Build for 3D rendering specification check please

Associate
Joined
20 Nov 2005
Posts
208
HI,

Please can you double check my first planned build, suggest any improvements and advice on compatibility issues, thank you.

I was originally going to do the build during summer but didn’t have the time / money, so you may find previous posts by me (sorry!)

This PC will solely be used for 3D rendering, so I need a fast CPU and ample RAM for texturing, but I don’t need a professional graphics card. I am looking for “raw speed straight out of the box” as I don’t think I will overclock straight away. But if I do, I want to cool via air and for it to be a quiet as possible. I think the RAM may cause problems for overclocking, but I chose 12gb as I read somewhere you should have about 2gb per physical core? The PSU may be overkill, but I was thinking ahead for future upgrades.

I am not too bothered about gaming as the PC will mainly be for 3D. But at some point I suspect I would probably want to play one.

CPU - I7 980X 3.3ghz
Motherboard - ASUS P6X58D-E
Memory - CMD12GX3M6A1600C8 (12GB) Corsair Dominator
CPU cooling - Titan Fenrir TTC-NK85TZ (LGA1366 HSF)
PSU - Enermax Revolution 85+ 850w
Hard disk - 1TB Seagate ST31000528AS Barracuda
Operating System - Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
Graphics card - Sapphire HD 5850 Graphics Card (game edition) or HD 5870


I know the graphics cards work ok with the software I am using (Cinema 4D). But they are a bit out of date? So do you think there would be any benefit with an equivalent 6000 range, but I don’t know how well they work with C4D?

At some point I will probably put a sound blaster card in and I will also be using my current netgear wireless network card (WG11T PCI 2.2 card). Will there be any problems on the motherboard with space / slots?

As for the case I am so un-decided; I don’t want anything plastic looking or fancy and I like the LIan-Li range. I would like something that won’t cause me too much grief with cooling / noise and also something that would fit a long card if I upgrade later. These are the ones I have chosen; trouble is they are big! It would be nice to go a bit smaller, what do you also think on these?

Lian Li;

PC-A77F (black)
PC-A70F (black)
PC-V1020 (black)


I think the PC-V1020 is the nicest, but the graphics card space seems a bit small (305mm)?

I hope I have given you enough information, just let me know if you need any more?

All the best and thank you.
 
dont use cards that are built for overclocking/gaming for 3d rendering. I found a cheap 9800gt runs smoother than a 460gtx and a ati 5770 in solidworks, 3dsmax 2010, blender and autocad 2011.
If you are going to spend that much money get a cheap ATI FIre Pro v4800 or if you have the money go for a QUADRO FX5800.

You can probably pick up a good Quadro FX3700 for £200 in places.
As i just read you dont want a professional card so i recommend a 9800gt or a single slot 5770. Maybe in sli/crossfire if you find it struggles abit.

you wont have any touble with space if you use a single slot 5770 or a single slot 9800gt. Should give you room to put a sound card under the card. Maybe even in between 2 single slot cards in sli/crossfire. Even if you do use a dual slot card you will have room for wireless card and soundcard.

i would also recommend a SSD drive as a boot drive because 3d rendering takes up a lot of space and can slow your pc down and then use a couple of Samsung F3 1TB drives as there faultless.


just had a look at the cases you mentioned. Dont kill me for this but thats to much for a case for your standards.

I recommend the Silverstone Fortress FT01B-W. Looks good, will fit your system with no problems.
Or if your planning to have a lot of HDDs in the future Fractal Design Define XL
 
Last edited:
Ok. the reason i didnt choose a pro graphics card was beacause a lot of Cinema users found them no better or worse than a consumer CPU. Most of the Cimema users seem to be using ATI 5800 series cards with no problems. I was looking at the HD5850 more than the HD5870.

I am not sure what you meant by the SSD drive - would that be only used for the operating system / start up and then the HDD's for my files?


Thats good, i was slightly worried that i could end up with a motherboard that would not fit all my cards when i finally sorted it out!

As for the case, you must have read my mind - it was the very first case i looked at and really liked, but read ages ago that it was a bit tight for space. So i leaned towards a Lian-Li instead - do you think these are not good for my set up?
 
Last edited:
SSD drive would help the rendering abit aswell. If you get a 160gb, you can install your OS there and install the most important programs you need. This will also help with rendering times i believe. And yes your correct use the HDDs for the files. I dont know how much you are planning to do so i can really estimate how much you need but bigger would be best.

People do this all the time, if you have the money just buy 5 SSDs.
 
I see. As for the rendering at the minute not loads, but i will be later on. I am learning lighting / rendering and my current pentium 4 is causing me a headache with slow speed and crashes. Thus i am looking for a fast system so i can continue learning without being put off by hardware problems.

What do you think of the rest of the parts - will these be ok?
 
Last edited:
The system looks fine, Only thing I'd look into is an SSD drive for your operating system and applications. Getting multiple SSD as work area storage seems a little extreme while learning!

I would recommend looking into Nvidia 470s rather than your 5850/5870s. I dont remember where I've picked it up from, but I'm sure they perform better when it comes to 3D modelling, Its all about CUDA, which i suggest you have a read up on :)

Loving the amount of Ram, It's going to be a beast! :p
 
Last edited:
Thank you, thats great - it took me ages picking the parts being my first build. If i dont go for a SSD stright away will it be hassle later on to fit one - well is it only an issue of reinstalling the OS and my software?

I choose a ATI card as i also read that some of the Nvidia cards are a bit loud. My current PC is noisy and i was looking for a bit of piece and quiet! It also seems that most C4D users use ATI cards over Nvidia?

So, the main parts seem ok. But what do you think of the Lian-Li cases? i really like them but cant decide on size etc?
 
Back
Top Bottom