Jonathon, does triangles and n-gons effect rendering times? Specifically hard surface models for use in animations.

If your only consideration is render time than triangles are the fastest. Quads and ngons are converted to tris when rendered. Cube 1 made up of quads: (6,144) faces, (12,288) tris. renders @ 2:22:88. Cube 2 made up of tris: (12,288) faces, (12,288) tris. renders @ 1:59:99.