64-bit recommendations
westernnomad
Posts: 90
I'm at a decisive moment in the purchase of a 64-bit computer, and I'd like to ask for advice from those with experience. Unfortunately I'm limited for a budget, so my dream machine is out of the question (i7 processor; 32GB RAM; NVIDIA GTX980 GPU). For 3D modeling and rendering, would YOU rather have an i3 with 16GB RAM or an i7 with 8GB RAM.
Which NVIDIA GPU (preferring NVIDIA because of CUDA support in Blender 2.71) is a good balance of performance and affordability in the preferable setup?
Are AMD processors still considered 'problematic' to put it nicely? When shopping around I noticed AMD's are significantly less expensive than Intel processors.
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I'd give it between three, possibly four years, before 16 gigabytes becomes the new minimum standard, software-wise. Although, having said that, I'd imagine upgrading RAM is a lot easier than upgrading a CPU chip (as certain motherboards and such won't necessarily be configured for higher levels of CPU)... So, if you're willing to pay more in the future, maybe an i7 processor for now and upgrade the memory later. Depends how dire you most immediate needs are!
I do insist on Intel for any of my systems, rather than AMD. I know too many people who have encountered random compatibility issues with them (in terms of buying new software and finding out there's an issue with making it run). Intel costs more, but I'd rather have a guarantee of 100% than a 5-10% risk. They function perfectly well, most of the time, of course, but that gamble is essentially what you would be paying for.
My last 4 or 5 computers have been AMD. I am currently running 2 AMDs, one of which I bought in January 2006 and have had aboslutely no problems with. The newer one is now 2 years old and still having no problems either. Haven't ever even opened the case.
Just upgraded to myself .I think the ram is more important .The RAM has made a hugh deference to my rendering time and viewport .You could go for a cheaper graphics card as this does not much difference unless you are a gamer. Sometimes there is not much difference in price for extra RAM . I have no experience of blender,but you do not need CUDA for DAZ or Poser.Maybe an i13 0r i15 processor with as big RAM as you can afford. I was using a old dual core 2gb until recently just very slow.
Since studio rendering is currently entirely processor dependent...
Get the fastest you can, with the most cores you can, then add memory as funds permit.
I'd go with the better processor as long as the RAM can be expanded in the future. AMD chips are fine...my computer is AMD and it's been working great. Maybe not quite the equal of Intel chips, but given the price difference they probably offer more bang for the buck.
I may be wrong, but I believe if you have a scene with a number of high polygon figures (eg people), coupled with high resolution textures then the amount of memory in your machine becomes the critical factor when rendering. However if you have less models, but your scene has many lights and/or you are using high quality render settings (low shading rates, extra reflection bounces etc) then CPU speed and number of available hardware threads becomes the main factor.
My two pennies. Because of the recent DRM issue I had upgrading my CPU... Get that FIRST. Then add ram. ram will not invalidate your DRM stuff, newer CPUs will.
As long as the graphics is on a "Real" graphics card, not one of them integrated junk things, it doesn't matter Intel or AMD. you need as many cores and mega-hurts as you can get, lol. CG will always have you feeling as if you need ten times more CPU power, then is currently available. A faster CPU only makes waiting for renders less painful, the extent of depending on what you get.
Min 16GB yes, it's not cheep, tho I can do quite allot before running out, and cussing at the computer industry about not having 128GB ram kits available for PC, NOW! This Pathetic (censored) Motherboard maxes out at 4x 8GB (That's 32GB total RAM). I highly suggest you get that "Process Explorer" sysinternals thing.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
And leave it running on one of your side monitors. Until we can get 128GB in four or less stick-kits, it is the best option.
More polygons, or just more map pixels, both need more ram, so it totally depends on what is in your scene (HD or non-HD).
Believe me, it's the harddrive space that you'll run out of before ram and processing power. Especially if you're a Poser/DAZ/Bryce/Carrara-aholic. I'm on my 6th PC since 1994 (used Amigas before then) and this was true for every darned one of them.
That said I currently have a 3 year old i5 quadcore and it feels good enough for me--and I'm an impatient renderer. I only have 12 gigs of ram and have yet to run into problems.
I think everyone's advice above has been good. Just don't forget the harddrive space.
i7 8GG RAM over core 2 duo or i5 with 16 any day.
AMD is fine, I used them for years but the last half dozen I've gone back to Intel but tech forums are full of happy AMD owners so it's a matter of preference.
Do not be deceived by the fact a difference of .2 or .4 GHz is worth the extra $200 - $500 it's such a minor gain. CPU speed gains are not even close to what they were five, six years ago. My aging i7 920 is nowhere near retirement age when up against it's 3600K grandchildren. The biggest gains in hardware in the last decade were GPU and SSD, CPU barely budged in comparison. An i7 with a turbo boost of 3.2 - 3.4GHz is not getting hammered by a i7 twice it's price that's bursting at 3.7 - 3.9, not by a long shot.
I'd go with a quad-core (i7) over a dual core (i3) any day of the week. I'm running on an i7-2600K w/ 8GB ram and have been fine. This machine is used for both 3D and gaming.
Greetings!
AMD is a less expensive choice and I used to buy them. But AMD has fallen far behind Intel in the CPU arena, and now I buy Intel processors. AMD is still cheaper, but you now get "a lot less" for your money. If you look at the processing power you get for your dollar for AMD versus Intel, you're actually paying more dollars for less function if you buy AMD. Total expenditure is cheaper with AMD, but you're not being efficient with dollars you ARE spending.
For rendering, I now recommend nothing less than Intel Core i7 quad core processor. I have a hex-core, which can handle up to 12 threads due to the Hyperthreading feature.
Like the others in this thread, I would never recommend a dual-core processor in a machine that you want to use for rendering. Ugh, you will be so frustrated, you'll probably quit. Don't do that to yourself! Get an i7 quad-core. Better yet, save up for a few more months and get a hex-core.
Start with a minimum of 16 GB of memory. HD meshes and textures take advantage of 64 bit processing and addressability, so it is only a matter of time before you'll want to add more. If you can afford it, put 32 GB or 64 GB into your new system. Or at least buy your motherboard smart and get one that can accept up to 64GB or more.
I also vote for a bigger hard drive or SSD. Currently, my DAZ download folder is about 60 GB (only because the downloads are zipped/compressed from DAZ) and my DAZ Studio runtime folder is almost 70 GB. For OS plus software plus downloads plus runtime, I would suggest nothing smaller than a 512 GB SSD and maybe a 1TB hard drive too. Don't forget, you'll want to get a couple of 2TB or 3TB drives for your backups, too.
Finally, let's talk about your monitor. This visual medium deserves excellent monitors. If you haven't upgraded to an IPS panel yet, you should consider doing so with this build. Asus and Dell make excellent 24" IPS screens. Highly recommended.
I would go for the i7. You are processor bound for rendering unless you're using Octane to my knowledge. I'm pretty new at 3d but my system was built to be a high end gaming rig and although I have 16gb of ram I have only ever gone over eight once and I tend to keep a lot open. Daz has never been above six gb but I'm not doing massive scenes.
Still, memory is easily added, proc could mean a new board as well since Intel switches chipsets every other month it seems. Just make sure you don't fill your memory slots at the start and add more later.
For video it gets complicated. I don't know Blender but I think overall you want to aim for a card that has more memory if it's an option. I use a 680 and my daughter has a 760 which seem about the same. A lesser card with two gb of mem is likely fine, but the higher the card number will generally be a higher cuda core count.
Hope that helps some.