Need new computer advice (solved)
starionwolf
Posts: 3,670
So my parents are thinking of buying me a budget desktop computer for 3D graphics and gaming. I can't decide which one to buy. I have a choice between two computers:
#1
$539.99
AMD Quad-Core FX-4300 running at 3.8 GHz
#2
$589.99
AMD Six-Core FX-6300 at 3.5GHz
Both computers have 8 GB of memory. Nevermind the video card because I'm going to swap the AMD card for my Nvidia to use the Octane Demo.
Is the faster clock speed better for Daz Studio, Luxrender, Vue and Poser 9? Or more cores? All the articles that I looked at talk about dual-core computes or gaming; I couldn't find many articles that give advice for 3D graphic software.
Post edited by starionwolf on
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More cores. Definitely more cores. Is the memory speed the same? Then it's all in the cores. Simple math: 4x3.8 vs. 6x3.5. That's oversimplifying things, but if you are rendering mostly in Daz Studio or Poser, it's the CPU, not the GPU. Octane is different, but you have that covered.
Hi, yes, I believe that the memory in both computers is the same: 8 GB DDR3 1333. I forgot that 3Delight can use more than two cores. I wasn't sure if Poser or vue could use more than two cores. Maybe I was just confused because I am so used to playing games that run fine with two cores.
Bye
Now I remember which 3D graphics program is limited to 2 cores: E-on's Vue Pioneer 11. Ok, I'm going to get ready for lunch.
Yes, it can be confusing, all the different requirements from one program to another. I ended up with an Intel Core i7 with 4 cores that runs 8 threads. I struggled along with a dual core machine way too long before I finally replaced it. You might want to check http://www.ibuypower.com/ for specials. That's where I got my system. I did spend more than you are planning to spend tho. Best Buy also has specials. Good hunting.
3Delight embedded in Daz Studio will use all the cores available, Daz Studio pays for the license so it stays inside Studio.
3Delight Standalone from 3Delight without a license will use 4 cores (that's a full quad or half a multithread quad)
a Quad or Hex core system will make a big difference at render time.
you may want to consider doubling the RAM, 3D tends to be very RAM intensive
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Both 3Delight and LuxRender will use all CPU power available unless you tell them otherwise. It's right on the interface of LuxRender to change this.
you realize the Octane demo will not only water mark your image, limit it to 1000x600 res but you cant save the output from the software either.
There must be a big holiday sale going on because I found a 6-core AMD computer with 8 GB of memory for $500. This computer is almost the same as the other $600 computers that I have been looking at. I can buy more RAM with the money I save from buying a cheaper computer. Thanks
According to the Windows task manager, the processor has three cores. Follow my new comments in my other thread
Intel processors have one floating point core for each integer core. AMD processors have one floating point core for two integer cores. This could be why you are seeing only three cores.
ah, OK, that makes sense. Thanks