Help with new PC build

[vivekkharat]

Hi guys, I am jumping into the visualisation scene (as a newbie) and want to do product and arch viz rendering. Mostly still renders.

 

I needed some help on the following. Responses would be a great help:

 

1. How does this config look like?

GPU: GTX 980

CPU: i5 4960

MB: Asrock H97 Killer

RAM: 8GB DDR3

HDD: 1TB

PSU: Coolmaster 500W

 

2. The idea is to spend the least amount of money on the CPU, as GPU is where visualisation seems to be headed. Is that a right assumption or a good idea?

 

3. I'll be using Max but I am not sure about Vray RT or Octane, what do you guys recommend ? What is better for arch and product still rendering ?

 

4. Which GTX 980 would be the best of rendering purposes ? Asus, MSI, Zotoc, EVGA or any other ?

 

Thanks for helping out guys.

[Nikolaos M]

GTX 980 is not the best choice for your budget. 970 is a wiser pick and a better value for money. So, in your place I would save more than 200$ from the gpu and I would put it in a i7 4790K with a decent Z97 motherboard and 16gb of RAM.

 

Other members should know better, but as far as I know (I am new in architectural visualization too) cpu based rendering is more precise and mature. Gpu rendering still has some drawbacks and is more suitable for car modeling etc. Wait for more opinions on this.

[vivekkharat]

Thanks Nikolaos. I will check the price of 970. The local vendors here told me they didn't have 970 available. But I will check again.

Any specific brand you'd recommend like Asus or Zotac or something, or they all are same when it comes to rendering work ?

 

GPU vs CPU argument is probably holding me back with the final CPU choice. but I agree with 16GB RAM. 8GB sounds too steep.

 

I hear you about the CPU being more mature and precise, and then I bumped into this -

75 minutes for 18 seconds of interior rendering. I haven't done any arch rendering but this is pretty fast. What do you think ?

 

Would be great to know the specific drawback with GPU rendering. Or is it that eventually GPU will become as mature and feature rich as CPU rendering? Definitely would like to hear more opinions on this.

[numerobis]

V-Ray RT Supported Features

http://docs.chaosgroup.com/display/VRAY3/V-Ray+RT+Supported+Features

[vivekkharat]

Thanks Nikolaos. The local vendors here are saying 970 is not available. But I will check again and compare

it against 980, price wise. I do agree with the 16GB RAM though, 8GB is a bit too steep.

 

CPU vs GPU comparison is holding up my CPU decision. Though the additional 2Ghz in i7 sounds good,

it's costing me 40 - 50% more than the i5.

 

I haven't done any arch viz work yet, but then I came across this -

75 minutes for 18 seconds animation. I think its pretty insane. But like you said, I should wait for others to chime in as well, about what is the future, CPU or GPU.

 

Thanks numerobis. The list is quite extensive. Ill take a look.

[vivekkharat]

GTX 970 is surely looking more economical when compared to GTX 980.

But the MBs I am looking at have only 1xPCIe 3.0 slots and 2xPCIe 2.0 slots.

If in the future I install another GTX 970, will it be compatible with the PCIe 2.0 slots ?

[Nikolaos M]

GTX 970 is surely looking more economical when compared to GTX 980.

But the MBs I am looking at have only 1xPCIe 3.0 slots and 2xPCIe 2.0 slots.

If in the future I install another GTX 970, will it be compatible with the PCIe 2.0 slots ?

 

Of course it will, but can you show us the mobos you are looking at? Usually, a modern Z97 motherboard would have 1 or 2 slots supporting pci-e 3.0x16 and when two cards are combined in sli/crossfire it supports them at pci-e3.0 x8/x8. Anyway, there is backwards compatibility in these interfaces. If you put a 2nd 970 on your motherboard for rendering purposes then both cards will be supported @ x8/x8. You are not going to lose anything in terms of performance.

Edited February 12, 2015 by nikolaosm

[vivekkharat]

I am talking about the Asrock H97 Pro4 motherboard here.

From what I have been reading, there is no need for SLI for GPU rendering. Is that correct ?

Good to know nothing will be lost in terms of performance with a 980 on PCIe 2.0.

Thanks again for your help Nikolaos.

 

As I am jumping into architectural modelling, can you recommend a good professional tutorial series on

how to import autocad drawings into max and further modelling on the basis of the 2d drawings. I have come across

a few tutorials on YouTube, but I was wondering if there were any professional tutorials which teach you the

right, quick, and optimal technique of arch modelling through 2D DWGs. I do have basic understanding of polygonal modelling.

