New Rendering Rig

[Carp1812]

I need to spec a machine for rendering (Accu-render) and CAD (AutoCAD 2007) purposes. I'd like the machine to last a good 3 years, so let's beef it up. I've been away from things for too long and would appreciate your input. I'm thinking I'll need dual processors and at least 2 GB of RAM. Budget isn't really an issue as this is for work purposes, but let's keep it reasonable I plan to use a Viewsonic VP231wb display unless someone can give me good reason not to. Thanks in advance for your help.
CARP ><>

 

[pkme2]

Are you set on getting a Xeon or possibly may opt for an Opteron?
Your video cards can be checkout here. http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3321&page=3

Here's a deal to consider http://cgi.ebay.com/NVIDIA-Quadro-FX345...12QQcategoryZ40161QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

For your case, here's something. http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...mit=ENE&Manufactory=1375&SubCategory=7

You can do better, but if you have a price range, you should state it so we can best suggest a system, whether moderate or whatever.

 

[bamacre]

What is considered reasonable as far as budget?

 

[pkrush]

Motherboard: Tyan K8WE or MSI K8N Master2 FAR
CPU's: 2x Opteron 248's Or 2x Opteron 265's (If you think quad core would be a benefit)
Memory: 4x Corsair 1 Gigabyte ECC Registered DDR400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145310
Hard Drives: ?
Video Cards: ?
Case/Power Supply: Antec Titan 550
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129160

 

[Carp1812]

Thanks for the input so far. Here's what I'm thinking for now:

Motherboard: Tyan K8WE
CPU's: 2x Opteron 248's
Memory: 4x Corsair 1 Gigabyte ECC Registered DDR400
Hard Drives: 2x Seagate 250GB SATA
Video Card: Matrox Parhelia APVe 128MB PCIE x16
Case/Power Supply: Antec Titan 550
Display: Viewsonic VP231wb

Any changes you would recommend? I figure I can get this for around $3000, which is well within my range of "reasonable" Thanks again.

CARP ><>

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Carp1812
Thanks for the input so far. Here's what I'm thinking for now:

Motherboard: Tyan K8WE
CPU's: 2x Opteron 248's
Memory: 4x Corsair 1 Gigabyte ECC Registered DDR400
Hard Drives: 2x Seagate 250GB SATA
Video Card: Matrox Parhelia APVe 128MB PCIE x16
Case/Power Supply: Antec Titan 550
Display: Viewsonic VP231wb

Any changes you would recommend? I figure I can get this for around $3000, which is well within my range of "reasonable" Thanks again.

CARP ><>

I would think the software you are using would make use of a video card's GPU? Am I wrong? If not, wouldn't a Quadro or FireGL be a better option?

 

[Carp1812]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I would think the software you are using would make use of a video card's GPU? Am I wrong? If not, wouldn't a Quadro or FireGL be a better option?

From what I've read, the rendering software depends very little on the graphics card - it's a very CPU-intensive process.

CARP ><>

 

[Mark R]

Originally posted by: Carp1812

Originally posted by: bamacre
I would think the software you are using would make use of a video card's GPU? Am I wrong? If not, wouldn't a Quadro or FireGL be a better option?

From what I've read, the rendering software depends very little on the graphics card - it's a very CPU-intensive process.

That's pretty much true.

But, decent 3D acceleration can be important when designing and editing your scenes - especially if you want to preview/tweak complex lighting and other special effects. However, main rendering is usually done in software.

But, there are new technologies that could allow the GPU to assist. NVidia has a 3D rendering program, called gelato, that uses GPU assistance to accelerate the final render. (It's a free download, and comes with plugins for Maya and 3DS Max - but I haven't tried it, so I couldn't tell you what the plugins actually do).

 

[Carp1812]

Originally posted by: Mark R
That's pretty much true.

But, decent 3D acceleration can be important when designing and editing your scenes - especially if you want to preview/tweak complex lighting and other special effects. However, main rendering is usually done in software.

But, there are new technologies that could allow the GPU to assist. NVidia has a 3D rendering program, called gelato, that uses GPU assistance to accelerate the final render. (It's a free download, and comes with plugins for Maya and 3DS Max - but I haven't tried it, so I couldn't tell you what the plugins actually do).

Mark,
Do you think the graphics card I listed will be sufficient? I'm not very familiar with rendering software and I won't be the one using the machine when it's done. I've been told that the software that will be used is Accu-Render version 4 along with regular AutoCAD duties. Thanks in advance.
CARP ><>

 

[pkme2]

I would recommend a FireGL or better an Quadro card for your machine.
A FX1400 can be acquired at a super reasonable price on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/NVIDIA-QUADRO-FX140...1QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Here's comparisons. See why the FX1400 has better possibilities. http://features.cgsociety.org/story_custom.php?story_id=3321&page=3
I've used a Matrox Parhelia AGP 128MB on my old 2000 workstation. I now use a Parhelia PCI-E 256MB on my video rig. I just ordered a Quadro FX1400 to replace my FireGL V1300, on my new graphic workstation.

 

[alpha88]

I doesn't make to get dual single core CPUs when you can get dual core CPUS.

I'd recommend the 265 (dual core), for a total of 4 cores.

 

[silverpig]

There is one very important question you need to answer first in order to decide on a video card.

Will this machine be used solely for rendering, or will it be used as a workstation to design/manipulate the scenes/models?

If it's just for rendering, then you can go with a low-end videocard. If it's for working, then you'll need a quadro or fireGL realistically.

 

[pkme2]

Originally posted by: Carp1812
I need to spec a machine for rendering (Accu-render) and CAD (AutoCAD 2007) purposes. I'd like the machine to last a good 3 years, so let's beef it up. I'm thinking I'll need dual processors and at least 2 GB of RAM. Budget isn't really an issue as this is for work purposes, but let's keep it reasonable
CARP ><>

If you going duo processors, then a quadro FX1400 card is a drop in the bucket. Its above entry but around median. You can go all out, but if you get the FX1400 first than you can up it later. If you really need something cheap, you can have my FireGl V1300 for $50.+ shipping. Quadro Reviews

 

[EffeX]

Get Opteron 265s definately. 246s are a bad choice because one dual core=246.

 

[Carp1812]

OK - updated parts list:

Motherboard: Tyan S2895A2NRF - $520
CPU's: 2x Opteron 270 Dual Core - 2x $472
Memory: 4x Corsair 1 Gigabyte ECC Registered DDR400 - 4x $107
Hard Drives: 2x Seagate 250GB SATA - 2x $90
Video Card: PNY Quadro FX1400 PCIE x16 - $500
Case/Power Supply: Antec Titan 550 - $175
Display: Viewsonic VP231wb - $1000

Total price - $3,750 (all from Newegg)

What do you guys think? Thanks.

CARP ><>

 

[Carp1812]

Does anyone have any experience with the MSI K8N Master2 series of motherboards? Someone suggested that I check this board out instead of the Tyan. Pros? Cons? Thanks.
CARP ><>

 

[EffeX]

I think you made some great choices!

 

[ribbon13]

if i remember correctly, that MSI board had a weird HSF situation that voided the warranty of the CPUs used in the second socket

 

[Carp1812]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
if i remember correctly, that MSI board had a weird HSF situation that voided the warranty of the CPUs used in the second socket

Hmmm - anybody else have details on this?
CARP ><>

 

[gxsaurav]

it's a rendering rig not a modeling rig

just get an ol dFX 5900XT, if u can get that card below $60 or a Geforce 6600 non ultra with 256 MB RAM, u won't need a quadro for a render rig

anything below $60~80 is what u should look for