Daz 3D is part of 
Connect
DAZ Productions, Inc.
7533 S Center View Ct #4664
West Jordan, UT 84084
Licensing Agreement | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | EULA
© 2025 Daz Productions Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Comments
No, that's not an issue.
So what i heard about 2080 series is that at the moment is a risky deal. They tend to burn or have heating problems. So to be fair, since i can't find 1080 ti new ones, i will sit and wait for something to happen or the new 2000 series getting fixed before i buy something.
Number of fans is a poor way of judging the cooling of a computer.
Where they are placed and how they are arranged is very important; fans in some places reduce airflow.
I use two, one of which is in the PSU, my system is fine, even though I use a fan controller to turn the fan down; I just monitor temperatures.
... Could I get it cooler? Yes.
I don't need to as it operates comfortably under any safe limits
Well, that's up to you. In the last 2 years I've bought 6 EVGA cards on Ebay. 2 of them were listed as new, the other 4 were used. You could probably still find a new 1080 Ti there, or a lightly used one. Again, the EVGA warranty is transferrable, so any malfunctions are covered. I haven't had any problems, but I would be covered if I did.
Sure, the fans need to be well placed. My case has a fan in the front, the top, the back, the side right over the graphics cards. It's a really well ventilated case. Obviously all of the cards are cooled, each one has 2 fans. And a CPU cooler. Before I used the current case, my build was in a cheap mid tower case with only one fan in the back. It runs much more stabily now, and about 15 degrees C cooler.
Nice to find you here areg5! :D
We've already talked about this, I'll switch my GPU, but since I'm still months away from that goal, I'll see what the situation will be this summer! ^^
And I think I'll sell my current GPU, rather than using 2, just to amortize the purchase!
Well, I'm hoping to get a tax return this year, and if I do, I'm going to build an Iray rendering server. I'm going to do a direct connect to my current build, and have it use the same Daz library. I'll probably take 2 video cards out of my current, put it in the new, and add 2 more (4 total). That way I can batch render on the server while I'm making new scenes on the current. I can actually do that now by opening 2 instances of Daz, but sometimes it hangs up. Here is my tenative next build:
ASRock X299 OC FORMULA LGA 2066 Intel X299 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 ATX Intel Motherboard, or EVGA X299
HyperX Fury 16GB (1 x 16GB) DDR4 2400MHz DRAM (Desktop Memory) CL15 1.2V White DIMM
Intel Core i7-7800X Skylake-X 6-Core 3.5 GHz LGA 2066 140W BX80673I77800X Desktop Processor
Thermaltake Floe Riing RGB 360 TT Premium Edition
EVGA SuperNOVA 1300 G2 120-G2-1300-XR 80+ GOLD 1300W Fully Modular Includes FREE Power On Self Tester Power Supply
Cooler Master HAF X - High Air Flow Full Tower Computer Case with Windowed Side Panel and USB 3.0 Ports
LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-104 8U
EVGA GTX 1080 Ti x4
SanDisk Ultra 3D 2.5" 1TB SATA III 3D NAND Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) or Crucial MX500 SDSSDH3-1T00-G25
The X99 and i7-7800 should perform better than what I'm using now. On a Z97 board the PCI ex slots get a bit overwhelmed by the 3 cards, whereas the X99 should handle it at full speed.
That is a nice idea! :D
I'd go with the Crucial MX500.
Why aren't you going threadripper? And why single-channel memory?
Why are you listing that many details? Are you buying it prebuilt?
That's just a copy of the list I made when I was planning the build. No, it isn't prebuilt. As to the memory, I wanted at least 16 gig (I'll probably do more), and I always like getting large capacity sticks. It allows for future expansion. What is threadripper?
So you're going for just one stick because you'll want to upgrade in the future? Couldn't you just choose a motherboard with 4 slots? Using 4 sticks instead of 2 just lenghtens the POST time (from when you press the button, to when you see the mobo logo) by 1/2 seconds, but using just one stick could drastically reduce the performance! That is because normally those frequencies, 2400Mhz in your case, refer to the dual channel, with one stick you would have just 1200Mhz, but I don't know how that would affect Daz Studio in particular.
Threadripper is the productivity brand of AMD, that has a much better price/performance ratio. You lose something in IPC (instructions per cycle), or single-core performance, but in multithreading performance you usually have a great jump comparing to the Intel counterpart for the same price! Again, I'm just passionate about hardware in general, I don't know how this would affect Daz Studio in particular. I know that loading a scene requires just one core, but that in general Daz allows multithreading. In any case, I suggest you the website cpubenchmark, where you can find both single and multithreaded benchmarks, the most reliable IMHO.
