Cheap Quad-Core Render Node

[Piolit]

I'm trying to build a couple cheap render nodes, with minimal size. I mainly use 3D max w/Vray, DR & Backburner.

 

Questions:

1. If its purely a render node, do i need to spend money on a graphics card or can I just use the integrated graphics of the motherboard. I still want to be able to render with a frame buffer so I can check on renderings. Will integrated graphics cause crashing or is this purely a ram issue (on a complex model).

2. Whats the minimum power I need to run a quad core w/4GB ram comfortably, no overclocking.

3. Should I be running XP Pro 32bit or 64bit. My main comp. is 32bit, although I may be rebuilding and upgrading, does it make sense to run 64bit on a pure node.

4.Any advantage with faster ram for the node. 667 PC2 5300 vs. 800 PC2 6400.

 

This is the setup I am looking at:

Case, PS

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129014

Mobo

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813135050

Q6600

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819115017

Ram

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820146118

HD

I have a couple older 40-80gb hard drives lying around, any comments on HD speed?

Cooling

I have to see what fits in the case.

 

 

Any comments would be greatly appreciated. The setup comes in around $600-$650, is this too good to be true? Any blaring problems that jump out at anyone.

 

Thanks,

Matt

[Frosty]

1) The video card/lack of will not impact the speed of the rendering. You are correct that it will eat into your ram tho if you use the onboard. My suggestion is a cheapo card.

4) In my experience, more ram is more important that faster ram for rendering. For day in day out activity ram speed has an impact.

[Wayne Harney]

http://www.amazon.com/Pavilion-A6152N-Desktop-Processor-Premium/dp/B000S6O03E/ref=sr_1_4/102-5020184-7069741?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1191601673&sr=1-4

[Chasteen]

Mathew,

 

I've built quite a few render nodes over the past few years. I would recommend just using the mobo's on-board video. However don't get a mobo with bottom-of-the-line on-board video. If you decide to use a node as a secondary ws later you can always buy a video card then. The RAM and bus speed will make a difference in rendering speed. Using an older and slower hard drive will have minimal impact on the overall rendering speed. The mATX mobo and case is a good choice, but many of the cases come with short-life PSU's so be prepared to replace them in 12-18 months. Also in smaller cases space is an issue, usually b/t the back of the CD/DVD drive and the PSU. Many of Lite-On's CD/DVD-ROMs are shorter in depth which helps a little. I wouldn't install 32bit on a new computer unless I had to for compatibility. Besides you can install both 32 & 64bit Max on XP64. Last would recommend the lowest priced 800MHz Corsiar memory. I've found Corsair memory to be consistently more dependable. Even the lower cost ones.