Want a fast machine?

[Ecuadorian]

Unlimited power!

[xrok1]

looks like the i7 860 is the way to go.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/2839/5

[Fletch]

when multithreading (rendering!)

the Core i7 860 is able to approach but not outperform the i7 920.

[xrok1]

Processor Clock Speed Cores / Threads Maximum Single Core Turbo Frequency TDP Price

Intel Core i7-975 Extreme 3.33GHz 4 / 8 3.60GHz 130W $999
Intel Core i7 965 Extreme 3.20GHz 4 / 8 3.46GHz 130W $999
Intel Core i7 940 2.93GHz 4 / 8 3.20GHz 130W $562
Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz 4 / 8 2.93GHz 130W $284
Intel Core i7 870 2.93GHz 4 / 8 3.60GHz 95W $562
Intel Core i7 860 2.80GHz 4 / 8 3.46GHz 95W $284
Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz 4 / 4 3.20GHz 95W $196

and runs alot cooler too.

[saras]

Hello Everyone!

This is my first post other than asking for Tech Support so I wanted to share some info. My boyfriend has built me a machine just to run SU & Twilight which has the best price/performance we could find. I am a student after all.

You will need as the base:

AMD Athlon X2 Dual-Core Processor 5000+ (2.2GHz) AM2+, OEM
GIGABYTE GA-MA74GM-S2 (rev. 4.1) Socket AM2+/ AMD 740G/ DDR2/ A&V&GbE/ MATX Motherboard

The motherboard automatically unlocks an extra hidden 2 cores as well as the extra cache(s) for a total of 4 cores as the CPU is in actual fact a reboxed and relabeled Phenom FX 5000 processor. Works perfectly for me.

Prices are as low as $37 for this 4 core CPU and $59.99 for the motherboard.

Happy Hunting!
Saras

[dutchesse]

So I have been thinking about building a machine solely dedicated to rendering. I won't need a monitor, as I am planning to check the rendering progress via my laptop.
- In order not to spend any more money then needed, is it better to skimp on the CPUs or GPU (Graphics Card) or can twilight take full advantage of both?
- Is investing in a lot of memory also worth while?
- Where is the best bang for my buck according to how Twilight uses the hardware?

Thanks in advance
Dutchesse

[Fletch]

Hi Dutchess,
well, if you do not plan to have a monitor, your GPU can be quite low-end/basic.
Twilight takes adantage of all processing cores/threads... so the more, the better. If you can get a i7 or i9 or other processor that is of similar speed, definitely do so.

Make sure you use 64bit operating system, and at least 4Gb of Ram. Get high-qual, fast RAM, and high-qual fast processor.

[d12dozr]

Advice please?

I'm looking at this laptop for SU, Twilight, and maybe Thea down the road. Is this a good choice for Sketchup and Twilight for $1100 (on another website)?

How about for Thea and GPU rendering?

I am so dumb at this...I can't even tell how many cores the machine has

[Fletch]

I'm no expert on computer configurations... so please research carefully on your own!...

Product Features

* From our expanded online assortment; not available in all Best Buy stores
* Intel® Core™ i7-720QM processor
Features a 1.6GHz processor speed with Turbo Boost up to 2.8GHz.
* Intel® Core i7 processor
Features 8-way processing for ultimate smart performance. Intel® Turbo Boost Technology delivers extra performance when you need it and increased energy efficiency when you don't.

so a quick search:
http://www.intel.com/products/processor ... /index.htm
= number of cores = 4 ... but it says "Features 8-way processing" above... so, just like all i7's it's hyperthreaded... 4 cores, but 8 thread rendering with Twilight.
however, what should concern you is the SPEED of the processor - 1.6Ghz is very slow. Standard i7 920 comes stock at 2.6 or 2.8 something like this.
that said, it looks like all the mobile i7s come slow.

If I had to guess the reason, it's about power consumption and temperature. The i7 runs pretty hot.

so, just a guess... you could be looking at getting a cooling unit for the laptop, and you could overclock it?

8 threads at 1.6Ghz is like 4 at 3.2... right? So, while it will be fast, it will not perform like an i7 desktop. But again, I'm no computer config. expert. Just some quick thoughts after quick reading.

[d12dozr]

Thanks for this, Fletch, it really helps. I didn't even know to look for the processor speed. I don't know about cooling and overclocking either, I just want to get something that just works out of the box without totally decimating my wallet.

I'll keep researching, thanks for the pointers and I welcome any more anyone may have.