ZBrushCentral

How important are RAM timings to zBrush performance?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

I’m speccing my next build for when the Ryzen 3950x is released and I’m looking at getting 64GB of DDR4 RAM.

Does anyone have any knowledge on whether memory timings significantly affect zBrush performance?

Linus Tech Tips recommends 3600Mhz with as low timings as affordable as the sweet spot for performance and overclocking for the new Ryzens, but this is typically for gaming. Would I realistically notice any difference in real world zBrush application or would I be fine with just sticking some decent 3200 at something like C16 in there and not notice the difference?

I do a fair bit of Keyshot as well as substance painter and now GPU based rendering, but I’m rocking a 2080Ti to keep that side of things smooth so would system RAM really matter for those either?

#2

Hi @AristotlesLantern!

I don’t actually know for certain, but my guess based on reading the blurb about optimizing a computer for Zbrush, is “not especially.” The system specs and optimization guide are far more concerned with you having enough ram. If it was a significant concern, it would have been mentioned.

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#3

Thanks for your reply, still doing research but it seems you’re right, it shouldn’t matter too much in everyday usage.

The Ryzen’s performance is quite closely linked to latency and speed of RAM (less so in the newer 3xxx chips, but still somewhat). So faster RAM will improve CPU performance a bit, but it’s not worth an extra £300 or so for 1% performance gain.

I’m probably going to get some 3200 b-die, it’ll partly be decided on the day at what’s available.