Build your dream SL Computer Lab

Imagine you are offering a class in Second Life within a computer lab at a university. What system specs/graphics cards/etc. and network connections would you recommend for the machines in the computer lab? (things to keep in mind: public use computer lab, lots of different people logging on to SL at same time on same network at a mid-size university).

I'd like to know suggested configurations for machines that range from top of the line dream machines to mid-level "capable of running SL with multiple users on same network" machines.

Thanks for the help

Id say about least this.

19" screen 1600x1200 (crt)
21" screen if thats a lcd

64bit - 3500mhz+
2 gig ram
gforce 6800/7800 256mb vid card
1 mbit pr user on internet min, for video streaming more.

I am amazed that you would not put a Dual Core CPU, ANY DCC, in your Dream system . . . Just look at your Single Core Task Manager, (and at mine) . . .

This one uses an AMD 64 x2 3800, 2GB Ram, 7800GT on a 1.5MB DSL:

http://baartman.us/General/SL_Task_Manager_1.doc

And this one an Intel 820D, 2GB Ram, FX5200/256, on DSL too

http://baartman.us/General/Sazzy_SL_Taskmanager.doc

Heck, I would be willing to bet an Intel 805D would handily beat a 64 3000 in playing SL, if properly set up . . .

There is not a shred of doubt in my mind that SL benefits HUGELY from Dual Core implementation.

My Choice for a Value System would use an Intel D805 with an 6600GT/256MB and 1 GB of Ram

Mid Range would be with an AMD 64 x2 3800, or an Intel D820/920/830/930 with 2GB Ram, and a 6800GS/256MB

High End would be with an AMD FX60, 2 GB Ram and a 7900GT, possibly SLI (Who cares, with an imaginary budget . . . )

I haven't gone fishing around, but is there an .ini file for SL that is normal text? It might be possible to force multithreaded behavior.

SL dont use dual core at all, goes very jerk unless you set affinity to 1, so theres a thing it could improve on.

I agree with it doesn't use dual core, but it is good for multitasking. I also agree with the random jerks of lag until I followed these directions and it fixed it:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=81429

Seems SP2 for XP has some issues with dual cores, SP3 will fix it but its not gonna be out until Vista, so in the mean time this is just a quick fix.

Look at my previous links, and tell me it doesn't . . .

I used to use an AMD 64 3000, and the game was a lot slower and more laggy than with the x2 3800.

The game itself may not be set to optimally use dual cores, but with either W2K or XP, the OS seems to share the load. I will take another snapshot of the Task Manager with no other programs running, which, if your logic is correct, should see one core being virtually completely inactive.

Also, it plays very much more smoothly, so I would contest Thilly's statement that it is jerky, in fact, the reverse is true. I wonder where she gets her information from?

Let me make this statement: I would not go back to a single core if you paid me. I have been there . .

When I was using the 64 3000, it was slightly overclocked to 2.4GHz; with the x2 3800, I am able to get 2.55Ghz at 1.35V. The difference is so marked and favours the x2 in every possible way.

pc's i have, dont bother mention the 2 other crappy ones :q

x2-4800
4 gig ram
7800gt 256m
Sl in window mode 1900x1600

x2-4200
2 gig ram
6800gt 256
Sl in window mode 1600x1200

64-3500+
2 gig ram
6800gt 128
sl in window mode 1600x1200

Enable dual core and it goes jerky around for me unless set to 1 core affinity, so im not taking this out of air but experiences with the other pcs i have , only the single core one dont have the jerkyness.

Avatar twitching like its hyper pn coffiene ,fps bounching like crazy up and down , till set to affinity 1

Yes you can run with dual, but for me its jerky, and wierd fps bouncing , sure it shows is uses it in task manager, not much of a help when client make me jerky wierd

But yeh i wouldnt go back to single core either, used to have loads up so that no good on them.

But i confess i didnt really read the topic that much so id change it now , skim reading \o/

This snapshot is without SL running . . .

http://baartman.us/General/Control_TM_04292006.htm


This one is with:

http://baartman.us/General/Task_Manager_04292006.htm

By the way, I have the Affinity set to 1 on both Cores for SL, doesn't make any sense not to . .