I got a new computer and I have Windows 7 64 bit. I'm running into problems with 3DS Max 8 where it starts to take an abnormal amount of resources and completely freezes. What is the latest version of 3DS Max where I will be able to run it fine on this system and be able to run all the HEK scripts (gbx model importer, jms exporter, etc) without problem?

3ds max 4-8 will work with the Bungie/Gearbox exporters released.

Anything else needs scripts to export animations or models. M16 has told me countless times that 3ds max 2010 would be the best for Halo

Max version 8 should be the lowest you should ever go, but what this version offers is the ability to use JMS exporting right off the bat as an internal 3ds max exporter through the placement and usage of the blitzkrieg dll files.

Any version higher than Max 8 requires the Bluestreak script in order to export models, and CAD's compact animation exporter in order to export animations.

Personally, I use 3ds max 2010 and I've never had any problems with it so far for halo. I doubt there is actually a "best version" of 3ds max to use. Pick one (or more) and stick with it (or them).
Edited by Xiao on Jul 21, 2013 at 08:23 PM

I use 2010, never had any problems so far.

I mostly use 2008, but I've had to use 2010 a few times to do work with people

actually I might have to pay attention to this, which which which?