I think your free render slave app is great, but I always wondered if it was possible to use the GPU to assist in rendering calculations. Some of the new video cards have up to 800 processors, but the only ‘GPU-renderers’ (like Gelato and Studio GPU) require you to use a separate rendering application, which then requires an export of data. Ouch, bad idea. I want my Rhino NURBS and Vray feature set, just faster.
So, is there a way -- or a future plan -- to get GPU-assisted rendering for Vray for Rhino???
I already know what Damien will say. To code for GPU acceleration it would require a complete rewrite of the core of Vray and although it would be amazingly awsome to have, there are just too many other features that need to come first. Now, I have heard of the possibility of third party applications that MAY in the future be able to port over infinitely parallel programs to the GPU. You also have to remember, Nvidia and ATI both use separate streaming technology and each have their own specific way of coding programs for them. Why would any developer write 3 separate programs for CPU, Nvidia and ATI. It just doesnt sound efficient. Not to mention Vray is trying to port over to apple. Its all a crazy mess when you think about it. Ive heard OpenCL will help out alot but who knows.
So do I even need to post now? Yea, Dave, sorry, but this is extremely unlikely to happen within the relatively foreseeable future. The reasons for it are numerous, and each one individually pretty much kills this as being viable.
There actually hasn’t been that much mess with the apple port. I’m not saying it wasn’t inconsequential, but when we changed our approach to a series of issues, making the V-Ray core platform independent pretty much fell into place.
Ive heard RUMORS that with Intels Larabee project + Windows 7 GPU acceleration should be possible with ALL multithreaded programs. Larabee is Intels supposed X86 based Graphics processor that is supppose to wipe the floor with Nvidias and ATI’s current line of cards (So they say). Of course once they finally release it, both companies would have all new tech and probably be on top again. If this is true that Larabee can handle multithreaded CPU based apps without ANY changing of the code then this is good news for CGI artist. Can you imagine? Oh well, I wont believe it till I see it but its still cool to think about.
OK, so the application needs to be written (re-written totally?) specifically to use the GPU. That really sucks (for me, today.) Is there any technology on the horizon to make the GPU ‘automatically’ execute the render math calculation only when needed -- without a total re-write of the application code???
Second question : how do we affordably get extra CPUs to help render? A client suggested buying several Shuttle mini-PCs with quad core CPU’s and use those as a stand-by render farm. He claimed you could configure one for around $500-$600 with 4-core CPU and 4GB of RAM. The video and audio would use the on-board chipset.
At work I’ve salvaged old computers as they’ve been replace. They help, but aren’t great. I’ve also been considering suggesting to the bosses that I build a custom farm from a set of cheap quad-core compatible motherboards and some RAM.
The Vray DRSpawner is shown to work on linux with WINE and with any cheap quad core makes a great (Cheap) little render farm if you know how to build computers.
Ah yea, I’ve been meaning to investigate that; I know the spawner works under Wine, but I wonder if I can make it access the network drives on our domain…
It should (with some know how). Linux should be able to connect to windows and linux servers just fine. Its probably not as straight forward as windows to windows but it will work, i do know that.
OK, I have a pretty good system spec’d out at newegg. I am trying balance the CPU speed with cost, so I went with a 2.66 quad core for under $300. If you select a 3.2 or above, you can spend $1,000. Please feel free to comment or improve upon the list.
case : Shuttle SG31G2 Intel Socket T(LGA775), $199
CPU : Intel Core i7 920 Nehalem 2.66GHz, $279
RAM : CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800, $52
HD : Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200 RPM SATA, $60
CD/DVD : LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM, Model iHDP118-08, $20
OS : Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit, $99
Total price $720
The good news : The Shuttle case includes on-board audio, video, and 10/100/1000 networking.
All kinds of problems with that system if you dont mind me saying that. 1, nehalem processors ONLY work with DDR3 ram and you will want tripple channel to get the full effect. Also a 775 motherboard wont work either. You need a socket 1366 motherboard. You have the right CPU you just need all the other good stuff. Try an Asus P6T motherboard with Gskill DDR3 1600mhz 6gb ram. You also dont have a GPU on there. I would go with an Nvidia GTX 275.
John : I am a little confused. This computer is for a render slave only, so the on-board video should be fine. I will run the Rhino + Vray apps from another computer and ONLY use this render slave for render-time acceleration.
I will investigate your other observations shortly. Thanks.
There aren’t any X58 chipset motherboards with onboard video. They all require a dedicated video card. Only the server motherboards have an onboard video chip. I was just trying to warn you before you buy, the parts wont work together.
Yea, Dave, sorry, but this is extremely unlikely to happen within the relatively foreseeable future. The reasons for it are numerous, and each one individually pretty much kills this as being viable.