Building Intel Rigs for IRay
JCThomas
Posts: 254
After seeing a lot of simultaneous topics about pc recommendations, I thought it might be helpful to compile a list of IRay-optimized rigs at varying price points, at varying levels of performance, and for 3 different Intel sockets: LGA 1150 (such as Z97), LGA 2011-3 (X99) and LGA 1151 (such as Z170). Nothing against AMD; I just don't know anything about their processors or motherboards and therefore can't make any informed recommendations.
The three budget levels are $750 (entry level), $1,500 (mid-level), $3,000 (high-performance).
Three other caveats:
1. I am leaving out cases from the lists of components because cases are very personal, prices fluctuate, and people may have their own cases already.
2. I'm also assuming one already has an OS, so have not included that in the cost of the build.
3. In general, a good gaming rig will make a good IRay rig. Searching for Nvidia-based gaming rigs will give you more options as well.
When picking these parts, it's my opinion that the following traits are the most important:
1. High CPU speed is more important than number of cores
2. Amount of RAM is more important than speed of ram
3. High number of CUDA cores for the price point
4. Large amount of VRAM for the price point
5. A Solid State Drive for the OS and apps
First up will be an entry level LGA 1150 build.
Some questions that may arise:
Why put an unlocked processor meant for overclocking on a motherboard that doesn't support overclocking?
The i7 4790k and the i7 6700k are unlocked and overclockable, but they're also both significantly faster than the locked versions, the 4790 and 6700, respectively. You don't have to overclock to take advantage of the higher base clock speed. When buying one of these unlocked processors, consumers are paying for both the higher speed and the ability to overclock, and the higher speed is worth it.
The core i5 4690 and i5 6600, however, have the same clockspeed as the unlocked models, the 4690k and 6600k. Is these cases, the price difference represents only the ability to overclock, so unlocked models are not worth it for IRay purposes.
Why no 5960X on the High-Performance LGA 2011-3 build?
The 5960X is currently the best processor on the X99 chipset, but it won't make IRay render faster. The price difference between the 5820K and the 5960X will get you another 980 Ti.
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Entry level LGA 1150 ($750)
CPU: Core i5 4590 @ 3.3 ghz
CPU Cooler: stock Intel Cooler, ships with CPU
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary Edition Micro ATX
RAM: G. Skill Sniper Gaming 16 GB (2x8) 1600 CL9
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB (for OS and apps, including DS)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200 RPM (general storage, including DS content)
GPU: Gigabyte Geforce GTX 960 4GB
PSU: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze
PC Part Picker Link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/w947YJ
Comes in under 700 dollars.
Mid-Level LGA 1150 Build
CPU: core i7 4790k @ 4.0 ghz
CPU Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97MX Gaming 5 Micro ATX
RAM: G. Skill Sniper Gaming 16 GB (2x8) 1600 CL9
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB (OS and apps, including DS)
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB 7200 RPM (general storage, including DS content)
GPU: EVGA GTX 980 ti FTW ACX 2.0
PSU: Corsair RM 1000W 80+ Gold
PC Part Picker Link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/PNrkcf
Less than 1500. Also, this build is designed to upgrade. The PSU will power another 980 ti, and the motherboard will support one as well. If you were to add another 980 ti, you'd probably want both of them to be the model in the high-performance build for cooling purposes.
High Performance LGA 1150 Build
CPU: core i7 4790k @ 4.0 ghz
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: EVGA Z97 Classified
RAM: G. Skill Sniper Gaming 32 GB (4x8) 1600 CL9
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
Hard Drive: Western Digital Black 2TB
GPU: 2x EVGA GTX 980ti Superclock
PSU: EVGA 1600W 80+Gold
Just over 2500. This motherboard and psu combo is ready for two more 980 tis, which would put it around 3800.
These are not the absolute best parts. You could get a Samsung 850 Pro, faster ram, or more storage. The cooler is more than adequate, but most would want to overclock this CPU, and might want to look into a Corsair Hydro series closed loop cooler. Swaping for these parts would make the computer better overall; it wouldn't make IRay render faster though.
