New PC Build for 3D Creation & Rendering

[pcforumguy]

Hi Guys,
It's my first ever thread on thinkdigit (which is very informative as well as helpful thread) and hope will be posting frequently....! As a newbie plz forgive me if I not get anything right or putting it in right words.

So, without wasting time....which I am doing right now....here is my questionnaire -

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Stupid answers like 'gaming' or 'office work' will not work. Be exact. Which games? Which applications? Avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: Will use this PC for -
3D Creation apps like 3D Max, Maya, Cinema4D etc.
3D Rendering apps like V-Ray, FryRender, Maxwell etc.
Photoshop
Games...rarely, but yes....NFS Carbon, EOE, Hitman 3/4/5 something like that


2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans: Around 55-60k including Taxes...but not over 60k.


3. Planning to overclock?
Ans: If it's going to help in 3D Rendering then yes. (can anyone explain a bit on this subject, OC helpful or not?)


4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Windows 7/8 and Linux Mint 12 (Gnome3) as dual boot PC.


5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans:1] Single 1TB or 500GB+500GB ...... I have read somewhere, it's good idea to use two different solid drives to speed up operations during 3D Creation.


6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans:Yes, want to buy new monitor about 20-22'' LED


7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans:Maybe Speakers & UPS I will retain to myself.


8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: Within 1-2 weeks. To be exact before 10 March 2012.......this date may change if any news on Finance Minister of India announce tax cutoff on PC parts....


9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans:Assembler....But I will watch pretty closely so I will do myself next time


10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: I live in Nashik, Maharashtra - 200Km from Mumbai/Pune.
Buying locally .... Yes, just to avoid any after sale services problem.
Online shopping .... Yes, if their is no other option. I can go to Mumbai/Pune if required (just mention exact address of the shop).



11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans: My current rig is - P4 3Ghz/Intel 915GAV/512MB RAM/No GPU/80GB SATA/CD-DVD Combo/2.1 Speakers etc........basically a STONE AGED PC which is with me for last uhh....5 yrs. BUT to be frank this is a Bare-Bone rig for me...it last without any single problem till today

So, I am very Optimistic or say Naive about my near future PC. I hope it will last with me at least 2-3 yrs. But I will upgrade it time to time in this 2-3 yrs.so, plz keep that in mind when anyone suggest about new config.

Actually I have done some online research (mainly on Intel part) and this what I think -
Intel -

Processor : i5 2500k or 2600 or 2600k - which one would I prefer ?
Motherboard 1 : Asus P8Z68 M-PRO or V-PRO or V/GEN3
Motherboard 2 : Gigabyte GA-Z68XP-UD3R or GA-Z68XP-UD3P
Motherboard 3 : Any Other Motherboard
CPU Cooler 1 : CM Hyper 212 Evo or Corsair A50
CPU Cooler 2 : Antec H2O-620 or Corsair H60
RAM : Any DDR3-1600Mhz-CL9/8-1.5V i.e. Gskill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL or Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B - Is it Good config for RAM?
GPU : Suggest me... And do I need it ?
HDD : Any High performance 1TB or 2X500GB
DVD Writer : Any 22/24X writer
PSU : Corsair TX650 / Corsair GS600 / Seasonic S12II-620
Case : Antec One Hundred / CM 430 Elite / CM Gladiator 600 / NZXT Source 210 Elite / BitFenix Shinobi / BitFenix Merc Alpha - which one ?
Monitor : Any 20-22" LED
Keyboard & Mouse : Logitech MK200 - Be Practical

AMD -

Processor : FX 8150 or FX6120
Motherboard : Suggest Me
CPU Cooler : Suggest Me ..... Can I use above mentioned (Intel config) ?
RAM : Suggest Me .....Any good RAM as equivalent to what Intel counterpart has
GPU : Suggest me... And do I need it ?
HDD : Any High performance 1TB or 2X500GB
DVD Writer : Any 22/24X writer
PSU : Corsair TX650 / Corsair GS600 / Seasonic S12II-620
Case : Antec One Hundred / CM 430 Elite / CM Gladiator 600 / NZXT Source 210 Elite / BitFenix Shinobi / BitFenix Merc Alpha - which one ?
Monitor : Any 20-22" LED
Keyboard & Mouse : Logitech MK200

As I mentioned above 'I have done some online research.....' what I mean that I don't know the actual prices on street; That's why I don't mentioned any prices of the components.
But surely I want know, Is my config is in my budget of Rs.55-60K ?