[Prasad Lavande]

Thanks Nikolaos. The local vendors here are saying 970 is not available. But I will check again and compare

Here u will get gtx 970:

1)http://www.snapdeal.com/product/zotac-nvidia-geforce-gtx-970/1972009682

2)http://www.primeabgb.com/zotac-geforce-gtx-970-zt-90101-10p-graphic-card.html

3)http://www.flipkart.com/zotac-nvidia-geforce-gtx-970-graphics-card/p/itme2w4hn4mn28ev

Just check for 'warranty & how to claim it' by calling at the store.

Hope this helps

[Nikolaos M]

I am talking about the Asrock H97 Pro4 motherboard here.

From what I have been reading, there is no need for SLI for GPU rendering. Is that correct ?

Good to know nothing will be lost in terms of performance with a 980 on PCIe 2.0.

Thanks again for your help Nikolaos.

 

As I am jumping into architectural modelling, can you recommend a good professional tutorial series on

how to import autocad drawings into max and further modelling on the basis of the 2d drawings. I have come across

a few tutorials on YouTube, but I was wondering if there were any professional tutorials which teach you the

right, quick, and optimal technique of arch modelling through 2D DWGs. I do have basic understanding of polygonal modelling.

 

You don't need sli connection in order to use multiple cards in rendering, as far as I know, because in this case, gpu renderers use the raw power of cuda cores but in a cumulative manner, not combined (I hope I expressed this correctly).

 

In my opinion, one of the best sites with professional tutorials about Autodesks products and other relative programs, is Digital Tutors. Check here http://www.digitaltutors.com/software/AutoCAD-tutorials. You'll find almost anything you want.

[vivekkharat]

Thanks for the links Prasad. I got in touch with the local suppliers. Online is slightly more expensive.

Deciding between Zotac and Gainward now.

 

Thanks Nikolaos. Ive been digging on tutorials past couple of weeks. Digital tutors are pretty thorough.

 

What do you guys thing of Gainward GTX 970. Its slightly cheaper than the Zotac.

But I am worried about the quality and also Gainward only has 1 fan compared to 2 in Zotac.

Started a thread here - http://forums.cgarchitect.com/78115-gainward-gtx-970-any-opinions.html#post401724

[Dimitris Tolios]

Gainward and Zotac use the reference board design for most of their 970 cards, which means those are pretty much identical. I am guessing you won't be looking at the custom board solutions, like the Zotac 970 AMP that get more expensive for little gains in real life performance @ stock speeds, but are marketed more towards enthusiasts that want to push overclocks as mush as possible etc.

 

Even reference cards can do 1400-1500MHz core, which unfortunately doesn't make much of a difference in 3D apps - much lika a 980 doesn't over a stock 970.

 

Both companies have versions with either the reference cooler, or custom coolers. The custom cooling solutions over the reference board are usually a tad better, but the 970 is very easy on the consumption and runs generally cool, but also uses a lithography that is very tolerant to high temperatures.

 

For general 3D Work, any 970 it will be running very very cool, as it won't be stressed.

 

My Asus 970 Strix runs almost totally passive the whole time (doesn't even spin the fans). Not all companies offer that, but there are totally silent coolers when fans spin at low rpm. I would read reviews and pick my card based on noise and coil whine complains. Performance with almost all 970s will be nearly identical.

 

This was your thread, you should not start another one asking for pretty much the same built.

Edited April 3, 2015 by dtolios

[vivekkharat]

Thanks Dimitris. Asus Strix has got good reviews. But the Gainwards are more suitable for my budget and are allowing me to invest in other components.

 

I just wanted to know if the Gainwards were a strict no no from current or X Gainward users.

Apart from the coil whine issue, I haven't come against any other issues.

Gainwards have received a neutral to positive reviews online.

 

I've almost made up my mind to go with them.

 

Thanks again for your detailed answer.

I just thought I'll start a new thread to ask specifically about the Gainwards. But now deleted.

 

 

Which PSU do you think I should go for if I was going for a dual 970 + Titan X ?

I was able to squeeze more out of the budget and was thinking of getting a 3 PCIe x16 Mobo

like the Asrock Z97 Extreme 4. Which means i'll have to a get a compatible PSU now.

 

I was good with 750W for two 970s. Not sure how much should I get for the third Titan X.

850W, 1000W, or 1200W ? Online calculators are giving different answers.

Edited April 4, 2015 by vivekkharat

[joelmcwilliam]

Hi Vivek,

 

your thinking is way to complicated. This is what you have to do. Put as much money as you can in the cpu, then the ram and then the gpu. Don't worry too much.

 

Things to do:

 

-pick a powerfull cpu

-pick a matching mobo

-pick matching ram

-pick a aftermarket cpu cooler

-pick a power supply

-pick a gpu

-pick a case

 

Every time you made a pick, simply post it here.