VRayPattern is a plug-in for 3ds Max and V-Ray that allows you to multiply geometry without extra memory consumption. As a sample, you can use any tiled geometry (or whose with unobtrusive joints).

The plug-in is best used where huge amounts of geometries are required, but without great accuracy.

http://www.vray.com/vraypattern/vraypattern-for-3ds-max.html