#dsMax Rendering Station

[MelanieSnyder]

I am teacher of 3D animation. We are using 3Ds Max. We currently have 50 students sharing 20 computers. We are now in a position where we will need to add a rendering station that can handle rendering final projects for the students. Can you please advise me on a system and cost for an appropriate rendering station. We do have a sever rack that we can install a rack system on.

Thank you
Melanie Snyder
mesnyder@mesastate.edu

 

[WR2]

Hello MelanieSnyder;
Do you have a budget for this project?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Here's one from a recent build

Item Price Component Link

Case - $140 - Antec P183 V3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129174
PSU - $120 - Antec CP-850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371024
MoBo - $497 - Asus Sabertooth http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.613719
CPU - inc - Intel i7-960 included in above
Cooler - $40 - Scythe SCMG 2100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142
TIM - $5 - Shin Etsu http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150080
RAM - $155 - (2 x 4GB) Mushkin CAS 7 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226178
RAM - $155 Same
GFX - $450 - PNY VCQ2000-PB Quadro 2000 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Workstation Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133353
GFX Later Same If needed
HD - $195 - Spinpoint F3 1TB / OS Combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.591405
SSD - $265 - Crucial C300 2.5" 128GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148348
Card Reader $40 AFT XM-35U http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820176016
DVD Writer - $22 - Asus 24X DRW-24B3L w/ LS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135221
OS - inc - Win 7-64 Pro OEM included w/ HD
Monitor $180 - ASUS VH238HE 23.6" LED http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117


Cost $2,264 w/o any combo discounts

Skip the cooler / TIM if school gonna be cranky about overclocking. If single card bogs down, can add a 2nd. Quadro 200 is considered a "mid-range" solution

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-quadro-2000-us.html

As for going to the next level .....

The Quadro 4000 is $780
The Quadro 5000 is $1780
The Quadro 6000 is $3800

 

[MelanieSnyder]

Hello MelanieSnyder;
Do you have a budget for this project?

I am researching cost to put together a budget.

 

[MelanieSnyder]

Wow, Thanks for the info and the quick response.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

My pleasure ... but check my edits ... one item was deactivated and I skipped the 2nd set of RAM on original post.