The Student Room Group

Example 3DS Max PC Build

Basically, I'm looking for a workstation to work on 3D modelling, mainly 3DS Max, and also to do some rendering on, using Autodesk Showcase, bunk speed, V-Ray, that sort of thing. I've been on PC Specialist, and they recommend this as a pre-designed build:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/view/HEX-P-K2200i/

What do you guys think? Would this be suitable, or would there be an alternative configuration that would be more suitable for my needs?

Thanks in advance.
Decent specs for your workflow. Rendering times won't be slow with the 5820K, and the Quadro will be especially useful for your V-Ray renders. My only bit of advice is that the GPU is designed for 3D rendering exclusively -- nothing else. If you play video games or if your workflow involves the use of game engines, you'd be better off with a gaming-oriented GPU. Also, if you are planning on using the rig for 3D modelling exclusively, I'd look into a Xeon processor as oppose to a generic consumer one. The E5-2620V3 comes in at a similar price, and will be much better suited for rendering. Otherwise, your build is perfect.

Just to summarize:

3D modelling exclusively: Xeon + Quadro
3D modelling involving game engines: GTX-XXX + i7

PS: I've heard that Quadro cards make quite a bit of noise, so you may want to consider a silent case with noise-dampening material if that's something that may bother you
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by ETbuymilkandeggs


Just to summarize:

3D modelling exclusively: Xeon + Quadro
3D modelling involving game engines: GTX-XXX + i7

PS: I've heard that Quadro cards make quite a bit of noise, so you may want to consider a silent case with noise-dampening material if that's something that may bother you


Agree with most of this, in addition to it, if you are having to go for Quadro K Series cards due to cost, you would be far better off with a higher end consumer GPU, as the K series aren't particularly brilliant in regards to price vs performance.

3D Modelling exclusively and efficiently = Xeon + Quadro M4/5/6xxx Series
Else = GTX 980Ti/Titan X/GTX 1070/GTX 1080 + X99 Haswell E (or very soon Broadwell E)

Also, 120GB SSD won't last you very long unless you are rendering small segments then immediately uploading them to external storage.
Original post by ETbuymilkandeggs
Decent specs for your workflow. Rendering times won't be slow with the 5820K, and the Quadro will be especially useful for your V-Ray renders. My only bit of advice is that the GPU is designed for 3D rendering exclusively -- nothing else. If you play video games or if your workflow involves the use of game engines, you'd be better off with a gaming-oriented GPU. Also, if you are planning on using the rig for 3D modelling exclusively, I'd look into a Xeon processor as oppose to a generic consumer one. The E5-2620V3 comes in at a similar price, and will be much better suited for rendering. Otherwise, your build is perfect.

Just to summarize:

3D modelling exclusively: Xeon + Quadro
3D modelling involving game engines: GTX-XXX + i7

PS: I've heard that Quadro cards make quite a bit of noise, so you may want to consider a silent case with noise-dampening material if that's something that may bother you


Original post by iainvg
Agree with most of this, in addition to it, if you are having to go for Quadro K Series cards due to cost, you would be far better off with a higher end consumer GPU, as the K series aren't particularly brilliant in regards to price vs performance.

3D Modelling exclusively and efficiently = Xeon + Quadro M4/5/6xxx Series
Else = GTX 980Ti/Titan X/GTX 1070/GTX 1080 + X99 Haswell E (or very soon Broadwell E)

Also, 120GB SSD won't last you very long unless you are rendering small segments then immediately uploading them to external storage.


Many thanks for your replies guys, and many thanks for your input, I should definitely take this information into consideration.

A further development has arisen, in that a friend of mine at a local PC repair shop has offered me this computer:

http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/system/Infinity_X55/

I understand that the specs do not quite match up to the aforementioned workstation, and that the Inifinity X55 is really intended for the purposes of gaming, but I was nevertheless wondering how you think this would shape up for the purposes of 3D modelling/rendering?

Thanks again.
Original post by Leavemyarcelona
Many thanks for your replies guys, and many thanks for your input, I should definitely take this information into consideration.

A further development has arisen, in that a friend of mine at a local PC repair shop has offered me this computer:

http://www.cyberpowersystem.co.uk/system/Infinity_X55/

I understand that the specs do not quite match up to the aforementioned workstation, and that the Inifinity X55 is really intended for the purposes of gaming, but I was nevertheless wondering how you think this would shape up for the purposes of 3D modelling/rendering?

Thanks again.


