Need a Server Build for Rendering

[wasweisic]

Hey, I want to setup a render server for 3dsmax, Adobe and UE4. Therefore I need many Cores and Fast CPU Caches. The Problem are the Windows 2016 Server Licences, Im using HyperV for 2VM, but maybe with AMD Threadripper I would setup two machines instead of using VM's to save some money ?

I stuck with following build (https://pcpartpicker.com/list/cBk9jc):

CPU: 2x Xeon E5-2630 (are they any better Options ?)
PSU : 1x bQuiet! DarkPower Pro P11 750W
MB: 1x ASUS Z10PE-D16/4L
Cooler: 2x Noctua NH-U9DX i4
Storage: 1x Samsung 850Pro 512 GB
RAM: 4x 32GB RAM (64Gb per VM/Machine)

 

 

My Solution:
- Maybe Single CPU ? (e.g. Threadripper looses performance running in dual channel)
-considering:

Dual CPU:
-Intel Xeon Silver 4114 (20Cores)
-Intel Xeon E5-2660v4 (28Cores)

Single CPU:
-Threadripper 1950x (16Cores)
-E5-2699 v4 (22Cores)
-Intel Core i9-7960X (16Cores)
-Intel Core i9-7940X (14Cores)

 

What do you guys think about this build, are there any worthy performance upgrades considering the price range ?

[Lurick]

What about some used server gear?

You can usually score a Dell R620, R720 or something similar from HP with solid specs for around $600 to $700 on ebay and the likes. Just need to pop in drives and maybe get some $5 drive cages and you're good to go.

[hconverse02]

Do you need 20 cores? If the answer is no, get threadripper so you spend $200 less on a cpu and can buy some sort of video output and a real cooler like this: 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1950X 3.4GHz 16-Core Processor  ($914.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Fractal Design - Celsius S24 87.6 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($108.49 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: ASRock - X399 Taichi ATX TR4 Motherboard  ($323.98 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LED 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($369.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($168.87 @ OutletPC) 
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G3 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($148.99 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Other: chenbro sr112 (Purchased For $152.00)
Total: $2187.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-02-01 12:19 EST-0500

 

I hope you can find a graphics card somewhere for video output (or already have one) or can something decent used.

[David89]

Question is: What's your budget limit?

 

AMD Epyc 7281 + Supermicro H11DSi + a 128 GB ECC Kit...that's around 2900€ in Germany right now. Not sure what the price is going to be for you.

[wasweisic]

Oh sry I forgot to mention the Budget,
It should be about 4k.
Thank you for your fast replies.
I do know the EPYC Series, but I couldn't find the 7400 series on the market,

@David89 Based on this Benchmark https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=AMD+EPYC+7281&id=3130&cpuCount=2 this Setup is not that good as an I9, or am I missing something ? Can you recommend SuperMicro Boards over Asus Z10 ?

@hconverse02 I got an 750Ti, I think it might do the job, I heard for rendering multiple Projects/ 3D Objects in 3dsmax,Premiere,UE4: corecount > single thread performance, but not sure if this statement is true. NEvertheless don't know why people still buy Xeon if the i9 or Threadripper outperforms those.
 

[GDRRiley]

I found epyc cpus and 1 mobo in stock on newegg

[Gerr]

For something used, what about a pair of E5-2680v2's(10c@2.8Ghz each) on a C602 mobo and load it up with DDR3 ECC-RDIMMs, which will be MUCH cheaper than DDR4.