Waiting for suggestions !
Thanks !

 

[whitestar_999]

intel config with 2600/2600k is much more powerful.also hard disc prices are very high currently(almost double of previous normal rates).you are confusing high performing SSD(solid state drive)with conventional mechanical drives(which most people use).SSD prices right now are nowhere near the cost/GB of conventional mechanical drives(a good 60GB SSD will cost ~5000 same as a conventional 1TB which used to cost ~2600 a few months ago).i am not familiar with 3d rendering but as far as i know processor is the most important component & many softwares use relatively very little gpu compared to processor.

 

[Mr.V]

I dont think so the 2600k config will come in your budget.
If it comes,then well and good,if not,Go for the bulldozer 8120 (if possible 8150)
It has 8 cores and will help in heavy rendering of photos and animated videos in HD or Full HD.

Use CPU cooler only if you are planning to overclock
What is overclocking?
Overclocking is the process of making a computer or component operate faster than specified by the manufacturer by modifying system parameters. One of the most important techniques is running at a higher clock rate (more clock cycles per second, Operating voltages may also be changed (increased), which can increase the speed at which operation remains stable. Most overclocking techniques increase power consumption, generating more heat which increases temperatures and must be carried away.
WARNING! :- MAY DAMAGE YOUR COMPONENTS IF OVERCLOCKED AT HIGH RATES.
So a good PSU and cooler is needed. (Hyper evo 212 is good! )

I am a 3DS Max user,and seriously i dont think to overclock my 8120 as it results in unnecessary heat.Yes,you may get a performance gain.

CPU:- AMD AM3+ FX 8150 Processor
Mobo BIOSTAR MOTHERBOARD TA990FXE AM3+
(suggestion please! OR
Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 990X Motherboard
PSU:- CORSAIR CX600V2 80 PLUS Certified Power Supply CX600v2
Monitor:- LG E2260V-PN LED Monitor 22" Full HD
Hard Disk:- Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200RPM Drive
Cabinet:- NZXT SOURCE ELITE 210
RAM:- Corsair Vengeance 8GB (4X2) DDR3 1600Mhz RAM
Keyboard:- Logitech MK200 Media USB Keyboard Mouse Combo
DVD RW:- Samsung 22X Sata DVD Writer
Graphics:- Sapphire HD 6950

Total:- a little over 60000
If graphics are not a high priority,then change it to 6850 or 6870.It may keep your prices down.
Prices checked at ebay.in
If you do not overclock,then the stock cooler is enough!

 

[whitestar_999]

processor|i7 2600k|16500
motherboard|GIGABYTE Z68AP-D3|8700
ram|2*4gb G-skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S|3300
hard disk|1 tb seagate|5000
graphics card|radeon 6670 1GBDDR5|5000
psu|SeaSonic S12II 620|4600
dvd drive|asus|1200
keyboard+mouse|logitech|600
monitor|benq G2222HDL|7000
cabinet|NZXT Source 210 elite|2800
ups|APC 1.1KVA|4700

total:59400

 

[pcforumguy]

Thanks for reply guys.

.....you are confusing high performing SSD(solid state drive)with conventional mechanical drives(which most people use).SSD prices right now are nowhere near the cost/GB of conventional mechanical drives(a good 60GB SSD will cost ~5000 same as a conventional 1TB which used to cost ~2600 a few months ago)

Just for clarification, yes I know what SSD and HDD are. When I wrote 'HDD : Any High Perfomance 1TB.....' it means HDD at 7200rpm-64MB Cache or 6GB/s etc.

