Older workstation for 3D modeling/rendering, video editing and coloring

adamogden24 · Nov 18, 2016

So I've been looking at some older workstations to do 3D modeling/rendering, video editing and coloring on for dirt cheep. I came across a HP Z400 with:

CPU: INTEL W3565 3.20GHz
RAM: 16GB
GPU: NVIDIA Quadro 2000
HDD: 1TB

All for $200.

I'm wondering how well this workstation would fair with programs like Cinema 4D, Adobe CC, DaVinci Resolve etc... also how is it in terms of bang for your buck? I really don't think you could really get anywhere near this computing power for anywhere near $200 or am I just really wrong?

bambiboom · Nov 18, 2016

adamogden24 :

adamogden,

The HP z400 system is quite a good value, and should work on some level for the applications mentioned, but, in my view, there is the possibility of a better performance and long term potential at a similar cost.

Considerations of the listed z400:

1. The Xeon W3565 4-core @ 3.2 / 3.46GHz is a good processor, but the Passmark single-thread mark is 1425- not terrific for 3D modeling, although the CPU rating is not bad- the top CPU score in the z400 is 6148. Also, the w3565 uses a maximum of 1066MHz RAM.

2. The Quadro 2000 is very high quality and reliable, but the maximum 3D score on Passmark is 1381- again not terrific for 3D modeling. The average Passmark 3D score is 1303.

3. The disk subsystem is SATAII or 3GB/s.

4. USB 2.0

The Top Rated z400 / W3565 / Quadro 2000 system in Passmark (21 tested):

Passmark Rating = 2616 > CPU= 4975 / 2D= 602 / 3D= 1350 / Mem= 1729 (16GB) / Disk= 1083 (Seagate Barracuda 1TB] 8.12.15

It may be possible with some careful shopping to do quite a bit better. How about:

DELL PRECISION T5500 XEON X5690 3.46GHz 12GB 750GB NVIDIA QUADRO 4000 WIN 7 PRO sold for $115 (8.26.16)

1. The Xeon X5690 is 6-core @ 3.46 /3.73GHz, using DDR3-1333. Average CPU Mark = 9186 and Single Thread is 1517. The X5690 cost $1,660 new. The W3565 cost $305 new.

2. The Quadro 4000 (2GB) 3D average = 1947

3. The disk subsystem is SATAII or 3GB/s.

4. USB 2.0

The top rated Precision T5500 / X5690 / Quadro 4000:

Passmark Rating = 3501 > CPU= 9310 / 2D= 582 / 3D= 1794 / Mem= 1804 (12GB) / Disk= 7379 (Kingston 240GB- probably two in RAID 0_ SSD)

The top 2D for Quadro 4000 = 637 and top 3D = 2004.

I have a Precision T5500 with 2X Xeon X5680:

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6-core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Logitech z313 > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 > CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3550 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)

The PERC H310 RAID controller ($60) changed the disk system to 6GB/s and with no other changes moved the Disk mark from 1940 to 2649

I bought that system for $171:

Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Original): Xeon E5620 quad core @ 2.4 / 2.6 GHz > 6GB DDR3 ECC Reg 1333 > Quadro FX 580 (512MB) > Dell PERC 6/i SAS /SATA controller > Seagate Cheetah 15K 146GB and 300GB > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
[ Passmark system rating = 1479 / CPU = 4067 / 2D= 520 / 3D= 311 / Mem= 1473 / Disk= 1208]

-and spent about $800 on it.

The good feature of the T5500 is that the X5690 is a six-core and a second one can be added later. That does require a riser board that adds to costs- $80 or so. This is true of the HP z600 also. The 3GB/s disk can be changed by using a 6GB/s RAID controller.

Another contender is the Precision T3500.

