PC specs for 3d rendering and vfx

kushal_chaudhari · Jan 16, 2017

Hello i am going to buy a new PC for my studio. Can anyone provide me with the best specs for 3d rendering, simulations and vfx.

Budget is around $5000 to $5300 USD

I already have os, speaker, mouse, keyboard, 10 tb hard disk, dvd writer, monitor

King Dranzer · Jan 25, 2017

Check this build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6950X 3.0GHz 10-Core Processor ($1579.49 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i v2 70.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($96.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: Asus Rampage V Edition 10 EATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($549.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($399.99 @ Corsair)
Storage: Intel 750 Series 400GB PCI-E Solid State Drive ($304.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: NVIDIA Titan X (Pascal) 12GB Video Card ($1200.00)
Video Card: NVIDIA Titan X (Pascal) 12GB Video Card ($1200.00)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($146.96 @ Jet)
Total: $5478.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-25 09:31 EST-0500

With two TITAN X PASCALS(in non SLI) and i7-6950X and 64GB RAM this is very strong build.

I also included very fast and much reliable SSD tho support the build.(if you have SSD then skip it as per your requirement)

You can add 2 more TITAN X PASCALS down the lane as per the requirement to get better results(if required).

bambiboom · Jan 25, 2017

kushal_chaudhari :

kushal_chaudhari,

For the listed uses: 3d rendering, simulations and vfx, the particular programs have a different hardware emphasis with regards to the CPU. GPU,memory and disk. 3D modeling was not mentioned, but that will be dependent on CPU single-thread performance, which translates as the turbo speed of the processor. Some programs are not efficient using dual processors (Adobe) and are other are very well distributed ( Matlab and Solidworks). If the rendering were to be single images- then CPU rendering is preferable , but VF/X will be GPU-based= a lot of video memory and a large number of CUDa cores). Simulations are completely compute-processor intensive, and need a much higher level of single and double precision (= Xeon, ECC RAM, and Quadro /Tesla). Video processing is extremely memory-hungry (= a lot of RAM). there is also the factor of which programs are used in real-time such as 3D modeling and which are in effect passive such as rendering, in which the system processes the project without continual input. If there is 3D modeling but GPU rendering, then the CPU can have fewer cores at a high clock speed and then use two or three GPU's.

Avoid overclocking and consumer GPUs that focus on gaming frame rates.

The budget is sufficient to accommodate both CPU and GPU rendering on some level but a focus on the programs in terms of the importance of use will yield a better optimized specification. So, the first task in specifying the system would be to list the programs used and their priority.

For an all-round system that can accommodate 3D modeling, CPU and GPU rendering, high compute scientific simulation, and video effect processing:

The following concept is based on a Supermicro Superworkstation. This provides a case, dual LGA2011 motherboard, CPU coolers, and power supply such that the user need only plug in the CPU's, RAM, GPU's, and drives. This simplifies the hardware decisions and makes configuration very fast. the cooling is designed for server-level use and these systems are rated to be very quiet.

The key to this idea is to employ used CPU's, in this suggestion, a pair of Xeon E5-2680 v2 which are 10-core @ 2.8 /.3.6GHz. On Passmark, the top CPU score for dual E5-2680 v2's is 26121 on ASUS ZPE-D8 WS and 23963 on the Supermicro X9Dri. The single threaded rating is 1758.

By using depreciated CPU's, a much higher specification is possible and funds are released for other purposes. There are tests that indicate that in some applications, including Premiere and After Effects, additional cores do not contribute to processing efficiency, but on the other hand, Solidworks is so well-multi-threaded that every core added improves performance, so the full utilization is on the horizon. The MTBF of the E5-1680 v2 is 170,000 hours or 19.4 years continuous running.