For example I see that the 7800X costs around 400$ in the US (you're so lucky...), and it has 2256 single and 14582 multi (https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core+i7-7800X+@+3.50GHz&id=3037)
A Threadripper 1900X at 300$ in the US has 2057 single and 16008 multi.
The 1920X is at 400$, and it has 2006 single and 19313 multi.
Actually, you could go with the consumer Ryzen 7 2700X (you can't, read at the end of the post): it has 2195 single and 16977 multi. So, it virtually has the same single thread performances, with a consistent improvement in multithreading, at just 300$. And you don't need to buy a separate cooler, since the stock one is pretty good, and it can also be overclocked with a standard motherboard (I suggest an Asus/Aorus X470). Remember that Ryzen needs fast RAM, so you should go for a dual channel 3000Mhz maybe, but even a 2400Mhz can be easily overclocked to 2800Mhz usually (I've done it, and I have low quality memory and low quality mobo).
Bottom line: I always use pcpartpicker to make builds, I'm gonna try to do one for you and here it is: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/Ls8bQZ
But I've just noted that the consumer line doesn't support 4 GPUs, the threadripper does, so you could go with this one: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/G7xbnn
I've not added the case and the PSU since you've already chosen them ^^
You could take a look on LTT forum, for example I think this guy had your same problem: https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/925862-threadripper-for-rendering-with-4-gpus/
Oh, it has 4 slots.with expandability to 64 gig RAM. I'm an Intel guy, always have been. I had an AMD machine way back when, and I thought my intel machines performed better. My Daz scenes load fast as it is, given the SSD and 32 gig RAM.
It's always been like that, until 2 years ago, now the numbers speak for themselves!
Another thing to consider are the PCI lanes: threadripper usually have many more of them! This way you could easily use an NVME M.2 SSD too, having enough lanes for the 4 GPUs, but I should check that!
You may be onto something there. Yes, the issue is PCI lanes, and with the AMD each slot is X16. I may go with that. Maybe AMD - Threadripper 1900X 3.8 GHz 8-Core with Gigabyte X399 AORUS PRO.
Yes, the Threadripper 1900X has a nice price/performance ratio, and that sounds like a good motherboard! ^^ However, I'd prefer the ASRock one, since the PCI slots are made of steel and they have more space between them. There's also the Gigabyte extreme version, but it has a different mobo shape, and so you should double check your case.
Also consider that this configuration can use 4 channel RAM: it would be a beast with 4 RAM sticks, then!
It has 60 PCI lanes (if you're looking for more info, I've found this page: https://en.wikichip.org/wiki/amd/ryzen_threadripper)
In the end, I'd go with something like this (I've not chosen a case and a PSU, because you already chose them): https://pcpartpicker.com/list/n94hNQ
I still would have to research exactly what board to use, but yeah, you want as much room between the cards as possible so it runs cooler. I don't really care about the cost difference, the thing that would do it for me is that all cards could run at 16x, which does beat the intel. The lanes are the issue with multiple cards. I actually sometimes have some hang ups on my current build, and I think it might be because the slots all run at different speeds on my board with 3 cards. Not sure though. I'll know when I build it.
As for the RAM: I don't like smaller sticks. I would go for the 16 gig x2 and maybe add 2 more later. That way you don't eat the smaller sticks if you really want to expand the ram.
I currently have a Coolermaster and that case is awesome! Big, airy, well ventilated and comes with 3 well placed fans right out of the box.
Yeah, you could add 2 more sticks down the line, but in the meanwhile you'll "not use" some performance!
Cooler master does nice cases!
The mobo you're currently using (from your signature) lets you use just one GPU at x16, then one at x8, and the last at x4!!! (https://www.wootware.co.za/gigabyte-ga-z97x-gaming-5-intel-z97-chipset-lga1150-haswell-atx-desktop-motherboard.html)
Most mobos for the threadripper have 2 x16 and 2 x8, so you should see a considerable step up in performance. Don't forget that the threadripper has 64 PCI lanes, but 4 of them are for the connection between the CPU and the chipset! 16+16+8+8=48, then you have 12 free for a powerful NVME SSD.
