3D modeling computer?

[gabzor]

One of my friend's brothers is trying to build a computer but he strictly works with maya/zebra
and he says hes willing to spend up to $15-1600
for a computer..

he was also wondering what professionals use (mac or pc) for 3d modeling in the real world
cause he would most likely base it off that and is willing to save up
i have no idea on this one so i told him i'll ask around and let him know

also for graphics card, he would have to get a quadro right? i've never worked with one so i wouldn't know (are regular videocards like a 6850 not good enough?)

What do i go for monitors? (whole new budget btw)
had no idea what to tell him.. but don't they just use 2 regular lcd's or is it something special?


but basically he needs this computer ready in 2 weeks (Tesla and couple other companies are offering jobs already and he needs to start his work soon)

thanks

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Asking for Build Help?: ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST

Once you've done that, we'll be able to get started. Though to answer the few questions you do have.

Mac or PC can both get the job done. One can't do what the other can't and vise verse. I'd recommend him sticking to what he is familiar with.

Professionals use both Macs and PCs to do 3D modeling work.

A Quadro card is not required, neither is a 6850 though a 6850 isn't a bad choice, just a poor choice.

Once you answer those sticky questions, we'll be able to help you. In my personal experience with working on anything in a development environment it's best to have more than one monitor to spread your work out on. I do this with Photoshop all the time. I've never really got into 3D Rendering/Modeling but I'd imagine the workspace is similar to that of Photoshop/Lightroom. Regular LCDs/LEDs will get the job done.

 

[gabzor]

sorry you are correct, should have read the stickys but i kind of rushed
and had some more questions! won't happen again!

1) What will you be doing with this PC? 3D Modeling/Rendering, Little gaming (diablo 3)
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included? $1500 max with tax
3) Which country do you live in? Los Angeless
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? Most likely an i7 processor, havn't decided on graphics card if i should sli, or single quadro2000D (needs cuda), needs at least 16gb ram, air cooled, (i have a spare hyper212+) maybe ssd.
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? none
6) Will you be overclocking? NO
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it? 2x 20" 1900 x 1080
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? Build
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? firewire, sli, usb3
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? Yes, dualbooting with redhat/ windows prox64

 

[Dangman]

Please read question 8 again and answer correctly.

 

[gabzor]

ah good yee.. sorry i was trying to research his rig all night.. build it now!

i kind of summed it up though

processor - i7 - 3820, with a gigabyte or asrock x79 board
16gb patrion ddr3 (4x4)
corsair hx650 for the psu
hyper212 evo for the cpu cooler
quadro2000 (for maya) and a geforce gtx560 for just games <---- is this possible on 1 monitor?

 

[Dangman]

Unfortunately that setup isn't good:

processor - i7 - 3820, with a gigabyte or asrock x79 board

Main problem is that if you want a good X79 mobo with 8 DIMMs, the cheapest mobo fitting those requirements costs $320.

16gb patrion ddr3 (4x4)

Did you mean to say Patriot? If so, which Patriot? In addition, if going for socket 2011, no reason to go for 4GB sticks since that basically negate's 2011's main advantage of 8 DIMM support. You should looking at 2 x 8GB sets or 4 x 8GB sets.

hyper212 evo for the cpu cooler

When did you buy this HSF?

quadro2000 (for maya) and a geforce gtx560 for just games <---- is this possible on 1 monitor?

No to the question. And no to the planned setup. There's several issues with this planned setup:
1) A lot of games will not let you choose which GPU to start from. AFAIK, Maya won't let you choose what card to go with either.
2) From this thread, apparently you cannot install Quadro and GeForce drivers at the same time.

Also since you live in California, buy as much of the parts as possible from Amazon.com since they do not charge CA residents tax like Newegg does.

I'll come up with a build later tonight if Skillz doesn't.

 

[gabzor]

bought the cooler a while back, i might just be able to squeeze enough for a quadro4000
as i just got back from microcenter, cause they were having quite a deal for an i7 3820
got it for $200, and a nice gigabyte board for $200

but more than that, they pricematched everything from newegg (for a different rig)

the firegl5800,5900's are fine on opencl according to some, but most say stay away from maya if your running ati like the plague

 

[Dangman]

as i just got back from microcenter, cause they were having quite a deal for an i7 3820
got it for $200, and a nice gigabyte board for $200

Ok, which Gigabyte mobo did you buy? And how much of the budget is left now that you've bought the CPU and mobo with tax?

 

[gabzor]

Ok, which Gigabyte mobo did you buy? And how much of the budget is left now that you've bought the CPU and mobo with tax?

