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Ok all you techies...I'm looking to build a new octane machine. I still use Native Lightwave some and will want the best of the best Xeon processors x 2 As well as many 980Ti's I can stuff into a box.

I've been looking at Supermicro boards as we've used them exclusively for our Xeon machines in the past. Anyone with some board ideas or other thoughts on building an amazing Octane machine with Xeons? Thanks!

Seems like a bad idea to put super-Xeons in a single box with Titans as well. You're always going to waste super-render-power.

Put the 980Ti's in a box with a good i7, and put the Xeons in another box with a single lower-range graphics cards. That way you'll have two speed monsters instead of one.

I know that in theory you could let both the GPU and CPU calculate, but let's face: who does that in reality - beside the heat and power issues.

While I agree with what ThomasVandenAbeele has said (it's sound advice). Just this last weekend I was rendering TFD smoke using the CPUs (not yet moved to 3.0) and an Octane scene rendering on the GPUs in the same machine. While not Xeon monsters ([email protected]), I was able to use them with the rest of my networked machines to render TFD images while using the GPU's (also networked with other machines) to render a completely different scene.

If you're looking to build a machine, there's a GREAT thread already in progress that gives you a TON of information on what you should be building. It, along with other users' input, helped us build ours.

viewtopic.php?f=40&t=43597

Don't put GPUs in the box !!! They will overheat. Instead buy ASUS STRIX 980Ti and put them in an open rig each separated from each other by at least 5 cm. This way you will get factory overclocked GPUs with superior air cooling than the stock 980Ti. It is a big difference.

About XEONs , there is this thing if you want to have many GPUs on fast PCI lanes in the same computer you will need two CPUs to support that so having XEONs definitely won't hurt but you don't have to buy the best ones.

No Xeons if you want a fast setup - Since most things are single threaded.
I think 7 or 8 watercooled Titan X and/or 980s in a big Box would be nice.
But if you have pretty good Airflow you might skip the watercooling.

Thanks everyone for the comments. While I agree and disagree on many things said, it's all good back and forth.

The main need for the Xeons' for me is going to be render power in Native LW as well as other software. Don't need them used at the same time but want the ability. Don't want to have another box I'd have to switch to or manage. All in one machine is what I'd prefer. I disagree most apps are multithreaded unless we are talking about Modeler! lol. I love the slice tool on a large set of polys....great time for a coffee break! ha.

The strix was the card I was looking at. Love Asus products! Was thinking about going open machine as well. Will help with the heat and I've seen some cool setups if don't right. Most look like a monster mashup though! lol.

I'll check out the other thread...really apprciate everyone's thoughts and input. More minds together on one subject usually is a better thing.

3dream, I personally think 4 EVGA 980Ti Hybrids is a great way to go. I can't speak highly enough about these. If you could find a case that can accommodate 5 or 6 blowing out (depending on dual cpu or not) and enough intakes, this is a lot of worry-free-crazy-ass rendering, for way less than custom loop. AMZN has hybrids for $690 right now. And by the looks of it, Thermaltake Core X9 case could allow a shitload of 120 rads/fans... Or maybe a CaseLabs or Fractal Design case.. lots of new cases out there with tons of fan spots. Many with a nice mix of 200mm, 140mm and 120mm support/configs.

if it truly is unlimited budget....

4x titan Z
and 2x intel E5-2699 18 cores and HT, for a total of 36 cores....

But that is complete overkill....but probably the most power you can squeeze in a standard tower

mdharrington wrote:if it truly is unlimited budget....

4x titan Z
and 2x intel E5-2699 18 cores and HT, for a total of 36 cores....

But that is complete overkill....but probably the most power you can squeeze in a standard tower

Any thoughts on motherboard and powersupply's that would work with that? It becomes an issue with cases, multiple power supplies and such to press so much into a single machine. I've looked at open air and am considering all of the above.

If you've actually parted things out as you've mentioned I would love to see what your list looked like.

Single CPU, 7 watercooled 980Tis ~> 1000 in terms of OctaneBench.
Total budget under 10k$ (the best value You can get for Your money).