Computer for Basic 3D Modelling and Rendering

benwilliams140

Commendable
May 23, 2016
9
0
1,510
Hello,

I am looking to build a computer for basic 3D Modelling and Rendering (mainly just small, single images, not too much animation), but mainly for programming. With a $150 CAD budget for the CPU, I was wondering if I should go with AMD or Intel. I was looking at buying the AMD FX-6300 3.5Ghz 6-Core Processor. Is there another AMD or Intel CPU that I should consider instead? Also, my budget for the whole build is around $750 CAD, excluding monitors. Is there a good motherboard, RAM, and a GPU to go along with the processor? I won't be modelling too heavily, just mainly focusing on programming. I won't be doing much gaming on the computer either. Thanks!
 
Solution
Upgrading to a 6600 will get you a 10% reduction in rendering times for $30 more... Probably worth it if you do a lot of rendering.
an i7 6700k will be about 40% faster again than an i5 6600 when rendering. But you need to buy a better CPU cooler and spend double on the motherboard as well as buying the CPU.. This is getting pretty expensive
If waiting 2 minutes instead of 3 minutes for your render to complete is worth the extra money, then go ahead with the 6700k.

If you do need a GPU, then some editing programs work best with a Quadro GPU instead of a gaming one....

But since the title of your post was "Basic 3d modelling and rendering", a i5 6600 with onboard graphics is an appropriate spec.
For rendering, AMD and Intel are about equal. for other tasks, Intel are generally better.
Best value for money Intel processors are i5, which are out of your suggested price range.
AMD processors are cheaper, an FX6300 is a very good choice, but beware the hidden cost of buying a better cooler, and extra case fan to cope with the additional waste heat from the AMD chip.

I say get a i5 4460 or 4440 (using the quiet and capable stock cooler) and a low cost H81 motherboard like mine,
If you are not gaming, you don't need to buy a GPU - the Intel onboard graphics are fine for your purposes.
This should get you within your budget
 


So for my purposes, focusing on a better CPU over GPU would be a better choice? In that case I can go for around $250 CAD for a CPU.

 
A GPU is really only for gaming.
Rendering is done by the CPU.
my daughter has an i5 with only onboard graphics, and it will play less demanding games at low graphics settings

Thing is, if you want to do some more serious gaming in future, all you need to do is fit a GPU.
But to upgrade a CPU also involves a new motherboard and new windows installation.
So it is always best to get a good CPU from the start.
An i5 should last you 5-7 years before it starts to feel slow...
 


there are special workstation gpu for 3d.
 


did you check with the software you going to use? they would have a faq on what to get
 


Yes, I'm mainly going to be using Blender and possibly Maya 3D later on. Blender isn't too resource intensive so I wouldn't have to worry about that.
 


When comparing the Intel Core i5-4460 and the 6400, which do you think would be a better choice?
 
Blender has a gpu renderer which is roughly 10x faster than cpu rendering. Gpu is not just for gaming. The primary factor in viewport performance is the gpu but with just basic 3d, modern igpu are decent. An i5 will do fine. Go with a 6400, might as well go with current gen and the difference in performance is small.
 
For my build, I was thinking about going with the Intel Core i5-6500, here is the build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/XMr7Yr

The price is good enough (Around $600) that I'll be able to buy a decent graphics card soon after. Instead I might save up for the Intel Core i7-6700K. I found one on Kijiji for $350, and here is the build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/mHZwr7

The price comes out to around $750 with the processor from Kijiji, so I would not be buying a graphics card for this build in the near future. Would it be worth it to save up for the i7 or just stick with the i5 and a decent graphics card later on?
 
Upgrading to a 6600 will get you a 10% reduction in rendering times for $30 more... Probably worth it if you do a lot of rendering.
an i7 6700k will be about 40% faster again than an i5 6600 when rendering. But you need to buy a better CPU cooler and spend double on the motherboard as well as buying the CPU.. This is getting pretty expensive
If waiting 2 minutes instead of 3 minutes for your render to complete is worth the extra money, then go ahead with the 6700k.

If you do need a GPU, then some editing programs work best with a Quadro GPU instead of a gaming one....

But since the title of your post was "Basic 3d modelling and rendering", a i5 6600 with onboard graphics is an appropriate spec.
 
Solution