Entry Level LGA 1151 Build
CPU: core i5 6600 @ 3.3 ghz
CPU Cooler: Stock Intel Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock H170M Pro 4 Micro ATX
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8) 2133 CL13
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM
GPU: Gigabyte Geforce GTX 960 4GB
PSU: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze
Under $750.
Mid-Level LGA 1151 Build
There are a lot of apparent discrepancies here, so let me expalin a bit.
The H170 chipset will accept all LGA 1151 processors, including the 6700K I've picked for this build. However, you can't overclock on the H170. In this case, the 6700K (4.0 ghz) was chosen not with ntentions of overclocking, but because it's significantly faster than the 6700 (3.4 ghz). The price difference is worth it in my opinion, and you don't have to overclock the cpu. This also explains the Hyper 212 EVO as opposed to a a higher end cooler.
Second, while you cannot run an SLI setup on this board, you can add another gpu. The board has one PCIE 3.0 x 16, and one x4. You could put another gpu on the x4 slot and not lose rendering performance. Remember, we're trying to maximize our IRay performance/dollar.
CPU: core i7 6700k
CPU Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: ASRock H170M Pro 4 Micro ATX
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16GB (2x8) 2133 CL13
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 2 TB 7200 RPM
GPU: EVGA 980 ti FTW ACX 2.0
PSU: Corsair RM 1000W 80+ Bronze
PC Partpicker link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/VZthP6
Again, this is ready for up to one more 980 ti. If you think you may add another in the future, you should go with model in the below build.
High-performance LGA 1151 build ($3,000)
CPU: core i7 6700k
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: ASUS Z170 WS
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2x16) 2400 CL14
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
GPU: 2 x EVGA 980 Ti Superclock
PSU: EVGA 1600W 80+ Gold
PC Partpicker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/FyJLrH
This build has room for two more gpus. The gpu model here would again be the best option because of the reference cooler working better in multi-gpu setups. The PSU has enough power for two more gpus. If you don't want to add two more gpus, you could save about 140 bucks by using the EVGA FTW for each card, spreading them out on the motherboard and then not worry about cooling. You could spend the savins on an HDD, better cooling, or have the case included in the price.
Also, the RAM kit included here would allow you to upgrade to 64GB down the road without wasting your first kit since we're only using two slots. Just add another kit of 2x16GB Corsair Vengeance LPX.
Entry Level LGA 2011-3 ($1,000)
Sorry, but you can't build a pc worth having on the X99 platform for $750. Even this build is pretty wacky. It's making a lot of compromises to fit in under even the modified budget. Fortunately, the prices will scale well since the same CPU and motherboard are going to be used for both of the next two builds, which will save a lot for other components. Anyway, here we go:
CPU: core i7 5820k
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Gigabyte UD3-P
RAM: Crucial 16GB (2x8) 2133 CL15
SSD: Sansung 850 EVO 250GB
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Blue 1 TB
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 960 4GB
PSU: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze
PC Part Picker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/HDBKHx
Mid-Level LGA 2011-3 Build ($1,600)
Taking the budget up to 1600 really makes a difference. The build makes sense now, and we've fit in a 980 ti.
CPU: core i7 5820k @ 3.3 ghz
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Gigabyte UD3-P
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2x16) 2400 CL14
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB
GPU: EVGA GTX 980 ti FTW
PSU: Corsair RM 1000W 80+ Gold
PC Part Picker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/HDBKHx
As in the other mid-level build, we've got enough power and motherboard connections to add another 980ti.
High Performance LGA 2011-3 Rig ($3,000)
CPU: core i7 5820k @ 3.3 ghz
CPU Cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO
Motherboard: Gigabyte UD3-P
RAM: 2 x Corsair Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2x16) 2400 CL14, 64GB total
SSD: Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
GPU: 2 x EVGA GTX 980 Ti Superclock
PSU: EVGA 1600W 80+ Gold
PC Part Picker Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/jcthomas/saved/ktjzK8
Again, we've got room for two more 980 Tis. We're maximizing our IRay performance by sticking with the very capable 5820k, and we've upgraded to a full 64GB RAM.
