Building a computer for 3d animation???

[romanled]

Is it possible to build a 3d animation computer for around 500 considering i'll be doing my texturing, animating and rendering on the school computers and just need something at home to practice and build models on in maya 3d? I do have a microcenter nearby, if that helps.

 

[Valentin_N]

That's a tight budget. AutoDesk is what I would look at; it's free for personal use (the license is valid for three years) and aside from being free I think their 3ds Max can uses Directx engine meaning that a costumer cards can be used. Blender is another excellent choice.

Suggestion - you could get a pentium and then upgrade to an i5 as it's a better investment than having an i3 and then i5.

alternative, everything goes on the gpu. around +50 you get a Tahiti LE gpu. You can later add the same ram for 8 GB.

 

[romanled]

right on thanks. i have autodesk maya and mudbox. they run alright on my laptop. I was just hoping to start working on a computer i could upgrade and eventually utilize the full functionality of those programs. Somewhere to start i suppose.

 

[Valentin_N]

do you have a desktop? if you do write them down.

 

[enjoiskaterguy]

Note: this applies to extreme 3d animators for commercial and home use.

$500 is no way near the amount for a 3d animation rig. I am building one myself and you will need at least $1250 assuming you have a monitor and okay chass
You need a workstation graphics card, Multiple SSD in raid, Multi core CPU, 750+ psu, 32gb of quality RAM and a motherboard to support it all. If you're on a budget don't go for an Intel based rig....go for AMD...plus AMD is now working to expand openCL and gpu acceleration technology to products like Photoshop, adobe premiere pro, Maya, mudbox, 3ds max, autoCAD and more to come for sure. Use ASUS or Gigibit motherboard

 

[romanled]

1250, i believe it. Though is all that necessary if I'm not texturing, animating or rendering? Those processes I'm doing on the computers at school because they have maya there. All I'm doing at home is modeling. I just want to be able to make a low or medium res model at home with ease and bring it to school to subdivide,texture, animate and render. Much appreciated on the responses!

 

[enjoiskaterguy]

1250, i believe it. Though is all that necessary if I'm not texturing, animating or rendering? Those processes I'm doing on the computers at school because they have maya there. All I'm doing at home is modeling. I just want to be able to make a low or medium res model at home with ease and bring it to school to subdivide,texture, animate and render. Much appreciated on the responses!

hmm...well $500 is too little even if you want a mid-level computer. I'd wait until you have around $750 and then go out and start picking parts.

How much do you know about computer building? Is this your first built rig?

 

[romanled]

I don't know too much about computer building and this is my first rig. I might be able to do around 700 or more. I'm waiting on my financial aid from school. What would you recommend for a higher price range?

 

[Valentin_N]

I don't know too much about computer building and this is my first rig. I might be able to do around 700 or more. I'm waiting on my financial aid from school. What would you recommend for a higher price range?

Here is one responsive system around 840 - an overall good system.

an socket 2011 - this is the best that you can have and a wiser choice as you can upgrade to a better cpu, if you need more bandwith then you can add two addtional (the same ram that is installed), if you wish to have multiple gpu setup by adding a new one (cheaper to get additional gpu power)

if you can give me a precise sum it would be even better.

 

[romanled]

Right on thanks for the advice. I just got my financial aid and it looks like i only have 700 to spend so i might just hold off until next semester.