New PC specs for PC rendering

[Vikki Sixx]

Hey all,

I need to upgrade my PC as I use 3ds max (3D modelling package) quite alot and find that it takes a long time for me to render the models that I create.

I think I am going to go with an Apple monitor (still reckon you can't beat it) and keep my PC (because of price and upgrades).

Here is my question:
What is most important to look at when processing speed is required for 3D rendering specifically (I realize that all the options below contribute towards overall PC speed, but which is MOST important for rendering):
- Faster Processor
- More RAM
- Better graphics card (does that just mean one with more RAM on it?)

Thanks in advance
Vic

 

[Ancalagon]

For faster processor, you need more cores and a higher clockspeed. These days, you will want a quad core minimum for what you are doing.

RAM, 8 GB should be sufficient. I dont know how memory intensive your software is, with the low price of memory these days it may even make sense to go for 16. But make sure that your motherboard supports it, and you MUST be running 64 bit Windows (or Linux, or MacOS) for it to have any effect.

More memory does not really affect the speed of a graphics card as much as you would think. Graphics cards themselves have processors - you could think of them as mini computers if it helps. They have processors, each of which have many different execution units, and memory. The number of execution units, the speed at which they run, the amount of memory, and the memory bandwidth available to the GPU is what determines how fast a card is.

For 3DS Max, you might need a workstation GPU, something like an ATI FirePro or Nvidia Quadro. These are more expensive than gaming GPUs, but contain features lacking in normal GPUs that are needed in 3D graphics applications.

 

[Happy Camper]

What ancalagon said + just for interests sake I read a pretty good article about using old PC's set up with linux that are configured as one and can be used as rendering bays, greatly speeding up the process... see if you can dig it up, may be a worthwhile project in the long run if you do loads of rendering, also takes some strain off your main design machine.

What are you rendering if i may ask? Can we see?

 

[Chevron]

Hey all,

I need to upgrade my PC as I use 3ds max (3D modelling package) quite alot and find that it takes a long time for me to render the models that I create.

I think I am going to go with an Apple monitor (still reckon you can't beat it) and keep my PC (because of price and upgrades).

Here is my question:
What is most important to look at when processing speed is required for 3D rendering specifically (I realize that all the options below contribute towards overall PC speed, but which is MOST important for rendering):
- Faster Processor
- More RAM
- Better graphics card (does that just mean one with more RAM on it?)

Thanks in advance
Vic

You want a quad or 6 core.
8gigs ram.
With graphics card the ram on it isn't the most important. What matters most is how fast it can access that memory. You get 512mb cards that perfrm better than some 2gig cards.

I'd recommend an nVidia card as more rendering apps support cuda.

 

[Valis]

With graphics card the ram on it isn't the most important.

Not 100% correct. It depends on the resolution, higher resolutions need more ram. But agree with everything else said here

 

[Chevron]

Not 100% correct. It depends on the resolution, higher resolutions need more ram. But agree with everything else said here

Dude. An 8600gt with 2gigs ram isn't going to let you play anything besides solitaire

 

[RoganDawes]

What ancalagon said + just for interests sake I read a pretty good article about using old PC's set up with linux that are configured as one and can be used as rendering bays, greatly speeding up the process... see if you can dig it up, may be a worthwhile project in the long run if you do loads of rendering, also takes some strain off your main design machine.

What are you rendering if i may ask? Can we see?

Brief googling turned this link up.

This discussion might also be worth checking out, even though it is from a year ago.

 

[HJF]

Hey all,

I need to upgrade my PC as I use 3ds max (3D modelling package) quite alot and find that it takes a long time for me to render the models that I create.

I think I am going to go with an Apple monitor (still reckon you can't beat it) and keep my PC (because of price and upgrades).

Here is my question:
What is most important to look at when processing speed is required for 3D rendering specifically (I realize that all the options below contribute towards overall PC speed, but which is MOST important for rendering):
- Faster Processor
- More RAM
- Better graphics card (does that just mean one with more RAM on it?)

Thanks in advance
Vic

Advice so far is not bad.

CPU - Single most important thing, fast cpu with as many cores as you can get. This obviously greatly depends on your budget.
RAM - Also quite important, the more ram you have the larger the textures you can use.
Graphics card - useless for rendering UNLESS you get a GPU Rendering engine like VrayRT. The GPU is used to display the viewports. I would not go for a Nvidia Gefoce GTX 400/500 series card because they have been gimped on purpose when working in viewports.

