5 3770K nodes vs. 3 3930K nodes

[jackbird]

Pricing for 5 3770K headless mini-itx render nodes w/ 16GB (20 physical cores) is basically the same as for 3 3930K headless micro-ATX render nodes w/ 32 GB (18 physical cores).

 

Is there a clear difference in expected 3ds max rendering performance? Naively multiplying Passmark scores suggests the 3770Ks win by 25%, but I realize that's not render-specific.

 

If not I'd rather have only three machines to power and maintain.

 

EDIT: Someone replied (now deleted?) questioning the pricing. Here's my breakdown (all prices Microcenter retail unless noted):

 

3770K:

$229.99 intel 3770K

$94.99 AsRock H77M – ITX

$89.99 Crucial DDR3 – 1600 (2 x 8 GB)

$54.99 Sandisk 64GB SSD

$54.99 Corsair 430W PSU (80+ Bronze)

$44.99 Cooler Master Elite 120 Mini-ITX case

$134.98 Win 8 Pro x64 (amazon)

$704.92 per node

$747.22 with sales tax

-$10.00 Corsair PSU rebate

--------

$737.22 total per node

$3,686.08 For 5 nodes

 

3930K:

$499.99 intel 3930K

$209.99 AsRock X79 Extreme4 LGA 2011 micro ATX (newegg)

$89.99 Crucial DDR3 – 1600 (2 x 8 GB)

$99.99 Crucial DDR3 – 1600 (2 x 8 GB) (price difference is a motherboard bundle deal)

$54.99 Sandisk 64GB SSD

$54.99 Corsair 430W PSU (80+ Bronze)

$36.99 Fractal Design Core 1000 mATX case

$134.98 Win 8 Pro x64 (amazon)

$1,181.91 per node

$1,252.82 with PA tax

-$10.00 Corsair PSU rebate

--------------------------------

$1,242.82 total per node

$3,728.47 For 3 nodes – 18 cores

Edited May 8, 2013 by jackbird

[Dimitris Tolios]

Assuming that the IGP for both is the same (which is not, 3770K is ~10% faster per clock):

 

Aggregating MHz:

3930K = 12 threads @ 3200MHz = 38,400 MHz / CPU * 3 = 115,000 MHz

3770K = 8 threads @ 3400MHz = 27,200 MHz / CPU * 5 = 136,000 MHz

 

Without correcting for IGP, the 5x 3770K nodes would be 18% faster than the 3x 3930K nodes.

Assuming a 10% IGP performance gain clock per clock which is a safe assumption in most Ivy bridge vs Sandy bridge scenarios, the 3770K set will be 30% faster.

 

I would not go for itx, despite the fact that I love the format, simply to have the 4x dimm slots and the capability for 32GB max Ram - even if you think that initially 16GB will be enough. H77 mATX boards are also around $20-30 cheaper than ITX equivalents.

The Core 1000 is a great case for the price.

If you end up with 3930K (or any s2011 CPU), remember that you need to account for CPU cooler - non is included.

[notamondayfan]

Don't forget other things to consider....

 

Power usage - will running 5 nodes be more expensive than 3.

 

Management and maintenance - 3 nodes will be easier to maintain and update, and also take up less physical room.

 

Reliability - having 5 nodes would give more reliability, as if 1 goes down, your down 20%, where as with 3 nodes if you lose 1, then you're down 33%.

 

 

If it were my choice, I'd got for 5 nodes, as Dimitris calculates it will be faster, and more reliable too.

 

Dean

[jovicazivkovic]

Do you need separate graphic if you go with Intel 3930K? On the intel site it says that 3930k doesn't have graphic?

I am also looking for custom DIY render farm for maya / max ...

Edited May 9, 2013 by jovicazivkovic

[jackbird]

I would not go for itx, despite the fact that I love the format, simply to have the 4x dimm slots and the capability for 32GB max Ram - even if you think that initially 16GB will be enough. H77 mATX boards are also around $20-30 cheaper than ITX equivalents.

 

Would you endorse a Biostar H77MU3 motherboard? That's the only Micro-ATX 32 GB H77 board Microcenter carries that's less expensive than the Mini-itx AsRock.

[Dimitris Tolios]

Would you endorse a Biostar H77MU3 motherboard? That's the only Micro-ATX 32 GB H77 board Microcenter carries that's less expensive than the Mini-itx AsRock.

 

I have no personal experience with Biostar for ages. The board appears to have decent reviews in Newegg (only 2x in amazon, both 5/5).

In general I haven't seen any major complains with Biostar products.

Tbh the biggest complains are coming from more premium brands, probably cause the buyers might have more unrealistic expectations and/or certain boards are used for reckless overclocking etc. This board will have very little stuff you can tweak and harm (just what you need).

 

Depending on the price difference though, I would spare $20 here and there if I could get a better board, yet there aren't many options. The only one available at that biostar's range is a Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H @ Amazon.com. I don't think it will be better really.

[Mario Pende]

Has anyone made any direct comparison between the 3930 and 3770?

WOuld definetly like to hear waht where the rendering times for the same scene.

Anyone has maybe a side by side comparison?

Thanx