PC For Animation/Modeling/Render on Autodesk Maya/Lightwave

Hi friends,

I'm getting PC build in 3-4 months later, i'm doing survey the spec what best for Modeling/Animation/Rendering in Maya and Lightwave. The budget not more than $1850 (RM6500). I'm live in Malaysia. I'm aware of the new generation of DX11 for Graphics Card.

The spec from my survey is : -

CPU - Intel Core i7 920
Motherboard - Gigabyte EX58-UD5
RAM - Kingston KHX12800 D3 LLK3 8-8-8-24 ( 3x2GB)
HDD - WD 1TB ST32 7200RPM
PCI - Gigabyte GTX295
PSU - Gigabyte Odin M 800Watts
CASE - CM HAF 922
Monitor - Samsung P2350SW

Question is :-

(1) Its good rig?
(2) Swithing
(a) HDD - WD 1TB ST32 (Black) *heard the speed about same 10K RPM*
(b) PSU - More watts like 850 Watts? Brands? *let say future time I want to do SLI-GTX295*
(c) Monitor - Samsung P2370SW? what the different with P2350SW?
(d) RAM - other options?
(e) PCI - Shd getting DX11? are they cheap base your knowlegde?


Please help comment on this, thanks you very much!

Welcome to the Forums!

1) Yes, it looks to be a good rig. As you are using it as a render box, perhaps you should get a slower GPU and a faster CPU. Alternately, you can just get a good cooler and overclock the i7 920 quite a bit.

2) a) No, it is not as fast as a VelociRaptor or a non JMicron based SSD. It does, however, cost quite a bit less and has much more storage space. As the WD Black series drives are designed to be faster than their standard counterparts, I would think it should be fast enough for you.

b) For your system with a single GTX295, a quality 700w PSU will give you enough power. If you really want SLI GTX295's, you would probably be better off getting a quality 1Kw PSU. I would recommend switching to a Corsair, PCP&C, Seasonic, Enermax or Antec Earthwatts PSU.

c) It looks like the main difference is the P2370 is advertised as a lower power display and can not get to bright. IMHO, they are both TN panels and weak choices for what you want to do. I would recommend a PVA or IPV based display (defiantly NOT a TN panel) as it will have much better color reproduction and a much better viewing angle. A good choice for your would be the Dell 2408WFP which is on sale for RM1.699 and well worth it.

d) The RAM looks fine to me but you may want to get a full 12Gb. This really depends on how large your projects are going to be. Probably you will be fine with 6Gb and you can always add more in latter.

e) There are currently no DX11 cards available. The first batch are expected to be launched in the next few months. As most pro software uses OpenGL anyways, I would not worry about waiting for a DX11 GPU.

e¹) It is my understanding that most pro is not able to use SLI/CrossFire. You may want to check and see if this is the case for your software. As the GTX295 is running two GPU's in SLI just on a single card, you will probably be wasting a bundle of cash for no performance gains. It is also my understanding that the GPU does not have to be top end to get great performance in software such as this. As most, if not all, of the rendering is done using the CPU, you would probably be better off getting a 4870, GTX 260 or their professional derivatives and spending some extra cash on the CPU.

1) I use a Prolimatech megahalems CPU cooler, and I have a big case (Cooler Master HAF 932) to hold it.
http://www.prolimatech.com/products/megahalems.html
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/pr [...] ct_id=2810

I use two R4 fans to cool the megahalems so order the extra set of fan holder clips. BTW, blue LED fans look good.
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/pr [...] ct_id=2915

2) Good call

3) OK. If you plan on using the highest end graphic cards it would be safest to go with the HX1000. You want to be running your PSU at between 40% and 60% of max capacity. The best will deliver the maximum capacity but will generate a lot of heat (and waste electricity) doing it. The HX850 will be working harder to power two high-end Graphic cards. BTW, the GTX 295 is two high-end graphic cards.

4) I own two View Sonic VX2433WM monitors. About $233 (with tax) per monitor at Costco. But I am not trying to push the envelop on high-end gaming. Still, they work pretty well.

5) Good call

6) "It's funny that we're recommending two GeForce GTX 275 cards in SLI over a single GeForce GTX 295, when you consider that each GeForce GTX 275 is essentially half of a GeForce GTX 295. Saving the $210 compared to the GeForce GTX 295 doesn't result in a performance penalty. If anything a pair of GeForce GTX 275s will display a slight performance edge due to their faster clock speeds."
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 362-5.html

I don't own either Maya or Lightwave. As I understand it, Maya is the better solution.
http://www.techsupportforum.com/de [...] -maya.html

Have fun.