Multiple graphics cards? Helpful? Or a waste of money?

lbartels

Hello,

I am starting to build a new machine.  My current machine, which is fine for most of what I do, just doesn't have the umph for rendering with any alacrity. My current machine; Intel I5-6600 (4 cores), 8Gb memory, Nvidia 1050Ti Graphics card. According to my System panel, I have a 5.9 Windows Experience Index.

I have to say my budget is severely limited. I can spend a few hundred here and there, so it will take time to build. I'm currently looking a I7 processor (maybe I9, but a newer I5 would still be an improvement). 16Gb memory, (but probably 32Gb). And either an Nvidia 1660 or Nvidia 2060.  This system isn't exactly a barn burner either, but definitely an improvement.  So I was thinking. Maybe I could add a second graphics card at a later date? and the two cards together would boost rendering times.

So that's the question. Does Daz rendering utilize multiple graphics cards? Or only one?  If I add a second card, will that improve rendering times? Or is it a waste of my limited money?

I've been reading, and haven't found any definitive articles... yet. (I will continue to research).

 

Thank-you...

 

Lyndon

kenshaw011267

You do not need a new processor. An additional 8Gb would be very helpful in the short term.

iRay will use every installed Nvidia card that is supported (anything made in the last 6? years). What happens is the scene gets loaded onto every installed and every one that does get the full scene loaded renders it.

That means you can keep the 1050ti add a 2060 (look for the just released EVGA 2060 KO which is $300 and is actually more powerful than other 2060's in rendering). In some renders, small ones, both cards will render in larger scenes only the 2060 will render. but at onl 6Gb you'll still have issues with more than fairly basic scenes.

rrward

I'm running two (well, three, but one is only used for the display) video cards and Daz Studio uses both cards when rendering in IRay. I would recommend getting the best card you can now and adding a second card when you have spare money in the future. As for CPUs, the new I5's are pretty sweet. I have a six-core I5 in my gaming computer and I'm very happy with it.

nonesuch00

If you got a 1050ti and aint happy with the speed you may as well wait to see what nVidia releases as new tech this year because you'll be quickly disatisfied with any of their current offerings.

kenshaw011267

I would not buy an Intel CPU right now. For the same price you can get a much superior Ryzen chip, unless you are a pro gamer who needs every possible frame.

For $175, compared to the at least $200 for the i5 9400, you get a R5 3600 which is 6 cores/12 threads compared to 6 cores/6 threads in the i5's. You can easily enough find plenty of benchmarks demonstrating that in almost all use cases ther 3600 is superior and in the others it is so close the price difference isn't worth it.