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Current PC Build for running Zbrush/Maya/Keyshot. Suggestions, Opinions, Help?

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Okay So I posted a topic a few days ago on what my pc build should look like in order to run Zbrush, Maya, Keyshot, and maybe other digital art programs in the future. I am a huge fan of Zbrush and my main goal is to have it work well with this program. As a side note I focus on creature and character design and currently run Zbrush on my laptop. Problems arise when I hit around 1-2 million polys on one subtool or 1 million on several. What aspects of a computer control whether or not I can reach higher polycounts and also faster rendering. After getting disappointing amounts of response from my earlier post I went out and did some of my own research and got some help from friends. This is the build as it currently stands:

CPU Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150
Memory A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
Video Card Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB DirectCU II
Case Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower
Power Supply Corsair 600W ATX12V
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)

I used pcpartpicker to create the build and I am not very knowledgeable about computers but I did my best to pick out what I thought I needed. My main concern is if I can get a better cpu for a decent price? I am trying to keep this build around 1000$ or less if I can find better parts for cheaper. If you guys can help a newbie at building computers out and check out whether everything will work well and properly together that would be fantastic. Any suggestions, or help is greatly appreciated. I will also be having my friend help me build this so no worries there. Also I have an old monitor that I was planning on using for this. Should I look for anything specific in a monitor or just something that works? Anyways thanks so much to anyone who replies to this!:smiley:
-JC

#2

RAM…better quality, faster (2133 MHz compared to 1600) and only $2.00 more.

https://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f32133c11d8gao

ZBrush doesn’t use the video card and neither does Keyshot so it might be a good idea to get the best CPU you can afford. Maya however does utilize CUDA so stick with that video card.

#3

I am not sure what the following means: The G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory operating voltage of 1.6V exceeds the Intel Haswell Refresh CPU recommended maximum of 1.5V+5% (1.575V). This memory module may run at a reduced clock rate to meet the 1.5V voltage recommendation, or may require running at a voltage greater than the Intel recommended maximum.

#4

Haswell is Intel’s new line of CPU slated to be coming out mid September (last I heard). As far as I can tell, it means that the RAM’s operating voltage exceeds that of the Haswell CPUs operating voltage. The RAM will have to run at a slightly reduced voltage which means it will run a bit slower than 2133 MHz. As you are not getting a Haswell, it shouldn’t be a problem.

#5

Thanks man!

#6

No problem! :+1: Keep in mind that the mobo you’re getting is SLI ready and the video card is SLI ready. If you decide to add a second video card at a later date, you can team up a pair of GTX 760’s for lightning fast video. Especially good for gaming…if you’re into that sort of thing. The computer I’m using now is an SLI system that I built myself, and it’s been going nonstop for the last 6 years. This is important…when you’re attaching the CPU cooler to the CPU, make sure you use a good quality thermal compound and follow the application instructions carefully. I used Arctic Cooling MX-2 but they have a better product now called MX-4. Also, take care when installing the CPU onto the motherboard as you can damage the pins on the socket if you put it in incorrectly. If you do plan to add a second video card at a later date, you might want to consider a bigger PSU. Something in the 800 watt range or higher. Something you should read concerning PSU’s. http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Understanding-the-80-Plus-Certification/742

#7

I feel like this is a very dumb question and despite someone helping me build my computer I want to ask nonetheless. You mentioned the cooling compound mx-4 which I looked up and educated myself a little on. Could you take your explanation of what it is and does a step further for someone who is new at building computers? My questions include does it need a thermal compound, does my setup already come with a cheaper one currently, and what are the major benefits of using it as well as how to apply it. Sorry for all the questions I would just like to know so I am not useless while me and y friend build it and so that maybe I can build my own by myself in the future.

#8

The importance of thermal compound…http://smallbusiness.chron.com/thermal-compound-pc-67419.html

Some heatsinks do come with thermal compound (not all) but I personally would not trust them. That’s why I said “make sure you use a good quality thermal compound”. If you want your CPU to last a long time don’t get cheap on this step. Some people might say that you don’t really need good thermal compound if you’re not going to overclock the processor. I don’t agree with this. The cooler the processor runs, the more efficient it will be and the longer it will last. Especially if it’s going to be under a lot of load which 3D graphics apps tend to do. Like I said, for what good thermal compound costs, which isn’t much, don’t get cheap on this step. Just my 2 cents worth.

ps: exactly how much does your friend know about building computers?

Here is some research for you.

Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 1 - Choosing Your Components

Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 2 - The Build

Newegg TV: How To Build a Computer - Part 3 - Installing Windows & Finishing

#9

He does it for a living lol. He is an IT guy for a company named High-Rez Studios and he is actually my girlfriends dad. Part of his job is to make the computers that the programers and such use along with many other things. He was just not very familiar with what “artist’s” computers in the industry have parts wise because there is another guy who builds those. Trust me he knows his stuff haha.