Purchased for $53 (12.12.15):

Precision T3500 (2011) (Original) Xeon W3530 4-core @ 2.8 /3.06GHz > 4GB (2X 2GB) DDR3-1333 ECC > GeForce 9800 GT (1GB)> WD Black 500GB
[Passmark system rating = 1963, CPU = 4482 / 2D= 609 / 3D=805 / Mem= 1409 / Disk=1048]

CPU: $60
RAM: $43
GPU: From a previous system value is about $125
Disks: The Disks and PERC 6/i RAID controller arrived with T5500, value about $90 total:

Dell Precision T3500 (2011) (Rev 2) Xeon X5677 4-core @ 3.46 / 3.73GHz > 12GB (6X 2GB) DDR3-1333 ECC > Quadro 4000 (2GB) > PERC 6/i + Seagate 300GB 15K SAS ST3300657SS + WD Black 500GB > 525W PSU> Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > 2X Dell 19" LCD
[Passmark system rating = 2751> CPU = 7236 / 2D= 658 / 3D=2020 / Mem= 1875 / Disk=1221]
[PT9 BETA > Passmark system rating = 2696> CPU = 6595 / 2D= 636 / 3D=2391 / Mem= 1811 / Disk=1203]

Prices for T3500 have dropped:

See: Dell Precision T3500 Workstation Xeon Dual Core E5507 2.27GHz 6GB 500GB – Tested > 22 Hours to go and bidding is at $8.50.

OR: Dell Precision T3500 Hexa Six 6 Core XEON W3690/3.47GHz/12GB/250GB/Quadro/W7 F3F > Buy It Now $219

The W3690 (6-core @ 3.47 /3.73GHz) is the single CPU version of the X5690 and the single CPU versions performance a bit better than the dual version: CPU Mark = 9503 and Single Threaded is 1564 . That system includes a Quadro 2000 and the RAM is DDR3-1333.

Top rated T3500 / W3690 / Quadro 2000:

Passmark system rating = 3701 > CPU = 9714 / 2D= 679 / 3D= 1352 / Mem= 1777 (24GB) / Disk= 1777 (OCZ Vertex 3)

So, the above system could be used more or less as is and eventually, change the GPU- I suggest a used Quadro K620 average 3D = 2284 The top 3D score in T3500 = 2329, add RAM to 24GB, SSD, and PERC H310 RAID controller- perhaps $400 total. A PCIe USB 3.0 card may be added as well.

The alternate GPU would be to use a GTX which is going to reduce the workstation image quality features- lower anti-aliasing, viewport support and double precision but will be quite a bit quicker in GPU rendering. For example a GTX 770 is possible for about $80 and the average 3D score is 6132. That decision is important as the tradeoff in image quality for speed may or may not be critical. For single images- that is, not a priority on animation and video editing, I would stay with a Quadro, but many high end visualization systems today are using GTX.

So, overall a higher performing 6-core, 12GB of RAM, and a Quadro 2000 for a similar cost as the z400. By the way, with LGA1366 CPU's, the RAM is triple channel. There are 6-slots and best results will be in sets of three of the same modules. So, 6X 4GB would be optimal.

There are infinite combinations possible. The least expensive good results will probably be derived with a T3500 that arrives with a high end CPU.

It does take some research and patience to find and rework a system in this way, but the resulting cost /performance is difficult to improve.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

CAD / 3D Modeling / Graphic Design:

HP z420 (2015) (Rev 3) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) / 32GB DDR3 -1866 ECC RAM / Quadro K4200 (4GB) / Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) + Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)
[ Passmark Rating = 5581 > CPU= 14046 / 2D= 838 / 3D= 4694 / Mem= 2777 / Disk= 11559] [6.12.16]

Analysis / Simulation / Rendering:

HP z620 (2012) (Rev 3) 2X Xeon E5-2690 (8-core @ 2.9 / 3.8GHz) / 64GB DDR3-1600 ECC reg) / Quadro K2200 (4GB) + Tesla M2090 (6G) / HP Z Turbo Drive (256GB) + Seagate Constellation ES.3 1TB / 800W > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > HP 2711x (27" 1980 X 1080)
[ Passmark System Rating= 5675 / CPU= 22625 / 2D= 815 / 3D = 3580 / Mem = 2522 / Disk = 12640 ] 9.25.16
[Cinebench R15: OpenGL= 115.78 fps / CPU = 2199 cb / Single core 131 cb / MP Ratio 16.84x

adamogden24 · Nov 23, 2016

BambiBoom,

First off thank you so much for all of the great information! It's helped a lot! Do you know what CPUs are compatible with the t3500s and t5500s? Are all LGA1366 socket CPUs compatible?

