Hey folks, I'm gearing up to build a new workstation mainly for Blender, focusing on modeling, animation, and rendering. I'm looking for insights on how well my planned specifications will hold up under different workloads. Here's what I'm considering:
- **CPU:** Intel Xeon E5-2680 v4 with 14 cores and 24 threads
- **Motherboard:** X99 H9S (QIYIDA) featuring quad-channel RAM and dual NVMe slots
- **RAM:** 32 GB DDR4 at 2666 MHz (4 x 8 GB modules)
- **Storage:** 1 TB XPG S11 Gammix NVMe SSD
- **GPU:** Either an RTX 4060 Ti with 16 GB or an RTX 4070 depending on pricing
- **PSU:** Corsair CX600 (reusing this)
- **Cooler:** Water Cooler Rise Mode Gamer Black with RGB, 240mm size
I'm especially curious about:
1. In terms of viewport performance and scene complexity, how much can I push this setup in Blender?
2. For rendering, is it better to rely on the GPU or CPU? Will the 12 GB VRAM in the 4070 be sufficient, or is the CPU going to be the main limiting factor?
3. Any advice on limits for simulations like particles, hair, or fluid dynamics before it all starts lagging?
Just a heads-up: the Xeon is an affordable way to go for me right now, and while I dream of getting a more recent CPU like an i7 or a high-end Ryzen, the costs here in Brazil make it tough. Appreciate any help you can share!
1 Answer
If you already have some components, why not give it a go and see how it handles? Your build is solid—better than the minimum requirements! The Xeon should work well with Blender since it supports multithreading. Just a heads-up though, be cautious about taking chances on those AliExpress motherboards. They can be hit or miss and usually lack proper support, so if you can find a reputable brand, it might save you headaches later.
I’m still on a GTX 970, but I’m planning to get the RTX soon. Finding a good X99 motherboard is tricky and expensive. I did my research on a Chinese board, and it seems decent. Shipping costs are insane from eBay, so I understand the struggle!