• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

New GameDev system needed: would love some advice

P

phosfiend

Junior Member
Howdy!

I haven't built a PC in quite a while, and am trying desperately to catch up on gear as my primary Dev PC is starting to die. I've upgraded it to Frankenstein levels, but many components are 5+ years old.

*UPDATED AS PER THE SYSTEM BUILD STICKY REQUIREMENTS*

1. What: I'll be using this system for game development & content creation - Unity development, 3D modelling, animation, sound design, music composition, video editing & graphic design.

2. Budget: Under $2000 Canadian would be ideal.

3. Where: I will be buying gear in Canada - Montreal

4. Brand preference: Intel preference, no other real brand allegiances.

5. Old hardware: I will like use some of my existing SATA 2 HDD's for mass storage

6. I'll do another search for possibly related threads, promise 🙂

7. Overclocking: I will NOT be overclocking

8. What resolution: 5760x1200 (three 1920x1200 screens, this could change)

9. When: As soon as I've decided which parts to get.

I'm developing a game called FRACT OSC (www.fractgame.com) for windows & mac and as an indie dev, I'm doing a little bit of everything involving content creation: modelling, sound design, animation, making trailers, graphic design, and of course working on the actual game itself.

I'm not really interested in a cycle of endless upgrades, so I'd like to build a reliable and powerful system that lasts. Ideally I'd like the CPU, Motherboard, Ram, PSU and case to not change for years (barring any unexpected failures of course). I would be willing to upgrade the videocard down the road, but it's not something I'm really excited to do. Also, I'm completely un-interested in over clocking this system, period.

My big debate at this point is to go for an 3930k based system or a 3770k based system. Basically, I'm wondering if the added cores/threads of the 3930k will benefit me more than some of the 3rd gen features of 3770k. I'm leaning towards the 3930k, but if you can convince me otherwise, I'm all ears (especially since that road is cheaper).

One thing that does intrigue me about the 3770k is the option to test our game on the integrated GPU, but I suspect productivity will far outweigh this 'feature'. Also, PCIE 3.0 vs 2.0, thoughts?

So just to recap the two ways I'm thinking:
i7 3930k
x79, not crazy expensive based motherboard (a good one, I prize stability and speed over features like onboard THX audio)
32GB of the fastish RAM within reason that the CPU and MOBO will support (I was looking at corsair vengeance)
A nice modular PSU (corsair 850w was where I was looking)
A good, cable management friendly case, no lights please
A good, reasonable, SSD for software

i7 3770k
x77 based motherboard (a good one, I prize stability and speed over features like onboard THX audio)
32GB of the fastish RAM within reason that the CPU and MOBO will support (I was looking at corsair vengeance)
A nice modular PSU (corsair 850w was where I was looking)
A good, cable management friendly case, no lights please
A good, reasonable, SSD for software

Thanks!

Richard
 
Last edited:
What are the current specs of your dev system?

Is there a particular existing engine that you're using or is this all built from scratch?

Not sure what call to make on the CPU, the extra cores do give you additional compute power but if whatever software you're using to make this game doesn't support that many threads its a moot point and rather expensive. I honestly think you'll be just fine with a 3770K honestly unless your game takes forever to build new revisions of. If you could list any particular software you're using then the decision might be easier. The motherboard will also be dependent on this info.

As for the RAM, are you actually able to use 32 GB of it? If so just grab 2 sets of this G.SKILL Value 16GB as for the intended purposes it will perform just as well as a costlier set.

Why the need for such a powerful modular PSU? I'm not sure why you're so keen on modular as well since you stated you don't like to constantly upgrade meaning you want to build it and just be done. While a modular PSU will give you easier and cleaner cable management if you just take a little extra time with a standard PSU you can achieve roughly the same thing. Do you use the CPU to build the entire game or is there any GPU processing done? If not then this PCP&C 400W should suffice for the system and is fully modular.

As for a fast reliable SSD, just look for a Crucial M4 or Samsung 830 when they're on sale from any of your e-tailers, I happen upon them for US deals but I'm afraid I'm unaware if they offer the deals that often in Canada.

As for the case, there are tons of options around, I personally like the aesthetics and build quality of NZXT and they're priced nicely too. You get more features/extras with more money but you could probably pick just about any case out there as long as you like it. Cooling performance won't be that big of an issue for this build.
 
Great insight, thank you. I'm primarily using Unity for development and I doubt it could take advantage of all those cores/threads. But will Windows spread the load if I have apps like Cinema4D, Ableton, puredata, photoshop all running simultaneously? If not, then there's likely no point in the 3930.

As for the PSU, that was a shot in the dark, as I was kind of reverse engineering an Origin PC, and they had something similarly spec'd. Also, as you suspected, I like the idea of the tidiness of a modular PSU, but maybe don't need one.

For the vidcard, the game is pretty low-poly, so a quaddro or firegl likely isn't necessary, I was just going to get something in the sub-400$ range. No SLI/Crossfire for now.

Also, the current system is a core 2 quad q6600, on an asus p5w DH deluxe with 6gb of decent (if forgettable) RAM and an ATI 5850.

EDIT: in retrospect, 16gb is likely plenty of RAM, and should I need to, a painless upgrade later on.

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
phosfiend said:
Great insight, thank you. I'm primarily using Unity for development and I doubt it could take advantage of all those cores/threads. But will Windows spread the load if I have apps like Cinema4D, Ableton, puredata, photoshop all running simultaneously? If not, then there's likely no point in the 3930.
Click to expand...

Is running simultaneously as in actually doing some processing or just "running simultaneously" as in mostly waiting for you to switch back and give it some more input?

If your workflow is more like the former, then yes you could probably benefit from a hex core. If it's more like the latter, than i7 3770 or a Xeon 1230/1240 will be more than enough.
 
I'm sure there's some draw while in standby, but yes, they're waiting for input as you put it. Thanks for the input
 
OK, with all that in mind, here's a build:

Xeon E3-1230 V2 $240
ASrock B75 Pro3 $95
Geil DDR3 1333 16GB $75
Sapphire 7850 $200
Crucial M4 256GB $210
Reuse HDD $0
Lite-ON DVD Burner $20
Silencer Mk III 500W $65 AR - really, you could do a 400W
Fractal Design Define R4 $110
IEEE 1394A/B PCIe card $25
Total: $1035 AR

If you really want to throw more money at the build, you can certainly do so. However, you'd be looking at significant diminishing returns beyond this point and I'm sure you're rather invest the other $1k into your game.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top