Need a new 3D graphics Workstation for 3ds Max®? Autodesk 3ds Max® is a demanding application that can be demanding on even the most powerful Workstations. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
From 3D animations to modelling to photorealistic renders to game development, 3ds Max® can do it all. But you need the proper computer hardware to get the most out of it. That’s where we come in.
With the help of this guide and our expert consultancy team, we can provide you with the perfect Workstation for your 3ds Max® needs. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, we have a solution for you.
Finding the Ideal Workstation CPU for Autodesk 3ds Max®
Choosing the best CPU for a 3ds Max® Workstation is complex, as different CPUs have different strengths and weaknesses. Two key factors to consider are frequency (GHz) and core count.
Frequency affects how quickly a CPU can complete a single-threaded task. Modelling workflows rely heavily on CPU frequency, so higher clock speeds are essential. Core count affects the number of parallel computations a processor can perform, significantly accelerating tasks such as CPU rendering. However, CPUs with high core counts often have slower frequencies, which can reduce modelling performance.
So, how do you find a CPU that offers excellent modelling and rendering capabilities? One option is to use multiple systems, such as a modelling Workstation and a render farm, each tailored to a specific task. This approach can be effective but does add complexity to the setup.
Another option is using a single Workstation with a high-end CPU, such as an AMD Ryzen™ Threadripper™ PRO or Intel® Xeon® W. These processors offer high clock speeds and high core counts, making them ideal for multi-purpose 3ds Max® Workstations.
Multi-system approaches have fantastic benefits you should consider:
- Modelling Workstation can be highly optimised and more cost-effective with AMD Ryzen™ or Intel® Core™ processors.
- Multiple users can share a networked render farm in your organisation.
- Rendering is a demanding task. By performing render on another system, the performance of your 3ds Max® modelling Workstation is unaffected.
Ultimately, the best CPU for your 3ds Max® workstation depends on your needs and budget. Our expert sales team will gladly assist you in choosing the best setup for you.
3ds Max® Workstation RAM: Finding the Right Balance
The amount of RAM in your 3ds Max® Workstation directly impacts its performance. However, the ideal amount of RAM depends on the size and complexity of your 3D scenes.
If you don’t have enough RAM, your system will use slower mass storage (HDD or SSD) to compensate, which can significantly reduce performance. On the other hand, having too much RAM offers no performance gains and is wasteful.
We recommend 16-64GB of RAM for most 3ds Max® users. If you are using two systems for modelling and rendering, we recommend configuring both systems with the same amount of memory to avoid compatibility issues.
Here are a few tips for choosing the right amount of RAM for your 3ds Max® Workstation:
- Consider the size and complexity of your 3D scenes. Larger and more complex scenes require more RAM.
- Think about your workflow. If you are working on multiple projects/applications simultaneously or use many plugins, you will need more RAM.
3ds Max® Workstation GPUs: Choosing the Right One for Your Needs
The graphics card (GPU) is essential to a 3ds Max® Workstation. GPUs are responsible for rendering graphics, and a powerful GPU can significantly improve the performance of 3DS Max®.
There are two main types of GPUs: professional and consumer. Professional GPUs come with optimised drivers, ISV certification and large amounts of Graphical Memory. Consumer GPUs focus primarily on gaming and other general-purpose tasks but can offer great value for money.
For a 3ds Max® Workstation, we recommend using a professional GPU. Professional GPUs offer several advantages over consumer GPUs, including:
- Higher performance: Professional GPUs are designed to handle the demanding workloads of professional applications.
- Better reliability: Professional GPUs are tested and certified to work with professional applications.
Some of the best professional GPUs for 3ds Max® include:
If you are on a budget, consider using a consumer GPU such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX range. Autodesk tests some of these cards with 3ds Max®, however, less extensively than their professional counterparts.
GPU Rendering: A Cost-Effective and Scalable Solution
GPU rendering is a fast and efficient way to render your scenes, and it can be very cost-effective compared to CPU-based rendering. It is also highly scalable, meaning you can add more GPUs to your system to speed up rendering times.
GPU rendering works exceptionally well with multiple cards and can be a great way to optimise your workflow.
While we generally recommend professional graphics cards for 3ds Max®, you may get a better value for money from consumer cards. Autodesk has been testing NVIDIA GeForce RTX and AMD Radeon™ RX cards, and we have found that they can perform well for GPU rendering.
If you are considering using consumer cards for GPU rendering, check the latest list of tested cards from Autodesk. Alternatively, contact our sales consultancy team to discover the best configuration for your workflow and budget.
GPU rendering can be a great way to improve the performance of your 3ds Max® Workstation, and it can be a cost-effective solution for many users.
Storage/SSD
Solid state drives (SSDs) are more expensive than traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) but offer significant performance benefits. Replacing your HDD with an SSD can make your system more responsive, especially when loading and saving 3ds Max® scenes.
For even faster performance, consider using an M.2 NVMe SSD. M.2 NVMe SSDs are the fastest type of SSD available, and they can significantly reduce loading and saving times for complex 3ds Max® scenes.
Here are a few of the benefits of using an SSD for your 3ds Max® Workstation:
- Faster loading and saving times
- Improved overall system responsiveness
We recommend a secondary Hard Disk Drive HDD or Network Attached Storage (NAS) for backup and bulk long-term storage of project files. These slower forms of storage offer much larger storage capacities and are much more cost-effective.
Summary
The best 3ds Max® Workstation for you depends on your primary goals for the application. If you want the best possible modelling experience, choose a CPU with a high clock speed.
If you want to reduce your render times, choose a CPU with many cores and threads or set up a networked render farm. Alternatively, consider GPU rendering and invest in one or more powerful GPUs.
Here are a few tips for choosing the right 3ds Max® Workstation:
- Consider your budget. 3ds Max® Workstations can be expensive, but investing in a system that will meet your needs is essential.
- Think about your workflow. What tasks do you perform most often? How large and complex are your scenes?
- Choose the right components. CPU, RAM, GPU, and storage are all important factors.