Surprisingly for the price, its not actually too bad, GTX960 has a higher cuda core count than something i was 3D rendering on a few years back. It won't be blisteringly fast, but it won't be snail pace either.
Original post by Leavemyarcelona
Basically, I'm looking for a workstation to work on 3D modelling, mainly 3DS Max, and also to do some rendering on, using Autodesk Showcase, bunk speed, V-Ray, that sort of thing. I've been on PC Specialist, and they recommend this as a pre-designed build:

https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/view/HEX-P-K2200i/

What do you guys think? Would this be suitable, or would there be an alternative configuration that would be more suitable for my needs?

Thanks in advance.


Original post by ETbuymilkandeggs
Decent specs for your workflow. Rendering times won't be slow with the 5820K, and the Quadro will be especially useful for your V-Ray renders. My only bit of advice is that the GPU is designed for 3D rendering exclusively -- nothing else. If you play video games or if your workflow involves the use of game engines, you'd be better off with a gaming-oriented GPU. Also, if you are planning on using the rig for 3D modelling exclusively, I'd look into a Xeon processor as oppose to a generic consumer one. The E5-2620V3 comes in at a similar price, and will be much better suited for rendering. Otherwise, your build is perfect.

Just to summarize:

3D modelling exclusively: Xeon + Quadro
3D modelling involving game engines: GTX-XXX + i7

PS: I've heard that Quadro cards make quite a bit of noise, so you may want to consider a silent case with noise-dampening material if that's something that may bother you


Original post by iainvg
Agree with most of this, in addition to it, if you are having to go for Quadro K Series cards due to cost, you would be far better off with a higher end consumer GPU, as the K series aren't particularly brilliant in regards to price vs performance.

3D Modelling exclusively and efficiently = Xeon + Quadro M4/5/6xxx Series
Else = GTX 980Ti/Titan X/GTX 1070/GTX 1080 + X99 Haswell E (or very soon Broadwell E)

Also, 120GB SSD won't last you very long unless you are rendering small segments then immediately uploading them to external storage.


Hi again folks, apologies for the delay in replying to this post. With regards to the proposed PC build, I've made a few tweaks to the proposed setup:

Case: Fractal Define R5 Black Case (Ultra quiet, helps with noise from the Quadro graphics card)
CPU: Intel Xeon 8-Core E5-2630V3 (2.4GHz, 8.00GT/s, 20M L3 Cache)
Motherboard: ASUS X99-E WS: SOCKET 2011-V3, DDR4, USB 3.0,
Memory (RAM): 16 GB HyperX Fury DDR4 2133MHz (4 x 4GB)
Graphics: PNY Quadro M2000 4GB GDDR5, 768 Cores
1st Hard Disk: 960GB HyperX Fury SAVAGE SSD
2nd Hard Disk: 1TB SATA-III HDD
Power Supply: Corsair 450W VS SERIES VS-450 Power Supply
Cooling: Noctua NH-D15S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
*
Total Price: £2,350 (Including VAT) - This will be financed, and will cost approximately £71.85 per month.

As you can see, this takes onboard the advice with regards to including the Xeon processor, due to the fact that the computer will be used as a workstation for 3D modelling, and will not be used for gaming. I've also changed the graphics card to a Quadro M2000, again with regards to the fact that the workstation will be used for 3D modelling, and not gaming. I've changed the cooling from a liquid cooling system to a fan-based system as well. This is based on advice I was given regarding the fact that liquid cooling systems can potentially be quite problematic.

So what do you guys think?
Original post by Leavemyarcelona
Hi again folks, apologies for the delay in replying to this post. With regards to the proposed PC build, I've made a few tweaks to the proposed setup:

Case: Fractal Define R5 Black Case (Ultra quiet, helps with noise from the Quadro graphics card)
CPU: Intel Xeon 8-Core E5-2630V3 (2.4GHz, 8.00GT/s, 20M L3 Cache)
Motherboard: ASUS X99-E WS: SOCKET 2011-V3, DDR4, USB 3.0,
Memory (RAM): 16 GB HyperX Fury DDR4 2133MHz (4 x 4GB)
Graphics: PNY Quadro M2000 4GB GDDR5, 768 Cores
1st Hard Disk: 960GB HyperX Fury SAVAGE SSD
2nd Hard Disk: 1TB SATA-III HDD
Power Supply: Corsair 450W VS SERIES VS-450 Power Supply
Cooling: Noctua NH-D15S Ultra Quiet Performance CPU Cooler
*
Total Price: £2,350 (Including VAT) - This will be financed, and will cost approximately £71.85 per month.

