Loading...
> >

Advice on Buying New Computer

danketchum32_66b4a02676danketchum32_66b4a02676 Posts: 20
edited September 2013 in Daz Studio Discussion

I will say upfront that I know that $500 is not much for a new desktop these days, but I want to get the best machine for rendering in Daz Studio that I can for the money I have to spend. However, I don't know which features matter and which don't to rendering speed. Is it computer processing speed, RAM or what? What should I look for? Any advice appreciated.

Post edited by danketchum32_66b4a02676 on

Comments

  • SimonJMSimonJM Posts: 5,997
    edited December 1969

    The answer is ... 'all of the above'.
    Key to renders will be the CPU(s) if using the hi-quality mode of 3Delight - the more cores at a higher speed will produce a higher throughput, thus a faster render.
    Subservient to that will be RAM. The more and faster you have, in general, the better. More will allow you to both create more complex, involved scenes (more geometry and textures). Faster means providing the cores with data faster to process.
    I/O (disks) - can help, but of less immediate import when rendering (except if swapping is taking place - which will happen if you start rattling the end-stops of your physical RAM).

  • danketchum32_66b4a02676danketchum32_66b4a02676 Posts: 20
    edited December 1969

    Thanks. I'm actually considering refurnished, because in all the areas you mention I can get more bang for my buck. However, I'm a little leery of going this route.

  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,249
    edited September 2013

    $500 is not a lot, and while building is generally cheaper it's not relevant at that price point it makes more sense trying to find something built than trying to build unless you have components you can already use like monitors, mice, hard drives, case, OS etc.

    so base system, prebuilt
    an Intel i3 dual core or better, an AMD comparable CPU will be cheaper.
    no less than 8 GB RAM, 4 is going to be a brick wall if you want to render
    a 500 GB HD
    a non integrated video card with about 1GB DDR3 RAM which means generally something NOT intel based.

    check out newegg.com tigerdirect.com or woot.com and go mail order to get a more up-to-date price for an more up-to-date system. if you go to wallmart or staples or office deopot, bestbuy you stand a very good chance of buying an end of life system at the retail price, from a company who needs to get rid of old inventory to make pie charts look nice.

    Post edited by StratDragon on
  • jestmartjestmart Posts: 4,449
    edited December 1969

    I haven't had problems with the AMD integrated video chips in my two laptops. Intel chips may be faster but going all AMD will probably be the best bang for your buck.

  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,249
    edited September 2013

    in the past any video chipset that shared system memory seemed to be a real problem with Studio but that may be a thing of the past. I'd almost say go on ebay and find some kids gaming box from two years ago and just wipe the OS and do a clean install after blowing two cans of compressed air in the chassis to kill all the dust bunnies.

    Post edited by StratDragon on
  • none01ohonenone01ohone Posts: 862
    edited December 1969

    I bought an AMD 4Core A10 3.4GHZ , 8Gig Ram, 1T HD at the start of the year and wasn't disapointed considering its price.
    I've been wondering if it it would complain if I chucked in an Nvidia GPU card though.

  • danketchum32_66b4a02676danketchum32_66b4a02676 Posts: 20
    edited December 1969

    Thanks for the tips guys.

  • info_7ab70978f3info_7ab70978f3 Posts: 78
    edited December 1969

    Try a used MB combo like
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asus-P6X58D-E-REV-1-01G-Socket-1366-Motherboard-Intel-i7-960-3-2GHz-SLBEU-CPU-/380713268475?pt=US_Motherboard_CPU_Combos&hash=item58a44774fb

  • StratDragonStratDragon Posts: 3,249
    edited December 1969

    James S said:
    Try a used MB combo like
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Asus-P6X58D-E-REV-1-01G-Socket-1366-Motherboard-Intel-i7-960-3-2GHz-SLBEU-CPU-/380713268475?pt=US_Motherboard_CPU_Combos&hash=item58a44774fb

    and then search ebay for a CPU, RAM, HD, PSU, Chassis and OS combo for the remaining $150 in your budget.

Sign In or Register to comment.