operaguy posted at 3:25 PM Sat, 19 August 2023 - #4472992

3Drendero posted at 12:52 PM Sat, 19 August 2023 - #4472978

"Yes Firefly is CPU rendering only, but dynamic cloth is mentioned and there are some GPU (nvidia CUDA) accelerated options out there."

I am reading the posts and this point about GPU or not for Firefly/ClothSimulation helps. If the clothroom and dynamic hair room tap into GPU power, I'll won't diminish the importance of it.

I'm aiming at a budget of $1200 without monitor.

I believe I don't need a huge internal SSD, since .pz3 projects are saved off into two external HD as the work increments.

I've had good luck with Dell. I'm looking at this unit right now.

https://www.amazon.com/Dell-OptiPlex-7000-Business-Bluetooth/dp/B0CB642KFG/ref=sr_1_38_sspa?th=1

Thanks for all the suggestions and debate, my purchase timeframe is mid-Sept, so important but not urgent. I have time to think.

::::: Opera :::::

Wow that is so NOT a 3D rendering workstation and so overpriced that you really need to take a look at anything else that Dell, Lenovo or any other brand offers for 1200 dollar. It is a pure 2D Office mini PC that should be hidden away and probably is loud and definately hot since the 8 big cores and 4 sh1t cores are old and power hungry. No upgrades possible and very low second hand value...

At Dell.com you will get the 2023 model year for the same price, it includes the 13700 that adds 4 small cores for a small render boost. Maybe already in September the 2024 model year intel 14700 will be out, rumored to add another 20% if used in a big case with a big PSU.