.....It has 8 cores and will help in heavy rendering of photos and animated videos in HD or Full HD.

Yes it has 4 physical extra core than i2500/2500k/2600k's either physical or virtual; But Bulldozer's PER CORE PERFORMANCE is not that up to mark as these Intel's guys have. It's not mine test or knowledge, it's what I read on various reviews & forums. i.e. MaximumPC, AnandTech, Toms Hardware etc.
And I want CPU that has up to mark performance for fast rendering times.

I am a 3DS Max user,and seriously i dont think to overclock my 8120 as it results in unnecessary heat.Yes,you may get a performance gain.

You don't ever try to OC your FX8120? Does it relate to AMD's heat generation problem? What performance gain you or anyone can expect if OC ? (I am not forcing you to do this, just a query)

 

[OSxSnowLeopard]

Just get a good cpu and amount of ram(ram specs and speed doesn't matter in this field). Get 6-8gb, it's a must for your system or performance will suffer directly as soon as your 3d software starts consuming it(get 6gigs 1333mhz rams they are cheap). It also doen't matter here how much you spend on gpu while working on heavy projects they all will come to their knees. So don't spend more than 10-12k on gpu( only if you want to game then its a good excuse to get one). If you are a doing complete project(from scratch to end which includes post production work), then buy a good monitor(eips atleast big no to tn). Only this setup will help. If you are setting up for professional work. SSD's will not affect your performance at all during working or rendering.

P.S: try to avoid oc setup if projects taking hrs to render.

 

[azaad_shri75]

processor|i7 2600k|16500
motherboard|GIGABYTE Z68AP-D3|8700
ram|2*4gb G-skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S|3300
hard disk|1 tb seagate|5000
graphics card|radeon 6670 1GBDDR5|5000
psu|SeaSonic S12II 620|4600
dvd drive|asus|1200
keyboard+mouse|logitech|600
monitor|benq G2222HDL|7000
cabinet|NZXT Source 210 elite|2800
ups|APC 1.1KVA|4700

total:59400

where are you getting i7 2600k for 16.5k ?

 

[Mr.V]

Thanks for reply guys.





Yes it has 4 physical extra core than i2500/2500k/2600k's either physical or virtual; But Bulldozer's PER CORE PERFORMANCE is not that up to mark as these Intel's guys have. It's not mine test or knowledge, it's what I read on various reviews & forums. i.e. MaximumPC, AnandTech, Toms Hardware etc.
And I want CPU that has up to mark performance for fast rendering times.


You don't ever try to OC your FX8120? Does it relate to AMD's heat generation problem? What performance gain you or anyone can expect if OC ? (I am not forcing you to do this, just a query)

I see that the per core performance is not great.I could have gone for the i7 2600k,But no.I didnt go.Why? because in rendering,all cores are used.The processor uses the good old saying "UNITED WE STAND,DIVIDED WE FALL" .When the processor works with all cores together,it really becomes a monster.(you may not see in benchmarks.)But when they are divided,no power! .Our 3DS max takes the max juice out of cores. In my institution,The core i5 2500k takes upto 30 secs to render just 10 frames.Here at home,it less then 10 seconds.Adobe premier too will show you almost same results.
In photoshop,While editing,SSD will help you a lot (also in 3ds max ) .But i suggest you wait till the prices come down.

I dunno why the bulldozer is suppressed.In multimedia,its good.

About OC,No there is no heat problem.Its just that i donnot want to risk my components. I want to last them as long as pssible.(maybe i play around with my old pentium computer! )



Thats all i got to say abt your queries.

processor|i7 2600k|16500
motherboard|GIGABYTE Z68AP-D3|8700
ram|2*4gb G-skill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S|3300
hard disk|1 tb seagate|5000
graphics card|radeon 6670 1GBDDR5|5000
psu|SeaSonic S12II 620|4600
dvd drive|asus|1200
keyboard+mouse|logitech|600
monitor|benq G2222HDL|7000
cabinet|NZXT Source 210 elite|2800
ups|APC 1.1KVA|4700

total:59400

Seasonic 620w is around 5500
Mobo is for around 10k
Core i7 18k

Correct prices --'

 

[pcforumguy]

I dunno why the bulldozer is suppressed.In multimedia,its good.
......In photoshop,While editing,SSD will help you a lot (also in 3ds max ) .But i suggest you wait till the prices come down.

