I am looking to buy or build a workstation for animation and 3D modelling. I will be doing forensic animations which may use physics simulations. I am a physics major who has started over in the arts. 3D modelling, for forensic animation is going to be my full time income. I use Maya, Zbrush, 3d Studio Max, Matlab. Do you have any other suggestions?
I'm looking to spend $2000 CAD on computer and $1000 CAD on a graphics card. I have screens, projectors, and a Wacom Cintiq latest largest model, which cost 4k.
I have been looking at a used HP Z800 or HP Z420 and a deal has come up for a local machine:
HP z800 2x Quad core xeon E5620 CPU. 48gb ram, Nvidia Quadro FX1800 for $1075.
Or I can get the same model with a 2x X5690 6core per CPU for $600 more
I’m mainly interested in the two x5690 for $600.
The HP z800 is average price, but I believe that processor price is good (seems like a 2 for 1 price). I’m comparing this machine to a newer version like HP z 420, and it seems like there’s not much improvement. The new machines have:
- DDR4 (doesn't seem to add much from what I’ve read)
- PCI 3.0 (doesn't seem to add much)
- New chip socket compatibility allows E type chips
In comparing the E5-1620 to the x5690 it seems they have about the same performance. The Z420 has smaller power supply. It only fits one CPU, and may only support one graphics card, due to power supply restrictions. According to the seller the Z800 will allow two decent sized graphics cards since it has a power supply of 1150 watt. I have not looked at building computers for years, and for the last few weeks have been reading about it all day.
Any input is appreciated, including more obvious user considerations that I may have missed between PC and workstation.
I'm looking to spend $2000 CAD on computer and $1000 CAD on a graphics card. I have screens, projectors, and a Wacom Cintiq latest largest model, which cost 4k.
I have been looking at a used HP Z800 or HP Z420 and a deal has come up for a local machine:
HP z800 2x Quad core xeon E5620 CPU. 48gb ram, Nvidia Quadro FX1800 for $1075.
Or I can get the same model with a 2x X5690 6core per CPU for $600 more
I’m mainly interested in the two x5690 for $600.
The HP z800 is average price, but I believe that processor price is good (seems like a 2 for 1 price). I’m comparing this machine to a newer version like HP z 420, and it seems like there’s not much improvement. The new machines have:
- DDR4 (doesn't seem to add much from what I’ve read)
- PCI 3.0 (doesn't seem to add much)
- New chip socket compatibility allows E type chips
In comparing the E5-1620 to the x5690 it seems they have about the same performance. The Z420 has smaller power supply. It only fits one CPU, and may only support one graphics card, due to power supply restrictions. According to the seller the Z800 will allow two decent sized graphics cards since it has a power supply of 1150 watt. I have not looked at building computers for years, and for the last few weeks have been reading about it all day.
Any input is appreciated, including more obvious user considerations that I may have missed between PC and workstation.
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