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New PC Build 2021! Is Threadripper a good choice? Or the traditional CUP route?

ZBrush Usage Questions
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#1

Hey everyone!

I’m building a new PC. I’ve seen some threads on this here and there, but nothing too definitive.

Put simply, does ZBrush benefit from a Threadripper build, or is the something like an i9 or Ryzen 5950X better suited?

Uses:

  • ZBrush with high poly counts, boolean operations, live deformations on said models, etc.
  • Rendering such as in V Ray, Keyshot, Arnold/3DS Max
  • Adobe applications such as Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere Pro

Thank you to everyone in advance!

#2

Zbrush Master Michael Pavlovich’s Threadripper workspace.

  • Brush responsiveness depends on CPU speed.
  • Handling of high poly depends on RAM quantity.
  • Boolean, Decimation, ZRemesher etc. operations depend on number of cores and core speed.
  • Rendering outside of Zbrush depends on GPU (Memory, speed, bus), not CPU, so is independent of Threadripper.

Since MikePav streams a lot and provides Zbrush update and tutorial videos he does a lot of video processing, as well as all the sculpting, texturing, rendering stuff. Check out his YT and Artstation and you’ll see he does it all.

fwiw - I have an i9900k (5 GHz, 8 core/16 threads) with 32GB, 1 TB M2 SSD, 4K monitor, onboard intel GPU. a couple of years old now but works well. Bought a few months before Threadripper 2950 was released so was better than the previous 1950 Threadripper. Also I’m a hobbyist so don’t rely on this for my living.

btw - make absolutely sure you get a large, fast M2 drive and install ZBrush and it’s scratch and other folders on it. Also put your ZBrush working files there. Zbrush does lots of background file IO and the speed difference compared to other drives is significantly improved. I had large files load in 2s versus 20s on a USB3 drive for example.

#3

I have a 3970x and it’s god tier for doing keyshot rendering and zbrush work - but it’s expensive. I use it daily for my living and I do a LOT of keyshot rendering so it’s worth the expense for me, but I wouldn’t go this route if it was just a hobby.

Be realistic about how much CPU rendering you’re going to be doing. A 5950x will be faster with zbrush but slower to render Keyshot stuff, it depends on your workloads. If you didn’t go TR tou could sink extra money into more and faster RAM, which would help zBrush and maximise the potential of the 5950x. Photoshop would also prefer the higher clock of the 5950x.

Also bear in mind AMD are on the verge of releasing the new Threadrippers, which, if rumours are to be believed, are the same core count but higher clock speed, it might be worth waiting for a bit if you can.