Hi, I'd appreciate some advice and feedback on a graphics/CAD workstation that I'm planning to build.
I've built a couple of PCs - the first about 15 years ago, the second about 8 years ago - obviously tech has changed considerably since then, so I'm trying to do my homework first.
The system is primarily for running AutoCAD and 3dsmax (rendering mainly with Mental Ray - but with the option of going down the Vray route at some point - so graphics card is possibly the biggest Query).
Budget is around £1500 (PC only - no peripheries needed) - Imay be able to increase the £ if there is a tangible benefit.
Thus far I have distilled it down to:
CPU: Intel i7 3930k 3.20GHz CPU (did look at Xenon Quad core - but seems that 3dsmax may not be able to use all cores ?)
Mobo: ASUS P9X79 PRO LGA 2011
Memory: 16 GB (4x4GB) Corsair DDR3 (possibly Quad Channel - trying to work out whether 3ds max can use this).
Memory: option - to go with 32GB at build stage - or go with 16GB as 2x8GB to leave expansion.
Graphics Card: GTX 680 2GB (really to get the # CUDA cores to leave option for using vRay at some point).
An nVidia Quadro 4000 card is an option - but the cost is particularly high - and although it may give stability advantages, I'm not sure I can justify the £/benefit at present.
I would appreciate feedback on the above - and also any recommendation for PSU capacity and cooling solution (particularly important as it is likely to be left crunching for renders over a period of hours).
One final Question - anyone know a good site for checklists on likely components to make sure I don't miss anything in pricing this.
Many thanks.
I've built a couple of PCs - the first about 15 years ago, the second about 8 years ago - obviously tech has changed considerably since then, so I'm trying to do my homework first.
The system is primarily for running AutoCAD and 3dsmax (rendering mainly with Mental Ray - but with the option of going down the Vray route at some point - so graphics card is possibly the biggest Query).
Budget is around £1500 (PC only - no peripheries needed) - Imay be able to increase the £ if there is a tangible benefit.
Thus far I have distilled it down to:
CPU: Intel i7 3930k 3.20GHz CPU (did look at Xenon Quad core - but seems that 3dsmax may not be able to use all cores ?)
Mobo: ASUS P9X79 PRO LGA 2011
Memory: 16 GB (4x4GB) Corsair DDR3 (possibly Quad Channel - trying to work out whether 3ds max can use this).
Memory: option - to go with 32GB at build stage - or go with 16GB as 2x8GB to leave expansion.
Graphics Card: GTX 680 2GB (really to get the # CUDA cores to leave option for using vRay at some point).
An nVidia Quadro 4000 card is an option - but the cost is particularly high - and although it may give stability advantages, I'm not sure I can justify the £/benefit at present.
I would appreciate feedback on the above - and also any recommendation for PSU capacity and cooling solution (particularly important as it is likely to be left crunching for renders over a period of hours).
One final Question - anyone know a good site for checklists on likely components to make sure I don't miss anything in pricing this.
Many thanks.