New Configuration for High Quality Architectural Visualization

[Mr. S]

Hello Alex and everybody,

First of all, I have to say a big thank you for all the useful information that we can find on this site!
Anyway, I am still in a certain dilemma and I need some help. I hope you will be willing to help me. Here's what it's all about:

BACKGROUND:
I am an architect who has worked for the past 11 years (both in the studio and as a freelancer) in all spheres of architectural design.

My current (very old) configuration (which I plan to sell):

intel (r) i7-3770k
geforce gtx 660
dimm ddr3 2x8gb
gygabite z77x-ud3h
ssd 120gb + ssd 260 + wd 1tb + wd 2tb
650w lc power
noctua nh-u9b se2
fractal design core 3000
dell u2311h

For modeling and rendering, I primarily use: - 3D Max + Vray, but also 3DMax + Corona. (Real-time render is extremely important).
For postproduction - Photoshop.

NEW PLANS:
In the new year, I am starting my own company, where I will be the only employee, and I will focus only on high-quality architectural visualization.

MY MAIN DILEMMA:
List of right components for a new computer.

MAIN WORKLOAD ON A NEW COMPUTER:
Architectural visualization of individual images - which means both modeling and rendering.

So, depending on the project, I spend the first few days on active work, ie. on modeling. When I finish modeling the scene (which also includes setting all the textures, lights, cameras, etc), I start the rendering process. Of course, the goal is always to achieve the highest quality and fastest possible rendering.
I know that a modeling machine and a rendering machine should be separated, but I think my budget is now small for that. So, that can definitely be a long-term plan.

For that reason, my main question is - what would be the best configuration that would satisfy both modeling and rendering of the highest quality?
Is it possible to have both in one machine?
It seems to me that the "PC builder tool" did not foresee the possibility of both

LONG-TERM PLAN (in about 3-4 years):
1. In addition to the architectural visualization of individual images, the work should be extended to the animations also.
2. Get a separate machine for modeling and a small house rendering farm.
3. Achieve the quality of "MIR" rendering

NEW COMPUTER BUDGET:
$ 6500
* This price should also include 2 standard monitors or 1 curved that could be separated into 2.

COUNTRY WHERE I BUY EQUIPMENT:
Serbia

Thanks in advance for your help!

S.

 

[Alex Glawion]

If you want to build just one PC, for 3DS Max and Vray I'd probably build a Threadripper Machine with a good amount of CPU cores if you're doing CPU Rendering in V-Ray, and the ability to add more GPUs if you are doing GPU or hybrid rendering in Vray.

Something like this should work well:

3960X or 3970X
RTX 3080Ti or 3070Ti
64GB of RAM 3600Mhz
Asrock or Designare Ex TRX40 Motherboard

A strong PSU, 1200 or 1600W that lets you upgrade your PC more easily and a large enough Case for potentially multiple GPUs.

 

[Giorgio]

Hi Alex, thanks for your insight.
Would this config be possible?:

AMD Threadripper 3990X
4x NVIDIA RTX 2080
64GB of RAM 3600Mhz
TRX40 Motherboard

 

[Mr. S]

Alex,

Thanks a lot for the reply. You definitely helped me.
Since I'm still not sure in which direction I would go, whether towards rendering on the CPU or rendering on the GPU (because I use both V ray and Corona), I think this is a good initial choice (to make Threadripper Machine).
Later, as the business progresses, I will try to make a home rendering farm, focused only on either CPU or GPU rendering.

Because of that, I have one dilemma:
When I get the equipment I would definitely like to test whether it is better for my specific projects to render everything on a 3960X CPU, or a 3070Ti GPU.
For that reason, I'm interested, is it enough to get only one graphics card that could compete with this processor, or should I still get more cards to get adequate, comparable results?

And also, if I still need to get more cards, could the RTX 2080 8GB be used instead of this 3070Ti GPU? (just because of the price I ask)
and how many pieces exactly, so that it could be comparable to the rendering results on the 3960X CPU?

Thanks!

 

[Mr. S]

One more question:

What do you think about these monitors for modeling (3DMax), rendering, and post-production (Photoshop):

LG 34WL85C-B (one or maybe two one above the other)​

or even this one:

LG 49WL95C-WE​

 

[Mr. S]

Unfortunately, the purchase of the threadripper machine did not succeed ... it is simply not in stock anywhere (at least in Serbia).

Anyway, I thought a bit and realized that at the moment my work is more modeling, and then rendering. Because of that, I am thinking that maybe the new machine should be based on a 5950 processor... But I'm not sure how good is 5950 for rendering ... I'm afraid it won't be enough.

