Dual core vs Quad core & other hardware for general 3D work?

[flowbot]

I, too, was thinking of buying a new system for about 1000 Euros. I currently use almost the same System as you do, with 1.5GB Ram and a 7600GT card ;)

I was thinking of a Gigabyte X38 Mainboard (oh my there are way to many MBs out there -_- i've totally lost track..) with 4-8 GB of Corsair Ram.. maybe 8 since they're pretty cheap right now.

For a graphicscard i'd like to buy the XFX8800GTX with 768MB of Ram and 384bit Interface to drive the displays properly =) Its around 200-220 Euros. I'd like to softmod this card to a Quadro 4600 or at least try it :) I've heard of some Problems with the G80 Geforces and Maya :-/

Then again i'd buy a 10k RPM Raptor Disc for System and Programs and a larger 7200RPM Samsung Disc for Files and Stuff.

As for a CPU, i'd like to buy a 3GHz C2D or a 2.67GHz C2Q, i'm really not sure about this either, maybe you'll want to peak at this thread (http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=23&t=609882&highlight=dual+quad+core). PSU would be a Seasonic 500W.

Well these are my thougts, maybe they are helpful? Maybe somebody out there would like to optimize it for both of us :)

[dave247]

flowbot: thanks for your input and I checked out that thread. I have heard similar things about Quad core cpu's so maybe for now it is better to just get a C2D and a good motherboard with lots of fast ram - maybe 4 gigs+

I usually go on newegg and search for cpus and then sort the results by rating, and then read some reviews there and other places. That will at least help us find hardware that is known to be good.

I forgot about the faster hard drives. For that, check out Western Digital website (http://westerndigital.com). I noticed that they have cheaper prices than Newegg for their hard drives.

[vizion]

There are no problems with the quads. I would suggest the q6600 eventhough others may have some reservations about its use. I work with modo and zbrush moderately, but always have ps open for quick ref sketches or touchups and found that compared to my e4600 ( which is an older 65nm dual core) there is a palpable difference in performance. If somehow the stock 2.4 ghz speed is too little for you, you can achieve an incredibly easy overclock to 3.0ghz (at stock settings) on most decent p35 or newer model motherboards. As far as the rest of your pc, if you build it yourself with mid-high end components (mb/ram/hd/psu/case) you can manage a very good pc for ~$900-1k.

[dave247]

good point. I read some reviews on the Q6600 and higher, and you most definately are able to have many many applications at once with out even a slight difference of performance.

I think I decided to go for the Intel Q9300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115043)

yay for Intel.

[bluemagicuk]

I would go for the q6600 on a p35 (cheapest best option i reckon) x38 doesnt offer much more imho ... i managed to clock my q6600 up to 3.5ghtz from 2.4 on water and it goes up to 3.0 easily on air. Also I would go for ddr2 1066 ram with a q6600.

I have 2 boot options as well for power saving
1.6ghtz for web
and
3.5ghtz for 3d stuff


more info here
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=23&t=540069&page=5&pp=15
and here
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=173287

[Maxsunset]

Just an FYI, according to Ryan Kingslien from Pixologic, ZBrush's performance is entirely CPU based. They have designed they're viewport rederer themselves, and your graphics card should have no bearing on the performance in ZBrush. ...So get the fastest CPU you can afford!

[flowbot]

What about the overclocking capabilities of the newer Penryn Core2Quads?
Are they as easily overclockable than the older ones?
Just wondering, because everyone just talks about the Q6600's OC Capabilities cause i'd prefer that nifty Penryn :) the 2.5Ghz Q9300 for example..
(Or is it wise to wait a few month? I plan to upgrade soon, so..)

[Erik Heyninck]

If the money isn't burning in your pocket, then it might be a good idea to wait another, say, six months.
Prices will fall when Intel comes with newer CPU's (hexacores) so quad will be outdated, though still as good as today.

[lots]

Just FYI: You can't soft mod modern Geforces into Quadros. The guy making the moding software quit because of the "needy" community.

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