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The CGDirector PC Builder exists to help anyone generate a build that will fit within their budget and work well for their workload.
It’s taken a LOT of work, and we thank our readers’ fantastic feedback for making this possible.
We’ve been working hard at improving the PC Builder to cover more types of hardware, take more compatibility issues into account, consider case and RAM clearances, and a lot more. However, it’s still a work in progress, and we’d love feedback from everyone to make it even better!
What’s Changed
Here are some of the improvements/changes we’ve made recently:
- Added Ryzen 5xxx Series CPU and Nvidia 3xxx Series GPUs (Beware of out of stock or price-inflated items)
- Improved the motherboard recommendation engine, depending on your workload. It should now suggest more balanced parts at most budgets.
- Improved cross-compatibility checks between PC Cases, CPU Coolers, RAM clearances, and GPU length clearances.
- Added option for users to go for a specific brand of CPU/GPU in their generated build (please only use this option if you are sure about what sort of hardware works best for your workloads).
- Added additional price points for build generation, covering everything from ultra-budget builds to high-end workstation builds.
- Cases now take into account the number of double-width GPUs it can accommodate and switch to a more appropriate choice.
- Added more memory kit options to make sure every performance category is covered.
- Added additional CPU Air and AIO Coolers after accounting for the cooling performance needed for most AMD and Intel processors.
- Added a feature that accounts for AMD stock coolers as a cost-cutting measure to upgrade other build parts within your set budget, if possible.
Addressing Gaming Builds
We’ve wanted to add this feature, but will be delaying it to the next major update of the PC Builder. There are certain complexities involved in gaming that make the generated build less-than-ideal.
However, if you do need a gaming build, please generate one using the Video Editing workload and ask us about any required changes to it on our forum thread – here.
How Does the PC-Builder Know What Parts to Recommend?
Benchmarks, budget, and availability form the foundations of every recommended build. Not only does it take into account benchmark scores for various applications, but it also keeps tabs on pricing and availability.
Each core component has been put through benchmarks to create performance tables for each type of task. A few examples of benchmark tools and software are – Cinebench R20 and R15, GeekBench, Octane, Redshift, Vray, our Viewport Benchmarks, Video Editing, Motion Design, Photo Editing Benchmarks and much more. We’re continually adding benches to our testing so we can fine-tune the PC builder recommendations even further.
If you have suggestions about any additional workloads you’d like to see, please post a reply on our forum thread or ‘like’ a response that has mentioned your workload already. We’d love to know more about what sorts of workloads you’d like to see added to the PC Builder in the future.
Missing Specific Parts / Brands?
We have included as many mainstream brands as we can on the PC Builder, and have managed to expand our already-extensive database of products and recommendations.
Although we have also been trying to add as many laptops as possible to the PC Builder, we’ve encountered a few issues that make it a tricky undertaking. We’re working on a solution that will let us add more laptop options across a broader budget soon. In the meanwhile, any laptop currently recommended will work well for your selected workload within your chosen budget. If you have a question about a specific laptop model in your region, do come by our forum to ask us about it!
To make things more convenient, we’ve added more options to the PC builder with more arriving soon! You can now pick your brand of GPU/CPU if you’re VERY SURE that your workload requires a specific choice. However, we’d still recommend going with auto and letting the builder do its thing.
Why is there a Maximum and Minimum Limit on Budgets
In specific workloads, investing above or below a particular budget isn’t ideal and might turn out to be counterproductive. We’ve based this decision based on years of experience with computer hardware, these workloads, as well as from poring over benchmark data.
Nonetheless, we have expanded the budget options available thanks to the availability of some very viable parts at lower price points. However, these aren’t always ideal, and you’re still more likely to find better value at and above the $1000 budget for most kinds of workloads.
Do You Have to Worry About Compatibility?
Ideally, no. We’ve taken great care to make sure that every suggested hardware combination is compatible with each other. From RAM clearance for your CPU cooler or graphics card clearance for your case to even the number of available expansion slots in a case recommended for a multi-GPU rendering setup, the PC Builder has you covered.
That said, it is still a work in progress, and we’re hard at work trying to make it perfect. Although we’ve done all we can to make sure there are no compatibility issues between suggested parts, bugs do creep in at times. If you’re not sure about a build, do drop by the CGDirector Forum and as us about it. We’ll look it over for you.
Help Us Make the PC Builder Better!
First and foremost, use the PC Builder as much as possible. Generate builds for your workloads, make sure they’re directing you to store pages that have an active listing.
- Please do let us know if you see any glaring compatibility issues in any generated build. We’ve tried to be as thorough as possible, but bugs might still slip past unnoticed.
- Please let us know if any displayed Amazon listing directs you to a used parts listing. We’re still working on squashing this bug.
Hardware availability issues and subsequent price gouging by sellers on Amazon (US) has resulted in some unfortunate builds being generated at specific price points. Please post your generated build on our dedicated PC Builder Beta forum thread if you’re not sure about the parts, and we’ll respond to tweak your build recommendations.
Have some Parts picked but don’t know how to assemble them? Check our PC-Building Guide on How to Assemble a PC.
