Configuring PC for CPU/GPU rendering, modeling, 2D art

[Gregory]

I'm doing my first build, and would greatly appreciate the wisdom and expertise of the CGDirector community.

This will be used for modeling and both CPU and GPU rendering in Cinema 4D and Blender, plus Unreal Engine 5 and other visual arts software. I'll be rendering large scenes and still images. It's unlikely I'll be rendering animation frames.
Rendering is my only production bottleneck, so it's the problem I'm most interested in solving.

Current configuration ...

• Intel Core i9-12900K 3.2 GHz 16-Core Processor
• Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler
• MSI MPG Z690 EDGE WIFI DDR4 ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
• G.Skill Ripjaws V 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory
• EVGA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti 8 GB FTW3 ULTRA GAMING Video Card
• Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
• Corsair HX Platinum 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
• Fractal Design Define 7 Compact ATX Mid Tower Case

Intel i9 12900K, RTX 3070 Ti for CPU/GPU rendering - Intel Core i9-12900K, GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, Fractal Design Define 7 Compact ATX Mid Tower - PCPartPicker

Intel i9 12900K, RTX 3070 Ti for CPU/GPU rendering - Intel Core i9-12900K, GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, Fractal Design Define 7 Compact ATX Mid Tower

pcpartpicker.com

I'd like the PC to be as cool and silent as possible.
I asked for advice on the PCPartPicker forum and it's suggested that cooling the i9-12900K and compact case might be too difficult, and I'd be happier with the Ryzen 5950X and a larger mid-tower.

Intel i9 12900K, RTX 3070 Ti for CPU/GPU rendering - PCPartPicker

Intel i9 12900K, RTX 3070 Ti for CPU/GPU rendering

pcpartpicker.com

I'm aware that the Noctua NH-D15 cooler - though superior - is a difficult fit for high-profile RAM and a compact case, but my intention is to modify the cooler fan for better compatibility. (see previous link for details)
I contacted Noctua and they recommend their 120mm NF-A12x25 PWM for a front cooler fan replacement.

Budget is $3500 including monitor, speakers, input devices.
Future hardware expansion for this PC is unlikely, especially if I get the best parts for the initial config.
I'm in New York City and will be buying from Amazon and NewEgg.

If anyone can steer me in the right direction, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Alex Glawion]

Are you saying you want to shift the fans up slightly to make room for the RAM modules? This works well usually, but not if the fan then stands above the heatsink and potentially making the side of the case not close anymore. Did you compare the cooler height and case thickness and the amount of upshift you need?

 

[Gregory]

Are you saying you want to shift the fans up slightly to make room for the RAM modules? This works well usually, but not if the fan then stands above the heatsink and potentially making the side of the case not close anymore. Did you compare the cooler height and case thickness and the amount of upshift you need?

Thanks for your reply.

I would be replacing the 140mm front fan of the cooler with a 120mm so the RAM will fit underneath, then use the extra 140mm as an exhaust fan.

However, this is moot since I'm probably going with the Ryzen 5950X and the Noctua NH-U12A instead. The U12A doesn't have those clearance problems.

I'll post my new config soon. I'm still deciding on the motherboard, but probably an Asus X570.

 

[Gregory]

This is my revised configuration.

PCPartPicker List

• AMD Ryzen 9 5950X 3.4 GHz 16-Core Processor
• Noctua NH-U12A 60.09 CFM CPU Cooler
• Gigabyte X570S AORUS MASTER ATX AM4 Motherboard
• G.Skill Ripjaws V 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory
• Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
• EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 10GB LHR 10 GB FTW3 ULTRA GAMING LHR Video Card
• Fractal Design Define 7 Compact ATX Mid Tower Case
• Corsair HX Platinum 1000 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
• Microsoft Windows 11 Pro OEM 64-bit

I'm going for the Ryzen 5950X because it runs 10°C cooler than the Intel 12900K.
GIGABYTE X570S AORUS Master motherboard because it's newer, has plenty of 10gbps USB, no chipset fan, 2.5gbps Ethernet.
Samsung 970 EVO Plus only because it's a popular purchase.
Compact case because it's lighter and smaller.
1000W PSU because it costs about the same as an 850W & PSUs operate at peak efficiency when using half their potential.

I'm interested to hear opinions, especially any red flags you might see.

 

[Alex Glawion]

I think it looks great. The NVME SSD is still pcie 3. If you have some extra cash you could get a pcie4 nvme ssd with higher performance such as the Seagate FireCuda 530.

Rest looks great!

 

[Gregory]

Thanks for your suggestion, Alex.
Yes, the hard drive was an oversight which I'm glad you caught.

I got some pushback on the front-panel airflow of the Define 7 Compact case, but not taking it too seriously since the respondent also called my component list “garbage” and “crap.”
I'm going for cooler-performing components so that great airflow isn't so vital.

I did some research and learned that the Acer Predator GM7000 has similar performance (7400 MB/sec read, 6700 MB/sec write) as the Seagate FireCuda 530 but costs $90 less, so probably going with the Acer.

Someone also talked me into a GOLD Corsair PSU instead of PLATINUM, just to save a few bucks.