Hey everyone! I'm a VFX artist primarily working with HoudiniFX, focusing on heavy simulations and KarmaXPU rendering. I'm planning to build a new PC with a budget of around €5000 (~$5500 USD) and I could use your help to optimize the build for my workflow. Here's what I currently have and what I'm hoping to reuse:
**Current Setup:**
* **OS:** Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
* **CPU:** AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (8-Core)
* **RAM:** DDR4 64GB @ 1330MHz
* **Motherboard:** ROG STRIX B550-F GAMING (Wi-Fi)
* **GPU:** ASUS GeForce GTX 1070 Ti (4GB)
* **Storage:**
- 2× 2TB Samsung MZ-VLB2T0 (M.2 NVMe)
- 1× 447GB Kingston SSD (SATA)
- 3× HDDs (1.8TB Seagate, 1.8TB Hitachi, 3.7TB Seagate)
I want to ensure that my new build is future-proof and optimized for both heavy Karma rendering and complex FX simulations. I'm set on an RTX 5090 that costs €2300, which I think is a great deal. Here's where I need your advice:
* What's the best CPU + motherboard + RAM combo that complements the 5090 for Houdini?
* Which of my current components can I keep, especially regarding the M.2 drives and the power supply?
* Any recommendations on cooling solutions and cases to handle heavy workloads?
* Am I missing any potential bottlenecks in my proposed setup?
My top priorities are: stability with heavy loads, room for future RAM upgrades, and reliability, even if it means a bit of noise. Thanks a ton for your help!
3 Answers
Just a heads-up, if you're paying for your electricity, Intel CPUs can be more power-hungry despite often having better performance in rendering tasks. Just something to keep in mind!
You might want to look at specialized forums for Houdini or VFX, but Puget Systems has solid recommendations for hardware. As for CPU, a 9950X could be your best bet without blowing your budget. For RAM, consider starting with 2x48GB or 2x64GB—this gives you the option to expand later. As for the case, there are many good choices, but I'd recommend something like the Fractal North or similar for good airflow. You can definitely reuse your PSU and HDDs, but grab a new Gen 4 or 5 primary NVMe for faster speeds.
Thanks for the tips! I’ll check out Puget Systems. I'll also consider your suggestions for the case and RAM.
No problem! And make sure to get a solid motherboard—something like an X570 or X670 chipset is ideal.
With your budget, you can definitely go for high-end parts! Can you tell me what country you're buying from? I can suggest parts that are available near you. Also, if noise and appearance aren't a concern, we can really focus on pure performance!
Thanks! I'm in France. I prefer to buy instore, but I'm aware the options in Paris are limited. I plan to order the GPU from TopAchat, so I might add other parts to that order.
Gotcha! Just so you know, you can absolutely ignore aesthetics like RGB lighting. Let's focus on what gives you the best performance!
Good point! But I'm looking at solar options to help with costs.