Render Slave System specs

V-Ray for Rhino V-Ray for Rhino :: General
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This system outlined below is the result of some research pricing a brand new system. I found that any dual-quad core system (8-core total) would cost $5,000 - $10,000, mostly because of the high end video cards and all of the associated hardware. I then realized that the new render slave application only needed a CPU and RAM (plus a little more) so the search was born. The goal of this system is two-fold (1) save money! and (2) be expandable, like blade-servers, such that you can add new modules as needed.

If you weren’t aware, these Shuttle ‘bare-bones systems’ or ‘SFF / small form factor’ PCs are the same size as a shoebox, can be stacked easily (like a blade server) and come with built-in video, audio, and networking. All prices and item numbers are from www.newegg.com in June, 2009.

TOTAL PRICE (including tax and shipping to CA) = $705.

CASE : $199.99
Shuttle SG31G2 Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel Core 2 Quad, Item : N82E16856101039

CPU : $199.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600, Item : N82E16819115017

RAM : $51.99
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400), Item : N82E16820145238

HD : $54.99
Seagate Barracuda 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive, Item : N82E16822148316

CD-DVD : $19.99
LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDP118-08, Item : N82E16827106275

OS : $99.99
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit for System Builders - OEM, Item : N82E16832116485

The system arrives this next week and I’ll report back if anyone is interested.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Looks nice. Some thoughts for a slave system:

* i7 920 overclocked at 3.6GHz could be double so fast as an overclocked Q6600
* cheaper housing, 50$ could be enough
* biggger housing could be good against heat problems and good for low noise air cooling
* 320GB is quite a lot, but maybe smaller HDD can’t be get for a lower price - I ask me, couldn’t be used a 4GB USB stick (10$) - no heat, no noise
* DVD drive isn’t needed, I would plugin one from an other machine for installation only

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Or u could get an AMD Phenom II X4 940 also quadcore a bit cheaper and the mainboards for i7 920 are twice as expensive. It’s a bit slower (don’t know if it’s much slower) but cheaper.

if u take a cheaper housing I don’t know if the powersupply is stable enough so probably need an exta power supply?

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Re: Render Slave System specs

My overclocked Q6600 needs approx. 200W. I’m not sure now much power needs an i7. I bought some super quiet 500W power supplies with low speed 14cm fan - price approx. 70,- €. But a cheap 350W standard powersupply could do the job too, but not so quiet.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

You might even try installing linux… I somewhere read dr spawner works with one linux version

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Re: Render Slave System specs

The spawner works fine under Wine.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Seams like more airflow is needed with that case. Also, bigger fans will wind up being quieter (don’t have to spin as fast to move as much air). Maybe its just me, but if I was going with that case, I might be inclined to hack a few holes in it and put in some fans…again, that’s just me.

I think Linux might be a good approach with this one. If you’re just installing linux alone its pretty straight forward. Its really only when you start dual booting that it gets a little treacherous. Due note that we have yet to do any testing with the spawner on linux under wine :wink:

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Here I read something about a “Linux-USB-Stick” solution - sorry, in german only:

HDD + WINDOWS → USB Stick + LINUX … sounds like a cheap slave solution. :wink:

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Please dont get that case. I know your trying to save space but its going to overheat like crazy and the Q6600 is one of the hottest CPU’s I have ever used. I doubt you can fit a decent cooler in that thing either. Take a look at the Antec 300. Its a GREAT case and it may be bigger than you want but it sure has alot better airflow. Also, if its only for a slave then maybe you could try linux like damien mentioned. The spawner does work in it with WINE.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Here I found a complete USB-Stick-Linux solution - a Knoppix-6-USB stick:

http://www.lidux.de/knoppix-live-usb-cd/Knoppix-60-USB-Stick::602.html (sorry, german link)

Do somebody know - is Wine part of Knoppix?

EDIT: Install Knoppix on USB

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Ive never used knopix before but even if WINE doesnt come with it, its easily installable.

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Render Slave System

Thanks for all of the feedback. You guys are great!

RE: UNIX
I plan on staying away from any UNIX solutions, mostly becuase I don’t want to learn a whole new OS just to save $100 on Vista, which I already use on my two other workstations. If you know UNIX / like UNIX, then yes, I’d definitely recommend you take that route.

RE: Heat
As for the heat, that is a concern. However, this case is designed for quad core + a video card -- and I am not installing a video card. I may have to upgrade the fan, but I’ll play it by ear.

RE: core i7
I researched this core i7, but ran into two major price issues.
1) The i7 is a newer and pricier chip. The new 3.2 ghz i7 will cost you $1,000, so I passed.
2) The new motherboard chipset to support the i7 adds $350 to the cost of the shuttle case
3) The RAM required for a core i7 is DDR3, but was only about +10%

My goal was to get the lowest cost per CPU core/cycle so here’s the comparison of just the CPU and case:
1) Core i7 3.2 + case = $1450
2) Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz + case = $400

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Re: Render Slave System

Your comparing the cheapest quad (q6600) to the most outragous i7 (965). The i7 920 can be had for under 300 bucks compared to the $1000 extreme counterpart. The i7 is MUCH MUCH MUCH faster than the q6600 (around 60% from what I have tested) even though its clock speed is only 200mhz faster. Your going to get around the same price/performance ration with the i7 I would think. The only problem is the fact that you would have to spend money on a video card for the i7 machine. Your probably doing the right thing by going with the Q6600 if you want to save money but its not much.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

To get the most cycles per $ you could get all-in-one motherboards and mount it on a DIY frame. Skipping the frame and not getting a windows license per hardware will cut your price even more.

Though, it does require some more DIY work on your side.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Here is a pretty cheap but very powerful system. This includes everything you would need. No need for a permenant CD/DVD drive if your only installing windows and Vray spawner.

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Render Slave System : core i7

You are absolutely right. So, damn (and thank you!) and I wish I knew this earlier. However, the goal was to add these render slaves incrementally, so I’ll use the Shuttle as test-bed and then expand with the system you suggested. Thanks again for the time and great advice.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Sounds way better then the Q6600 system for not even 200 bucks extra. Only u don’t need vista ultimate I think.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

If you want to remote in to the slave, then you would at least need Vista Business if not Ultimate. With something like this, you really don’t want to set it up if you can’t remote in.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

Very true and remoting in can save money on a monitor or save time having to reach around and plug it in when you need it.

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Re: Render Slave System specs

ahh I see… isn’t VNC doing the same thing?