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Author Topic: Hardware: better choice for Metashape  (Read 3189 times)

eMeL

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Hardware: better choice for Metashape
« on: January 11, 2024, 12:07:11 AM »
Hi Metashape Users,

Within the following weeks, I have to upgrade my hardware, and being confused about which platform would be better for Agisoft usage. I have been using Intel/ Intel+NVIDIA all my life, and now I am considering moving to AMD (generally quieter, cooler and better performance vs Intel/NVIDIA equivalents). Because of my work style (lots of mobility), I want to choose between three models of Lenovo ThinkPad P14s (described below). ThinkPad was a simple choice for me, thus previous P52 (Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-8750H CPU @ 2.20GHz   2.21 GHz + NVIDIA Quadro P1000 CUDA + 16GB RAM) has never disappointed me while using Metashape.
A bit of comparison (CPU/GPU/RAM):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qPpp7NxEj94ol0_6R8rlLS2gYS4-n44d/view?usp=sharing

I have checked the link below and assume that my decision should follow the order: RAM -> processor frequency -> discrete GPU
https://agisoft.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/31000161532-recommendations-when-choosing-new-hardware-for-metashape
Therefore, in my case, I should take AMD, while it has a much better base frequency (3.3GHz) and eight cores (minimum recommended), but my concerns goes the lack of a discrete graphics adapter (integrated Radeon 780M only). Is it reasonable to take 64GB RAM in such a CPU/GPU combination, or would 32 GB be a reasonable limit? Or forget about the AMD model and just take that Intel? I know that the mentioned Intel GPU is far from being a performance daemon. However, I guess that it should beat the integrated graphics.
Because Agisoft is the most resource-consuming software I frequently use, I want to make a final choice based on it.

Any suggestions/advices which could help me with the right choice?

Best,
Michael

DayGeckoArt

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Re: Hardware: better choice for Metashape
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2024, 11:47:23 AM »
You really need Nvidia graphics. Look into gaming laptops, particularly Alienware. I have an Asus ROG Swift  and don't recommend them because of the terrible Armoury Crate software.  Lenovo is pretty low quality, being a Chines brand, and they all have really garbage screens. It helps having a screen with good color and high resolution. I've had several Alienwares and they've all been great


eMeL

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Re: Hardware: better choice for Metashape
« Reply #2 on: January 14, 2024, 04:35:20 PM »
Thank you DayGeckoArt for your reply!

I wish to keep 14-14.5 inch laptop, while mobility is the most important for me (lightweight and reasonably small size). Many of my colleagues have some issues with their Dell laptops (mainly power supply damage, battery swelling, etc.), so I have some doubts about it. I have checked some gaming/graphic designing laptops:
- Dell Precision 5480 and Dell Alienware X14 are too expensive for their specifications
- Asus Zenbook Pro 14 has an OLED display, power consuming and not important for me (at home and office I'm plugging desktop monitor)
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 sounds reasonable, and has good battery life, but you have some concerns
- Microsoft Surface Laptop 2: too heavy and glossy display
- Lenovo Yoga 9 Pro: glossy...
- Legion Slim 5 and Yoga 7 Pro: only 16GB of RAM memory
- Razer Blade 14: I don't know this brand or any user experience for the Agisoft

The choice is more difficult than I was thinking :/

marcel.d

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Re: Hardware: better choice for Metashape
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2024, 01:04:55 AM »
My 2 cents: you most likely need NVIDIA GPU. To convince yourself, try running your normal processing tasks with the GPU disabled and compare to the time it takes with GPU enabled. I assume most tasks will take way longer.

Is it possible for you to set up a desktop machine/workstation where the processing is happening and only get a cheap+portable laptop to access this machine remotely? This could be a more affordable and easier to maintain option in the long run.

Good luck!