Computer specs vs render time

General Forums Blender and CG Discussions
1

Just curious what specs on a pc speed up the rendering process. Is it the chip, ram, vid card etc? Looking to optimize my pc for the render process. Any advice would be welcome :slight_smile:

2

For rendering the following steps will improve render times:

  • Dual Core Processor. (Intel Core Duo or my cost-favourite AMD Athlon X2)
  • Increased RAM, 2GB or more if you can afford it.
  • Use a Linux OS (I use Ubuntu)
  • Use a 64-bit version of said OS.
  • Compile your own builds with support for SSE, SSE2, SSE3, 3DNOW+ etc…These steps will provide noticable improvements in render times. :smiley:
3

also the bridges for memory access and the speed of your motherboard are important. when you have a fast cpu but a slow board than like with many low cost pcs you will not experience the speed of you cpu because the motherboard is the botleneck.

4

In other words use a AMD 64 processor. A AMD X2 if you can afford one (with the threading button in blender enabled).

5

Hence why I’d suggest the Athlon64 X2. (They recently dropped their prices big style.)

Athlon64 CPUs have the memory controller on the CPU itself, not to mention the hypertransport system. Hook this up with the new AM2-based boards for DDR2 and you’re talking some serious speed there. Throw some 64-bits into the mix with some SSE3 and then you’re laughing :smiley:

(Ooh, and I’ve got an Athlon64 4200+ X2 arriving tomorrow. Just need a board for it and then it’s time to migrate my Ubuntu to Ubuntu64… oooh yah!)

6

Interesting!

I´m considering to buy a new machina, but dont know yet wich way to go. Should I be a good fan-boy and a buy a iMac 20" or a testosteron pumped PC with all the goods? And if I choose a PC, wich processor should I go with?

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 ~0r~ AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+

Intel has a slightly faster bus than amd, but what the heck does it mean? :confused: :mad:

And should I spend on that fierce 7950 dual GPU or a bigger screen 20"tft and 7600 or something cheaper GPU??

Thanks in advanze!!

7

Obviously the Intel Core Duo chips are producing stunning results. Whilst I’m an AMD supporter (not a fanboy, I just support them), I can see a good product when I see one and these latest Intels are blisteringly fast, but they cost a fair bit too. :rolleyes:

If you can afford it, get a Core Duo system, but I doubt you’d go far wrong with an Athlon64 X2 5000+.

With graphics. Best avoid the 7950GX2. Heard of glitches with them with 3D apps. A single 7900GT would suffice. A 7900GT would drive a 20" display with no bother.

Equally, I think the new Macs are pretty special too. Now that they run on Intel power.

Your decision is a tough one, and the outcome will largely depend on the software you plan to use, what you intend to use the system for, and naturally your available budget. :wink:

8

Thanks mate!

Main usage of my mew system will be:

  • Photoshop
  • Flash
  • Blender
  • minor gaming, Nexuiz sometimes
    • normal surfing and relaxation needs that means i want a quiet system

Here what i am thinking:

Antec Sonata II, 450W ATX2.0
2x3.5 3x5.25, in 4x3.5, paneeli USB, FW, AUDIO
119.60 e

Papst 4412F/2GL fan 120x120
23.90 e

Asus P5ND2-SLI, nForce4 SLI Intel Edition, P4 LGA775 ATX
PCI 3, PCI-E x1 2, PCI-E x16 2, SLI, DDR2 667/533, SATA-RAID, Dual Gb LAN, USB2.0
95.20 e

Intel Core 2 Duo E6600
LGA775, Dual Core, 2.4GHz, FSB1066, 4MB L2
339.90 e

Corsair, 1024MB 667MHz DDR2-RAM DIMM
4 kpl
344.80 e

Seagate Barracuda SerialATAII 7200.9 300.0GB 16MB
11ms, 7200rpm, 16MB, SATA150/300 1 kpl
105.40 e

Nec ND-3550 DVD±RW, musta b
16x/48x luku/2-48x kirjoitus DVD-/CD-rom, 2M, IDE, sis.
41.50 e

Club-3D GF 7900GT 256M tv PCI-E ja Ohj.
256MB GDDR3-RAM, nVIDIA GF 7900 GT, S/Video-Out, 2xDVI-out, PCI-Express
305.00 e

LG 20.1 TFT, Flatron L2013P
1600x1200, 16 ms, DVI-D, Pivot, hopea/musta 1 kpl
495.00 e (495.00 e/kpl)

1870.30 e + toimituskulut

9

Well the memory transfer rates have a minor influence with most renderers…although they need a lot of memory.

When it comes to sheer execution power, Core2 Duo clearly is the fastest currently. But the AMD AM2 platform is pretty mature and now also very affordable, i myself am very tied which one will make it into my next PC…assumed that i really let my wallet bleed.

Parts look good to me, only nForce4 board is a bit dated, but still the only SLI solution for Intel i think and performs well, but i myself don’t want SLI anyway. Newer nForce should be out soon though. And i’m considering the Antec P180, got much praise in reviews everywhere, but is more expensive…

And shoot are those parts expensive in finland…i’ll never complain about our coming VAT raise from 16% to 19% again…

10

well mainly everything can help you speed up rendering. But a dual core processor will help a lot. and also a good ram. I’d say 1gig should be enough but 2 would be better.

I ordered a Intel Core 2 Duo E6600. I hope it is coming soon :D. I was going to buy an AMD But I waited until the price droped and when I saw the intels with such a nice price I could not shoose. so I ended up with an intel.

But keep in mind amd’s things are cheaper. for intel not all motherboeard are compatible. and I could not find any motherboard that support SLI and the core 2 duo

11

I’ve got a 3800+ X2 and 2 Gigs of RAM. I think I’m soon going to install a second hard drive and put Linux on it. Then I think I’ll be blazing.