Thanks in advance for this, with all the threads about building PCs and video cards floating around now, this should be very helpful. :)
have you checked if any of those boards could use the PCIe 3.0 x4 slot for the SSD, like the Samsung SSD 950 PRO
Looking forward to this info..one question I have is if I go with the
Intel Core i7-5820K Haswell-E 6-Core 3.3 GHz LGA 2011-v3 140W BX80648I75820K Desktop Processor
ASUS X99-A/USB 3.1 LGA 2011-v3 Intel X99 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
but don't want the liquid cooling what heatsink and fan could I use instead? Most processors come boxed with one, this doesn't as I assume most people want to overclock so use liquid cooling?
here are some ideas in this section of the article
here is a Vid of installing the Corsair 105, seems easy and simple to do How To: Installation and Compatibility of the Corsair Hydro Series H105 Liquid CPU Cooler there are also some other install vids of the other Corsair's
I'd just go with the Coolermaster Hyper 212 EVO. It's more than adequate if you're not overclocking. That's going to be an unpopular recommendation probably, but it will more than do the job.
I don't think you can on the LGA 1150 boards I've picked here. It seems like some of those boards are unlikely to get an update in bios that would make them able to use the nwer technology.
That's definitely a faster drive (the fastest consumer drive on the market if I'm recalling my reviews correctly), but it won't make IRay render faster. Even the 850 PRO is faster, but if we're trying to squeeze out IRay performance at certain price points, I don't think the speed improvements, even at the level of the 950 PRO are worth it.
I'm using a Noctua NH-U12S and I'm quite happy with it. I'm only running one fan with it and I've just barely managed to get the 3.5 GHz 6-core I7 up to 60 degrees C while running a 24-hour render at 100% cpu. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835608040
...if one is into creating large complex scenes, for the High Performance LGA 2011-v3 rig, I'd opt for a single 12 GB Titan X. Speed is nice but if you exceed GPU memory your back to CPU rendering and then all the cores in the world wil not help. Doing so would also knock about 400$ off the price.
Also, there seems to be a discrepancy between Newegg's and PC Part picker's sites regarding maximum memory support. for the GA-X99-UD3P (rev. 1.0). Going straight to Newegg, the MB is listed as supporting only 32 GB, while according to PC Part Picker it is shown to support 64 GB. Clicking on the "Newegg" link in the "Where" column on the main PC system specs page links to the same Newegg page that lists the 32 GB specification.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128772&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker, LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=
I think the memory support discrepancy is cpu-related - the xeon cpus will support 16 GB sticks and the I7s will not. I have an Asus X99-E WS which will support 64 GB for I7s and 128 GB for xeons. And to up the expense quotient, the 16 GB sticks must be registered ECC memory.
It would also halve the speed. I suppose it also depends on the end goals. Large scenes with still images, then yeah, the single titan x would be better. If you want to animate though, I'd say figure out a way to fit it in 6GB and go with more 980tis. A script for DS that would give options to resize textures would be awesome. LIke, if you could run the script and then decide if you wanted your 4096 texture to be resized to 1024 or 2048, for example. If you're rendering at 1080p after all, 4k textures would rarely be needed.
16gb sticks of unregistered RAM are relatively new to market. I think they were released sometime mid 2015, perhaps a bit later. X99 was well underway by then, so it's possible that some earlier spec sheets may not have taken the arrival of 16GB sticks into account. According to Tweaktown, it will take 64GB.
Even the i7 6700k will take 64GB in 4x16 sticks. There was a lot of talk about that as skylake was released, but the memory kits were slower to market.
So the i7s here (5820k or 6700k, but not the 4790k) will take the 16gb unbuffered sticks. They won't, however, take 16GB sticks (or any size for that matter) of registered/buffered/ECC memory. You do need xeons for that, although the xeons don't have to have registered memory.
Here's an article from Puget explaining that one of the 6700k's main strengths over the 4790k is the ability to use 64GB RAM:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Haswell-vs-Skylake-S-i7-4790K-vs-i7-6700K-641/#Conclusion
Even at the time of that article, I don't think the 64GB dimms had been released.
@namffauk, that is an awesome motherboard. :)
I have an issue with the type of RAM I need for the Asus X99-A ... I can't find anywhere that tells me if it needs dual or quad channel RAM or does it make a difference and thats why it doesn't say? Majority of the MB's i researched always stated dual or quad....anyone know?
Good job JCThomas.. a lot of good rigs...