Thanks,
adamogden24

bambiboom · Nov 23, 2016

adamogden24 :

adamogden24,

As it happens, while upgrading the T3500, a list was made of LGA1366 CPU's:

____________________________________________________________

LGA1366 CPU’s:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Intel_Xeon_microprocessors

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

http://ark.intel.com/products

4-Core:

____________________Passmark CPU Average_ Ebay_12.13.15

_W-3500 series / 45nm / 8MB cache / 130W / 24GB > 800,1066 / HT

I. W3520
II. W3530 2.8 / 3.06GHz _5372 [5587 actual] _$11 > $65
III. W3540 2.93 / 3.2 _5492
IV. W3550 3.06 / 3.33 _5761
V. W3565 3.2 / 3.46 _6083
VI. W3570 3.2 / 3.46 _6261 _$25 > $50
VII. W3580 3.33 / 3.6 _6586 _$50 > $95

_X-5500 series (8MB cache / 45nm / 95W_ 2009)

I. X5550 2.67 / 3.06 _5422
II. X5560 2.8 / 3.2 _5442
III. X5570 2.93 / 3/33 _5638 _$14 > $45
IV. X5590 3.33 / 3.6 _9216 _$37 >

_W-5500 series (8MB cache / 45nm / 95W_ 2009)

I. W5580 3.2 / 3.46 (130W) _5718 _$21 > $50
II. W5590 3.33 / 3.6 _6314 _$32 > $200

_X-5600 series 32nm/ 8MB/ 95W_ 2011)

I. X5647 2.93 / 3.2 _5996
II. X5667 3.07 / 3.46 _4655 _$16 > $40
III. X5672 3.2 / 3.6 _5148 _$45 > $87
IV. X5677 3.46 / 3.73 (130W)_7046 _$33 > $80
V. X5687 3.6 / 3.86 _7217 _$70 > $130

6-Core

_X-5600 series 32nm / 12MB / 95W_2011)

I. X5660 2.87 / 3.2 _7587 _$68 > [$100] > $180
II. X5675 3.07 / 3.46 _8584 _$78 > [$112] > $215
III. X5680 3.33 / 3.6 (130W) _9011 _$113> [$140] > $274
IV. X5690 3.47 / 3.73 (2011) _9216 _$182 >[$220] > $291

_W-3600 series / 32nm / 12MB / 130W > 24GB >

I. W3670 3.2 / 3.46 (1066) _6261 _$90 > $160
II. W3680 3.33 / 3.6 (1333) _9398 _$140 > $208
III. W3690 3.47 / 3.73 _9703 _$160 > $400

____________________________________________________________

In general, notice that the single CPU version of the same series and clock speed is faster than the dual version,- the W3690 Passmark average is 9703 and the X5690 = 9216.

Regardless of the CPU chosen, use the upgraded CPU cooler. In the Dell Precisions, the lower spec cooler is a cast Aluminium looking a bit like organ pipes, and the better one is horizontal Steel with Copper pipes- and looks like a model of a 60's office building. I've not upgraded an LGA1366 HP, but I believe they used two versions also. In the HP z820 there is also a liquid cooling option.

This list was made nearly a year ago, so the prices will be lower than mentioned.

This list includes both single and dual LGA1366 processors. A T3500 can use the X-5500 and X5600 series dual processors as well as the W-3500 and 3600 processors. The X5600 and W3600 are 32nm lithography and to use those, update the system BIOS to the latest. I use X5600 in both the T5500 (2X X5680) and T3500 (X5677) which arrived with a W3530.

