Improving GUI performance under IRAY RTX 3090 GPU rendering - second GPU?
JP
Posts: 80
Hi all,
Well I finally got my hands on an EVGA 3090 FTW3 Ultra. I will be installing it later today - been sitting in my home office for over a week! I did not have time until now!
I would like to use my computer to browse on the internet or perhaps even do CAD / Photoshop work while the 3090 is rendering in DAZ3D. The computer has 128 GB RAM and an I9-7900x 10 core / 20 thread processor. 2 TB m.2 SSD OS drive. I have a lot of extra GPU cards available (1080 ti, 1070 ti, RX580). So what's the process? Should I run two HDMI cables to my 4k monitor, one connected to the 3090 and another to the second GPU? Then when I start rendering in DAZ3D just switch the HDMI input to the second GPU that is not rendering? I am assuming the second GPU will still display the same content that's on the first GPU? Or will it be a blank desktop?
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Comments
use a second card, just make it semi decent really. Although the better it is the more options such as gaming.
Use the CPU, if it has a GPU component.
Do you have onboard graphics? If so, you can just use that. That's what I do. If you don't, then add the 1080 ti. You can also get a boost with rendering if you aren't doing anything else.
Unfortunately my motherboard (X299 ASUS Mark 2 TUF does not have an onboard video card. So I'll add one of the other graphics cards. Many of my DAZ3d scenes maxed out the RAM of the 1080 ti so I'll probably only be rendering with the 3090. I have used the 1080 ti with VRAY so it will really come in handy then. I just have to double check if my PSU will keep up. It's a 1000 watt Corsair and my system used up to 600 watts when both the I9 and 1080ti were rendering with VRAY. Add another 350 watts and I am pushing it. I could limit the power of the GPU though if needed.
So do I have to connect the monitor to each GPU with a HDMI cable?
I don't think so. I mean, I frequently go online and use the computer for other stuff while rendering, and it isn't a big deal. I do have onboard graphics that I usually use, but I haven't seen a difference plugging into one of the rendering cards. I just minimize daz and the render window. Yes, the psu might not be quite up to running both cards all out, but it might. In a lot of situations like this I basically put the parts together and see if it works. The computer lagging while rendering is more a function of overwhelming the cpu than what monitor is connected, I think.
Ok thanks for the response! I free up 2 of the 20 threas with my CPU by going to task manager, details and choosing DAZ3D > Set affinity. There's an option to deselect processors. Works great! Wish it was possible to do that with the GPU. What I found in smaller scenes that fit into the RAM of the 1080 ti that the GUI will become very sluggish. With the larger scenes that do not fit in the 1080 ti's RAM my I9 would be rendering and after I free up 2 threads the computer is very usable. I can play videos on youtube etc. while DAZ is rendering with IRAY and the CPU. Now ofcourse with the 3090 the CPU would not be needed for renderings. Hence the second GPU so I can still have a responsive GUI while the 3090 does the rendering work.
I have a 3090 and while things are rendering in Daz, I'm in after effects doing stuff, or building things in Blender, or even watching a movie. You'll have no problem doing other things while it's doing it's thing.
I have a RTX 2070 Super (8GB) and I have no problems in doing whatever while DS is doing IRAY rendering with the GPU, but there was a difference between having 32GB:s versus the Current 64GB:s of RAM, with 32GB RAM there was some sluggishness with doing other things while DS was IRAY rendering.
You may want to seriously consider upgrading your PSU if you are planning on doing anything significant with your CPU/1080 Ti while rendering with the 3090 (browsing the interwebs or watching movies should be OK with your current setup). Although the 3090 nominally pulls 350 W, there have been reports in the rendering benchmark thread of the 3090 spiking as high as 450-500 W at times during renders, so if your CPU/1080 Ti/SSD are pulling 500-600 W when in heavy use you run the risk of overloading your PSU. I would think a 1300 W power supply would give you more peace of mind when using both GPU's for either dual rendering or gaming while rendering.
I ended up not installing the 1080 ti alongside the 3090. The 3090 is a thick card and there would be little clearance between the 1080 ti and 3090. And I added an Asus m.2 PCIE card and 10 gigabit dual network adaptor. I could use PCIE extension cables but I don't think I will because...
I tested the 3090 and wow this card is incredible! It renders big scenes with many G8 characters with ease. Scenes that would take hours in the past are now rendered in a few minutes at ultra high resolutions. What's more the computer is completely usable while rendering is going on. I was able to play videos in youtube or browse site with no visible impact. I am seriously blown away by the card. It did not get that hot either! So there is no need for a second GPU.
If you can afford it and your computer PSU and motherboard supports it you should really consider the 3090 for DAZ3D. I am on a waiting list for a second 3090 and will get a 10 year warranty for it!
Yes this is what I found in my testing. Incredible card!
What temperature you have on gpu? I have 3090 but turbo edition as my case is small factor and I needed shorter card. My temps are around 70 degrees celcius. I am using also 1080 together with 3090
Same experience. I thought about keeping my 1070Ti in the system, but there is little space left to bring the hot air out. I got 75°C max temp on the RTX3090 with the i9 nearly idling during the render. 13 remainig cores waiting to be utilized. Since the graphics card directly blows against the PSU which I think is not good on the long run, I installed an additional fan in the case. Now its only 73 max with environmental temp at 20ºC.
I also do stuff during rendering now. But couldn't get much work done in Blender because the render took only 7min. Crazy!