OTOY Forums

Hello,

I've been reading the forum posts in the licensee section regarding GPU specs for Octane.
I'm building a PC for my spouse for archviz use.
I'm planning to include an EVGA 980 ti Hybrid around these system spec's:

Mobo Asus Z170-A
PSU EVGA SuperNOVA 220-P2-0650-X1 650W
CPU i7-6700K
Cooler Scythe Ninja 4 cpu cooler
GPU EVGA 980ti Hybrid
RAM G.Skill Trident Z Series 2x8=16GB DDR4 3000
Op Disk SAMSUNG SM951 M.2 256GB PCI-Express 3.0 Internal SSD
File Disk HGST 4TB Deskstar 3.5" SATA III MFR # 0S03355
Case Fractal Design Define R5

I don't think that we will be adding in the future a 2nd card for rendering purposes.
However, given the posts in the licensee forums, I see that a 2nd GPU is recommended for Win UI usage so that the 980 ti can be dedicated to rendering/apps.

I have a few Qs I'm hoping an Octane User can assist with:

1. Is it advisable to use the integrated graphics for Win UI usage, or a 2nd smaller GPU? If the latter what sku is advisable ~$100 or lower and quiet?
2. I suspect my psu is under-rated if I add a 2nd GPU. What wattage spec would I need?
3. I don't know how to interpret the otoy GPU benchmarks. Is the EVGA 980 ti Hybrid a good choice or can I do better at the same price or lower, keeping in mind that I don't plan to add addition 980ti cards in the future.

Thank you for any feedback you are able to provide!

Hi,
1) yes, having a dedicated GPU for display only is always the best way to get the most from your system. I have used the integrated GPU for a while, but it's not the best for large projects and animations, then I have added a Quadro k620 to my dual 780 and it's completely another story. If you have not to deal with large projects, the integrated GPU could be a good solution, otherwise a cheap GTX or Quadro is the right choice
2) Roughly, you can consider 250W for a normal system plus 250W for each GPU. With 750W you should be safe, 850W even better
3) the octane benchmark gives you the average score of a particular GPU in normal conditions, with the hybrid versions, in general, due to the cold temperatures, it's possible to safely overclock it, so you can easily reach the maximum value.
I hope it is more clear now,
ciao beppe

Beppe,
Thank you for your helpful feedback. Just what I was seeking!

May I bother you for some additional advice on the separate topic of disk drive / partition strategy given your knowledge of these types of workstations?

I plan to use 3 disks in this basic system:

- Drive 1: New 256GB SSD m.2 pci-e SSD for Win10 and apps (autocad, sketchup, Adobe CC, rendering apps). use is exclusively interior architecture/design.

- Drive 2: Old 2010 Vertex SSD which is 90-120gb (can't recall) for scratch disk for apps; cache; windows pagefile;

- Drive 3: New HGST 7200rpm 4TB 3.5" HDD for files, pics, video; and possible system image for recovery ( necessary on Win10?)

I plan to install Windows 10

1) Is it advisable to create a partition on Disk #1 for the operating systm and a second partition for the Apps in order to do a recover of the opp system without apps or would the apps also be necesary since many of them use the registery? Or should I just image the entire disk (sys and apps). If I should partition, is 60 GB adequate for Win10?

2) Similar question for disk #2. Should I create 2 or more partitions for Win pagefile vs. scratch disk vs cache, or not partition disk #2 and just keep all activities on a single drive? If I should partition, does it matter which order for pagefile vs scratch/cache etc, and what size pagefile?

Thank you you for any advice in advance!

Sorry, I'm not an expert in windows, basically I'm a Mac user
ciao beppe