CPU/Mobo High End PC Config

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asheshb

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Hi, I need a config for high end pc. It would be used for video rendering for software like 3ds Max, Maya. The budget is around 2.5-3 lacs. I would be greatful if someone can suggest me the config.
 
Main HardWare Specs

CPU: Intel Quad Core Q6600 @2.4 GHz(1066 MHz FSB)

Graphics Card: eVGA 8800GTX 768MB DDR3

Motherboard: Asus STRIKER EXTREME (Nforce680SLi)

Memory: Corsair Dominator PC2-8500C5DF 2GB DDR2(1066MHz)

Hard Disk: Western Digital (1)Raptor 150GB, (2)Caviar 500GB

Speakers: Logitech Z5500 5.1 Digital on Supreme FX(SPDIF)

Power Supply: Corsair HX620 Watts/COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 1250W

Monitor: Viewsonic VX2235

Primary Optical Drive: (1)Lite-on 20X DVDRW (2)Samsung 20X DVDRW SATA

Keyboard: Logitech MX5000 Bluetooth

Mouse: Logitech MX1000 laser mouse Bluetooth
 
may take :D

intel qx9650...or wait for qx9770..with nice water block to push it to 4.5ghz
nvidia 780i trisli chipset board..with proper copper water block
tri 8800gtx evga leviathan edition with copper water block
4gb of ocz flexram pc9600
74gb 15k raptor drive + 2 sata 7200.11 500gb seagate in raid0
sony BD DVD combo
dell 3007wfp-hc monitor..this is must for graphics ppl
apevia/lian-li server chasis with tagan bz series 1300w psu
good water cooling kit
and if no gaming and only vertex oriented things like max/maya then i suggest abit/dfi x38 board with firegl 7700 xfire (modded 3870 mabbe)
sound card and spkr donno...dont have much idea
 
why recommend only a q6600 and single nvidia for such a big budget? can't you put a DUAL 45nm pentryn Xeon quadcore on a good motherboard and triple-SLI nvidia to get 8 cores? :)

and why a 22inch LCD? i would go for the dell 24 inch ultrasharp or even the 30incher if i had such a budget!
 
Thanks tusharrastogi and everybody for your fast and valuable reply. god's_gift thanks for informing about coming technology but I cannot wait and have to get done this thing by next month.

Few questions remaining to ask. In the meantime I was going through other posts and was able to get some information. I wish to get these things clarified:

1. Processor: tusharrastogi you have recommended Q6600. Would there be much difference if I go for QX6700 or higher as suggested by vishalrao. If so then which one?

2. Graphic Card: Would it be better to have 2 8800GT 512 MB or 1 8800GTX 768 MB. Since the graphic card would be one of the most important thing so I do not want to take any chances.

3. Display: Since the system is going to be used for graphics so If some one can let me know which is the best available monitor performance wise.

Please let me know what do you think about it.
 
Hi god's_gift,

Could you please tell me the configuration you have suggested like processor or motherboard. Is it available in Delhi, India. I did a cursory research in Nehru Place Delhi but could not find them.
 
Atleast for the display...

get a Dell 24" WS ultrasharp or a Samsung 24" WS Syncmaster..

30" may be too big for work..
 
asheshb said:
Hi, I need a config for high end pc. It would be used for video rendering for software like 3ds Max, Maya. The budget is around 2.5-3 lacs. I would be greatful if someone can suggest me the config.
Click to expand...

asheshb said:
Hi, I need a config for high end pc. It would be used for video rendering for software like 3ds Max, Maya. The budget is around 2.5-3 lacs. I would be greatful if someone can suggest me the config.
Click to expand...
Because gaming is not your purpose I would suggest you to wait for at least one month before you go ahead with your PC. The reason why I am saying this is because Hardware industry is poised for a monumental shift now and in a month or two new technology is going to be mainstream and the present high-end is going to be 'old'. This will be specially true if you use your PC for 3D animation and stuff like that. For gamers, nowadays Core 2 Duo are more than enough.
Once you are in market in January end, is suggest you look for following. Of-course right now it is difficult to predict the prices but still I will give some estimate.