As you can see, this takes onboard the advice with regards to including the Xeon processor, due to the fact that the computer will be used as a workstation for 3D modelling, and will not be used for gaming. I've also changed the graphics card to a Quadro M2000, again with regards to the fact that the workstation will be used for 3D modelling, and not gaming. I've changed the cooling from a liquid cooling system to a fan-based system as well. This is based on advice I was given regarding the fact that liquid cooling systems can potentially be quite problematic.

So what do you guys think?


Again at that price point, ditch the M2000, the higher end desktop GPU's absolutely destroy it in comparative performance.

http://techgage.com/article/nvidia-quadro-m2000-workstation-graphics-card-review/2/

At an average of £70 less, a 980Ti is almost 3.5x the relative power of the M2000, especially in Luxmark.
(edited 7 years ago)
Original post by iainvg
Again at that price point, ditch the M2000, the higher end desktop GPU's absolutely destroy it in comparative performance.

http://techgage.com/article/nvidia-quadro-m2000-workstation-graphics-card-review/2/

At an average of £70 less, a 980Ti is almost 3.5x the relative power of the M2000, especially in Luxmark.


Hi again, many thanks for your reply. Attached here is a list of graphics cards that are available from PC Specialist, what would you recommend from here for 3DS Max in particular, and for this kind of price range? Screen Shot 2016-07-22 at 16.20.36.png

Thanks again for your help.*
Original post by iainvg
Again at that price point, ditch the M2000, the higher end desktop GPU's absolutely destroy it in comparative performance.

http://techgage.com/article/nvidia-quadro-m2000-workstation-graphics-card-review/2/

At an average of £70 less, a 980Ti is almost 3.5x the relative power of the M2000, especially in Luxmark.


Original post by ETbuymilkandeggs
Decent specs for your workflow. Rendering times won't be slow with the 5820K, and the Quadro will be especially useful for your V-Ray renders. My only bit of advice is that the GPU is designed for 3D rendering exclusively -- nothing else. If you play video games or if your workflow involves the use of game engines, you'd be better off with a gaming-oriented GPU. Also, if you are planning on using the rig for 3D modelling exclusively, I'd look into a Xeon processor as oppose to a generic consumer one. The E5-2620V3 comes in at a similar price, and will be much better suited for rendering. Otherwise, your build is perfect.

Just to summarize:

3D modelling exclusively: Xeon + Quadro
3D modelling involving game engines: GTX-XXX + i7

PS: I've heard that Quadro cards make quite a bit of noise, so you may want to consider a silent case with noise-dampening material if that's something that may bother you


Apologies for continually pestering you guys, but this is what I'm now looking at:

Screen Shot 2016-07-23 at 14.59.09.png*

I'm now thinking about the GTX Titan X graphics card, as I feel that it offers good value for money with regards to still being able to produce decent level renderings, whilst being a lot cheaper than some of the Quadro cards.*
Original post by Leavemyarcelona
Apologies for continually pestering you guys, but this is what I'm now looking at:

Screen Shot 2016-07-23 at 14.59.09.png*

I'm now thinking about the GTX Titan X graphics card, as I feel that it offers good value for money with regards to still being able to produce decent level renderings, whilst being a lot cheaper than some of the Quadro cards.*


Looks good to me, again linking the same article: http://techgage.com/article/nvidia-quadro-m2000-workstation-graphics-card-review/2/ in 3DS Max, the Titan marginally out performs the M6000 which is the top end quadro card (which costs about £3k more) , so it makes fairly reasonable sense to go for the Titan :smile:
Original post by iainvg
Looks good to me, again linking the same article: http://techgage.com/article/nvidia-quadro-m2000-workstation-graphics-card-review/2/ in 3DS Max, the Titan marginally out performs the M6000 which is the top end quadro card (which costs about £3k more) , so it makes fairly reasonable sense to go for the Titan :smile:


Thanks very much for the reply, your advice has been very helpful. Can I just ask what you think about the cooling? I've since opted for the Corsair H80i V22 Hydro Cooler system. Liquid cooling was recommended to me on the basis that the workstation might overheat when rendering. So there would be this cooling system, in addition to the four fans on the Coolermast Storm Trooper case. Do you think that this would be sufficient for cooling?
Original post by Leavemyarcelona
Thanks very much for the reply, your advice has been very helpful. Can I just ask what you think about the cooling? I've since opted for the Corsair H80i V22 Hydro Cooler system. Liquid cooling was recommended to me on the basis that the workstation might overheat when rendering. So there would be this cooling system, in addition to the four fans on the Coolermast Storm Trooper case. Do you think that this would be sufficient for cooling?


A Noctua NH-D15 is a far superior cooler than the H80i, the Noctua is a in a completely different league even. Only a dedicated loop would improve upon it, but that would be complete overkill.
(edited 7 years ago)

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