BambiBoom PixelCannon Videorsimu renderlicious iWork Turbo SignatureX ExtremeBlastistic 9900 ®©$$™®£™©™_1.25.17

Case /Motherboard / CPU coolers / Power supply : Supermicro SuperWorkstation SYS-7037A-I Dual Socket LGA2011 Xeon 900W Mid-Tower Workstation Barebone System (Black) > $734

https://www.supermicro.com/products/system/tower/7037/sys-7037a-i.cfm
http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=SY-737AI

CPU: 2X Intel Xeon E5-2680 v2 Eight-Core Haswell Processor 2.9 /3.8GHz, 20MB LGA 2011 CPU, 130W > used about $1,400 ($500 -800 each)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-E5-2680-v2-10-Core-2-8GHz-SR1A6-Ivy-Bridge-EP-LGA2011-CPU-Processor-/302172429488?hash=item465ae15cb0:g:WdIAAOSwXeJYJTou

Memory: 128GB (8x 16GB) SAMSUNG M393B2G70DB0-CMA Samsung DDR3-1866 16GB2Gx72 ECCREG CL13 Samsung Chip Server Memory > $960 ($120ea.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=12K-00WZ-00010&cm_re=8GB_DDR3-1866_ECC_unbuffered-_-12K-00WZ-00010-_-Product

GPU 1, 2, 3: MSI GeForce GTX 1070 DirectX 12 GTX 1070 GAMING X 8G 8GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ATX Video Card > $1,320 ($430 each) (= 3X GPU / 24GB / .5,670 CUDA cores)

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127947&cm_re=GTX_1070-_-14-127-947-_-Product

Disk 1: SAMSUNG 950 PRO M.2 2280 512GB PCI-Express 3.0 x4 Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) MZ-V5P512BW> $400. (OS and programs)

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA12K3U60461&cm_re=samsung_950_pro_512gb-_-20-147-467-_-Product

Disks 2: U User provided > $0 (Files, Backup, System Image)

Optical Disk: User Provided > $100

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136264

Operating System: User Provided > $0.

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MSFQC08289
_______________________________________

TOTAL = about $4500 to $4800

If the simulations are particle (thermal, gas), the GPU's would be changed for a pair of used Quadro M4000 8GB- about $1,300 (=2X GPU, 16GB / 3,328 CUDA cores).

Again, this is an all-rounder for goof performance in the widest range of programs If you list the programs used, then a system can be focused on the characteristics of the principal use.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

For reference, the following two systems cost a total of about $3,500:

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 2.1 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 (6GB) / HP Z Turbo Drive (256GB) + Samsung 850 Evo 250GB + Seagate Constellation ES.3 (1TB) / Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCIe sound card / 800W / Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z313 2.1 speakers > 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= 119.23 fps / CPU = 2209 cb / Single core 130 cb / MP Ratio 16.84x] 10.31.16

fluked · Jan 25, 2017

What bambi says. However, I'd try to up the core count and QPI with v3 or v4. For this you could use cheap ES cpu's even. But as bambi stated, you'd need to know the specifics of the application. I use various ES xeons. It's not the professional choice, but I find step 2's or greater work as intended (but usually missing features like vt-d or avx2, but for your purpose...)

BTW, nice little play by play for the generic build bambi. I have to ask, do have that saved and ready to fire off at any relating question?

Wait, after looking at that list again I noticed that the motherboard is 2011-v3, so v1 and v2 xeons won't work, neither will the ram.

bambiboom · Jan 25, 2017

fluked :

fluked,

The E5- v3 and v4 are a consideration if the the system is not used for 3D modeling, but as the core count goes up the clock speed drops. So as to have a more versatile system, I find the v'2 have the best compromise of core count to clock speed. Plus, as they're used it's possible to use a pair of E5-2680 v2 which new would have cost over $3,400 on their own. The Passmark single thread rating is 1758 and the nearest LGA2011-3 is the E5-2685 v3 12C@ 2.6/3.6 which is rated at 1757- the same. It does have 2 more cores, but the lower clock speed means that the CPU mark- i.e. the total clock cycles/ unit time of a single E5-2685 v3 is 14154 while the faster E5-2680 v2 is 16341- faster in both departments. Importantly, the price of a E5-2685 v3 is $2.090 each. Very few used ones have sold and in the $1,400 region.

I do have some systems specifications saved for the more usual requests. But, much of those have been the result of looking for systems that can do everything well in my uses since 2010, I've been fussing with two systems, because any capability I add doesn't suit the specialized system.

For example, on the weekend, I was unable to run a VRay / Sketchup rendering on the the z420- which has a 6C 3.7 /4.0 GHz E5-1660 v2 /32GB / Quadro K4200 and fast disks- Sansung M.2 SM951 and Intel 730 480GB. After about 30 minutes, on 12 threads at 100% and 3.8Ghz, it crashed- out of memory. Vray is CPU rendering and the 152MB model with piles of textures ran over the 32GB of RAM. However, the z620 ran all 32 threads at 100% @ 3.3-3.5Ghz , used 42GB (of 64GB) of RAM, and completed that 3180 X 2160 rendering in 10:20.