That's exactly what I think !
When do you think prices of HDD or SSD's will cme down?

About OC what I think and what I learned from so much reviews is, If you don't OC your CPU then there is no point to spending extra money on mobo which is capble of OC; Just get good stable and reliable mobo is good enough.


How does FX 8150-FX8120's physical cores stand in front of i7's physical + virtual cores combination ? How does it affect on rendering, which as we know CPU hungry process ?

 

[whitestar_999]

SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

i7 2600k price is from cost2cost nehru place list.prices on online sites for processor/mobo etc are always ~1000-1500 more.

How does FX 8150-FX8120's physical cores stand in front of i7's physical + virtual cores combination ? How does it affect on rendering, which as we know CPU hungry process ?

even FX8150 does not come close to 2600k.if you have the budget there is no better AMD processor than i7 2600k.
AnandTech - The Bulldozer Review: AMD FX-8150 Tested
AnandTech - The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested

@Mr.V there is something wrong with your institute i5 2500k system if it is slower than 8120(see links above).i know people who even managed to slow down their i7 2600 systems by installing junk/incorrect settings.

 

[arora.prafull]

Hello,

I am also from same field ! I would suggest you to get a quadro fx graphic card.
It takes less rendering time than others, and the best quality.
That means you'll get vRay photorealistic images in less time and best quality.
These graphic card are built for mainly rendering purpose. Games like NFS Run and COD MW4 are not possible in it. But your games will run perfectly, Also in animation industry all studios are using nVidea Quadro Fx.

Quadro 380 will suit to your budget. Thats my openion.

Thanks.

-----------------
See my Rig thread

 

[OSxSnowLeopard]

Hello,

I am also from same field ! I would suggest you to get a quadro fx graphic card.
It takes less rendering time than others, and the best quality.
That means you'll get vRay photorealistic images in less time and best quality.
These graphic card are built for mainly rendering purpose. Games like NFS Run and COD MW4 are not possible in it. But your games will run perfectly, Also in animation industry all studios are using nVidea Quadro Fx.

Quadro 380 will suit to your budget. Thats my openion.

Thanks.

-----------------
See my Rig thread

Hey bro you need to clear some basics.-) This isn't how it works like you really think by mistake or due to any sort of confusion.

 

[arora.prafull]

^^
All what I know, is Animation Studios use this graphic cards for faster rendering and best output. They are not Morons !

 

[Mr.V]

SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

i7 2600k price is from cost2cost nehru place list.prices on online sites for processor/mobo etc are always ~1000-1500 more.


even FX8150 does not come close to 2600k.if you have the budget there is no better AMD processor than i7 2600k.
AnandTech - The Bulldozer Review: AMD FX-8150 Tested
AnandTech - The Sandy Bridge Review: Intel Core i7-2600K, i5-2500K and Core i3-2100 Tested

@Mr.V there is something wrong with your institute i5 2500k system if it is slower than 8120(see links above).i know people who even managed to slow down their i7 2600 systems by installing junk/incorrect settings.

Actually the institution had the computer before mine!
I tried to assemble the same piece with same graphics.
But i changed and that too the same config but different processor.
I myself saw the difference.
I dont go on benchmarks but i go only and only on experience.

