Intel based PC for rendering.

Fandom,

A computer made for rendering is also usually creating 3D models, so there are demands for high performance on every subsystem > CPU, RAM, GPU, and Disc. Animation is more intensive- file sizes and number of renderings and effects procesing is greater, but 3D modeling and rendering gives a system plenty to do. There are potentially millions of polygons to move (recalculate) and textures, effects, shadows, and lighting, reflection calculations.

CPU > Rendering is one of the few applications that can use all the available cores / threads and given the need for fast calculations the ideal CPU should have as many cores at the highest clock speed possible. This is where multiple CPU's (Xeons or Opterons) are useful. If rendering is the priority, I would suggest at least a six core / 12 thread CPU and if possible the ability to add a second of the same later. Multiple C{U's also present the advantage of more PCIe lanes and more RAM capacity. Because of the greater memory bandwidth and up to 12 core capability, I would recommend Intel LGA 2011. A dual LGA 2011 motherboard with the C602 chipset may support up to 512GB RAM and have 6X PCie x16 slots.

Precision is also essential to avoid artifacts and crashing, which is why overclocking is undesirable and the reason Xeons have locked multipliers, more cache, and are usually slightly lower clock speeds.

Motherboard > As mentioned, LGA 2011 has the greatest potential for many cores, and there will be more PCIe lanes. At the moment, my preference is for the C602 chipset.

RAM > To avoid artifacts and shadow and effects problems, ECC error correcting is preferred. I would suggest a minimum of 16GB ECC 1600.

GPU > The GPU should be chosen according to the applications used and for Autodesk and Adobe, which have CUDA acceleration, a Quadro with most CUDAcores will be best is best. Quadros and Firepro also have error-correcting memory and special drivers that finish each image- instead of framerates, enable viewports and high anti-aliasing. If possible, avoid gaming cards that concentrate on frame rates instead of image quality. They are cheaper for what appears to be higher specification, but above a fairly low level of use, they will be greatly disappointing. After years of using Quadros, I tried a GTX- and disaster.

DISK > The disk subsystem needs to be able to run many, many hours with reliability. If that sounds like a server, yes, that's the ideal. I don't think SSD's are necessary- good to load OS, applications, and files quickly once the file is loaded into RAM, the disk speed is only critical in saving and transfers. It's better to save the cost of an SSD and add a duplicate storage drive in RAID 1 that mirrors the original and means perfect backup and quick recovery in case of disk failure.

I haven't researched costs in Greece- which I expect to be at least 25% higher than in the US, but here is a suggestion for a system that I would consider at about the minimal cost to achieve good rendering use. This might be considered the basic, highly expandable system, such that the CPU could become a 6 or 8 core later >

BambiBoom PixelDozer Cadamodagrapharific Blazomatic iWorkarama WalletJoyScream MCCCXI ™$#©™_8.25.13

1. CPU> Intel Xeon Quad-Core Processor E5-1620 3.6GHz 5.0GT/s 10MB LGA 2011 CPU, OEM > $294 (Superbiz) (Passmark CPU score= 9199, rank = No. 38)

2. Motherboard> ASRock X79 Extreme3 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $199.99

3. RAM> 16GB (2X 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 ECC Unbuffered Server Memory >about $150. (Check ASUS motherboard compatibility list)

4. GPU NVIDIA Quadro K2000 VCQK2000-PB 2GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card $420.

5 DISK> (2) Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM) > $160

6. PSU> SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold ((SS-650KM Active PFC F3) 650W ATX12V V2.3/EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply $120.

9. CASE> LIAN LI PC-7HX Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $100.

10. OPTICAL DRIVE> ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM $17.

TOTAL = $1,311

If budget is a problem, the Quadro K2000 can be substituted with a Firepro V4900 which in the US cost $175. (TOTAL = $1066)


Cheers,

BambiBoom


1. Dell Precision T5400 (2009)> 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16 GB ECC 667> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 / Segt Brcda 500GB > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit > HP 2711x 27" 1920 x 1080 > AutoCad, Revit, Solidworks, Sketchup Pro, Corel Technical Designer, Adobe CS MC, WordP Office, MS Office > architecture, industrial design, graphic design, rendering, writing

Fandom,

Sorry, I thought the US-Greco cost differential would not be as large.

As for the use /system, using 3dsmax and Maya are about as intensive workstation-oriented applications as is possible. It's possible that certain viewport functions in Maya will only work properly with a Quadro . Also, renderings ideally have as many cores/ threads as possible to run in a reasonable time. I use a dual 4 core Xeon so as to have 8 cores / 16 threads and I would rather have at least a dual 6 core system.

On that note, it may be more cost effective to buy a good, used workstation- which is very similar to the one I use >

Dell T5400 Twin Quad Core Xeon 3.0Ghz 16GB RAM Windows 7 Pro Desktop PC Tower

http://viewitem.eim.ebay.gr/Dell-T5400-Twin-Quad-Core-Xeon-30Ghz-16GB-RAM-Windows-7-Pro-Desktop-PC-Tower/121117920671/item/index.en-US.html

Which is a Dell Precison T5400 with dual quad core Xeons @ 3.0GHz for 594,37 € +36,85 € shipping -(from the UK). I assume that within the EU you have an advantageous duty / VAT situation. To that system you could add a good graphics card, perhaps a used Quadro 2000 or 4000 and quickly be ready to go within your budget without the trouble of researching, ordering, assembling, configuring and testing a new system. I'm convinced that a new system within your budget will not be satisfactory for Maya and 3dsmax.

Τις καλύτερες ευχές σε εσάς και την οικογένειά σας,

BambiBoom