2500$CAD 3D Modelling and Rendering Rig

[Daveeede]

Hey guys,

 

I am planning a build for a friend of mine who is studying interior design and architecture. She does a lot of modelling and rendering in 3DS Max. She needs a new rig since her macbook isn't cutting it for her anymore. She didn't want anything huge so I'm trying to stick with Micro-ATX. We originally planned for Mini-ITX but I think she really should get a 6800k instead of a 6700k so Micro-ATX it is.

 

Her budget is technically non-existant, but I have chosen $2500 CAD as the budget. Not including windows and peripherals. 

 

Here's what I have so far: 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor  ($593.23 @ Newegg Canada) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($83.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Motherboard: Asus X99-M WS Micro ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($404.22 @ NCIX) 
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($173.23 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($419.97 @ DirectCanada) 
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card  ($388.48 @ Newegg Canada) 
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($131.23 @ Newegg Canada) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($115.98 @ NCIX) 
Total: $2310.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-10 09:51 EDT-0400

 

Now I have a couple of questions:

1) The motherboard I chose has only 4 RAM slots. Is it better to put 4x8GB sticks or 2x16GB? I wanted to leave two slots open in case she wants to upgrade to 64GB in the future, but I know that Quad-Channel is better in some cases. What is better?

2) I have no idea what CPU cooler to get. I like the NH-U12s but I'm worried it will hang over the first PCI-e slot. If I go watercooling, the case she chose doesn't support more than a 120 mm rad so I don't know how effective that is. Any suggestions?

3) What GPU???????? I'm between the GTX 1060 and the GTX 970. Or maybe a quadro? Are more CUDA cores better than a faster overall GPU in this case? (keep in mind no gaming here)

 

Sorry for the long post. It's not my first PC build, but it's my first X99 build and I don't wanna make any dumb mistakes. Any suggestions could be helpful!

 

[SeanAngelo]

7 minutes ago, Daveeede said:

Hey guys,

 

I am planning a build for a friend of mine who is studying interior design and architecture. She does a lot of modelling and rendering in 3DS Max. She needs a new rig since her macbook isn't cutting it for her anymore. She didn't want anything huge so I'm trying to stick with Micro-ATX. We originally planned for Mini-ITX but I think she really should get a 6800k instead of a 6700k so Micro-ATX it is.

 

Her budget is technically non-existant, but I have chosen $2500 CAD as the budget. Not including windows and peripherals. 

 

Here's what I have so far: 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor  ($593.23 @ Newegg Canada) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler  ($83.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Motherboard: Asus X99-M WS Micro ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard  ($404.22 @ NCIX) 
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($173.23 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($419.97 @ DirectCanada) 
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 6GB AMP! Edition Video Card  ($388.48 @ Newegg Canada) 
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($131.23 @ Newegg Canada) 
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($115.98 @ NCIX) 
Total: $2310.32
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-09-10 09:51 EDT-0400

 

Now I have a couple of questions:

1) The motherboard I chose has only 4 RAM slots. Is it better to put 4x8GB sticks or 2x16GB? I wanted to leave two slots open in case she wants to upgrade to 64GB in the future, but I know that Quad-Channel is better in some cases. What is better?

2) I have no idea what CPU cooler to get. I like the NH-U12s but I'm worried it will hang over the first PCI-e slot. If I go watercooling, the case she chose doesn't support more than a 120 mm rad so I don't know how effective that is. Any suggestions?

3) What GPU???????? I'm between the GTX 1060 and the GTX 970. Or maybe a quadro? Are more CUDA cores better than a faster overall GPU in this case? (keep in mind no gaming here)

 

Sorry for the long post. It's not my first PC build, but it's my first X99 build and I don't wanna make any dumb mistakes. Any suggestions could be helpful!

 

1. i'd do 2x16gb so you can add another 2x16gb kit in the future if she wishes so.

2. just get a low profile noctua cooler, it'll be fine. like this for example, https://pcpartpicker.com/product/PP4gXL/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhl12

3. well it depends which quadro you're looking at. since she's not doing gaming, i'd try to aim for a quadro. i have no knowledge of quadros whatsoever

[Daveeede]

5 minutes ago, SeanAngelo said:

1. i'd do 2x16gb so you can add another 2x16gb kit in the future if she wishes so.

2. just get a low profile noctua cooler, it'll be fine. like this for example, https://pcpartpicker.com/product/PP4gXL/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhl12

3. well it depends which quadro you're looking at. since she's not doing gaming, i'd try to aim for a quadro. i have no knowledge of quadros whatsoever

I have the same concerns with that air cooler. Not sure if it will overhang the first pci-e slot and there is almost no information online about this.

 

I want to get a quadro but they really suck on paper. http://www.ncix.com/detail/pny-nvidia-quadro-m2000-768-a5-129637.htm?affiliateid=7474144 

 

600$ for what is essentially a GTX 960.I could get her a GTX 1070 for the same money. Really stumped here.

[SeanAngelo]

24 minutes ago, Daveeede said:

I have the same concerns with that air cooler. Not sure if it will overhang the first pci-e slot and there is almost no information online about this.

 

I want to get a quadro but they really suck on paper. http://www.ncix.com/detail/pny-nvidia-quadro-m2000-768-a5-129637.htm?affiliateid=7474144 

 

600$ for what is essentially a GTX 960.I could get her a GTX 1070 for the same money. Really stumped here.

it won't overhang the pci-e slot, don't worry.

 

well just get a 1070 if you want....

[mrchow19910319]

I think a 1070 will do her just fine... 

Unless you are gonna use some specific features on those quadro, and you know what you are getting yourself into, stay away from that line up.

 

I think Nvidia mark those price really high cos when it comes to those professional cards most of the company will buy a huge amount of it. Let's say I am company A that required 300 of those cards. And in this kind of situation most likely, Nvidia will give my company a discount. So if you are a normal consumer, do not get those professional cards.

 

I do not work in the industry, but just some thoughts here.