Latest Intel 14xxx is rumsren to be launched in September and available in October and offer a small boost. It is the same 12xxx and 13xxx with small tweaks and higher power use.

https://videocardz.com/newz/asrock-reiterates-rumors-about-14th-gen-core-raptor-lake-refresh-october-launch-ddr5-6400-memory-support

I get it and AMD actually has some compatibility issues with the latest new DDR5 platform, but Intel is not flawless and have their fair share of issues too, especially the new big/small cores bullshit of the 12xxx, 13xxx and soon 14xxx series. AMD is now 2 manufacturing generations ahead of Intel, meaning 30% more cores and rendering power. Here is a good head to headset shoot out of the latest AMD 7950x and the biggest Intel 12900, AMD beat Intel by 30%. For $1200 you can get 16 old Intel cores or 24 new AMD cores as a rough translation of cost/performance.

https://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/2910?vs=2908

/Edit, could not find a good and cheap AMD 7950x build at Pcpartpicker, this is the closest as a ballpark figure. https://pcpartpicker.com/b/W97XsY

Here is an option from Lenovo (IBM sold off the PC business to Lenovo) with AMD for around 1200 dollars. Not a good deal compared to a DIY as you only get 8 cores and need to add more memory. But like Dell they have good service options and you can add a 49$ Bluray USB drive.

https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/desktops/legion-desktops/legion-t-series-towers/legion-tower-5-gen-8-(26l,-amd)/90ux0001us#compatible_acc

If you live near a Microcenter in the US, they should be able to hook you up with a perfect DIY, within budget and offer service options like the big boys at Dell or Lenovo.

https://www.microcenter.com/

Here is a Dell desktop from Dell.com at 1049, slightly faster 13700 and a slow/cheap Nvidia 3050 8Gb should the need arise. The 16Gb RAM is a little low, but should be enough for the current use case.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/inspiron-desktop/spd/inspiron-3020-desktop/useithbts3020fyzr

At $1249 you get a bigger GPU but more importantly it says "more memory sold separately" so you can add RAM later, if you do more in the future.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/desktop-computers/new-xps-desktop/spd/xps-8960-desktop/usexthbts8960gjzr

Again, the next model year is around the corner, another 20% boost for Intel CPUs and better deals on AMD systems on September.

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 :::::

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.

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

I purposed 3060 12GB since it is the lowest cost HDMI 2.1 and decent amount of VRAM for any future GPU tasks, cloth or rendering. With HDMI 2.1, any new TV or monitor can be run at HDR, high refresh rate, 4k, 8k and so on.

With the 7950x there is a very small iGPU, so an external GPU can be bought later...

If you are selling your car and want an extreme rig, the current 64 core AMD CPU will be replaced soon with a 96 core according to the rumors. But I am guessing that a 50k$ rig is too much for you, but it can also heat your home.

Windows 11 brings better HDR support and new OLED TVs from LG or Samsung QD-OLED monitors, are another new upgrade. They are color calibrated from the factory and offer more colors. Also very fast/fluent when moving windows at real 120Hz instead of the fake 60Hz of the old LCD panels. Superfly is probaly not so HDR optimized, more of a personal experience upgrade.

If you upgrade both the rig to the latest CPU and Gen4 Nvme drive and Poser to 13, I would guess 2x speed bump for all operations and even more for rendering. Exact numbers depend on your current rig.

Anything in 3D needs a lot of RAM both for the CPU and VRAM for the GPU. You can do more stuff without taking time to optimize assets and settings. I would start with minimum 32GB of RAM and 12GB of VRAM (cloth sim and other render engines).

You did not mention a budget, so this is for medium cost rig.

AMD Ryzen 9 7950x 16 core, 32Gb and an Nvidia 3060 12Gb, the Nvme drive prices are crashing so a fast Gen4 2Tb and another cheaper 2TB Gen3. Look for a mainboard with 4 memory slots to add another 2x16 RAM later if needed and 2 Nvme slots at least.

Here are the official options for the missing Adobe Flash in Poser: https://www.posersoftware.com/article/499/how-to-fix-your-runtime-now-that-adobe-flash-has-reached-end-of-life

Guess you found a new option?

Poser 11.3 (latest update) added support for

Turing: 16xx and 20xx

GPU rendering in SuperFly, previous versions did not support Turing GPUs. No idea about Ampere in Poser 11, guessing not supported.

https://www.posersoftware.com/article/456/poser-pro-113-is-available-for-download

Poser 12 is required for GPU rendering on newer graphics cards.

Turing: 16xx and 20xx

Ampere: 30xx

Was added to Poser 12 according to this post, which also shows how to choose your supported GPU:

http://www.posersoftware.com/documentation/12/Poser_Reference_Manual/Rendering/SuperFly/SuperFly_Render_Settings.htm

http://www.posersoftware.com/documentation/12/Poser_Reference_Manual/Introduction/Welcome/Whats_New_in_Poser.htm

Scary creature, well composed scene.

Well, there are a couple of new plugins for Carrara by Philemo that I have not had the time to try in depth, if you are looking for a challenge. https://sourceforge.net/projects/carrara-time-savers/