Need Help Creating Best System

morganhigh

Prominent
Sep 13, 2017
1
0
510
Hello,

I just got a new job as a lead artist and they are buying me the best computer setup I can find.

I don't technically have a budget so what would you recommend for 3D animation/rendering/video editing/graphic design?

I'll be primarily using Maya, 3DS Max, and hopefully Z-Brush but I will also be using the basic cloud apps like after effects and Premiere pro for footage I'll shoot and I'll also be designing stuff.

I'm not very tech Savvy and I just graduated so I haven't used anything other than the school computers so I don't even know where to start

Thanks
 
Solution
Intel build:
PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zZ6dLD
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zZ6dLD/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Core i9-7900X 3.3GHz 10-Core Processor ($962.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair - H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI - X299 GAMING M7 ACK ATX LGA2066 Motherboard ($373.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-4266 Memory ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-4266 Memory ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - WD Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($300.03 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI...
Intel build:
PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zZ6dLD
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/zZ6dLD/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel - Core i9-7900X 3.3GHz 10-Core Processor ($962.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair - H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI - X299 GAMING M7 ACK ATX LGA2066 Motherboard ($373.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-4266 Memory ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-4266 Memory ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - WD Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($300.03 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GAMING X Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($759.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GAMING X Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($759.99 @ B&H)
Case: be quiet! - Dark Base Pro 900 w/Window (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair - 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($219.88 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: LG - WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($46.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($137.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $4850.48
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-13 12:14 EDT-0400

AMD Build:
PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GR2nzM
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/GR2nzM/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor ($999.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Corsair - H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus - ROG ZENITH EXTREME EATX TR4 Motherboard ($519.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-4266 Memory ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-4266 Memory ($249.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - WD Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($300.03 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GAMING X Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($759.99 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GAMING X Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($759.99 @ B&H)
Case: be quiet! - Dark Base Pro 900 w/Window (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($238.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair - 1000W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($219.88 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: LG - WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($46.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($137.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $5033.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-13 12:14 EDT-0400

And also add 5 + Coirsair ML120 fans to the setup.

Build if budget was limited to 2500 $:
PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/tLPHcc
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/tLPHcc/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 1800X 3.6GHz 8-Core Processor ($429.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair - H115i 104.7 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock - X370 KILLER SLI/ac ATX AM4 Motherboard ($111.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($144.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 1TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Black 4TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($184.49 @ Adorama)
Video Card: MSI - GeForce GTX 1080 Ti 11GB GAMING X Video Card ($759.99 @ B&H)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Pro M Tempered Glass ATX Mid Tower Case ($107.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - RMx 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case Fan: Corsair - ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.78 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair - ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.78 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Corsair - ML120 Pro LED White 75.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($24.78 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2628.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-13 13:43 EDT-0400
 
Solution

YoAndy

Reputable
Jan 27, 2017
1,277
2
5,665


I really want to think that this is a joke and you are not thinking about building a new computer in 2017 and using The FX series of processors. (the FX series of processors are garbage) ;)
 

FD2Raptor

Admirable


When you have no budget limit:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor ($999.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Fractal Design - Celsius S36 87.6 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($119.79 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock - Fatal1ty X399 Professional Gaming ATX TR4 Motherboard ($433.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($691.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor - M8Pe 512GB PCI-E Solid State Drive ($276.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Samsung - 960 Pro 2TB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($1197.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Nvidia Titan Xp (Pascal) ($1200.00)
Video Card: Nvidia Titan Xp (Pascal) ($1200.00)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Luxe Tempered Glass (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($179.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - PRIME Titanium 1000W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($258.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Other: Phanteks SSD Bracket for Single SSD Enthoo Series Cases (PH-SDBKT_01) ($7.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Phanteks SSD Bracket for Single SSD Enthoo Series Cases (PH-SDBKT_01) ($7.99 @ Amazon)
Other: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro | USB Flash Drive ($189.00 @ Other World Computing)
Total: $6763.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-13 13:45 EDT-0400

Expand the Fractal liquid cooling loop to cover the Titans, swapping/adding fans to a full push-pull config when/if you are comfortable for it.
The extra SSD brackets included are just for when 3D NAND drives arrived en-mass to replace HDD for SATA storage.
PCI-E based Plextor M8PeY and M2 based 960 Pro remove the need for SATA data/power cables, again, until 3D NAND SSD in the 4-10TB arrives.
USB based W10 for easy and speedy installation onto the M8PeY.

