Workstation for rendering (3500€)

[meatball]

Hi guys,

I need help with building a new workstation for about 3500 euros (including all parts, monitor etc.) . I read some topics below and now i have some basic understanding of what is what, but i need more specific solutions depending on my budget.

Some facts:
Main programs to be used: PS, 3dsMax + Corona..and..who knows:))
I think 27inch monitor will be enough.
32GB of RAM for now, with a chance of adding 32 more in the future.
HDD of 2TB is enough

Any help would be appreciated!

[Juraj]

While this is more than enough to anyone to write you good spec (and there are already specs in this forum that follow this budget), it would be good idea to mention some secondary purpose or interests ( the "who knows" part :- ) . )

Everyone has some, do you like gaming ? are you interested in upcoming things like VR, real-time engine (Unreal 4),etc... ? This can decide quite a lot what kind of GPU to pack along.

Do you prefer absolute silence or absolute performance ? You can pretty much get both at this kind of budget but there is still preference which dictates some secondary parts (casing, cooling,etc..).

[meatball]

Okay,  so for now i‘m a noob at making animations, but im really interested in it and in the very near future im planing to learn more, so that would be my next priority i guess.  In this case i need better GPU yes?
Of course i will try some latest games at first (hahah), but we shouldn't focus on that.. And yes,  I prefer performance more than silence!

[meatball]

any help?:)

[karnak]

In animation high CPU core and memory clock is important for viewport feedback.
Also note that if you need to have shaded viewport with textures, you will need more VRAM.

I would also suggest a double monitor setup, because in animation you usually have to deal with curve editor, hierarchy editor, parameters editors... and those windows can quickly occlude your viewport.

[Jann]

Can you provide a local store where you plan to buy the parts, so we can just pick a config from what's available? Prices/availability aren't the same across EU ;)

As a quick note, it'll probably be a X99 system with 5820k, Nvidia 970 or up, and 27inch 1440p monitor. That's a very nice base to later add memory, monitors and upgrade gpu. Also, if you're ok with finding used parts locally, you probably can get a very nice setup.

[meatball]

karnak, thank you for advises, but for now i'm more focused on renders...Making animations will be my secondary plans...one day.. :)

Jann, some stores: http://www.kilobaitas.lt/ http://www.skytech.lt/
Actualy i was thinking about 5960 after i read some topics here...but lets see what u suggest now.

[Juraj]

With 3.5k you can definitely fit both 5960X build and two 27" monitors.

From thread just under yours, where everything was already writtten.

So after all I spent approx. 2500 euros:

MB: asus x99-pro
PS: Evga 750W
Box: Fractal Design Define S
CPU: 5960x
GPU: Asus gtx 970 OC
Ram: 32GB Kingston 2666mhz 4x8
CPU cooler : Noctua d-15
SSD: 500GB Samsung EVO
HDD : WD Black 1TB for now
and additional 2 noctua 140mm Pwn coolers for the case

[Jann]

With 3.5k you can definitely fit both 5960X build and two 27" monitors.

Oh well, miscalculated that one. Seems like one could even squeeze a 980Ti if some of the more expensive parts are on sale or found used :)

[meatball]

Thank you for reply, so I have this build for now.

MB: X99-PRO/USB 3.1: ASUS X99-PRO/USB 3.1, X99, QuadDDR4-2133, SATA3, SATA Express, RAID, ATX
PS: 220-G2-0750-XR: PSU EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2 750W, 80 PLUS Gold, Full modular
Box: FD-CA-DEF-S-BK: FRACTAL DESIGN Define S Black
CPU: BX80648I75960X: Intel Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition, Octo Core, 3.0GHz, 20MB,LG A2011-V3,22nm,BOX
GPU: STRIX-GTX980TI-DC3OC-6GD5-GAMI: ASUS GeForce GTX 980 Ti OC, 6GB GDDR5 (384 Bit), HDMI, DVI, 3xDP
Ram: HX324C11SRK4/32: DDR3 Kingston HyperX Savage 32GB (4x8GB) 2400MHz CL11
CPU cooler : CPNA-017: Noctua NH-D14
SSD: MZ-75E500RW: SSD SATA2.5" 500GB 6GB/S KIT/850 EVO MZ-75E500RW SAMSUNG
HDD : WD1003FZEX: Vidinis diskas WD Black 3.5'' 1TB SATA3 7200RPM 64MB
2x LUNA-022: Noctua NF-A14 PWM

Actually, after reading other topics it was pretty much clear with the main parts (cpu,gpu) , but what I really need before buying everything, is to check everything(smaller details) if they fit/work fine together... So any suggestions? Should I change something?

[Juraj]

So any suggestions? Should I change something?

Here you go :- )

CPU cooler : CPNA-017: Noctua NH-D14

I do suggest changing to newer NH-D15, it has slightly better clearance and is bit more polished all-around. Comes with correct tray directly.


HX324C11SRK4/32: DDR3 Kingston HyperX Savage 32GB (4x8GB) 2400MHz CL11

This is OK, but you can go for cheaper memory if you want, there will be zero difference :- ). Also 1866 CL9 is almost the same speed as 2400 but CL11, both speed and timing matters, but that is theory, practice is that none of it matters.

HDD : WD1003FZEX: Vidinis diskas WD Black 3.5'' 1TB SATA3 7200RPM 64MB

I don't know why people go for 1TB file-disk like it's 2001 :- ) I use that much for projects alone in 3-4 months, but in total I use more than 8 TB for file storage.

File storage should suffice for following : Projects. Assets (Texture, Models,etc..). Media. Back-up. Etc... 1TB ?

Buy 3-4TB discs, it's 50 more euros. Or buy two or three... Ignore any raid, do actual, physical back-up to another disk.

[meatball]

Thank You , Juraj!

So you recommend air cooling systems instead of water cooling? I'm a bit confused here...what are the pros and cons in few words?

Edit: OK, I found some info, it's all clear now about pros and cons, but why I'm asking is that I can't find that noctua nh-d15 anywhere to buy in my country. So what would be analogous choice?

[Juraj]

Water cooling purely CPU is little bit obssesion imho, as the top 'CLC' (Close looped system) water kits (like Corsair HX110, NXT, Fractal,etc..) are only fractionally more powerful and none more silent.
Even Noctua tower has zero issues cooling up to 4.5GHz of 8-core.

You can do either, it's more personal preference.

I don't know of alternative to Noctua NH-D15, it's kind of league of its own. D14 is almost the same though then.

[rsher29]

Thank yu for your recommendations.
I plan to build a similar system.
I was thinking about a dual xenon set up but until I see some revenue ( I create fine art prints)
My plan is a single I7 6850K and  wait for the 6950X... this is a major question.
Asus X99 pro w/USB 3.1
EVGA 850 w P/S and the 500 GB Samsung PCIc SSD
FRACTAL DESIGN Define S Black

Again my main use is 3DS MAX, PS...mainly to make more art like this: www.rsda.smugmug.com

I really think you'er the best resource I have found to date.

Please enjoy my unique art.

Richard Sher
.

[rsher29]

Sorry, regarding the CPU choice I meant to say ...I could buy the 5820K now or wait for the next gereration of processors.
I am on a budget...

Richard
.