Create a new version of AdviceRendering
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Approximate Purchase Timing:
Now
Budget Range:
£1500
Importance of System Components:
I require a fresh build for rendering tasks, mainly Keyshot, with potential use of V RAY. Both applications will operate in CPU mode, and given my work with extensive 3D models and the need for photorealistic outputs, the CPU load is substantial. I also rely on Photoshop, Alibre 3D modeling tools, and various CAD/CAM applications.
Are you purchasing a monitor:
No
Upgrade Components:
Full system
Do you need an operating system:
No
Recommended Purchase Sites:
Not overly concerned; I’m evaluating PC Specialist (https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/) for the purchase. The assembly will be handled by the chosen supplier.
Location:
South-East England
Preferred Component Types:
By manufacturer or specification (e.g., upgrading to an Intel CPU)
Overclocking Consideration:
Possibly
Monitor Specifications:
1920x1080 resolution
Resolution: 2x
Additional Notes:
(For example: Requires a dedicated window and high visual quality, I’d prefer a quiet system. Please also specify the software or games in use)
Most Importantly, Reasons for Upgrade:
My existing PC is outdated.
I’m evaluating (A) an Intel 13900K or (B) an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X build.
Your Decision:
Intel® Core™ i9 24-Core Processor i9-13900K (up to 5.8GHz) with 36MB cache
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME Z790-P (DDR5, LGA1700, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0) - ARGB compatible
Memory (RAM)
16GB PCS PRO DDR5 4800MHz (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
12GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3060 - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 5000MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CV SERIES™ CV-550 POWER SUPPLY
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Cooling Solutions
PCS FrostFlow 120 Series ARGB Liquid Cooler
Thermal Paste
Standard paste for adequate heat dissipation
Sound Card
Onboard 6-channel (5.1) audio with high fidelity (standard)
Networking
LAN port included
Wireless Network Card
Wi-Fi 6E Intel® AX210 2.4GHz/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCIe + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Ports
Minimum: 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 ports on back panel + at least 2 front ports
Price: £1475
Alternative Option (B):
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X 16-core CPU (4.5GHz-5.7GHz/80MB cache/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME B650-PLUS (DDR5, USB 3.2, 6Gb/s) - ARGB compatible!
Memory (RAM)
16GB PCS PRO DDR5 4800MHz (1 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
12GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3060 - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 5000MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 550W CV SERIES™ CV-550 POWER SUPPLY
Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 150 Series CPU cooler
Advice on Component Selection and Alternatives will be beneficial.
Hello,
Here are some suggestions:
I prefer a higher-end CPU cooler to match an i9 or Ryzen 9. Something with superior quality and greater cooling power.
You should opt for a dual-channel RAM kit to boost performance. It should include a set of two sticks.
Select a better quality power supply unit. The CV series is suitable for office setups without a GPU. The RMx model works well.
Avoid the A-series chipset with a Ryzen 5, 7, or 9 CPU. The VRMs won’t stay cool enough for optimal CPU performance.
I used an 850W Corsair RMx power supply and an X670E motherboard for my 7950X rendering setup. To handle the power needs of a 13900K or 7950X, you need a chipset and VRMs that deliver solid performance. Choosing a lower-end chipset board could strain the VRM heatsinks and MOSFETs.
It would be unlikely that a budget mid-range PSU would last long under such demands. A 550W unit is already pushing the limits of reliability. My 7950X draws up to 190W, and my RTX 3060 uses about 170W while rendering. A 13900K could draw up to 250W.
You’ll need a substantial air cooler for the 7950X (I opted for a Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black). For the 13900K, a 360 or 420mm AIO water cooler would be ideal to manage the heat. Most smaller AIOs struggle with high temperatures.
Running a rendering rig with one of these CPUs requires powerful cooling solutions—especially for the 13900K. A dual-tower twin fan air cooler or a large AIO is essential to keep things stable.
