Choices: A GTX 1070, a Ryzen 5, or a 3D printer?
N-RArts
Posts: 1,520
Hello
I'm having a dilemma. I have a miniscule amount of money, but I don't know what to with it.
I've got three choices:
1. I'm looking at a Nvidia GTX 1070 - 8GB, Pre-owned, on a certain auction site. The fans seem pretty big. Would my computer need new housing (it's not the biggest of PCs), and would I need to find a compatible motherboard?
2. At the other end of the CPU/graphic card spectrum is an AMD Ryzen 5 3600 (at least - possibly Ryzen 7). Again, pre-owned, on a certain auction site. Although I'm pretty sure that I would have to spend more money in order to get a compatible motherboard (but I don't know how much it would cost).
Would having a decent (or newer) CPU or GPU installed fix any possible driver issues, or any problems with random restarts/failed shutdowns?
3. Then, there's... A 3D PRINTER. PLA - Resin figures don't really get on well with the environment in this house (small, stuffy, and VERY WARM - You would not believe it until you had experienced it for yourself).
Anyway, this is the one that I've been looking at: https://amzn.eu/d/9ISNvnc
However, if anyone can recommend something better (for around the same price), then suggestions would be gratefully received.
Plus, I've been using primers, acrylics quite a bit lately, so any extra postwork on models isn't a problem anymore.
I'd love to take Daz on full-time. But I also want to stop using 3D printing services on Etsy, as my last batch of (resin) 3D prints were a 4/10 (and I'm being generous with that score).
I'm still feeling lost, and I wouldn't mind some clarity from an outside perspective. I also only had one hour of sleep last night, and it's getting pretty darn hard to think - and concentrate. And my Mum looks at me like I'm speaking an alien language when I try to gauge her opinion.
Thank you for any advice, suggestions, or general input.
EDIT: Oh! If you want computer specs, you can find them here: https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/572376/my-pc-daz-won-t-render-again#latest on the/my first post
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Comments
Just at a conceptual level, if you are paying others to do 3D printing, investing in printing hardware seems like a smart choice. You could also then provide that service to others for a fee.
I would take the 3D printer. A used GTX1070 is obsolete and may be a retired crypto-mining card and not worth buying. If you upgraded to a Ryzen CPU, you would likely need a new motherboard and possibly a new power supply as well. You might wait on the CPU, as AMD is about to release Ryzen Gen 4.
Out of the three, I'd go with the 3D printer as well.
As far as the GPU is concerned... An RTX 3060 12GB can be had for little over 400USD/Eur and it just about beats all the older cards... What would a used card offer instead?
What exactly is your budget... how money is burning a hole in your wallet?
I wouldn't get any.
However, if you are definitely buying one of them and want advice?
A used card, a couple of generations old; hell no.
If you're just plugging in the CPU, knowing it will work and not exceed power resources - and offers a decent upgrade, then perhaps worth it.
Do you do 3D printing?
... I have zero interest in 3D printing until I can print my own spare parts for products I own.
I have a 2080ti FE (two-slot) looking for a good home. If you live in the US PM me and we can talk about it.
Wow! Thank you for the replies.
@PerttiA
Sadly it mostly comes down to budget for me. Then there's what I think my
computer can handle (it's nearly 10 years old, can't update to
Windows 11, and has failed shutdowns/random restarts).
Before the pandemic, the guy at the computer shop recommended two
different Nvidia GPUs, and I'm pretty sure that one was a 1070 (I've
lost the paper which had the details of both GPU cards). So that's the only GPU that I've been searching for.
@Chumly
£200
@nicstt
Just plugging it into the CPU would be totally ideal.
I've read some of the threads on this forum about Nvidia GPUs,
and they just make my head spin.
I've had quite a few items printed via a couple of 3D Printing
services on Etsy.
With all of the money that I've spent, I've figured that it COULD
be cheaper to buy a printer and do it myself. Plus, my last
print wasn't that good, and I'm starting to get the feeling that
I'm just being ripped off.
Plus, I've created some ideas that I'd like to try and print.
@rrward
Thank you for your offer, but I live in the UK (sorry).
I hope you're able to find a new home for it at some point in the future :)
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At the moment, I'm looking at a 3D Printer (although we have very little space
available ^^' ). I'm just trying to work out if it's better to buy it from Amazon,
or the manufacturer's site (Creality).
I apologise for the layout of this message, I had to type it in Notepad. Chrome now has a habit of either closing itself, or not responding. I also apologise for any spelling, or grammar errors.
N-RArts,
Upgrading the components in a 10 year old computer is not a good way to go, unless you have strong power supply, good cooling, and a motherboard that supports the upgrades. All of these are a must for modern components and could add significant cost to your effort. You really need a new system, save your $$$ for it. Go with the 3D printer, but make sure that your system meets its requirements.
Thank you for your reply, and for "removing my blinkers".
I was told that if the upgrades cost more than the what I paid for the machine, then it would be better if I bought a new one. Which isn't going to happen anytime soon.
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I've just bought my new 3D printer. I'm hoping that it will be delivered on/by Tuesday. I'm excited (and somewhat apprehensive) about going into this.
Thank you to those who have replied to this thread