computer rig advice for rendering

[Axel Scotte]

I'm looking for a new computer to cut down render times on Autodesk Maya. Mostly I am interested in single frame rendering (for example, I make tweak and render, make a tweak and render - as opposed to batch render). My choices are:

Intel Xeon E5-1650 3.2ghz 6-core with Nvidia Quadro NVS290

vs

AMD FX-8350 4.0ghz 8-core with GeForce GTX 1060 6GB

Basically, a better CPU with a low end graphics card, or a really good graphics card with slightly worse CPU. Which would be faster for this type of rendering?

Also, would an SSD make a difference in render times?

 

[DrMrLordX]

Are you going to be using the Mental Ray plugin?

 

[Axel Scotte]

Yes, I render mostly using mental ray plugin. I might branch out to other renderers (Renderman, Arnold).

 

[DrMrLordX]

Then my guess would be to go with the rig that gets you the fastest GPU. That Quadro is . . . pretty old no? Launched in 2007?

 

[Axel Scotte]

Yea, it's really old. I have a slightly better graphics card on my current rig but also old. I just needed to know if getting a better CPU or GPU and it sounds like getting the better GPU. The cost is the same.