Processor: Look for a Quad-Core Penryn, the next gen 45nm processor like this one here: (Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 Yorkfield 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 130W Quad-Core Processor - Retail)
Price would be around 60K by the end of next month.

Motherboard: Don't go below a X38 chipset like this one: X38 Comparison Part 2: DDR3 Motherboards | Tom's Hardware
If possible get a X48 Chipset that should start to appear in market by end of next month.
Price would be around 30

RAM: At least 4GB of DDR3 running at 1600 Mhz like this one: Newegg.com - Crucial Ballistix 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory - Retail
Prices are on higher side right now but by the end of next month you should be able to get good 4GB DDR3 memory within 30K

Hard Disks: At least one 150GB WD Raptor as primary disk (for OS and applications) for around 10K+two 500GB Seagate like this one here: Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda ES ST3500630NS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Total price for HDs would be around 20-25K.
You may also look for 10,000 RPM mainstream hard drives too if they appear in market by end of January. FYI Raptor is 10,000 RPM drive but it is an enthusiast's product not mainstream and is available in only two flavours: 74GB and 150GB

Gfx: Because you don't want a card for gaming, get a workstation gfx card for your applications.
Here are two top performers in this category
Newegg.com - PNY VCQFX4600-PCIE-PB Quadro FX4600 768MB 384-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
(Based on Chip used in 8800GTX)
Newegg.com - ATI 100-505516 FireGL V7600 512MB PCI Express x16 Video Card - OEM
(based on Chip used in ATI 2900XT. Tomshardware gave it thumbs up over the Nvidia's card listed above)
Price: no idea. It could be around 70K

Monitor: choose at least a 30'' one with DVI-D and HDCP
cost: around 60K

Power Supply: Minimum Corsair HX620 or above. If possible get a good 750W or 800W PSU
Price: Not less than 7K

Cabinet: Anything with good and decent airflow (at least three 120mm fans) from Antec or CoolerMaster
Cost not less than 5K

Optical drive(s): Something that can play and write CDs, DVDs, Blue Ray Disks, and High-Definition Disks.
Here is one of which I know: super multi blue blu-ray dvd , GGW-H10NI - LG Electronics USA
Price: no idea must be around 50K
If you can't find such optical drive. Better get two. One to write CDs/DVDs/BlueRays and another to play HD-DVD or visa-versa

Cooling system: At least get a decent CPU cooler like this one Newegg.com - ZALMAN CNPS9700 LED 110mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
around 3K

get a set of good headphones+speaker @ around 10K and a set of cordless keyboard+a good mouse @ 3K

Power your rig with a 64-bit OS @ around 10K and you are ready to go.

Cost around 2.9 lakh. This will be the best mainstream workstation/home office rig that you can get in India. What I have given here is a pointer to the latest technologies. You better look around on Google to find out what suits your needs best. Depending on your budget you will have to make the final decision.
 
asheshb said:
Thanks tusharrastogi and everybody for your fast and valuable reply. god's_gift thanks for informing about coming technology but I cannot wait and have to get done this thing by next month.

Few questions remaining to ask. In the meantime I was going through other posts and was able to get some information. I wish to get these things clarified:

1. Processor: tusharrastogi you have recommended Q6600. Would there be much difference if I go for QX6700 or higher as suggested by vishalrao. If so then which one?

2. Graphic Card: Would it be better to have 2 8800GT 512 MB or 1 8800GTX 768 MB. Since the graphic card would be one of the most important thing so I do not want to take any chances.

3. Display: Since the system is going to be used for graphics so If some one can let me know which is the best available monitor performance wise.

Please let me know what do you think about it.
Click to expand...

It is better to wait because next wave of technology is just round the corner and it's gonna be huge change over the present technology.

Also i don't think you will find these components in market here. Talk to some good dealers in NP like SMC or CE and they may arrange the rig for you. That's the best.

Also, in you case it's better for you to get a workstation GFX instead of mainstream one.
 
asheshb said:
2. Graphic Card: Would it be better to have 2 8800GT 512 MB or 1 8800GTX 768 MB. Since the graphic card would be one of the most important thing so I do not want to take any chances.
Click to expand...

