MLang89,
The combination of systems you're considering is quite similar to the tactic I use, an HP z420 for modeling and for rendering, an upgraded, used Dell Precision T5400.
For the modeling system you might consider instead of the i7-4770K, the quad core E5-1620 v2 (3.7 / 3.9 GHz)
Modeling System >
BambiBoom PixelDozer Cadamodanimagrapharific Blazomatic iWorkarama TurboScream 9000 ™$#©™_5.31.14
1. CPU > Intel Xeon Quad-Core Processor E5-1620 v2 3.7 / 3.9GHz 0GT/s 10MB LGA 2011 CPU, OEM> $295 (Superbiiz) (Passmark CPU score= 9199, rank = No. 38)
2. CPU Cooler > Cooler Master Hyper T4 - CPU Cooler with 4 Direct Contact Heatpipes > $30
3. Motherboard> ASUS Z9PA-U8 ATX Server Motherboard, C602 chipset, LGA 2011 > $289.99
____http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131915&Tpk=ASUS%20Z9PA-U8
4. 32GB RAM > (4 X 8GB) Kingston 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 ECC Registered Server Memory> $396
5. NVIDIA Quadro K4000 VCQK4000-PB 3GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card $760
6. HD 1 > SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE250BW 2.5" 250GB SATA 6Gb/s MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) > $140
7. SeaSonic S12G S12G-650 650W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Active PFC Power Supply > $95
8. Case > LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $70
9 Optical Dr > SAMSUNG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA Model SH-224DB/BEBE - OEM > $20
10. Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro - 64-bit - OEM > $140
TOTAL = $2,236
It's a minor point, but the V2 Xeons can use 1866 speed RAM (as compared to 1600) and I'm told this is a help in both animation and rendering. Worth consideration.
In the rendering system listed using the pair of Xeon E5-2630 v2's , I'm not sure of the source of the "INTEGRATED VGA GRAPHICS". Is that on the motherboard? If you have a working method that requires only a minimal graphics card, then I would suggest a Quadro K600. If you're a bit adventurous, you might consider for the rendering system, buying a used Quadro FX 5800. These are 512-bit and have 4GB of RAM, were designed for animation and video editing- and $3,600 new, today in the $400 range. I've had 8 used Quadros over the years and never had a failure. A 2004 FX 580 is happily running in a Dell P4 (3.2GHz) system.
Also, even though the rendering system can sit in the corner and run, the E5-2630 v2 at 2.6 / 3.1 GHz may be a bit of a low clock speed for animation and effects processing. When all cores are utilized, it will be running a the 2.6GHz speed. I use a dual quad core at 3.16 and with a Quadro FX 4800 and without running animations, I still wish it were faster. Of course, that is 8 cores and an older series of Xeons. The core count is very useful for rendering- 12 cores / 24 threads. I'm not sure of UK prices, but If the budget would support it, here's a system idea with a bit more speed for this kind of use. >
Rendering System >
BambiBoom PixelCannon Cadarendergrapharific iWork ExtremeTurboSignature 94000 ®$$™®£™©_5.31.14
Processor: 2X Intel Xeon E5-2637 v2 Quad-Core Processor 3.5 / 3.8GHz 8.0GT/s 15MB LGA 2011 CPU > $1,990 ($995 each)
Motherboard: ASRock Rack EP2C602-4L/D16 Dual LGA2011/ Intel C602/ DDR3/ SATA3/ V&4GbE/ SSI EEB Server Motherboard > $300.
RAM: 32GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Registered DDR3 1866 Server Memory > $396
Graphics Card: NVIDIA Quadro K600 VCQK600-PB 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Low Profile Workstation Video Card > $155
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD256BW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $216
Case: LIAN LI PC-A75 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case $170
Power Supply: SeaSonic G-750 SSR-750RM 750W ATX12V / EPS12V 80 PLUS GOLD Modular Active PFC Power Supply $120
Cooling: 2X Cooler Master Seidon 120M – All-In-One CPU Liquid Water Cooling System with 120mm Radiator and Fan $140 ($70 each)
DVD Burner: LG Black 16X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 5X DVD-RAM 12X BD-ROM 4MB Cache SATA Blu-ray Burner WH16NS40 - OEM $65
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional - 64-bit - OEM > $140
Total = $3592. (US)
If the above system used a pair of E5-2630 v2, at $650 each (instead of $995 ea.), then the cost for the above system would total $2,902.
Both systems at US prices total $5,828 or about £3476. However, from what I know about UK prices, the Dollar number can be about the Pound price, so this may still be within the £6000 range.
You must know your storage requirements, but given the very large file sizes of animation, I'm surprised at the lack of any large capacity mechanical drives. On my modeling system, I use a 250 GB SSD for the OS and applications and the drive C: already has 180GB on it, with a small partition (10GB) for working files. Then there is a 1TB for storage, which for my uses has a lot of space, as all my files together are about 80GB. I also keep a system image of the OS and applications that I make before any use in a partition on that drive for quick restoration.
Cheers,
BambiBoom
Modeling System>
HP z420 (2014) > Xeon E5-1620 quad core @ 3.6 / 3.8GHz > 24GB ECC 1600 RAM > Quadro 4000 (2GB)> Samsung 840 SSD 250GB > Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > AE3000 USB WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 > Windows 7 Ultimate 64 >[Passmark system rating = 3923, 2D= 839 / 3D=2048]
Rendering System >
Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB ECC 667> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys 600N WiFi > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >[Passmark system rating = 1859, 2D= 512 / 3D=1097]
2D, 3D CAD, Image Processing, Rendering, Text > Architecture, rendering, industrial design, graphic design, written projects
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