need suggestion on comp spec.

[taufux]

I planning to buy a new computer from dell for my rendering work but i not quite know which spec are more suitable for a 3d interior rendering for my work? so i need you gus to sugguest on it!!

 

I think i'll more confordable v the budget 4-5k!

 

thank for spending time for this!!

[STRAT]

yup. a super fast xeon or opteron.

 

dont bother with 64bit, and dont spend on a top graphics card. spend on a fast dual (or quad even) setup with a couple gig of ram.

 

btw Greg, why dont we hear more about quad processors? i mean they've been knocking around for a few years now, but we never hear about them. is that due to costs or stability problems or something?

[taufux]

ya i my experience tells me that more important that you spend on the proccesor and the ram rather then spend on the graphic card!

 

I haven hear about the quad b4 can you tell me more about it? or where can i get more info for it?

 

Thanks

[STRAT]

yeah, a top graphics card is a COMPLETE waste of money for a rendering machine.

 

as i say, i not hear much about quad processors. maybe because they're more in the server catigory, i dont know. search google.

[taufux]

hehe then is ok!

 

ya the expensive graphics card is more suitable for those gammers only!!

[Greg Hess]

Hey Strat!

 

Ok here's my take on quad systems...

 

1) Really really really farking expensive. Generally even old quad systems are still expensive. If the board isn't expensive, then the memory riser is. If the memory riser isn't expensive, then the processors are. If the processors aren't expensive, then the power supplies units are. Etc etc.

 

To run a Quad XEON, you have to purchase a SPECIFIC class of Xeon cpu. They're called Xeon-MP's, and have their own seperate line from normal xeon processors.

 

A 1.5 gigahertz Xeon-MP costs around 1200 USD. (http://www.pricewatch.com)

 

I won't get into how much current speeds cost.

 

2) Most multithreaded programs aren't fully multithreaded. At best, their about 40% multithreaded, with a majority of that multithreading in the rendering process. Certain applications which can control threads (like rendering, or vray, or what not) have a much higher effeciency, like 60%, or 90% in regards to vray.

 

(Ignore hyperthreading for purposes of this argument).

 

Because of this lower effeciency, each additional processor provides less and less overall gain.

 

Take into effect that Intel's major bus architecture is based on a "share" system in regards to resources, and each additional processor further divides the memory bandwidth.

 

What starts out at 2.1 gb/sec, ends up around 500 or so megs of bandwidth for each processor..starving them of vital resources.

 

Additional cache helps this, but only to a certain level. Basically if adding a second processor decreases your render times by 90%, adding another two might only decrease it an additional 40-50%, but cost 10-20x more.

 

So the cost and lack of efficent coding prevent mainstream quad's from embedding themselves in the workstation class.

 

Of course AMD's bus architecture in Opteron largely offsets many of these downfalls...but you'd probably have to get a second mortage to afford one.