Custom built computer Sketchup/V-Ray/Revit

mk11

So I have some questions after doing quite some research on a new windows workstation. I have read the thread on Solo's custom built machine by JNCS and have checked out workstations by Origin an Boxx. The requirements for our workstations: Have to run Sketchup, V-Ray and Revit.
The JNCS builts don't show water-coolers, Boxx and Origin's do. What is the benefit of a watercooled system and is it quantifiable?
Some of the Boxx workstations show as "Autodesk verified", and both Origin and Boxx show mainly quadro cards as primary options. The JNCS systems show the GeForce GTX680s. Do Revit and Sketchup have different requirements on the gfx card end? And if so, what are the ups/downs of the GeForce and Quadro cards.
Thx in advance for your input.

Marc

mitcorb

Hi:
See if this eval tool from Autodesk can help you regarding Revit and graphics cards. You can look at those recommended and those certified.
I simply Googled "revit and graphics cards". This is just one source.

@numerobis: Thanks for that CGArchitect link.

mk11

@numerobis - Vielen Dank fuer die ausfuehrliche antwort. Thx a lot - The links to the cgarchitect article and revit forum were very helpful. I have changed my cooler spec to a Corsair with 140mm fans. On the gfx card end I'm thinking GTX780 vs Quadro K4000 - it's about a $100 difference. Any thoughts on that?
@mitcorb - The Autodesk tool lists only Quadro cards.

mitcorb

Well, look at this from Revitforum: http://www.revitforum.org/hardware-infrastructure/72-revit-hardware-video-graphic-cards.html#post478

In there it mentions that Revit uses CPU for most of its function. At least that is what I thought I saw.
I am no expert. I just thought this info might help.

numerobis

Watercooling, if done right gives you the ability to use bigger coolers and place them at a vent hole of the case or outside the case. With bigger coolers you can use bigger fans which can run slower and will produce less noise. Using custom build water loops you can add other components like the graphics card or the mainboard to the loop which can significantly reduce the noise.
Comparing water coolers to the best air coolers you cant say that a water cooler is better per se. You have to look at the radiator size and the efficiency of the cooler on the CPU/GPU. If you compare one of those closed loop coolers with 120mm fan to a good 140mm air cooler the air cooler can be the better choice. But if you compare the 140mm air cooler to a watercooling system with a radiator in the fan size of 2x140mm, 3x140mm or maybe even 4x180mm the air cooler doesn't stand a chance....

And concerning the graphics card... there has always been this certified autodesk stuff - but this doesn't mean that you need it. I haven't seen any comparisons of the latest GTX and Quadro cards for sketchup yet - it would be really interesting to get an update.
Generally there has been a degradation of the GTX cards in OpenGL based apps like Sketchup since the GTX285/295. Here is the latest comparison of GTX and Quadro cards in Sketchup (and various other CAD/3D apps) http://www.cgarchitect.com/2010/07/cgarchitects-graphics-card-round-up that i have seen - it's already 3 years old!
I can't say anything about revit.

For the processor i would say either an i7 4770K (socket 1150/quad core) or 4930K (socket 2011/hexa core) depending on your needs for render power and your budget.

edit: a comparison of some recent nvidia and AMD cards in AutoCAD and some other openGL apps - but i don't know how revit would compare to that:
2D: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-workstation-graphics-card,3493-4.html
3D: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-workstation-graphics-card,3493-6.html

Revit: http://www.revitforum.org/hardware-infrastructure/72-revit-hardware-video-graphic-cards.html

numerobis

@mk11 said:

On the gfx card end I'm thinking GTX780 vs Quadro K4000 - it's about a $100 difference. Any thoughts on that?

It seems that Revit is more CPU depending when you read the FAQ at the end of the first post: http://www.revitforum.org/hardware-infrastructure/72-revit-hardware-video-graphic-cards.html#post478
Based on these statements I don't think that there will be a big difference between a GTX780, K4000, GTX770 or GTX760. But i'm only guessing... i don't use Revit.
I would take a GTX760 or GTX770 with 4GB (if you plan to use it for GPU rendering). They are much cheaper and need less power.

mk11

So here's my build:
-Corsair Obsidian 650D Case
-Corsair HX850 Power Supply
-EVGA X79 Dark MOBO
-Crucial D3 1600 32GB
-I7-4930k
-Samsung E 512GB SSD SATA3
-Corsair Hydro H110 Cooler
-EVGA GeForce GTX 780
-Win7 Pro

Overclocked to 4.5GHz
Just under $3k

SU,LO and V-Ray is smoking on this rig

numerobis

congrats! nice system!