Core i7 may beat fx8150 is gaming but it still lags behind in heavy rendering and work

A new update for windows 7 has been released by microsoft for bulldozer.It improves the performance as before,it just gave one thread per module (a module contains 2 cores)

 

[OSxSnowLeopard]

Surely workstaion gpu will give you little edge over consumer market gpu's, but again gpu's are know way involved in 3d rendering, they somewhat help in video projects. Why some one will buy low end workstation gpu over gaming gpu is just due to they way it work or handel task over the normal gpu. Moreover it provide 10bit color Channel for graphic pros those who wants to go deep inside the properties of color corrections. For this you need a display like hp dream color, Nec pa**** or similar display with capability of showing 10bit color information(mostly) with display port connection support and none of these display comes below 30-40k. I'm not calling any institute any way directly or indirectly moron. So peace.-)

 

[pcforumguy]

Hi Guys,
I think every one have posted here_on this thread_just forgotten about i7 2600, which just like twin brother of i7 2600k except it's not fully OC, it has less powerful integrated Graphics Model (it's not a point of concern, i think)and 2-2.5k cheaper.Compare Intel® Products

I think it's in-the-middle of the road from price wise ; Well as I mentioned earlier,If you don't OC (which I think most of the people don't do) your CPU then there is no point to spending extra money on mobo which is capble of OC; Just get good stable and reliable mobo is good enough.In that way you (and me too) can save money on both CPU and Motherboard.

But how much can I save on-the-street? En-light me

 

[pcforumguy]

Well I am still waiting to be Enlighten ......never mind still waiting.

On the AMD FX8150/8120 subject, I found an article over the net that has an solid (not just Benchmark Review or hyperbolic sideways of either Intel or AMD) explanation of the 'low' performance of FX 8150/8120 delivering even these are 8 core 'monsters' .
Analyzing Bulldozer: Why AMD’s chip is so disappointing | ExtremeTech

Just a quick check -

We checked the impact of Windows 7′s scheduler by measuring CPU performance in Maxwell Render 1.7 and Cinebench 11.5. Both programs allow the user to define a specific number of threads (four, in our case). The 4M/8C label means that all eight cores are active, 4M/4C means that all four modules are active, with one core operating per module, and 2M/4C denotes a dual-module/quad-core configuration. Both of these tests show a 4M/4C arrangement outperforming a 4M/8C system by roughly eight percent when four threads are used. This suggests that scheduler inefficiencies could indeed be hurting Bulldozer’s general performance in workloads that can’t take advantage of all eight cores.

AND

*www.extremetech.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Maxwell-Performance.png

Maxwell Render is one of the only tests where Bulldozer demonstrates a native performance advantage over Thuban. There are applications where Bulldozer shines — just not many of them.

It's a confusion. isn't it?
Any opinion ?

 

[vickybat]

Actually the institution had the computer before mine!
I tried to assemble the same piece with same graphics.
But i changed and that too the same config but different processor.
I myself saw the difference.
I dont go on benchmarks but i go only and only on experience.

Core i7 may beat fx8150 is gaming but it still lags behind in heavy rendering and work

Your posts are misleading to be honest. Give reasons and proof to justify your points.

Currently 2600k is unbeatable in price/performance ratio. Amd doesn't have a single cpu to challenge it.

@pcforumguy

Stick with 2600k. It delivers faster rendering times than 8150 any day. Overclocking 2600k raises the performance bar sky due to its superior ipc which bulldozer lacks terribly. Read neutral and genuine review sites.

 

[pcforumguy]

Stick with 2600k. It delivers faster rendering times than 8150 any day. Overclocking 2600k raises the performance bar sky due to its superior ipc which bulldozer lacks terribly. Read neutral and genuine review sites.

Thanks vickybat !
Well, I think I am doing it.....but the Reviews were leading me to get confuseed.Take an example of above mentioned review - On 1st page they downgraded AMD FX8150 and on 3rd page they thumbs up for it.
And it's not a single review like that (to get confused), there is lot of sites which are Neutral and Genuine like AnandTech, MaximumPC, TomsHadrware, TweakTown etc. They all saying same thing, it's not a BAD processor but it's not up to mark in most of the Real World Applications; And it's average out in some applications (mostly multi-threaded, as far as I grab-it right ).

Thanks !

 

[sumonpathak]

Well...having reviewed the FX 8150 a few days ago..i would say getting a FX would be better at this point...as long as FPU calculation are not involved the FX still kicks ass...much to the frustration of Intel guys...