Even with one of these CPUs, you can’t rely on insufficient cooling or a weak PSU. Your build wouldn’t function properly without adequate thermal management.
Are you certain you can manage with just 16GB of RAM? Review the requirements of all your applications to understand their needs, not just the minimum.
Photoshop CC is relatively lightweight unless you work with massive RAW files, and it handles 16GB well. However, I installed two 32GB (64GB) RAM modules for Adobe Premiere Pro at 4K UHD. You can manage with 32GB in Premiere Pro at 1080p, but 128GB is recommended for 8K video.
I have three 1TB M.2 NVMe drives on the motherboard—one for Windows & programs, one as an Adobe scratch disk, and another for ongoing work. Don’t worry about the generation; Gen.3, Gen.4, or newer Gen 5 drives make little difference. For primary storage, I use multiple hard drives.
You claim you don’t need a new operating system, but if you plan to move the Windows license from an older PC, verify your rights. Avoid purchasing keys from dubious websites for a low price—those are often part of volume licenses or educational versions, not meant for widespread resale. Buying a key unlocks Windows but renders you unlicensed. A key is not a license.
The most affordable legal Windows 11 Pro copy I’ve seen recently was the special offer in PC Pro magazine for £79.99. I bought Windows 10 Pro from the same source in 2019 for just £39.99—a great deal since a genuine license for Pro costs nearly £200. Home prices are around £100 from reputable sources.
Good luck with your upgraded build!
It seems you're summarizing a purchase decision and the considerations involved. Here’s a rephrased version keeping the same structure and details:
Unfortunately, similar opinions have been shared before regarding certain component selections. Issues such as the cooler, single stick RAM, and power supply appear to be problematic. It would be ideal to have a motherboard with robust VRMs suitable for demanding multi-core tasks like rendering. A high-speed SSD capable of handling random read/write operations would also be beneficial. A reliable power supply is essential. You’d need to assess how these parts fit together during assembly. Based on this, a 7950X system would likely cost around £1400.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 9 7950X 4.5 GHz 16-Core Processor
(£539.94 @ Box Limited)
CPU Cooler:
Thermalright Peerless Assassin 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler
(£45.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Motherboard:
MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX AM5 Motherboard
(£189.00 @ Amazon UK)
Memory:
TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory
(£108.00 @ Amazon UK)
Storage:
Crucial P5 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
(£95.98 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card:
MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12G GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
(£265.00 @ Computer Orbit)
Case:
Cooler Master MasterBox 540 ATX Mid Tower Case
(£48.94 @ Box Limited)
Power Supply:
MSI MAG A650GL 650 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX PSU
(£79.99 @ AWD-IT)
Case Fan:
Thermalright TL-C12C 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fan
(£4.49 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan:
Thermalright TL-C12C 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fan
(£4.49 @ Amazon UK)
Case Fan:
Thermalright TL-C12C 66.17 CFM 120 mm Fan
(£4.49 @ Amazon UK)
Total:
£1385.32
Includes shipping, taxes, and applicable discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2023-09-14 11:00 BST+0100
Thank you all for your responses. I applied your suggestions to enhance the specifications. In the areas that needed attention, a friend is willing to assist with assembling my PC, allowing me to stretch my £1500 budget further. Here’s the list I selected:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950X – £640.00 (awd-IT)
Motherboard: MSI MAG B650 TOMAHAWK – included with CPU
Case: Phanteks Eclipse G360A – £85.00 (awd-IT)
SSD: WD BLACK SN850X 2TB – £130.00 (Amazon)
GPU: MSI RTX4060 VENTUS 2X – £290.00 (Amazon)
RAM: G.Skill Trident Z5 NEO 32GB 6000MHz CL30 DDR5 – £118.00 (e buyer)
PS: Corsair RM850X – £120.00 (Amazon)
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 360 – £103.00 (Amazon)
Disc Drive: Hitachi-LG GH24 – £18.00 (Amazon)
TOTAL: £1,504.00