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Rendering Hardware Advice Needed

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3darchitect Newbie

3darchitect

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So my boss is getting me a new computer for rendering. As a precursor, I don't know what I'm doing when it comes to this. I'm all self taught in the 3ds world, and am working through an Architecture degree. I need a machine that I can use for the next few years while I progress in knowledge and capability - something that I can either upgrade easily, or that I don't need to upgrade much (yes I know about computers and upgrading). My main sources of concern are the CPU, Memory, and the mother board. I've gone through a lot of the forums that are on here about that, but I think I'm honestly more confused now than I was before.

 

Basically, I want good, but not something that I'm going to spend 1million on. Because I'm an intern and my renderings aren't that important, I can't ask for a lot, but I REALLY want to get a 3rd party rendering engine (Vray to be specific). And since VRay isn't exactly free either, I would like to keep the machine cost down so that this whole thing is a little more doable in terms of money (yes, I know I can get VRay w/ a student discount). And it just so happens that I have to purchase another license of 3ds right now, so I'm already spending money on that.

 

I know the memory and motherboard kinda go hand in hand, but are also greatly related to the cpu. And I've gathered from the other forums that the CPU is basically the most important part of the machine when it comes to rendering, so I'll start asking about that. I honestly have no idea whether to go w/ AMD or Intel - Dual or Quad...blah blah blah.

 

So yea - any ideas?

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shaneis Newbie

shaneis

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My advice would be to choose your equipment first, then get some quotes from your local computer shops to have it built. High-end consumer equipment performs well enough for your needs and is much cheaper.

 

To choose your equipment, start with your CPU. The Intel cpu's are ahead at the moment - don't touch the AMD's. I've heard great reports about the Intel quad core's. They are very quick and quite cheap. Either way, choose a CPU that is as fast as possible, with as much cache as possible. (4 - 8MB will be fine). Now you have your CPU specs, start looking for a motherboard that is compatible. ASUS and Gigabyte are a good start. The motherboard is the hardest part - make sure it is a newer motherboard so that it will take the Intel Quad-cores (in a year or two, you can get a faster CPU - upgrading). Also, the newer DDR3 RAM is available now. Make sure your motherboard can accept both DDR2 and DDR3 RAM (again, for future RAM upgrades). Your RAM will need to be at least 2GB. If you use large scene files or large file textures, then maybe up the RAM to 3 or 4GB. NB: Check which OS you will be using as it may have limits on how much RAM you can use. Now you have your CPU, RAM and motherboard, find a graphics card with min 256MB video memory. You don't need a fancy Nvidia Quadro here, just a mid-range GeForce (Nvidia) will do. The 8800 range is quite popular. If you really prefer ATI graphics, go for it. In my experience though, Nvidia will provide less problems. The graphics card is a good way to save money. New graphics cards are released every 3 - 6 months, and so they become cheaper every time. If you need V-Ray now, maybe opt for a cheaper graphics card now and get a better one in 6 - 12 months time.

 

OK, CPU/ Graphics/ Motherboard done. Hard drives next. You'll know how much storage you need. Which type of HDD? You only need a straight SATAII HDD. Plenty fast enough for your needs. Next, choose a PC case that has a decent (at least 500W, 650W better) power supply. This will ensure your CPU has plenty of "food". Make sure the case has a good 12cm fan (or two)...to stop your new PC from cooking. Therer you go. A system tailored for your needs - plenty of CPU power for fast rendering, adequate GPU power for most scene files/ textures, and most importantly - upgradable. In the future, upgrade when needed... Running out of memory...buy more RAM On-screen display is jumping/ slowing...upgrade the Graphics card Rendering takes too long...get a newer CPU. Hope this helps,

 

Shane.

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3darchitect Newbie

3darchitect

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Awesome!! Thank you soooo much. This is just what I needed. I think I have most of everything picked out (at least preliminary) except for RAM. I don't know how important my speed is, and I'm going for cheap but good (yea those two don't always mix well). I can't afford DDR3 right now, so I'm going to go with 2GB (2x1GB) of DDR2 and then add another 1GB stick of the same kind. Considering that a 32-bit machine can't use all 4GB anyways, I won't bother with it. And I'm not getting a 64-bit machine because of the rest of the office stuff and software, and blah blah blah. What I just need to decide on is the speed of my RAM - I'm guessing that the faster the better (duh) but how fast is fast enough? Can I go with DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)? or do I need to go higher (or can I go lower)?

 

Other than that, this is what I have lined up for the rest of the machine (I'm not going to bother specing the parts here - just use the bloody link).

 

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021

 

Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032

 

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

 

CPU Heatsink/Fan: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835200013

 

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131181

 

HD(1): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822135106

 

HD(2): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148140

 

Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130285

 

Note: I have the two hard drives for security purposes. I like having 2 (or more) physical hard drives rather than partitions. The 80GB will be for the OS and stuff, and then the other for all my large libraries and junk.

 

Am I missing anything? (besides the RAM)

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AJLynn Newbie

AJLynn

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I'm in the process of building a PC right now and I can tell you that this set of stuff works but with some reservations about the CPU cooler - I'm not confident it will fit in the case, and I haven't tried yet because I don't have a fan to attach to it. I'll figure that out later and if it will fit, I'll get a 120mm fan for it, and if not I'll get a smaller cooler. (I'm using the stock Intel right now and have not tried overclocking.)

 

I'll be doing a "how I built this PC" writeup in a week or two because we get so many questions...

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shaneis Newbie

shaneis

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That RAM is too expensive. Try RAM from Giel, Corsair, Kingston...you can always safely buy the "value RAM" or maybe the next pricing level up.

 

Expensive low-latency RAM is for Gamers who think they can notice the 2ms performance improvements ;) Or to put it another way, super-expensive "performance" RAM doesn't scale well when considering performance vs. cost.

 

You'd be better to put the extra money into a faster CPU, or buying a motherboard that can take the DDR3 - you can run DDR2 RAM with those boards for the meantime, then swap to DDR3 in the future. Good practice to buy the latest motherboards - less trouble in the future when upgrading.

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