Building a CPU for fast Rendering?

Question

I'm not sure what exactly it takes for building a computer that can render really fast. I'm starting to work with Poser 7 and rendering is sloooow. I was looking at whether to build one fast machine or use two moderately fast for rendering, since Poser 7 can utilize them. Also, not really sure the quality of a video card will help render faster, maybe a set ATI new Crossfire, or high performance dual ram from OCZ, I really don't Know, your help would be greatly appreciate, Thanks!

PS, I'm looking to build with the AMD X2 6000 and use 2 serial ata 300 and with a Abit or Asus MB that supports 2000 FSB.

Answer 1

The first and foremost part for rendering is the CPU. Rendering is a mulithreaded application, which means the more cores the better. You should therefore be looking for a quad core, which currently only Intel makes. (Unless you want to buy that absurdly expensive board that you can stick two dual core AMDs on, which is still outperformed by Intel). AMD should have there next generation quad cores out in August if you are willing to wait, else you should look into the Core 2 Quads.

Beyond that you need a good amount of RAM, 2GB, and as high speed as possible. I recommend these:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134430

If you have a big budget you might look into a workstation graphics card, like an ATI FireGL or an nVidia Quadro, but if money a single good GeForce or Radeon will be fine. A 10000RPM hard drive would also help a bit, but only if you have extra money left after buying the first two. In order of importance for fast rendering, by far first is a quad core CPU, then fast RAM, then a graphcis card or faster hard drive. If you need further advice feel free to email me.

Answer 2

I wouldn't bother with 2 video cards. Also, C2D would definatly be the way to go. AMD is better value on gaming, but just can't match on anything else currently. 2GB RAM is definatly the way to go, and a good video card is a must as well. Generally the speed of the hard drive is not important in the render speeds themselves, but would be better if you feel things are saving and loading (when you first load) slow.

Depending on what you want to spend, you might want to get a Quadro card (which are made specifically for rendering and 3D modeling). How much exactly are you looking to spend?

Now, if you are sure, you want to use a 6000+, and one of those specific brands of mobo, fine, but I still reccomend otherwise. It seemed your big question was on the video card, and for that I would reccomend one of the Quadro series cards.

And I am hoping that the guy below me is calling the guy above ME a moron, because I certinly did mention a dual-core CPU.

Answer 3

You should go to a dedicated PC forum and post your question.

The moron above me doesn't even mention a dual-core CPU, and that's what matters most when rendering- CPU power.

He states two very high end graphics cards...like his old *** 7600gs. Graphics cards that actually work for professional apps like Maya, 3DStudio Max, etc. are very expensive. They're called workstation cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%20106790759&bop=And&Order=PRICED
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+106790682&Subcategory=48&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=

So for rendering, CPU, RAM, graphics and hard disk are the most important components- in that order.

Answer 4

For rendering you will need good transfer speeds from your hard drive, lots of ram and one or two very high end graphics cards.

Here is my configuration:

Two SATA WD Raptor 10K RPM HD's (RAID 1)
Two Nvidia 7600 256MB graphics cards
Athlon64 FX55
Asus a8n-sli deluxe motherboard (don't get it, it's crap)
2GB Crucial Ballistix RAM
You will also want AT LEAST a 600 watt (true power) power supply.