Feel Free to ask for suggestions on your PC-Build in the Comments or in our Forum.
Hi Alex,
Im looking to buy a new motherboard and a cpu for my workstation. I like the Ryzen 3700x as it fits in my budget and its a decent upgrade from my last pc. But Im confused about which motherboard I should get.
I currently run GFX cards, GTX 970 + GTX 1070, and Im thinking of buying a RTX 3080, whenever its available here. So I want a motherboard that can run 3 GFX cards or atleast 2 cards, in that case ill sell my GTX 970. The PCIe x16/x8/x4 information is confusing me and im not sure which motherboard will fit my requirement. I also intend to add a 1TB m2 SSD.
My current rig,
32 GB Ram
1000w Power Supply
1x 512 GB SSD
1x 2TB WD Black HDD
1x 4TB WD Black HDD
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks!
Hi Alex,
Can you suggest me the components required to build the PC’s for HR, software development and web design?
Hi Alex,
wow, that was super!
Thank u so 4 the analysis&all the info.
I tried to contact unsuccessfully some retail websites trying to figure out what’s an appropriate config. for Games animation, 3D modelling and VFX. I usually use Blender, UE4, Zbrush, WorldCreator, Octane, Substance, Houdini, C4D, etc software.
After weeks of research I came up with the following configuration:
CASE: Still unknown (Mini-ITX preferable due to lack of space, since I live in a really small studio)
Firstly, I thought of an NZXT H1 until I realised it has a retention screw safety issue
that may set the PC on fire.. literally. They’re already supplying a simple-to-use repair kit.
However, I found a group of guys in youtube analyzing the solution & explaining why the issue is remaining despite the replacement with those plastic screws.
Anyway, I’m more concerned about the rest of the components
MOBO: Gigabyte AMD Ryzen X570 I AORUS PRO WIFI
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900X 12 Core 24 Thread 3.7GHz-4.8GHz
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
RAM: 64GB (2x32GB) Corsair DDR4 Vengeance RGB PRO
M.2: 2TB Samsung 970 EVO PLUS
STORAGE: x2 Seagate 2TB BarraCuda 120 SSD 2.5” SATA
PSU: Corsair RMi Series 750W Fully Modular 80+ GOLD
Could you please anticipate it is a suitable configuration for 3D&VFX?
Any recommendations?
AMD 3900XT? i9-10900K? RTX QUADRO? 850W?
Please HELP, every day I’m remaking my config!
Thanks 4 ur time & effort Alex!
Hi Alex!
I got this result for GPU rendering (Octane).
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CPU: AMD Threadripper 1900X 3.8GHz 8-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3
Motherboard: ASRock X399 Professional Gaming ATX TR4
GPU: Nvidia RTX 2080 Super 8GB – Gigabyte Turbo
GPU #2: Nvidia RTX 2080 Super 8GB – Gigabyte Turbo
GPU #3: Nvidia RTX 2080 Super 8GB – Gigabyte Turbo
GPU #4: Nvidia RTX 2080 Super 8GB – Gigabyte Turbo
Memory: 64GB (4 x 16GB) G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4-3600 C16
Storage PCIe-SSD: Samsung 970 EVO 1TB M.2 Solid State Drive
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 1600 G2 80+ GOLD 1600W
Case: Corsair Carbide Series Air 540
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As I am at the beginning of the 3D career, and I have no extra budget of this size, I would like to have one workstation to do all the work (realistic animation, rendering) without any additional render nodes.
Is there anything that you think is overkill or insufficient for my use?
Also, what should I choose for the fans?
The budget cap can be set higher if necessary.
Thank you!
Your articles are amazing.
Hey Tom,
I would hold back on buying too many overprice GPUs at the moment. For one, the rtx 2080 GPUs are already an older generation and might be overpriced if you look at their performance. The current gen RTX 3xxx series is a lot faster and theoretically should be much cheaper, but because of bad stock we are seeing crazy price inflation.
Threadripper is a good base to use as a multi-gpu render workstation/rendernode, though. If you want higher active work performance you’ll have to go with a current gen TR though such as the 3960X.
In my experience, for someone just starting out, a mainstream PC should be enough. Check the PC builder and set “3D Modeling” as your purpose to find Builds that work well.
Cheers,
Alex
Hi Alex!
I’m not very good at pc building and im also only 15 years old. Im looking for a pc where I can play video games while also being able to do school work. My budget is around $600-$700. If you could please show me a list of what to buy for my requirements that would be very helpful!
Hey Renzo,
The following PC-Build will run your workloads well, though you might have to turn down the graphic settings in some more complex games. School work is easily possible with the following build:
CPU: Intel Core i3-10100 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.99 @ B&H)
Motherboard: *Gigabyte B460M DS3H Micro ATX LGA1200 Motherboard ($78.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: *G.Skill Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-2666 CL19 Memory ($66.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: *Crucial BX500 480 GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive ($46.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card: *PNY GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER 4 GB Video Card ($174.99 @ B&H)
Case: Cougar MX330 ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: *Corsair CXM (2015) 450 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $637.83
Cheers,
Alex