Build your own 3D hardware configuration

Blender Courses Talk
#1

Can it be done?

I’ve less experience in this matter. I see a lot of information on the web on how to do it.
I’m not afraid to open a computer and do some low-level repairs.
But I also have experiences with purchased parts that do not work and/or fit into the system (memory, HD, etc.). Admittedly, it involved repairs of old machines with low cost, second hand stuff.
But to buy a CPU that does not work optimally with a motherboard. Doesn’t sound like a pleasant experience to me.

I want a fairly affordable Blender hardware setup.
I worked until now, now on a laptop with Win7. Blender 3.0 cannot be installed on this. Switching to Ubuntu is possible, but the hardware of the laptop is really outdated. So a new computer.

  • Super fast CPU for modeling. Up to 16 cores. (Sculpting does not use many cores and the more cores, the slower the CPU speed, because of heat)
  • A GPU compatible with Cycles (the reason for not having many CPU cores).
  • 32GB RAM
  • 512GB … 1TB SSD - I have a 12TB NAS

So experiences and or thoughts?

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Pc for Blender 3.1.2
#2

It can be done. The easiest approach is to “design” the PC and let the shop verify it, give advice on what should be adjusted and than build it. Some shops even have on-line configuration utilities that will match your motherboard to CPU, etc.

I don’t think you can go much beyond 16-cores nowadays for consumer CPUs :smiley: . Up until a couple of years ago I would say go Intel, but now AMD is better (price/performance without much issues - in my current build I went for AMD)

For GPU I would choose something NVidia RTX series. But ‘affordable’ might be problematic. The GPU shortage I think is still going on and the prices are high (for any GPU). If budget would not be concern I would say buy something like 3080ti… But basically anything from 30xx series is huge improvement for rendering. You can always use Blender’s Open Data to check it.

Edit: Additional thoughts… NVidia is launching new GPU series in Autumn… that might be a good time to buy current generation GPU for better price? That was usually the case before pandemic… but who knows how market will react now

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#3

Yes, it is a very hard thing to sort out. I have wanted a new machine for a while but the shortage and rip off pricing has stopped me. I have heard the prices are now falling back finally.

As Boban mentions there is a new generation of cards out in the autumn and they are supposedly a big jump better. New faster memory is also recently out and if going for a top range option, might be better later in the year.
I had thought not AMD but Intel CPU as it will not be rendering. But :man_shrugging:t2:

I am not sure there is any much saving assembling it oneself? If one of these configuring sites has what you want.

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#4

or might be worse… world has become quite unpredictable :frowning:

AFAIK the only thing you might want go Intel nowadays is if you need single core performance boost. But otherwise Intel has fallen behind (like AMD couple of years ago). Unless you find some good deal for Intel :smiley:

Depends on the store. Some stores add some fee for assembling, some don’t. Also you might save some money if you have some components to reuse or want to buy some components 2nd hand.

Ah, btw. don’t forget to check PSU - it’s often overlooked part, but it’s very important.

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#5

Yes especially with the 40xx new range very high power draw expected.

There will be nothing on the old machine of use!

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#6

PSU 200-250Watt extra for each heigh end card. Totally 750watt or above.

I have more questions like Is the computer case also based on standards, depending on the motherboard?

#7

Look also at efficiency ( 80 PLUS Gold or Platinum) and don’t buy some cheap brands. Not only this is for energy saving, but also reliability and longevity of the whole system. From convivence point of view you might also look up modular PSUs - easier cable management :slight_smile:.

Yea, but no and yes. Confusing :smiley: Let me break it down

First yes: There are a few based on motherboard size.
First no: 99% is just ATX and there are smaller variants for ‘compact builds’ (which I don’t recommend). Like itx, m-atx. And also bigger one like e-atx.
Final yes: another dimension to look at in ‘standards’ is size of case.

For me I look at 4 factors in a case: size, airflow, toolless and front panel. Size = the bigger the better that fit my room (it’s just easier to mess around inside). Airflow: very important for cooling. Toolless = no screwdriver necessary for putting in additional hdd (not as important nowadays as it used to be). Front panel = it’s really nice to have usb and headphone inputs easily accessible.

Depending where you keep the case… design might be a factor too! As a low poly enthusiast I wanted to by a case like below, but alas there were none in stock so I have one with boring desing.

image
image434×781 157 KB

(That’s “Meshify” from Fractal Design)

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#8

Ah, btw… when doing research on various components… I can recommend 2 YT channels:

They review basically everything… and most of the time they know what they are doing :slight_smile:

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#9

Yes Those two I look in on now and again. Mostly goes over my head though. lol. GN sometimes has Blender performance as well as games in their reports.

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#10

I really like this page ‘best computer 3D modeling rendering’, it explains the theory behind it all.
But then still the question (doubt), if you buy things, does it fit. :dizzy_face:

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#11

It’s interesting read… Though there are some strange assumptions made (like using single core performance in cinebench to say which CPU you will use). And the prices on their example builds are way off.

Are you going to buy parts and build it yourself? :slight_smile: If so… post your planned build here and on some more hardware-specialized forums, so a few eyes can look at it… Most of the time making it fit is not that hard :slight_smile:

But if you plan to have shop build it for you - you don’t need to worry that much about it all fitting together. Good shops do have experts on site. And will test it before giving it to you :slight_smile:

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#12

Another site I do look at now and again. The problem I find is their builder does not let you choose the parts.

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