Scale down to single Titan / 4x8GB Trident kit / 2TB 850 EVO SATA / Seasonic Focus G+ 650W (single Titan) or PRIME Gold 1000W (dual Titan) if there are actually a hard limit on how much they're willing to spend on you.
 
Recommending an FX cpu is terrible advice right now. For a new system, I wouldn't even want to recommend them for a web browsing machine. If you have extra parts and a friend who does not have a computer, give him those parts in that case, but DO NOT buy or build with FX now, save your money!!!!
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


Because it's a six year old CPU and has been replaced by much better processors. Don't pay attention to the store ratings. 2011 tech =/= 2017 tech. And why would you even remotely consider an FX CPU when Threadripper exists?
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


Design applications are very CPU intensive, and a 6 year old CPU isn't going to cut it with the latest versions of Adobe and Autodesk applications. And what worked 6 years ago does not cut it today. You don't have to spend $7,000 or $8,000 but suggesting a platform that was obsolete when it was new because it has good store ratings is not the way to go. I would suggest you do more research on the subject. Just because a product has good store ratings does not mean it's still good.

You could do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i9-7900X 3.3GHz 10-Core Processor ($962.89 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($156.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - PRIME X299-A ATX LGA2066 Motherboard ($286.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($354.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($117.60 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HP - FirePro W7100 8GB Video Card ($643.80 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT - S340 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full 32/64-bit ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2998.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-13 19:01 EDT-0400

Or you could do something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor ($999.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: NZXT - Kraken X62 Rev 2 98.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($156.95 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - X399 AORUS Gaming 7 ATX TR4 Motherboard ($389.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill - Trident Z RGB 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($354.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 960 EVO 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($117.60 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital - BLACK SERIES 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HP - FirePro W7100 8GB Video Card ($643.80 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT - S340 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home Full 32/64-bit ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $3138.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-09-13 19:00 EDT-0400
 
Don't get me wrong, I gamed on an fx 8120 for a while and an fx 6300 later, they were ok in their day, but their days are quickly fading.

You always always buy the best cpu/board you can get when you build. With any luck, they will perform well for 4-5 years instead of needing to upgrade in 6 months or a year.
 

Rogue Leader

It's a trap!
Moderator


A 5 year old processor, for an unlimited budget rendering build seriously?



9 out of 10 where, in the scale of processors that are an utter and complete waste of money



If he had a $500 budget and it was 2013 sure. But not today, no.





Whom are you to judge? We are here to help people not judge their budget unless its insane or a waste. In his case he has some serious requirements and the money to back it up.

Considering the terrible advice you've given here, you may want to re-think answering and how you answer questions here. Its neither helpful nor correct.
 

Rogue Leader

It's a trap!
Moderator




Do you do that kind of work? At my current job we sometimes contract animators for some things, they have some SERIOUS machines. Depending what he is doing a $5k machine may well be warranted. And anyway above cheaper builds were suggested as well. Again who are you to judge.

Building in 2017 a new machine using old equipment is simply a waste of money. If you have a failure in 2-3 years getting a replacement motherboard for example is tougher and/or can be costly. Ask folks looking for high end LGA 775 boards these days. This is poor advice especially for someone looking to do something that can require a lot of computing power.
 

YoAndy

Reputable
Jan 27, 2017
1,277
2
5,665


Are you even reading what's happening on here? He is not paying for the computer his work is. They give him the green light to spend has much as he likes, but the computer has to be good for 3D animation, rendering, video editing and graphics design. All those tasks are CPU and GPU intensive, that means he needs to spend more than 2000 USD to even get a decent build.
 
Opinions are allowed, but you've been posting on multiple threads opinions of getting these old chips. They were ok in their day, but if you are spending money now, I just don't feel that spending money on older tech for a brnad new system is wise.

It might be different if you are setting something up for a friend who has a very small budget and you've already got say a motherboard and ram, but when you have to buy everything, you don't want to buy 5 year old technology at this point if you can help it, or unless you are severely budget limited in my opinion.