Written by Div
In this blog entry, I discuss my reasons for building a desktop setup and share how I selected every accessory. It is intended for readers interested in updating their setup or creating one from scratch.
Why did I decide to build a better computer?
During the vacation, I decided to learn a new 3D tool; although I used to learn Cinema 4D for some packaging design and simple motion works, the cost of Cinema 4D and plug-ins was expensive. At the same time, Blender, an open-source 3D tool, just updated to 4.0 with many exciting features. That’s why I want to learn Blender.
After completing some beginner tutorials. During that time, my previous
The laptop (5800h, 3060, 32G) worked just fine; however, as I began to challenge some complicated realistic scenes and textures, things became like a nightmare. I remember when I was learning a scene, every time a simple adjustment in lighting or shader would result in a 30-second delay in seeing the outcome. People familiar with 3D rendering surely understand that we must try lots of nodes and parameters and find the best match; the process consumes lots of energy and time, and it is even worse when operating a low-profile computer after several days of building frustration. I finally decided to upgrade my weapon.
Another incentive is AI painting. Tools like stable diffusion require a large amount of computing power on GPU to render a stunning picture, and that is the tool I will use to master this.
How did I choose every accessory?
The first two things I focused on were CPU & GPU. I will focus on these two first as they are also the most expensive on our computer.
CPU: Intel and AMD both have their CPU products. It isn’t apparent when people compare different CPUs from different generations and companies. Some people would care about some minor tech gaps. Yes, you can enjoy comparing every aspect and finding your dream CPU. My advice is to set your budget, opt for the latest generation from Intel or AMD, and find the most expensive one you can afford (For now, the 14th and 8000 are the newest product lines).
GPU: To be honest, Nvidia is the only choice for most designers. AMD GPU might own a higher quality-price ratio in gaming, but Nvidia is more efficient and stable in most situations. The second tip is that if you are not super rich or still a gamer, choose a game GPU instead of Quadro. Choose a GPU with more significant memory if you work on AI painting. Nowadays, GTX 4070ti super is the best choice!
When choosing a motherboard, we should know many things, such as cooling, memory, power supply, etc. This entry is not a tutorial but something I wanted to share with our pre-MDM blog readers. Building a computer, especially when you start to make sense of each accessory, can be super hard, but it is super satisfying if you finish building it.