GIGABYTE GA-X79-UD3

the ram, it was just regular standard dd3 sticks, but i'll change that

he moved his budget up to $1800

found a quadro 4000 for $660 shipped
so

GIGABYTE GA-X79-UD3 - $240
i7 - 3820 - $220
quadro 4000 - $660
WD black 1tb - $150 (we can change it up to like a 60gb ssd and a 500gb sata WD Blue)
hyper 212 evo - $35
CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 + corsair carbide case - $192
264.99
CORSAIR Vengeance 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 SDRAM 1600 - 260$ (quad channel)
Dvd burner - $17

comes out to a total of $1774, i think this should do (probably will get the ssd though)

looks like the hdd just went on sale, so he can go to a corsair h60 closed circuit water cooler if he wants

 

[Dangman]

GIGABYTE GA-X79-UD3 - $240
i7 - 3820 - $220

Ok, you basically just wasted money. The main reasons to go for socket 2011 are the 8 DIMMs and six core CPUs. The mobo you chose only has 4 DIMMs and the CPU you chose is only 4 cores. In other words, that socket 2011 has ZERO advantage over a regular and cheaper socket 1155 CPU and motherboard. That Core i7 3820 performs virtually the same as the Core i7 2600K. You would have been better off with a socket LGA 1155 build. Especially considering that you live near a Microcenter.

Again, unless you are going to get an 8 DIMM motherboard or six cores, no reason to get a socket 2011 setup when socket 1155 is cheaper and performs virtually the same.

hyper 212 evo - $35

Wait are you buying another one or are you charging your friend for the HSF you have?

CORSAIR Professional Series HX650 + corsair carbide case - $192

This is a Newegg combo deal. You live in CA remember? So it's actually $209 shipped and after taxes. Not a good setup for that price.

All right, I can do better:
$360 - Intle Core i7 2600K + Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H Intel Z77 ATX Motherboard (tax already factored in)
$220 - 2 x Corsair CMX16GX3M2A1600C11 XMS 2 x 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$750 - Nvidia Quadro 4000 2GB PCI-E Video Card
$110 - Crucial M4 CT128M4SSD2 2.5" 128GB SSD
$96 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000524AS 1TB SATA Hard Drive
$18 - Asus DVD Burner
$90 - SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W Modular PSU
$100 - Corsair Carbide Series 400R ATX Case
----
Total: $1744 shipped.

Similar performance and similar quality but cheaper and has a 128GB SSD in it. And that's with the Quadro 4000 at its normal $750, not the $660 from where ever you're buying from. So that should tell just how bad you overspent. If you do get the Quadro 4000 for $660 shipped, use the leftover savings for a larger and faster SSD:
$238 - Crucial M4 CT256M4SSD2 2.5" 256GB SSD

 

[gabzor]

ah.. hmm he can still return it, not to mention we can go back to microcenter i guess but the i7 2600k was out of stock.. thanks for the info..
he didn't want the ssd
i actually got the quadro 4000 for 660 from HP's leftover warehouses

what do you suggest cpu coolerwise? hyper212?

 

[Dangman]

Well you have two good options now: Either return the CPU and mobo later today (I live near Los Angeles as well) and therefore be able to take advantage of the 2600K + mobo deal I posted above or wait till tommorrow and see if MC will have a similar deal for the month of June. Either way, you're gonna end up returning that socket 2011 setup.

Considering how much he's planning on spending, I highly highly recommend that SSD. It's gonna make a big difference in the overall responsiveness of the PC.

HSF wise, the Hyper 212+ will be fine.

 

[gabzor]

yeah i recommended the ssd too, but he keeps saying he'd rather just have 1 huge drive.. and he doesn't ever plan on oc'ing so wouldn't a non K series proc be better? i should go get the psu too, since the microcenter in the oc price matches (if you talk to the right receptionist)

 

[Dangman]

yeah i recommended the ssd too, but he keeps saying he'd rather just have 1 huge drive

Damn, two mistakes with that build already.

.. and he doesn't ever plan on oc'ing so wouldn't a non K series proc be better?

In general, yes. However, MC generally only has the $50 off deal if you buy the mobo with a K series CPU. As such, the K CPU + mobo would actually be cheaper than the non-K CPU with the same mobo. So since you're near a MC, in your case, no a non-K CPU would not be better.

 

[gabzor]

yeah i told him i can redirect all his libraries and such with his ssd, but he likes 1 huge drive.. ill talk to him again and try to convince him..

hmmm.. just ordered the gpu, came out to around 700$ (california sales tax)

but since hes not choosing the ssd route it should work.. heading to microcenter and seeing whats up i mean honestly i'd just throw in a gtx card.. but nvidia crippled the hell out of them for 3d apps after the gtx280 :/

guess i have to change the case or something.. and the hyper212 is fine i know, but i think i should change the fans for a push pull setup, or just a exhaust fan cause the stock one gets loud, but i was thinking the noctua since the pc is on 24/7

 

[Dangman]

guess i have to change the case or something.. and the hyper212 is fine i know, but i think i should change the fans for a push pull setup, or just a exhaust fan cause the stock one gets loud, but i was thinking the noctua since the pc is on 24/7

The 400R is still a good case. Dunno what fans you're using but the stock fan that came with my Hyper 212 was fairly quiet.

 

[gabzor]

yeah ill figure it out, got the essentials figured out and got the i7 2600k today... probably will do very light overclocking..

hmm idk my 212evo's fan was a bit too loud at times, for my personal compter i run 2 blademasters (they were free) on a push pull setup with a splitter for the pwm controls.. not bad but could be better