I have a GTX570 and a GTX260, the 260 performs better in the viewports than the 570. So I would probably look at an AMD card or a pro card like the Quadro/Fire GL but be warned.... they get really expensive really quickly.

I am going to upgrade soon for a similar purpose and here is what I am looking at.

Intel 2600K CPU or a new AMD Bulldoer based 8 core CPU(they get released in about a month)
16GB Ram
AMD 6970 graphics card or a Nvidia Quadro card. Depends mainly on what Quadro card I'll be able to afford.

 

[Vikki Sixx]

WOW !!! Thanks for all the quick response !! Great reading so far

As for processor AMD or Intel .... I have a AMD socket 2 motherboard ... would I have to change that too ??

WOuld it be better just to get a full iMac (only thing that worries me is that they bring out new technology and you basically need to buy everything again - including the screen !!).

I also do alot of photography work - just to throw that into the equation !!

 

[Elite Override]

I'd say buy the best GPU you can afford, unbiased renderers are becoming more and more common and most of them use the GPU as well.

 

[HJF]

WOW !!! Thanks for all the quick response !! Great reading so far

As for processor AMD or Intel .... I have a AMD socket 2 motherboard ... would I have to change that too ??

WOuld it be better just to get a full iMac (only thing that worries me is that they bring out new technology and you basically need to buy everything again - including the screen !!).

I also do alot of photography work - just to throw that into the equation !!

3DS Max does not run on mac and I probably wouldn't buy an iMac for rendering since like you said you can't upgrade it.

I would wait till the new AMD CPU's come out in a month. I am expecting them to be pretty nice for rendering. Intel right now has some extremely nice CPU's.

Motherboard will need to be changed for any of the new CPU's from Intel/AMD since Socket 2 is pretty old.

For photography the system should be very fast as well. Lots of Ram helps here specially if you start to work on large images and lots of layers in photoshop.

 

[Vikki Sixx]

I'd say buy the best GPU you can afford, unbiased renderers are becoming more and more common and most of them use the GPU as well.

I use VRay 1.50 SP4 for my rendering and it usually quite heavy on render times if a lot of indirect illumination, reflections, refractions, etc are involved ....

 

[Vikki Sixx]

AMD 6970 graphics card or a Nvidia Quadro card. Depends mainly on what Quadro card I'll be able to afford.

Are the AMD graphics cards good? Not too familiar with them ... know the NVidia stuff is nice !!

 

[Synaesthesia]

Oh yeah. AMD took the technical lead when they released the 5870 and 5850. All their cards since then have been great.

 

[HJF]

Are the AMD graphics cards good? Not too familiar with them ... know the NVidia stuff is nice !!

They are very good but they don't support CUDA which is Nvidia Only. Not a massive thing however. The new Nvidia Geforce cards for exmple my GTX 570 are purposely gimped in viewport rendering opengl calls. So yeah, if 3D work is the main reason, get a Quadro.

For games the Geforce are great cards.

 

[Vikki Sixx]

They are very good but they don't support CUDA which is Nvidia Only. Not a massive thing however.

I see there is an AX version and a HD version of AMD graphics cards .... much of a difference?? (besides price of course) .... I never use my computer to watch DVDs or any other movies - so if that's its function, I don't need it.

 

[Jabberwocky]

What are you rendering?

higher polygon count - more ram
faster rendering - better cpu

try using mental ray renderer, it better quality, and I find it a bit faster
Not a big fan of the hardware renderer... results are a little weird sometimes.

 

[Ancalagon]

WOW !!! Thanks for all the quick response !! Great reading so far

As for processor AMD or Intel .... I have a AMD socket 2 motherboard ... would I have to change that too ??

WOuld it be better just to get a full iMac (only thing that worries me is that they bring out new technology and you basically need to buy everything again - including the screen !!).

I also do alot of photography work - just to throw that into the equation !!

You would definitely need to change the motherboard.

If I was you, I would definitely consider a workstation PC from HP or Dell. They are expensive, but pack the kit you will require, plus come with great warranties and support.

 

[Vikki Sixx]

What is the difference between the Powercolor and Sapphire graphics cards?

 

[Ancalagon]

What is the difference between the Powercolor and Sapphire graphics cards?

Not much. Choose either.