Thanks in your reply. Your arguments help my findings 100%.
As for desktop vs laptop computer, I’d argue {that a} (moderately prized) laptop computer won’t carry out anyplace close to nearly as good as a desktop. As well as, in my expertise a self constructed desktop will at all times be extra reasonably priced than something prebuilt.
I spent most of right now researching CPU’s and GPU’s and I’ve narrowed it down to those potential setups. I took into consideration the {hardware} necessities for each SU and Vray and my workflow.
From what I’ve discovered, SU advantages most from a CPU with excessive clock speeds. The way in which I see it, the motherboard, the RAM and the storage can affect the info throughput so these matter as properly. Although SU itself could not profit from having a number of cores, the GPU will run smoother for it when it receives its information well timed.
I count on that my workflow ratio SU/Vray will probably be someplace round 70/30. With that in thoughts, I’m inclined to lean towards a quick CPU and compensate the spending for a ‘beefier’ CPU with an easier GPU – if solely to start out out. The GPU could be exchanged simply over time as finances permits. Ought to push come to shove, I can at all times depend on the Chaos cloud render when wanted.
Intel i7 or Intel i9
Primarily based on numerous accounts and benchmarks, it appears to me that the Intel thirteenth gen collection outperforms comparable Ryzen CPU’s. I’m leaning towards both the Intel i7 13700 or the i7 13900. On condition that my present machine is a 2017 MacBook Professional 3.1GHz 4-core i7, I believe I ought to go for the i9 since I don’t run SU all that easily on this laptop computer.
DDR4 or DDR5
I’ve learn numerous accounts that DDR5 ram will not be but value the additional spending however since it’s a lot quicker than DDR4 and given the only threadedness of SU I’d count on a DDR5 setup to outperform DDR4 for SU – and be extra future proof.
M.2 NVMe SSD
The quicker information could be accessed and processed, the higher. Proper? So I’m doubtless going for an NVMe SSD. 1TB to start out off, however a pal of mine identified {that a} RAID setup would even be quicker. Nonetheless, given a learn/write pace of 7300/6000 MB/s (for the one I selected) I doubt that it could be value the additional spending of round € 150.
GeForce RTX ???
Now, the GPU. That one offers me the most important headache. Not making an allowance for the price of a GPU, the distinction in value between an i7 DDR4 (± € 1400) and an i9 DDR5 (± € 1750) setup is round € 350. i7 DDR5 and i9 DDR4 are comparable in value and sit neatly in between (± € 1500 – € 1600).
I’ve seemed on the 3070 (ti) and 3080 (ti). Something above that (both the 3090 or the newer 40## collection) is basically above what I wish to spend.
At the moment, I’m nonetheless torn between selecting the i9 DDR5 with a 3070 ti card at 6144 CUDA cores/8GB (± € 2400), or the i7 DDR 5 with a 3080 ti at 10240 CUDA Cores/12GB (± € 2500). Or simply go for the i9 with a 3080 ti at ± € 2900 
What are your ideas?
I’m actually hoping that you just guys can provide your 2 cts on this, which setup would you recommendation?
Thanks for studying this all the way in which to the top!
Cheers, Babs