If you want to have 4 x16, you need to spend much more. The Threadripper 2990WX has 128 lanes, but it costs 1730$. Then there's the EPYC lineup. I don't think any Intel Xeon has that many PCI lanes.
Here's a detailed advanced search for mobos, the one listed have 4 x16 (but, again, at the same time it's usually 2x16+2x8): https://www.asrock.com/mb/search.asp?CPU=&Chipset=&Memory=&MultiGPU=&PCIe3x16=4 x PCIe 3.0 x16&PCIe2x16=&PCIe2x1=&PCIe1x16=&PCIe1x1=&PCI=&LAN=&Wireless=&Audio=&SATA3=&SAS=&SATA2=&SATAe=&USB3=&USB2=&Factor=&FrontUSB3=&Thunderbolt=&TBaic=&Firewire=&TPM=&Chassis=&COMp=&COMh=&LPTp=&LPTh=&PS2=&HDMI=&DP=&DVI=&DSub=&DTS=&M2=&mSATA=&mSATAb=&SATAex=&USB31=&mPCIE=&LVDS=&RGBLED=&DUALBIOS=&P=undefined
But you also have to see if the CPU supports those 4 x16 too! I guess it should have at least 80 lanes.
In any case, comparing to your current rig, you should see a noticeable step up:
just a word of note and I don't know if it's already been brought up...you need a mobo with 40 lanes available to make use of 3 cards, otherwise...
Don't be mislead into thinking that there's no difference in performance between 1 card and 3 on my current build. There definitely is, but if all cards were at capacity as they would be on an 40 lane board, it'll run even faster ... and it's already damn fast, even given my processor/board limitations.
Well, dear areg, if you need some other suggestions don't be afraid to send me a note on DeviantArt! :D
And send me a benchmark when you'll machine will be functional, I'm curious xD
Have a nice day! ^^
I can do that. I can tell you my current machine runs the Sickleyield benchmark in 1:05.
Great result! ^^
Mine does it in 11/12 minutes!
I'm aware that you are have good results with 3 cards, wasn't trying to imply otherwise
...I was talking from a technical standpoint. A 40 lane mobo will take full advantage of all that your cards have to offer...something for the future perhaps. 
Welcome to the club. Air cooled or water? I built a 3X GTX-1080 water cooled nearly 2 years ago. I won't be upgrading for a loooooooooong time, due to cost and having specific water blocks for those cards. Love the speed though.
Well, I spent some time on Newegg today, and the ASRock reviews are a bit disheartening ... as are all of the other boards they have that will accomodate a Threadripper. I'm about to pull the trigger, and I do see the upside of the AMD, I just wish the reviews were better. Still trying to decide. Definitely going to go higher on the RAM ... I noticed on some complex renders I max out my 32 gig. I'll probably go with 64. Still leaning towards the Intel. I know, pricier and fewer lanes ... but it might be more stable, and the boards get better reviews. I just don't know.
When I'm unsure I usually buy from Amazon itself, so that I can return the item if I have any problem with it! :D One thing I know for sure is that AMD boards take something like 6 more seconds to do the POST, so it's slower to turn on the PC. Regarding the stability, if yoh check that out with AIDA64 and the system holds up, I don't think it could crash with less workload.
If you prefer Intel go for it! I don't see a huge upgrade compared to your current rig although! I agree regarding the RAM, it's much cheaper today!
The upgrade primarily would be in the number of lanes available for the PCIe slots, which is important for running multiple cards. Also, I could continue rendering on the new rig while making scenes on the old one.When I do both on the same machine, it can sometimes crash.
curious about this, made new topic so as not to derail this one: https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/315356/work-on-scene-while-rendering-on-the-same-computer
AFAIK the number of lanes doesn't matter for rendering. You can even use risers to render with 1x pcie 2 that's 500M per lane. Once the scene is transferred into gpu vram the lane is not used anymore. The number of lanes does matter for games that need to connect to the viewport so they need to transfer fast. Or to render out of core.
I also agree that there's no valuable speed difference between two generations. Usually a 20% or so, so not really a big deal. The last 20xx though may make the difference when/if rtx technology is used and if shaders are simple enough to allow the raytracing job to take the most of the rendering time.
For the most part it doesn't. I ran some benchmarks when I had my external GPU setup https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/comment/4071171/#Comment_4071171. Fewer lanes did result in slightly lower setup times(by a second or two), but over the course of an entire render, that's hardly anything. Having an additional card installed was always faster than not having it.