If we go with this processor, what do you think, which board and which graphics to put for good results in both modeling and rendering?
if I wanted to try rendering on GPUs, I don't think I could afford 2 or 3 of them.. Maybe just one RTX 3070 for start to see if this kind of rendering is for me.

SO, maybe something like this:

CPU – AMD Ryzen 5950X
CPU Cooler – be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4 / EVGA Clc 360mm CPU Liquid Cooler
MB – GIGABYTE TRX40 / ASRock MB TRX40
GPU – GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB / Nvidia RTX 2080 8GB
RAM – DDR4, 64GB (2x32GB kit), 3600MHz
SSD (for rendering) – Samsung pro / Seagate FireCuda - 1TB, M.2 NVMe, gen 4, TLC
SSD (for system) – Samsung pro, 256GB, M.2, gen 3
HDD (for archive) – Samsung pro, 4 TB
PSU – 1000w
CASE – Fractal Design
MONITOR – LG / DELL, 34" / 38", IPS HDR, Curved Ultra-Wide


I'm very confused. I sincerely hope that someone will be able to answer me.
Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Jerry James]

Unfortunately, the purchase of the threadripper machine did not succeed ... it is simply not in stock anywhere (at least in Serbia).

Anyway, I thought a bit and realized that at the moment my work is more modeling, and then rendering. Because of that, I am thinking that maybe the new machine should be based on a 5950 processor... But I'm not sure how good is 5950 for rendering ... I'm afraid it won't be enough.

If we go with this processor, what do you think, which board and which graphics to put for good results in both modeling and rendering?
if I wanted to try rendering on GPUs, I don't think I could afford 2 or 3 of them.. Maybe just one RTX 3070 for start to see if this kind of rendering is for me.

SO, maybe something like this:

CPU – AMD Ryzen 5950X
CPU Cooler – be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 TR4 / EVGA Clc 360mm CPU Liquid Cooler
MB – GIGABYTE TRX40 / ASRock MB TRX40
GPU – GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB / Nvidia RTX 2080 8GB
RAM – DDR4, 64GB (2x32GB kit), 3600MHz
SSD (for rendering) – Samsung pro / Seagate FireCuda - 1TB, M.2 NVMe, gen 4, TLC
SSD (for system) – Samsung pro, 256GB, M.2, gen 3
HDD (for archive) – Samsung pro, 4 TB
PSU – 1000w
CASE – Fractal Design
MONITOR – LG / DELL, 34" / 38", IPS HDR, Curved Ultra-Wide


I'm very confused. I sincerely hope that someone will be able to answer me.
Thank you very much in advance.

The dilemma you're in is pretty common, tbh. I've found that a Ryzen 9 5950X usually offers a good balance between modeling and rendering performance. But as you've said, many prefer going the GPU rendering route and just make sure to equip their workstation with the best CPU possible for active work like modeling.
If you want to give that a go, then this build with an RTX 3070 is as good as any to do so without wasting too much money. Even if you decide GPU rendering isn't for you, a fall back to CPU rendering with 32 threads isn't going to completely suck at least, and should hold you up until you can build a separate render node.

 

[Mr. S]

Jerry,

Thanks a lot! it really meant to me to hear your opinion! It seems to me that I will go with that processor...

Also, everything from the above is in stock except the MB. Do you have any suggestion what would be a suitable replacement for trx40?

 

[Jerry James]

Also, everything from the above is in stock except the MB. Do you have any suggestion what would be a suitable replacement for trx40?

Oh that's unfortunate. You can pick from our list of recommended TRX40 boards here - https://www.cgdirector.com/best-mot...970x-3960x/#Quick_Motherboard_Recommendations

 

[Mr. S]

Thanks Jerry.
there are none TRX40 on stock!

The best what I have is>

GIGABYTE X570S AERO G or
GIGABYTE X570S AORUS MASTER or
Asus ROG STRIX X570-F

 

[Mr. S]

also>

AsRock X570 TAICHI RAZER EDITION
AsRock B550 TAICHI

 

[Jerry James]

also>

AsRock X570 TAICHI RAZER EDITION
AsRock B550 TAICHI

If you're not going with Threadripper, an X570/B550 motherboard is what you need for a Ryzen 9 5950X. I'd go with the Gigabyte X570S Aero-G. It'll allow you to add in more GPUs if you do decide to go with GPU rendering.

 

[Mr. S]

Great! Thanks a lot!

 

[Mr. S]

Finally: