3D Modeling/Rendering plus Animation Build

CGDirector.com Parts List: https://www.cgdirector.com/pc-builder/?=6O8XI

CPU: Intel Core i9 13900K 3.0GHz 24-Core Processor ($543.82)
CPU Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 ($69.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte Z690 Aero D ATX LGA1700 ($268.59)
GPU: Nvidia RTX 3080 10GB - EVGA XC3 ($559.99)
Memory: 64GB (2x32GB) G.Skill RipJaws S5 DDR5-5600 CL30 ($179.99)
Storage PCIe-SSD: WD Black SN850X 2TB NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive ($129.99)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx Series Platinum RM850x 850W Power Supply ($179.00)
Case: Fractal Design Define R5 Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($143.93)
Total: $2075.30

Hey guys,

Really appreciate this tool, it's awesome!

Saved me a ton of time researching each part.

Just wanting to get final thoughts before I buy everything.

My current computer I built with $700 with ryzen 5 1600 and GTX 1660, and it wasn't meeting me needs.

I am using Character Creator 4 and Blender to 3D model and render, along with adding animation to those 3d models.

CC4 seems to use the CPU for rendering the model initially, but uses GPU for adding animation to it.

Also, I was wondering if using the 2nd PCIe x16 that only runs as x8 slot for a top tier graphics card is even worth it, in the event I want to buy a another GPU in the future? Or will the throttled perf not be worth the cost?

I was trying to find motherboards that would even be compatible with 2 PCIe 5.0 x16 lanes that run fully x16, but those only seem to be compatible with Threadripper CPUs or Intel Xeon.

Last question: how do I use your affiliate link to purchase? I have just been clicking on each Amazon link from the PC Builder output and adding it to my cart in Amazon.

Thanks for your time!

Also the pricing is off, rtx 3080 is about $1000. I was thinking of going with rtx 3070, that should be good enough, right?

Yes that 3080's pricing is certainly off, must've been a daily glitch or something. It's 1099$ give or take. Both CC4 and Blender will run very well with this build. Mainstream motherboards don't really offer the same multi-GPU support as the Threadripper platform, that's part of what sets them apart. The x8 bandwidth on that second PCIe x16 slot is still sufficient, though, for rendering purposes as most GPUs (even higher end ones that you can currently buy) don't saturate the bandwidth. Especially not during rendering.

Clicking on those PC-Builder links is the right way to support us at no extra cost to you, thanks!

Hey so I'm putting together the build above, and realized that the Dark Rock 4 does not fit properly on the z690 Aero D.

Is there a different/smaller cooler I should get? I tried removing the heat sink off of the IO area but was not able to do that.

I'm thinking of getting Dark Rock Slim instead, their website says it should be able to cool high performance builds without taking too much space.

Currently, the Dark Rock Pro 4 is also blocking RAM slots

Oh wow that is one hefty passive cooler on those VRMs! Yes the Slim may be the way to go, even though its performance isn't quite on par with the Pro.

I ended up taking it out, was screwed in to the back of the motherboard.

Should be fine without it, right?

PranayPant said:

View attachment 263

I ended up taking it out, was screwed in to the back of the motherboard.

Should be fine without it, right?

Click to expand...

Should be fine as the airflow from the cooler will move away most of the heat from the VRMs

Hey so the (hopefully) last hurdle I have is deciding what connectors to use for the RTX 3070 with my PSU, Corsair RMX850. The PSU comes with some pigtails, but I'd that really the best way to go? Can I use 2 separate 8 pin CPU/PCIe connectors? What's the way to go about this?

PranayPant said:

Can I use 2 separate 8 pin CPU/PCIe connectors?

Click to expand...

This is the ideal setup. 2 separate cables
You can find a detailed explanation here: https://www.cgdirector.com/power-supply-guide/#What_are_Daisy_Chain_power_cables_or_pigtails

2 separate cables as in 2 separate pigtail cables, without using their respective pigtailed extension?

Or are there other non-pigtaiked versions of this? I tried looking but could not find.

This is what I came up with


Basically, I am putting the pigtails to the side and only using the 6+2 pin connectors for power.

If there are better cables that you could recommend, I'd appreciate it. I was looking on Amazon and I accidentally bought one that had micro pin connectors for the PSU side, gotta return it.

Yep that's correct. Should work just fine!

PranayPant said:

2 separate cables as in 2 separate pigtail cables, without using their respective pigtailed extension?

Or are there other non-pigtaiked versions of this? I tried looking but could not find.

This is what I came up with
View attachment 264

Basically, I am putting the pigtails to the side and only using the 6+2 pin connectors for power.

If there are better cables that you could recommend, I'd appreciate it. I was looking on Amazon and I accidentally bought one that had micro pin connectors for the PSU side, gotta return it.

Click to expand...

Do make sure you're properly fastening the connectors as that right one looks to be loose.

Alex Glawion said:

Do make sure you're properly fastening the connectors as that right one looks to be loose.

Click to expand...

Oh yeah, that does look loose.