Where are you in looking for a system?

Cheers,

BambiBoom

adamogden24 · Nov 23, 2016

BambiBoom,

I am currently trying to decide whether to go with a T3500 or get a T5500 that has more room to grow in the future. Either way I'm planning on replacing the cpu with an X5660 because it seams like the biggest bang for my buck (CPU mark = 7953 for ~$50) and if I get the T5500 I can upgrade to two X5660s (CPU mark = 11893) later down the road.

I'm thinking I'll go with a Quadro 2000 cus I can pick one up for $30-$60.

If I do go the route of piecing it all together than I just have to find a T3500 or T5500 with a good amount of ram and storage aready to keep the cost down.

The trouble with the cheeper T3500s is that they have W35xx chips which, like you pointed out to me, don't support 1033 ram so when I put the X5660 I wouldn't be taking full advantage of it. I'm not exactly how much more I would get out of 1033 ram over 1066.

Or maybe I'll just keep an eye out for a good deal on a system that's already put together and probably end up spending less than trying to piece one together. I think I just have to be patient and keep looking.

bambiboom · Nov 24, 2016

adamogden24 :

adamogden24,

As the T5500 has a bigger power supply than the T3500- 875W to 525W, more RAM Capacity- 96GB to 24GB and a 2nd CPU can be added, a T5500 would seem a good choice, but the budget may mean having the T3500.

CPU: For the CPU, if there is a 3D modeling use and the rendering can be GPU-based, consider a T3500 with the fastest 4-core affordable- to have a higher single-thread rating.

Dell T3500 3.46GHz Quad Core X5677 6GB 1x 160GB HD No OS > Buy It Now $129.

The X5677 is 4-core @ 3.47 / 3.73GHz, Passmark average 6966, single threaded 1517 . This is the CPU I chose for my T3500, and with a Quadro 4000, it works quite well.

GPU: The Quadro 2000 will not be brilliant in either modeling or rendering. Passmark 3D =1303. Check the rendering software and consider a used GTX such as the 760. 3D = 4949. Even a GTX 750 Ti: 3688 - as good as Quadro K2200 (4GB). The GTX 580 3GB is another contender: 4992. These are 384-bit GDDR5. When new, these were a hot number on the video editing scene. with a little patience these can be found for $80 or so- realistic.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

adamogden24 · Nov 26, 2016

BambiBoom,

Thank you for all your help! I just won an auction for a T5500 with a X5677 12GB RAM 640GB a ATI Firepro V5800 all for $112.50 with $25 shipping. I'll probably end up putting a better gpu in there but I feel like I got a pretty good deal and I have a lot of room to upgrade the T5500. That being said any advice on wifi cards?

Thanks,

adamogden24

bambiboom · Nov 26, 2016

adamogden24 :

'''

adamogden24.

I'm very pleased that worked out.

The T5500 is a very good choice with a lot of potential- 2X 6-core up to 3.8GHZ Turbo speed. And a very good buy as the X5677 can cost $50 on it's own. The Firepro V5800 is not terrific, but still has some value so it's a net $80 purchase.

I used WiFi in my T5500 and had very good luch with a Linksys Cisco Model WMP600N Wireless-N PCI WiFi PC Adapter Card with Dual-Band > BIN $17

Windows 7 automatically loaded the driver and it worked really well. It's dual band and has a pair little screw on exterior antennas that do seem to get reception. I ended up buying three of them and used them - one I think was $8- in the older systems that have more than one PCI slot. That card works just fine on the system that streams to the television. I never had one fail.

Another good that I used on my main system was a Cisco-Linksys AE3000 which is USB. These are usually $25 or more. Of course, it's easier to just plug in than to install a card. It can plugged into a USB port, or sit in it;s wired docker. I set that one near an exterior window and it once was receiving 17 WiFi signals plus a couple of wireless printers. Better if the WiFi signal is weaker.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

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Older workstation for 3D modeling/rendering, video editing and coloring

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Commendable

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Splendid

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Commendable

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Commendable

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