But I wish I could have access to those prices! ;o)
If you go to Crucial you should be able to select your MB and get a list of compatible RAM.
If you want to go all out there is the new Z170 Chipset for the new Core I7 6700k 8M Skylake 4Ghz chip, while later on this year there will be Kabylake an updated Skylake CPU.. With 2017 seeing the release of the 8 Core Cannonlake CPU..
The Asus 100 Series Z170 Boards http://www.asus.com/microsite/best-100-series-motherboards/
Anandtech article on the new chipset http://www.anandtech.com/show/9485/intel-skylake-z170-motherboards-asrock-asus-gigabyte-msi-ecs-evga-supermicro
Specs from Intel on the 6700k http://ark.intel.com/products/88195/Intel-Core-i7-6700K-Processor-8M-Cache-up-to-4_20-GHz
With the above items you could build an monster of a system if you have the coin to do it..
And some info on Cannonlake and Kabylake http://wccftech.com/intel-cannonlake-cpus-8-cores/
Thank you Richard
...as I primarily create single frame images and occasionally a bit of motion blur (still waiting to be able to do that in Iray) the Titan X is the better choice. I am looking to do fine art quality rendering which means large resolution and high quality. That will require all the video memory I can get.
Actually looking forward to the new Pascal GPUs which will have 16 GB HBM2 memory and in the neighbourhood of 5,000 - 6,000 CUDA cores. Won't need DX 12 as I am not a gamer and therefore do not have the need for SLI if I ever go with multiple cards to increase rendering speed.
Not even considering animation until I can afford to build a much heftier workstation (dual 8 core Xeons, 128 GB physical memory, and PCI-3.0 X16 support for up to 4 GPUs).
That has more to do with how/where you install the RAM, and whether or not the CPU and motherboard support quad-channel. There's not a quad channel kit or a dual channel kit. It's if you're going to use all the slots or not. Dual and Quad Channel just affects the RAM bandwidth. You can have two DIMM slots per channel, so a dual-channel cpu/mobo like the 4790k on a Z97 board or 6700k on a Z170 board have up to four slots because they support dual channel.
The X99A supports quad channel RAM, but if you didn't install all 8 DIMMs you wouldn't be operating at quad channel. I forget the brand, but I think there was a G.Skill kit in the other thread that I had mentioned getting two of - that would still be fine. If I'm remembering incorrectly, two 4x8GB kits of DDR4 would still be fine.
Basically, install 8 DIMMs and you're running quad channel.
Here's a quick screen grab from the manual to the X99A that shows in what configurations to install the RAM with differing amounts of DIMMs (which are the sticks, if that was unclear earlier, sorry):
Right on...Pascal is going to be sweet for sure.
Just to reiterate what was the main point of this thread though (if you'd be animating in IRay)...those dual xeons won't make IRay faster, their lower clock speeds will load geometry slower, and you could build a second maxed out gpu rendering stationg on X99 architecture, and probably buy two Octane licenses, for their price.
Dumb question time. More RAM is always nice, but how does it improve DS directly please ?
ok so the ram I am getting says it is for the x99 platform and in the specs it says it is dual channel, I am only using 4 modules for 32 GB right now hoping to add an additional 32 megs soon. The ram is G.SKILL Ripjaws V Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Intel Z170 Platform / Intel X99 Platform Desktop Memory Model F4-2400C15Q-32GVR, should I be looking for a different type that says quad channel?
I don't *think so. What's tricky here is that both Z170 and X99 use DDR4, but Z170 doesn't support quad channel. When the kit says dual channel, it probably means that the manufacturer tested the sticks together on a Z170 board using all 4 DIMM slots, but not on an X99 board in which one out of two DIMM slots for each of the four channels would be populated. Since X99 was released first, it would make sense that all of the kits were tested in quad channel configuration until some mATX and mini-ITX boards were released on X99 which wouldn't have enough slots for quad channel, from which point they'd be tested in *either dual or quad configuration.
I digress. If it were me, I'd get the kit you're talking about because I like the heat speader design better (think it was this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231889).
If that doesn't inspire confidence, you could just go with this kit, which has quad-channel listed in its specs. Same specs and it's cheaper:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231796.