Render node build - suggestions welcomed...

[gregcicle]

Hi,

Firstly I want to thank this board as I'm slowly learning a lot about workstation/render node builds. That being said, I’m still 95% uncertain with how to approach it effectively...

I’ve put together a build, listed below, that I’d really appreciate some opinions on before I commit to the purchase. I’ve read numerous amounts of posts and it seems there’s no perfect solution (understandably) but I get the impression someone might be able to point me in the right direction. Sorry to add to the same topic cropping up time and time again!

I have a budget of £1000 per machine and I’d like to build two. The second machine to follow once I know the first is worth it!

Here’s the build so far:

AMD - Ryzen 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor
Noctua - NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler + separate mount
RAM: ???
MSI - X370 GAMING PRO CARBON ATX AM4 Motherboard
Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Phanteks - Enthoo Pro ATX Full Tower Case
Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Excluding RAM it’s approx £700 so far.

I have a few questions which I’ll state below:

1. I’ve purposely missed out the RAM because I don’t know what to pick. There seem to be so many options and prices nowadays have gone up!! For now, 2x16gb sticks are what I'm thinking...but again, no clue what specific RAM I should be choosing.

2. I’ve read up on the 1700/1700x/1800x but from what I can tell it’s cost effective for me to get the 1700? (especially if I want to learn to overclock?)


Like I said, I’m really new to building rigs so I’m open to suggestions!

I hope someone can help and thanks in advance!!

[Juraj]

With the price of memory completely outpacing everything else, it makes no sense to go for cheap CPU as it pales in comparison to whole system price/performance. This was actually the situation for past few years even before the memory price surge.

I wouldn't buy a node weaker than Threadripper. The total cost for identical performance of two Ryzens will be either similar, or even cheaper given you would ideally want 64 ram (even if eventually) and that AMD platform currently benefits heavily from fast (and expensive) memory.

[gregcicle]

With the price of memory completely outpacing everything else, it makes no sense to go for cheap CPU as it pales in comparison to whole system price/performance. This was actually the situation for past few years even before the memory price surge.

I wouldn't buy a node weaker than Threadripper. The total cost for identical performance of two Ryzens will be either similar, or even cheaper given you would ideally want 64 ram (even if eventually) and that AMD platform currently benefits heavily from fast (and expensive) memory.

Thanks for your input, Juraj! I'll take a deeper look into Threadrippers this weekend then. I've not given it much thought due to the price but what you've said makes sense. At this point it comes down to budget as I was going to spread the two 1700 builds over a couple of months, depending on my income.

[Juraj]

If budget is very tight... it make sense to do some compromises, but still go for a Threadripper. You will end up in the end with much better deal overall. Same performance in one box, better electricity usage, more memory (and easy upgrade path) and even better resale value.

Here are some suggestions:

Cheapest X399 board is good to go (Asus Prime, MSI plus,..)
Buy only 2x16 GB. Buy more in future when you'll need. If not, 32 GB in Threadripper is less than 2x 32GB in two Ryzens. Good & Fast 32 GB of DDR4 memory is 350-400 euros. With 2 Ryzens, that's wasted money.
You will save on SSD, cooler, PSU and Case ( 80 + 130 + 100+ 100= 410 euro saved).

Ryzen 1700 costs tiny under 300 euros, Threadripper 1950X costs 900 but I've seen online price as low as 800 somewhere. But let's use the 900 price.

The cost difference between two Ryzens and Threadripper would be would 200 euros in favour of Threadripper ( 800 saved minus 600 CPU cost difference) for 32 GB systems. It would be 600 !! euros in favour of Threadripper when you'll need 64 GB memory, which you eventually will, it's very easy with Corona.

[gregcicle]

Cheers for your suggestions. You’ve convinced me to stick with the Threadripper! Chances are I might want to use it as a workstation in the future so makes sense. It’ll put my current i7 6700k to shame, that’s for sure.

I’ve spent most of the evening putting together another build. From your advice this is what I’ve come to:

AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor
Noctua - NH-U12S TR4-SP3 93.4 CFM CPU Cooler
Asus - PRIME X399-A EATX TR4 Motherboard
Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory
Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive
Phanteks - Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case
Corsair - RMx 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply

Totals approximately £1600.

I’ll shop around for the Threadripper. They’re going….suspiciously...cheap on Ebay (Found one for £600), opposed to Amazon or Scan etc. I’ll put faith in what I’ve read about CPU longevity and reuse. Worst case though, £750 new isn’t too bad.


I’ll probably start buying parts next week so I’ll post the finished product when it’s done!

Thanks again, Juraj - you’re a massive help.

[Juraj]

I would swap U12S to bigger U14S.

I would also shop around a bit for faster memory. I know they disgustingly overpriced so it's about finding the best price/performance point without any gimmicks (RGB,...). See if you can find a fast and relatively cheap 2666(2667) Mhz. Threadripper and Ryzen do benefit from memory speed due to their connected architecture.
I'll dig up to see how much does it benefit further (with 3000 Mhz).

650W is good choice for node. If it's ever going to be a workstation you might look for 760 instead. But only if it stays in your budget, I don't want to advocate needless creeping...

EBay is always some risk, but I do shop there for hardware plenty often.

[gregcicle]

Swapped out the fan and will look into memory this week! Lights/shininess/spikes don't tickle me, ha

I actually checked my workstation today and realised I've been running on a 650w and haven't experienced any issues....yet. Won't be doing that in the future though. I might as well spend an extra £20 if it'll save me money in the long run!

I'll report back...

[Juraj]

It's actually almost always sufficient until you have two high-end units (CPU & GPU) at same time and decide to overclock at least one. That you end up running very closing to the effective point.

[Philip kelly]

Juraj

What do you render on, generally.
I am in the process of trying to tget the money together for another rendering machine.
I run a Dell precision T7910 , and want to build or buy a render core.
I use Max, cray and Corona, most Corona now, as I an cpu based and not GPU.
Any suggestions?

Thank you

phil

[gregcicle]

I've had to push back building the node for a few months because money! Will post an update as an when :)