Tested with Vue5Inf build 276828. WinXP64 runs fine on nVidia chipsets and graphics cards, straight out of the box, on my Athlon64 3500+ socket 939, with an nVidia nForce3 chipset and a Geforce6800LE graphics card. Other manufacturers are slower in providing WinXP64 drivers.

As long as you're getting a router, why not get an inexpensive combo hardware firewall+router+hub+connection sharer? I like the Linksys BEF-SX-41, installed one for myself and for 3 of my PC consulting clients over a year ago and no problems. Very easy setup, if you are using cables, a bit more complex if you are going for a wireles network (which i don't recommend unless you really have to do it).

cheers! this really helps :) deciding whether to go for 2 cheap basic units or 1 better unit. Are AMD cpus seen as Hyper Thread, dual CPUs by Vue? I know Infinite renders pretty fast on my recent P4 with HT compared to my old non-HT one.

An Athlon64 is seen as a single CPU, both in Win32 and in Win64. Unless you go for the new Athlon64x2, of course.
By the way, my Athlon64 3500+ renders about 30-40% faster than my P4 2.8 HTT. Both have DDR400 Dual Channel RAM (the Athlon has 4 Gig, the P4 has 1.5 Gig)

Message edited on: 07/19/2005 18:28

hm so it renders faster than even a hyper thread pentium? interesting!! :)

Not surprising. Hyperthreading just means that the CPU presents itself to the OS as a dual CPU, but it still is a single CPU. If you switch your hyperthreading CPU to non-hyperthreading, your renders will be just as fast. Only dual-core CPUs are "real" dual CPUs. That means an Athlon64x2 or the newest and costliest P4 CPUs.

Attached Link: Pentium 4 Hyperthreading explanations and discussion.

If you want data on a fast machine with XP64, see here : http://www.renderosity.com/messages.ez?ForumID=12368&Form.ShowMessage=2330683&Reply=2332540#5