I just recently started playing around with Blender to create some 3D models and I’ve caught the bug. Problem is I’m using 2018 MBP laptop and I know I’ll definitely hit a limit with it soon. Can anyone recommend a good PC for this type of work. I haven’t used a PC in years and am clueless what to look for. Thanks!
I would say for modelling and texturing even a 10 year old processor of the i7 series or less might be enough. I started 3D modelling long ago with much weaker machines having Pentium processors only.
A decent graphic unit should be available (gaming level) and depending on the software and the detail of texturing enough RAM (8 GB and more).
But if it comes to rendering out high resolution images and movies, more cores and threads are needed to have the job done in short time. Same goes for real time presentation of high resolution models, like generated in ZBrush (sculpting), or a high resolution texturing, physical modelling of light, and raytracing as needed for photo-realistic images with good simulation of lights, shadows, and reflections. The faster the better.
For high resolution texturing and movies even an older machine can be of use, if doing its part in a rendernetwork.
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Ram : Number of vertices and faces in your scene. Huge model with million polys ? More ram. Aim 16Gb, 32 is confortable for any project. Loading time will hugely depend on ram. Do you have enough or will you need to swap on hard drive ?
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Processor : Rendering. Complex lighting, multiples refractives surface with sub surface scattering ? Better proc. Aim for more core if you are using multithreading applications and rendering. The more bucket, the better.
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Graphic card : You want to see those millions of polygons textured and want to navigate easily in your scene ? Better graphic card. They can also use gpu for rendering now. Aim for 8Gb, do not go for top tier cards as the double price will equal to less than 10% increase in real performances.
Consider a SSD for faster loading time.
As a 3D artist since 1998, I work today with a 16gb station and an I7 which is 7 years old. I made my renderings on another, Bi-xeon 32 gb. My graphic cards are fairly basic and I use 2014-2018 software versions which I consider stable enough and dealbreaking bug free. I’m still able to deliver quality work faster than many with 4000 bucks workstations…
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Thanks @SoundRider & @KaOsphere I’ve been eyeballing the Ibuypower Element-
Core i7-9700F (eight-core) processor, 16GB RAM, GeForce RTX 2070 (8GB) graphics card.
This should make it … if you are interested in an efficient way to create complex textures easy, I would recommend to check out 3D-Coat
It’s not free, but also not too expensive. I worked with 3D Max, Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Lightwave, Blender, etc. and liked retopoligy, UV-mapping, and texturing best and fastest done in 3D-Coat or other tools, which are specialized to support those tasks.
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Are you thinking laptop or desktop? If the latter, just build one within your budget. With YouTube instructions it’s just about fool proof these days
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I may do that.