which way should I go, faster CPU or Nvidia Cuda card

[davidross]

So, I am down to the wire as far as choice and everyone here has been really helpful so here goes, I have max 2012 (student version) and from what I have seen, I like the idea of iray (seen some great examples with lightning speed) and maybe vray 2.0 (rt uses cuda I think) so here is my question. I have the option of getting a faster CPU (I have a amd phenom x4 2.8g) and upgrading it to a x6 phenom 3.2 (possibly 3.4 with turbo) OR an nvidia card (not sure yet but no more than $250) which do think will contribute to my render the most. I currently have an ati fire pro v4800 which from what I understand I could keep in the machine and just use the nvidia quattro to help with rendering using the above engines or just rely on the faster CPU?

I did some Google search but being a bit thick, I couldn't find an answer and was hoping someone here might have a suggestion

[AJLynn]

I'd take the CPU. An nVidia card under $250 is not going to do anything faster than a Phenom x6.

[luthias42]

I agree with AJ, the processing power is used WAY more then the graphics when talking about rendering your images and animations. it would be nice to have both the the process should take priority.

[Slinger]

Agree with Andrew 110% with this. cpu for sure.

[AJLynn]

Oh, one other thing I should say - check your motherboard manufacturer web site to make sure it can take a 6-core. I haven't seen ones that can't, but I think they exist out there somewhere, and some models will want to have their bios updated, which is best done before swapping the CPUs.

[davidross]

Thanks everyone. I think Ill go with the cpu and I believe my board will take the x6 (it has an am3 socket) but I will check

[Slinger]

If your board is not 6core ready, most mobos have updated bioses that will fix this. make sure and go to the manufacturers website for your mobo and double check before you install a new 6 core.