Computer configurations for visualization and modeling
To work in 3DS Max with 3d modelling and rendering you need a powerful computer. You can use a gaming PC, but your tasks are a little different.
Autodesk 3ds Max 2023 software is supported on the following 64-bit operating systems and at a minimum, requires a system with the following 64-bit hardware:
- CPU 64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with SSE4.2 instruction set
- Graphics Hardware Refer to 3ds Max Certified Hardware for a detailed list of recommended systems and graphics cards
- RAM 4 GB of RAM minimum (8 GB or more recommended)
- Disk Space 9 GB of free disk space for install
- Pointing Device Three-button mouse
These are the minimum requirements, but you will need a more powerful computer to work comfortably fast.
In addition, you need a good monitor, large enough and with high resolution. IPS matrix displays are usually recommended.
Technology and the market are rapidly evolving, any recommendations and selections quickly become outdated.
Basic components are motherboard, processor, cooling, at least 32GB of RAM.
Motherboard must allow you to install the processor you need, the amount of RAM, and so on. It is worth considering full-size ATX boards from MSI, Gigabyte, ASUS on b550, x570 chipsets. For example:
MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk, Torpedo
MSI MPG B550 Gaming Edge, Gaming Plus
ASRock B550 PG Velocita, ASRock B550 Steel Legend
Processor is responsible for speed and rendering. If you compare Intel and Amd, Amd wins because for its price it provides a lot more cores and thread.
Motherboard x570 fits processors ryzen 2700x-ryzen 3600x for a modest budget. Ryzen 2000 series processors are not compatible with the motherboard on the chipset b550, they will need processors 3700x, 3900x, 3950x. The 3800x doesn't have much different performance than the 3700x, but it is much hotter and more expensive.
AMD Ryzen 9 3900х / 7 3700x / 5 3600x
AMD Ryzen 9 3950x / 5900x / 5950x
Intel Core i9-10900K /10980XE Extreme Edition
If you need very high performance, the AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3000 platform. That's a pretty narrow segment, big money and individual needs. It's probably not "for beginners."
AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3960X / 3970x / 3990x
RAM Let's choose the RAM. Fortunately 32 gigabytes is not a luxury anymore, so we'll put 2 x 16 gigabytes, or even 2 x 32 or 4 x 16 (If you need 128 gigabytes of Ram you'll have to replace everything with 32 gigabytes. Traditionally 64 gigabytes is more than enough. 32 is just fine. For better performance we use 2 or 4 of the same boards of 16, 32, 64Gb, not one 128Gb.
Hard drive. Storage drives: usually use HDD and SSD, the difference is the read and write speeds. On the SSD drive capacity of 500-1000 GB install the system and all programs, including 3ds Max, will run much faster than from a HDD. You can also keep on SSD working scenes and projects. A HDD drive (1-2 TB or more) will be good for storing data (materials, scenes, models).
Graphics card. Entry level card - Nvidia 1650.
More powerful: 1660ti, 2060, 2070super, 3060.
To work in 3ds max, corona or Vray, if you are not going to make GPU renderers (Vray GPU, Fstorm, Redshift, Octane) or UE4, if you have a limited budget - buy 1650 from Nvidia. It's sure to do the job. You can always change your card if you need it.
Cooler. Do not forget that the more powerful the processor, the more it heats up, the more reliable the cooling system should be.
Good examples are Noctua NH-D14, Noctua NH-D15. Powerful and quiet. Also not bad variants BE QUIET! Shadow Rock 3, BE QUIET! Dark Rock Pro 4, Deepcool AK620, GamerStorm Assassin III. You can pick up analogues, focusing on the maximum heat dissipation of the processor from 250W. Read reviews, make sure they are suitable for your chipset or have a transition bar. And you also need to consider the size when choosing a computer case.
Power supply unit - 700-850W is likely to be enough, the standard 80 Plus Gold, Silver or Titanium, a long warranty, a manufacturer with a good reputation, maybe detachable cables.
Examples - Chieftec 650W, 750W, 850W, Chieftec PowerPlay 1050W
Computer case. It's a good idea to have 2-3 fans in the front, one in the back and fit a large CPU cooler or water cooling in the case. Examples:
DeepCool MATREXX 55 MESH PWM 2F, Fractal Design Meshify C TG, Fractal Design Meshify 2
Here are examples of computer configurations with recommended components. Prices are from computer online store.
Cooler BE QUIET! Shadow Rock 3 - 40,50 €
G.Skill Ripjaws V 32GB DDR4 K2 RAM (32 GB RAM, 2x16 GB Kit) - 91,34 €
SSD 1x ADATA XPG SX8200 Pro M.2 NVME PCIe Gen3x4 - 52,02 €
HDD 2Tb SATA-III WD Red Plus WD20EFZX - 68,82 €
Power supply unit Chieftec PHOTON GDP-650C-RGB 650 Watt - 72,51 €
Computer case MSI MAG Forge 100R Tempered Glas -63,03 €
Palit GeForce GTX1650 GamingPro - 173,84 €
ASUS ROG STRIX B560-E GAMING WIFI - 187,89 €
Cooler Noctua NH-D15 - 90,56 €
G.Skill Ripjaws V 64GB Kit (2x32GB) RAM 190,44 €
Samsung SSD 980 Pro M.2 1TB 100,83 €
HDD WD Red Plus WD20EFZX 2TB 68,82 €
Power supply unit Chieftec A90 GDP-750C 90 Plus Gold 750 Watt 78,75 €
Case Fractal Design Meshify C Tempered Glass 88,13 €
Palit GeForce GTX1650 GamingPro 4GB 180,43 €
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