Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Indian8or]

Hello animators.

I am planning to get a new PC exclusively for 3D stuff.  So, I request you guys (and gals of course    ) to post your suggestions about the ideal/optimum configuration, must haves, can do withouts, better ifs, etc.

I just want everybodies suggestions.  I know it really helps a lot.

I really do not know if this question has already been asked and answered before in this forum.

[ENSONIQ5]

In general terms, all things considered, the emphasis should be on processor power and RAM.  Most 3D packages make use of the CPU for the bulk of the processing tasks, though some can utilise GPU power.  In some cases multi-threaded rendering is possible, though Anim8or is not yet able to do this (but a multi-core processor can allow you to render in the background).

In my opinion, and bearing in mind I am not an IT tech, you should ensure you have the most powerful CPU/Motherboard/RAM configuration you can afford, and throw a halfway decent graphics card in as well.  You will need a lot of mass storage space, but that can be added in the future as you need it, with plug-in USB drives.  Unfortunately that doesn't leave much to save money on...

If you are planning to keep your existing computer as well, it might be worth considering setting up a LAN.  Some 3D packages can make use of the "render farm" concept which distributes rendering tasks across a network, speeding things up enormously.  I think the answer is to get the most powerful machine you can afford, the add-on bits can come later as needed (for this reason you might be better off with a desktop rather than a laptop, they are more expandable and you get more bang for your buck).

[Indian8or]

Thanks Ensoniq for quick reply.  You are always quick to respond when someone really needs an advice and I appreciate that.

Yes, I had same things in mind, multi-core processor and tons of RAM, but the thing I am confused about is graphics card, I mean the specifics.

I know NVIDIA GeForce is one of the best, but not sure which one.

Yes, I am plannig to retain my old PC and LAN is a good idea (of course, I will need to jack up this old workhorse to an identical operating system as the new one).

[Mreenav D]

try getting a graphics card like geforce with a LOT OF GRAPHICS MEMORY. High RAM and cpu performance is essential.Try checking Intels website to get the latest on processors and their performances.

[yetipenguin]

for complete desktops, either the acer Aspire G7700 (plz don't hate me) or....*slightly* pricier...http://www.alienware.com/products/area-51-750i-desktop.aspx?SysCode=PC-A51-750I&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT.

(sorry 'bout link

[kreator]

I would go down the 64bit path, quad core with any new desktop, have as much ram as your motherbaord will allow, and have either a FIREGL or Quadro Grafix card i don`texpect you`ll have much change from £3500.

[floyd86]

What everybody has said is true. But still it really depends on your budget and what you're planning to do with it. Anim8or runs even on very old computers. No need to spend +$1500 on a big computer system if you only want to use anim8or. For other software packages like photoshop, 3ds max, video editing programs, it's a different story. These programs use a lot RAM, in this case you need as much as you can have.
CPU is a second important thing. Rendering is most of the time done with CPU. Again the more the better. For the more advanced software i would atleast go for a dual core or even a qaudcore. Dual cores are only a bit more expensive then single cores and way faster.
I, myself, run a quad core at 2,8GHZ and 3ds max/photoshop/After Effects, are running perfectly.

Then the GFX card. This might be the least important and still pretty important part of the computer. It controls the interface in programs. The better the videocard the less lagg when dealing with high poly models. These days you can have a really decent video card for $100-$200. Like the NVIDIA Geforce 9000 series, or the ATI 4000 series. When you want to get serious in CGI you need to have a  Quadro GFX card, but these are expensive and useless for gaming etc. Look in a GFX card for alot of RAM and the core speeds. Compare and see which fits you best.

I hope this helps you a bit, althrough it's almost the same the other people said

[Indian8or]

Thanks guys for helping me decide my configuration.

Kreator:  Thing is I have been putting off getting a new PC for so long as my existing machine is enough for the job I do, but miserably inadequate for the 3d stuff, which I cannot live without.  Yes, budget is a constraint, but still I want to have a decent machine to satisfy my ever increasing CG needs.

Floyd 86:  Yes, I plan to continue to use anim8or, but will be using stuff like Maya, photoshop, and after effects/combustion, etc. also plus all the freeware that I can lay my hands on like blacksmith, blender, kerkythea and what not.

Once again thanks all for your inputs.

[ENSONIQ5]

Actually, Floyd86 raises an interesting point.  Anim8or certainly will run very well on older, basic machines, due to it's very low impact on machine resources, but even if you planned to use no other 3D package you would still be better off getting the most powerful machine you can afford.  Let's face it, probably 50% of the actual work involved in creating an original animation is done outside Anim8or, with 2D graphics platforms for texture manipulation, UV unwrappers, web software, video editors, audio processors and multitrack recorders, etc.  Many of these will have a much greater demand on resources than Anim8or.

Really, in my opinion, the only place you can save money when buying or building a computer is in the case!  Get a basic enclosure without flashing lights and peek-a-boo windows and pack it full of serious goodies.  You can also save a bit initially by going for a smaller internal hard drive, you can always add more with a RAID setup or a bunch of USB drives as you need them.  An 80GB internal drive is WAY big enough for Windows XP (not sure about Vista) and all the software you will need, if you dump your files to an external drive (my own internal drive is a slightly embarassing 20GB, which holds ALL my software, though I have an extra 2TB in USB drives for file storage).

[pixidou]

am willing to go for quad core.... before buying it, i want to know, if anim8or will work on a quad-core perfectly?

[Raxx]

Just a note, if you're buying exclusively for Anim8or then know that Anim8or only uses one core right now. When rendering, on my quad-core processor only 25% of the entire processor is used at a time, even when rendering more than one scene at a time.

Darnit Steve, a great way to speed up rendering times would be to enable multi-core rendering

[pixidou]

thnx Raxx,
due to lack of processing power in my mac-mini (parallel-Pc), i had decided to turn on quad, i like using anim8or and i'll stick to it. other software that i use are photoshop & after effect. After your reply i have decided for a core2duo with 8G memories, 1T HD.