#10

:lol:

#11

Some people might say that you don’t really need good thermal compound if you’re not going to overclock the processor.

Some people are idiots. :wink:

Thermal compound makes a big difference, overclocking or not.

One thing I recommend in your build is a SSD (Solid State Drive). I use smaller SSDs for the operating system and some files and I use the regular HD Drives for large files and extra backups. They definitely make a difference.

#12

Yeah I have considered getting an SSD only problem is I have reached my budget limit of 1,200$… I could not find anything I could reduce or get for a lower price without also reducing performance. By the way zber2 if you read this I stayed up late last night and watched all the tutorials and took notes haha. It was EXTREMELY helpful and I think I am just about ready to start buying the parts listed here, the thermal compound, and I have a monitor, mouse, and keyboard already.

CPU Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core $299.98
CPU Cooler Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing $19.99
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-Z97MX-Gaming 5 Micro ATX LGA1150 $107.98
Memory A-Data XPG V1.0 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $42.99
A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $84.99
Storage Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $51.98
Video Card Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB DirectCU II $308.78
Case Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower $57.99
Power Supply Corsair 600W ATX12V $67.99
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) $97.98

Total: excluding the $8 for cooling compound|$1140.65
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As you can see I opted for a beefier CPU and Graphics Card. I could not find anything that would not work together and I think I am set. Do you guys see anything wrong with these parts or them being incompatible? Any final recommendations or words of wisdom? OH! and would it be smart to go for a windows 7 64-bit instead? Will it not work with zbrush, maya, photoshop, keyshot or other programs?, or am I ok with a windows 7 version. Also you will notice I do not have an optical drive. I have an external one that I use on my laptop, can I just use that or would it be smart to just get a cheap one to make life easier especially for installing windows and drivers etc? Cannot think of any more questions I had and considering two days ago I did not know what a power supply was I think I have come a long way so thanks to zber2 you have been great keeping up with this thread and mental frog! Please share any final opinions or words of wisdom and I will be out of your hair and hopefully soon back to making badass creatures on a great pc.

#13

Make sure your case is well ventilated. Your CPU cooler and video card cooler aren’t going to do much if all they are doing is circulating hot air inside the case. You have 8 fan mounting points on that case and fans are cheap. I believe the case you’re getting has two fans that come with it, one intake and one exhaust. Wouldn’t hurt to get an extra intake and exhaust fan. Heat is a big factor in shortening the lifespan of your PC so don’t ignore it. I have five 4.5 inch fans in my case. Two intake and three exhaust. Also, personally, I would get faster RAM. 1600 MHz is on the low end of what your mobo can use. But that’s your call. You’re the one paying for it. Anyway, lots of luck with your build. It’s a sweet feeling seeing that operating system fire up for the first time on a PC that you built.

#14

Do you have an older desktop system with a hard drive? If so you could pull that for a hard drive and get a SSD instead of the 1 TB HD. Even if you start with a lower capacity drive between 60-128GB should be enough to put your OS and software programs on there. It will make a big difference. If you could increase your budget by about $50-120 it’s worth the investment. 50-120 shouldn’t be big but I know sometimes it’s hard to stretch a budget, even if it’s just a tad more.

Old desktop systems are great for upgrades. You don’t have to update everything at once and you can reuse things like the case.

If you don’t have an old desktop system laying around and just have a laptop then ask your friend. If he works in IT ask if they have an old desktop laying around you could use for parts like maybe buy the case for like $5 or so and use the case money towards a SSD. Just make sure whatever case you use is going to fit all your components.

#15

I went with your advice but sadly I do not have enough for an SSD and do not have an extra computer to steal a hard drive from :frowning: but I got this warning “Unable to verify the Cooler Master HAF 922 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case and has sufficient space to fit the Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB DirectCU II Video Card.”
Just wondering if you bros could help me out with this FINAL thing I promise haha, I could not find out the info I was looking for on the case being able to hold the graphics card…

#16

The video card dimensions are 11.2 " x 5.7 " x 1.5 " Inch or 284.48 x 144.78 x 38.10 mm

The case can hold a card up to 300 mm long if you use the drive cage (leaving you 0.61 inches to spare) and up to 430 mm if you don’t use the drive cage. So if you use the drive cage, it’s going to be tight but will fit and if you don’t use the drive cage you have lots of room.

Case reference

card reference

Unable to verify the Cooler Master HAF 922 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case and has sufficient space to fit the Asus Radeon R9 280X 3GB DirectCU II Video Card."
I thought you were getting the Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower which is what I referenced above.

#17

I was but after you mentioned the case needing lots of venting I switched to a case I thought was more appropriate since the other seemed to have very little venting for air.

#18

It has spots for 8 case fans which I mentioned in post # 13. That’s lots of venting.

Go here and scroll down to “Compatible Parts” section (next under Specifications) and click on “View Compatible Cases”. You will find both cases are in the list.