I don't think these graphics can do justice to rendering for 3ds Max, Maya... Go for a professional graphics card. Sorry i do not know which one, but they may be much better in rendering than the above ones which are best for gaming... Please wait for TE gurus to suggest which graphics card to use.
For CPU, First priority is Quad core since more cores the better for 3DS Max, Video rendering etc. Very big difference between Q6600 (2.4 GHz) and E6850 (3GHz). Check it here...

CPU speed is next priority. For Quad core CPU choose the CPU speed as per your budget. Q6600 (2.4 GHz), QX6700 (2.66 GHz), QX6800 (2.93 GHz), QX6850 (3.0 GHz) etc...
The rest Mobo/PSU etc can be of any make depending on your budget and CPU...
 
Quadro or FireGL cards are far superior at 3D rendering than the GT/GTS/GTX variety, though they are actualy based on the same core. The BIOS is coded differently and is optimised for screen render accuracy and speed, rather than page calculation (which is more critical for games).

There are softmods available to switch card types between each other, but those are not as effective as an actual Quadro card.

As for waiting, the Penryns will run cooler and faster than the current crop of processors. If you have jobs lined up and cannot wait for fear of losing revenue or meeting timelines, you should buy a platform now - I would actually recommend dual Xeons and a Quadro, rather than consumer/gamer platforms that are being suggested here. Stuff it with 8GB of RAM and you're good to go.

If you can wait, you'll have to wait till Feb or March 2008 till the Xeons based on 45nm/SSE4 appear, if not later. Consumer processors, though high quality, will not be as good as their workstation/server counterparts at this sort of stuff.

It's a business call.

If you need super-accurate color precision, then what you need is an NEC professional or Sony professional panel. I don't know how many people here have seen one, but these are not very large, mostly in 4:3, but can be super-calibrated to 99.5% accuracy on at least prints. They cost a bomb though, 3000 dollars for a super-calibrated LED (LED, yes) backlit panel from Sony. Mitsubishi CRTs are very good for this sort of stuff, and two Diamondtrons should be a little cheaper and get you similar accuracy.

I'm not sure that's your requirement unless you're doing game dev or print/web work. If it is architecture, modelling and mock-ups, you can get by with a smaller/cheaper monitor as even the cheapest LCDs are dimensionally 100% accurate, something CRTs can't claim. Just pick one based on your target resolution and you're good to go.

So my recommendation would be:

Intel Xeon X7340 x2 (8 cores)

Intel S5000 PAL OR Tyan equivalent

8GB RAM (16 if you can afford it)

QuadroFX5500/5600

A bunch of SCSI hard disks to run all this stuff - WD has some nice 15000 rpm drives, 137GB, that will work really well. SCSI, not SATA.

All this wil run off a couple of 300 watt supplies daisy-chained into a 600 watter, and will be housed in a nice rackmount case.

I think this will overshoot your budget a bit, but it'll be worth it.

Have fun.
 
Dude i would suggest you to wait one more month. You will get 9650 and other 9x series for nvidia graphic cards and tripple SLI mobo. I am also waiting for this as i am also into Designing.
 
People people people..........

Comeon now. I expected better. ( Just 1 actually helpful and accurate reply )

Why are you guys recommending tri-quad sli for this application. Its useless for him.

asheshb m8 let us know your preference. I mean do you need single machine due to space limitations? If not you can build a economical farm but it will take up more space and power. If you want to save on power and space and wanna save in long term on your electricity bill, you have to look for server components with dual CPU upgrade options.

Tell me this and I will suggest accordingly.
 
right i would say go for dual quad-core xeon/penryn 45nm CPU if possible and i also liked/agree with the suggestion of going for a pro video card like the nvidia quadro or ati firegl since you are into 3d work and not gaming...
 
Funky said:
People people people..........

