New Computer for 3D Animation

[aligrafix]

Hi Folks

I need to buy a new system intel based.

I have $1000.

I think I can buy

 

1. Intel CoreQuad Q6700

specification here (http://www.intel.com/products/processor/core2quad/specifications.htm)

 

2. Intel DG33TL Motherboard

(http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/DG33TL/index.htm)

 

3. 2GB, Kingston 667 Bus ECC Memory (2x1GB Ram)

 

Do you guys think that this is good enough system to render animations on V-ray. I also need to model and render not only architectural animation and projects but also ciematics too on this system.

The problem is about the new system as well as, I need to buy a good 3D Video card so what do you guys suggest.

Looking forward

[AJLynn]

On a budget, go for the Q6600 instead of the 6700. Us the savings to buy more RAM, and OC the 6600 to the 6700 speed. Get an Asus board instead of Intel if you can find a good one for the same money. As for the video card, whatever you end up being able to afford, an 8800GT if you can swing it, then a 9600 (it's cheaper and not as good despite the 9 in the number) then other options.

[aligrafix]

Thanks AJ

I agree to buy Q6600 and Overclock it. The other thing on the VGA Card is that I have used 8800 series (768 MB) vga card with Intel E6700 CPU having @G Ram and Intel 975XBX2 motherboard. It was extremely beautiful performance card at that time but 768MB doesnt meet my budget. I am planning to buy its 640MB Version card which can come into my budget. I need to render architectural as well as high res characters with hairs and cloth simulation including some work from realflow too.

I was wandering if there is any other card better than 8800, did anyone used it? Thanks for guiding me.

[AJLynn]

I'm still not at all convinced that more than 256mb does anything for you when you're not gaming. An 8800 card with 640mb would be a GTS, and it would cost more and be somewhat less powerful than a 512mb GT - the GTS is the least powerful 8800 but not the least expensive, so since they released the GT there is no good reason to buy a GTS.

 

Also, the video card has no effect on Vray's rendering performance.

[aligrafix]

Yes AJ

I agree that Video Card doesnt affect the rendering process but I needed it for 3D large environments.Last time i cracked on an airbase project for a dog fight. A scene with 70MB in size and smooth shaded playback was a butter with 8800GT (768MB) but its expensive. I have visited nvidea website and there are many cards. 8800 contains 3 cards and better ones are (512MB for $220) and 768MB for $420. I can convince my MD to increase the budget for couple of bocks more. He may grant me $1200 for this system.

Rendering with QCore CPU and gaming with 8800 GT 512MB.

Looks pretty?

[AJLynn]

Yeah. But if he gives you more money don't buy the more expensive video card. Get the 256MB or 512MB 8800GT, there's no good reason to get anything else. Spend the extra money on a better cooling/power system (the case, CPU cooler and power supply - they can be considered a set, and contribute to your ability to OC the CPU, and if you think about it one part that has the best price/performance contribution is upgraded thermal paste for the CPU heatsink, as you can spend $5 for 2-5 degrees of CPU temp, which might buy you a couple hundred MHz).

[aligrafix]

Yeah, Cooling is better. I am convinced to buy 512MB GT but in the budget, 550W Supply and external fan is included. Thermal casing as well. Does thing power supply meet the OC or I should buy a more powerful like at least how many watts?

Coz i am now thingking for supply and cooling, VGA problem has been solved.

Thanks man, you solved it just in one day or may be in hours!!!!!!!

[AJLynn]

No problem. For the power supply, 550W is probably enough. The number of amps at +12V is also important. I'm using an Antec Trio 650W at work with a similar rig to what you're proposing and it's worked very well, but that's with 4 hard drives so maybe you don't need that much. I'll upgrade my home PC at some point, I've already got a 650W Antec NeoPower in there and a Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme cooler (so powerful I can actually cool my OC'ed dual core without a fan) so upgrading to a quad will be no problem.

[aligrafix]

Thanks. now I am gonna purchase Q6600 (OC to 6700)with motherboard (intel or Asus whatever will be available). with 2G Ram, Casing with Thermal cooling.

550W power supply, 180GB Primary Sata-2 and 1 500GB Sata-2 Video drive, 8800GT 512MB (256-bit) Video Card,

I think it should meet the budget of $1200, but I have to convince my MD. Thanks AJ, you helped me and solved my query within 8 hours.

Best Regards

Ali

[Exellite]

Hey Andrew, that heatsink is very nice, I'm going to be upgrading soon myself, looking to go for a quad, and I'm not only building it for speed but more importantly imo, it has to be silent!!, just spent some time on a few forums and they talk about the contact between the heatsink and cpu being poor and many have had to flatten it (lap it), have you done this yourself? I would love to be able to cool a quad with just a heatsink, it would reduce the overall noise of the PC quite dramtically.

[AJLynn]

I didn't make any mods to the heatsink, I think that would be overkill for most applications though I guess that at the speeds some people try to get a more precisely milled heatsink would be necessary. As for silent, it's hard to beat a combination of that and a Scythe S-Flex 120mm fan. Also, see if you can get the 650W DarkPower Pro from a company called be quiet! (the lowercase and exclamation point are in the spelling) in the UK - it's a German company.

[Exellite]

cheers, they've gone on my list

 

Mark