Look-Ahead to an Optimal PC Config?

RenderNovice

A frequent -- perhaps slightly out-of-scope -- question, but it all begins with the right hardware.  My Windows-10-only, GTX 1080 SC (8GB, 2560 Cuda cores, PCI-E 3.0 X 16 – 16 lanes) seems barely able to meet evolving DAZ demands and products, and I'm looking to make a smart investment in the next machine.  Philosphy is that it doesn't have to be at the absolute bleeding-edge of technology -- but it does need to have enough excess capacity for current demands and expected growth in system demands for at least 5 years.  I'm also looking to get useable NVIDIA previews on the order of 10's of seconds -- not minutes -- and single-frame renders in 10's of minutes -- not hours.  

'Last I explored this topic, graphics card RAM, # Cuda cores and lanes was a prime driver -- dual cards if you can afford it, which I'm considering -- and a power supply that can handle the draw.  Still all true? 

1.  Looking for faster performance/renders, 16GB now a minimum?

2. Recommendations on minimum Cuda cores/lanes?

3. Considerations for setting up a dual-graphics card configuration?

'Never built my own PC -- considering it -- but can anyone recommend a COMPETENT company that could put together a reasonably-powerful DAZ machine, including a dual-card configuration?  EVGA perhaps?

Thanks!

       

vectorinus

You don't need to bother with Cuda cores and PCI-E lines. The main thing you should consider is the model of the video card (RTX), its serial number and the number of gigabytes of memory on it. The larger the last two parameters, the better. However, you can save a lot on your purchase by purchasing an RTX 3060 with 12 gigabytes on board and a motherboard with four memory slots and initially fill only two of them first. I think the RAM memory needs at least 64 gigabytes (2 x 32) to fill the slots for the first time. It seems to me that the type of motherboard processor is not so important today, since the RTX takes on all the burden of calculations. Perhaps the day is close when Nvidia will attach a mouse and keyboard to its video card (a monitor with sound is already attached to it). And the processor and motherboard will quietly go into the night, sadly hugging each other...

RenderNovice

Thanks, Vectorinus!  Good (and hilarious) thoughts!  I spent a few hours plunging in to the online PC-builder's world last night, and I slowly began to realize this key truth you mention.  I think I'm going to do it -- it's past time that I understand the hardware and PC-building process!  But I was also curious to see what DAZ users might specifically say too. 

vectorinus

It would be better if you find a service that will assemble a computer for you according to your order. Assembling a PC has one very unpleasant feature. This is Installing a cooler on a processor. The cooler pin may break. Therefore, it is better to purchase a cooler with screws for attaching to the motherboard than a cooler with insertion pins. Perhaps this is the only truly risky nuance in assembling a PC yourself. Here's the situation I'm talking about: https://superuser.com/questions/1318115/broken-pin-on-intel-heatsink-is-it-a-risk

By the way, do not buy a cooler with a large heatsink. There is no benefit from it. It will get in the way when installing and replacing computer components and cables inside the case.
I wish you a successful upgrade next year. And Happy New Year to you, dear RenderNovice!

 

troth_67124ac7

Definitely go with 64GB of RAM. I sometimes struggle with 32 if I'm using larger buildings/scenes or more than three or four G8 characters.

I'm not too well informed what CPU requirements DAZ has, so I'll pass on this.

NVidia is about to release some new hardware in January. Among them is a 4070 Super with 16GB of RAM. That would make waiting well worth!

And don't worry too much about building the PC yourself. The CPU only fits in one way and the cooler has a proper mounting solution as well. I've build mine myself including a water cooler for the CPU. The only thing I wouldn't want to do is taking my expensive  GPU apart to mount an aftermarket watercooler. But with regular parts it's just like building Lego!

 

 

skyeshots

RenderNovice said:

A frequent -- perhaps slightly out-of-scope -- question, but it all begins with the right hardware.  My Windows-10-only, GTX 1080 SC (8GB, 2560 Cuda cores, PCI-E 3.0 X 16 – 16 lanes) seems barely able to meet evolving DAZ demands and products, and I'm looking to make a smart investment in the next machine.  Philosphy is that it doesn't have to be at the absolute bleeding-edge of technology -- but it does need to have enough excess capacity for current demands and expected growth in system demands for at least 5 years.  I'm also looking to get useable NVIDIA previews on the order of 10's of seconds -- not minutes -- and single-frame renders in 10's of minutes -- not hours.  

'Last I explored this topic, graphics card RAM, # Cuda cores and lanes was a prime driver -- dual cards if you can afford it, which I'm considering -- and a power supply that can handle the draw.  Still all true? 

1.  Looking for faster performance/renders, 16GB now a minimum?

2. Recommendations on minimum Cuda cores/lanes?

3. Considerations for setting up a dual-graphics card configuration?

'Never built my own PC -- considering it -- but can anyone recommend a COMPETENT company that could put together a reasonably-powerful DAZ machine, including a dual-card configuration?  EVGA perhaps?

Thanks!

       

Price point and usage levels? 

In general though, a good consumer grade GPU in Daz is the RTX 4090.  For professional grade = RTX 5000 ADA or RTX 6000.ADA.

For Daz, go with a 3:1 RAM to VRAM ratio min. For example, 24 GB RTX 4090 shoudl have 96 GB system RAM or more.

As far as 'COMPETENT' system builders, you could try Pugent Systems, but there are litterraly thousands of decent OEMs that will work with you on a custom build. 

If you can tell us your price point and usage levels it would help...