Comeon now. I expected better. ( Just 1 actually helpful and accurate reply )

Why are you guys recommending tri-quad sli for this application. Its useless for him.

asheshb m8 let us know your preference. I mean do you need single machine due to space limitations? If not you can build a economical farm but it will take up more space and power. If you want to save on power and space and wanna save in long term on your electricity bill, you have to look for server components with dual CPU upgrade options.

Tell me this and I will suggest accordingly.
Click to expand...

exactly what Funky dada said i my self use 3d max and game engines everyday in office so a good card that can support a heavy viewport is a must i feel.
 
sangram said:
Quadro or FireGL cards are far superior at 3D rendering than the GT/GTS/GTX variety, though they are actualy based on the same core. The BIOS is coded differently and is optimised for screen render accuracy and speed, rather than page calculation (which is more critical for games).

There are softmods available to switch card types between each other, but those are not as effective as an actual Quadro card.

As for waiting, the Penryns will run cooler and faster than the current crop of processors. If you have jobs lined up and cannot wait for fear of losing revenue or meeting timelines, you should buy a platform now - I would actually recommend dual Xeons and a Quadro, rather than consumer/gamer platforms that are being suggested here. Stuff it with 8GB of RAM and you're good to go.

If you can wait, you'll have to wait till Feb or March 2008 till the Xeons based on 45nm/SSE4 appear, if not later. Consumer processors, though high quality, will not be as good as their workstation/server counterparts at this sort of stuff.

It's a business call.

If you need super-accurate color precision, then what you need is an NEC professional or Sony professional panel. I don't know how many people here have seen one, but these are not very large, mostly in 4:3, but can be super-calibrated to 99.5% accuracy on at least prints. They cost a bomb though, 3000 dollars for a super-calibrated LED (LED, yes) backlit panel from Sony. Mitsubishi CRTs are very good for this sort of stuff, and two Diamondtrons should be a little cheaper and get you similar accuracy.

I'm not sure that's your requirement unless you're doing game dev or print/web work. If it is architecture, modelling and mock-ups, you can get by with a smaller/cheaper monitor as even the cheapest LCDs are dimensionally 100% accurate, something CRTs can't claim. Just pick one based on your target resolution and you're good to go.

So my recommendation would be:

Intel Xeon X7340 x2 (8 cores)
Intel S5000 PAL OR Tyan equivalent
8GB RAM (16 if you can afford it)
QuadroFX5500/5600
A bunch of SCSI hard disks to run all this stuff - WD has some nice 15000 rpm drives, 137GB, that will work really well. SCSI, not SATA.

All this wil run off a couple of 300 watt supplies daisy-chained into a 600 watter, and will be housed in a nice rackmount case.

I think this will overshoot your budget a bit, but it'll be worth it.

Have fun.
Click to expand...

i think sangram has a good suggestion. tht config sounds great for 3d designs.
 
HI asheshb,

I think u can find nice solution from replyes, I want to tell you only one thing, U are westing your money.

I am design engineer & I am also using same softwares that U.

My m/c is 60K kitty.

Dont tell your Budget & ask any proffesional or even Autodesk for recommended system, they will suggest you max 70-80K config. :cool2:

I hope it will help U
 
Thanks everyone for your help.

morgoth thanks for such a detailed post.

Funky, space and power would not be a problem. But I do not know much about what you have suggested so if you could explain a little then it will be helpful.

I think you people are right about going for workstation graphic card since my requirement is video rendering related.

After going through all the posts below is the configration I think of. Most of it is taken from morgoth's post.

Processor: Intel Quad Core QX9650

Motherboard: ASUS Maximus Extreme

Memory: Crucial Ballistix 1GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) (x4)

Graphic Card: ATI FireGL V8600 1GB PCIE DUAL DVI

Primary Hard Drive: Western Digital Raptor WD1500ADFD 150GB 10,000 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive

Secondary Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda ES ST3500630NS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (x 2)

Monitor: Dell 27" 2707WFP UltraSharpTM Widescreen Flat Panel Monitor or any other if suggested

Power Supply: COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro 1250W
Cabinet: ?????? can somebody suggest
I hope this config is ok. Please let me know so that I can start looking for price and availability in Delhi.
 
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