- Apr 11, 2012
- 10
- 0
- 10,510
Hey guys, I am a game artist working mostly in 2D but now expanding into 3D as well. I was hoping to get some advice on building a suitable rig for my needs. Thanks very much for reading and I'd really appreciate your thoughts.
Approximate Purchase Date:
Within the next 6 months. (sorry, I realize that is a huge time span).
Budget Range:
$2000 - $3000 usd. I'm basically aiming for around $2000, but willing to go higher for truly worthwhile returns on my investment. I'd say my upper cap is $3000.
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
-Game and Film production art. Software priority for the foreseeable future will be 1) Photoshop, 2) Zbrush, 3) Maya, and 4) a high-quality rendering package like Maxwell, V-Ray, Mentalray, or the like, and 5) Sketchup. I will need to manage high-res 2D images as well as high poly digital sculpts. Will also need the ability to output a quality render now and again.
-If it makes a difference, I will probably NOT be animating much and will probably NOT be editing high-res video. I am more about high-poly modelling/sculpting and high-res 2D painting.
-Also, I will probably NOT be gaming much either.
-Other functions will be basic computing stuff: Web surfing, word processor, spreadsheets, an occasional movie, etc. and also transferring large files to and from clients.
Parts Not Required:
I will not need Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, Printer, Scanner, Graphics Tablet, Speakers.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
Doesn't really matter tbh - Newegg I suppose? Just want best bang for the buck, and some kind of support/service or a warranty if possible.
Country:
USA, in either New York City or Los Angeles
Parts Preferences:
Brands don't particularly matter. I am leaning towards Intel CPUs over AMD though.
Overclocking:
Probably. I don't feel the need to overclock for it's own sake; only to the degree that it supports my modelling and painting needs. From what I understand, it is relatively easier and lower risk to overclock nowadays, so I'm willing to do it.
SLI or Crossfire:
Not Sure. Again, I'm mostly concerned about high-end modelling and digital painting. I had read somewhere that the graphics card is less important than the CPU and RAM because modelling software does not render in real time (the way a game engine does for example). Don't really know either way and would really appreciate your thoughts here.
Monitor Resolution:
Currently a Wacom Cintiq 21" at 1600x1200. BUT, the rig must be able to eventually support a 30" monitor at 2560X1600 because I will upgrade sooner or later.
Additional Comments:
-I will probably need 12gigs of RAM or better.
-Will want a solid state drive for the main drive. In general, load and save times should be minimal wherever possible.
-Ideally, this thing should perform adequately for at least the next 4 years.
-Will probably need to purchase Windows 64 bit.
-Will possibly want a Blueray/dvd writer. But can live w/o it if need be.
-Will also want some kind of bulletproof virus protection (which I realize is more of a software concern, just mentioning).
-If the machine is quiet, that would be nice, but this is not a top priority.
Ok, I think that covers it. Thanks again for reading and I'm very grateful for any help you can offer.
Best!
Approximate Purchase Date:
Within the next 6 months. (sorry, I realize that is a huge time span).
Budget Range:
$2000 - $3000 usd. I'm basically aiming for around $2000, but willing to go higher for truly worthwhile returns on my investment. I'd say my upper cap is $3000.
System Usage from Most to Least Important:
-Game and Film production art. Software priority for the foreseeable future will be 1) Photoshop, 2) Zbrush, 3) Maya, and 4) a high-quality rendering package like Maxwell, V-Ray, Mentalray, or the like, and 5) Sketchup. I will need to manage high-res 2D images as well as high poly digital sculpts. Will also need the ability to output a quality render now and again.
-If it makes a difference, I will probably NOT be animating much and will probably NOT be editing high-res video. I am more about high-poly modelling/sculpting and high-res 2D painting.
-Also, I will probably NOT be gaming much either.
-Other functions will be basic computing stuff: Web surfing, word processor, spreadsheets, an occasional movie, etc. and also transferring large files to and from clients.
Parts Not Required:
I will not need Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, Printer, Scanner, Graphics Tablet, Speakers.
Preferred Website(s) for Parts:
Doesn't really matter tbh - Newegg I suppose? Just want best bang for the buck, and some kind of support/service or a warranty if possible.
Country:
USA, in either New York City or Los Angeles
Parts Preferences:
Brands don't particularly matter. I am leaning towards Intel CPUs over AMD though.
Overclocking:
Probably. I don't feel the need to overclock for it's own sake; only to the degree that it supports my modelling and painting needs. From what I understand, it is relatively easier and lower risk to overclock nowadays, so I'm willing to do it.
SLI or Crossfire:
Not Sure. Again, I'm mostly concerned about high-end modelling and digital painting. I had read somewhere that the graphics card is less important than the CPU and RAM because modelling software does not render in real time (the way a game engine does for example). Don't really know either way and would really appreciate your thoughts here.
Monitor Resolution:
Currently a Wacom Cintiq 21" at 1600x1200. BUT, the rig must be able to eventually support a 30" monitor at 2560X1600 because I will upgrade sooner or later.
Additional Comments:
-I will probably need 12gigs of RAM or better.
-Will want a solid state drive for the main drive. In general, load and save times should be minimal wherever possible.
-Ideally, this thing should perform adequately for at least the next 4 years.
-Will probably need to purchase Windows 64 bit.
-Will possibly want a Blueray/dvd writer. But can live w/o it if need be.
-Will also want some kind of bulletproof virus protection (which I realize is more of a software concern, just mentioning).
-If the machine is quiet, that would be nice, but this is not a top priority.
Ok, I think that covers it. Thanks again for reading and I'm very grateful for any help you can offer.
Best!
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