If I ran a rendering in Cinema 4D, the z620 would also run quite well as the Quadro K2200 4GB + the Tesla M2090 8GB which together perform in the range of a Quadro M5000 -$1,900, and a but faster than a GTX970. I have to use Quadros for Solidworks modeling and the SW excellent rendering is fully scalar CPU rendering- fires on all 32 threads.

So, my software and hardware is all over the map. Whenever I answer questions here, I keep in mind my experience, that's led to a goal of consolidating all uses into a strong single system that can do anything. And my experience also prompts suggesting that idea to our friend kushal_chaudhari. You never know what you'll need to do only a few months later. Lately, I been learning Wolfram Mathematica and that is going to make full use the Tesla M2090. The suggested system is similar what I'd like to do, except I'd use Xeon E5-2687w v2's which are 8C @3.4/4.0GHz and that will have the CPU rendering power plus a very healthy single-thread rate- 2052- for modeling. I chose the E5-1660 v2 as it's sort of the 6C version. Today E5-2687w v'2 are starting to be sold in the $700 range. I'll look into the upcoming Quadro P4000 8GB which will be faster than the M5000 for perhaps 1/2 the cost..

Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy in the system listing. The listing for the Superworkstation SYS-7037-A-i was correct- LGA2011 which supports E5 v2 and DDR3-1866, but the links were for the SYS-7038 which is indeed LGA2011-3. Supermicro is funny in their system model numbering- the SYS-7037A-IL is dual LGA1356,..

What kind of applications and hardware are you using?

Cheers,

BambiBoom

fluked · Jan 26, 2017

I'm just a poor enthusiast, I run ES xeons. Just bought a X10DAL-i to run 2 x 2630v4. 2.2ghz is the base, but they rarely leave 3.1ghz turbo (which scares me, because contrary to retail, they apparently won't leave turbo). It's costly to go beyond 256GB of ram (that's max ram unless I switch to LRDIMM). My next investment will be to switch to 40gbe LAN. However, as I mentioned I'm poor, so I might see what can be done with 40GB Thunderbolt in regards to networking, as that would be a LOT cheaper. I really need to work strictly out of RAM for clusters.

This is all encryption related, I run ASiCs too. ACE might be the closest thing to what you all are doing. My budget doesn't even come close to allow me to use Intel PHi for anything.

bambiboom · Jan 26, 2017

fluked :

fluked,

A Supermicro X10DAL-i and a pair of Xeon 2630 v4s should be a very good platform for running ACE. My comparable high CPU- intense use is the CPU rendering mentioned and yes, it is a bit disconcerting to see a system running flat out: 32 threads at 100% use and all threads at 3.5GHz- the maximum all-thread speed for the E5-2690- edging up to the 75-80C.

The world of Xeon Phi and Tesla GPU coprocessors has become more intriguing as I've ventured off into Matlab and Wolfram. The recent Knight's Landing series of the Xeon Phi -with 64 to 72 core CPU's ($2400 to $ 6,400) is the current ultimate, edging further towards desktop supercomputing. The clock speeds are in the GPU realm of 1.3-1.5GHz. However, you can have a taste of this using the X10DAL-i, by using a mid-level Quadro and follow it with a pair of Tesla C2075 GPU compute coprocessors. They have only 448 CUDA cores but.have 6GB of 384-bit GDDR5 each, so these add a strong GPU compute power. I use a Quadro K2200 4GB with a Tesla M2090 6GB and that combination which cost $290 + $86 runs 3D computing at a rate similar to a Quadro M5000 8GB which costs $1,900. If you're doing financial analysis /simulation, have a look at Teslas. Be aware of the cooling requirements though- almost all except the Tesla C2075 are passively cooled, intended for the high air volume in servers. If you built the Supermicro X10DAL-i into a server chassis it would be possible to run Tesla K8's which have 8GB and 1536 CUDA cores. these are selling these days going into the $400 range.

When I think of my first PC, a 1993 IBM 486 DX2 50 -that's 50MHz with 2 MB of RAM, 85MB HD and a 15" monitor costing a total of $2,800-(a 1MB RAM module cost $180 or $1.1M per GB), the golden age of the desktop is now!

Cheers,

BambiBoom

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