I'm looking at over 72hrs for some of my renders so I was thinking... what would be an effective method for a renderstation? think I should spring for an octo-core? or would a quadore be good... Im wondering on how much of an effect videocard has on it cause I'd consider a SLI configuration... Im running a 9800GTX, and a Q6600 quadcore but my board can handle an octo.

Was thinking of buying a mobo for the Q6600 and turning it into the renderstation, although I don't know if im willing to fork out the big cash for the octo...

Any idea if theres a price drop due to hit soon ? ^^;

thnxs!

I'd look at an i7 if the app your using can use hyperthreading.

Yes it does, Maya and most 3D apps will use everything your machine has and bring it to its knees come render time.

The funny thing about rendering is it will never be "quick" really. As systems get faster the 3D apps add effects, techniques and, if all else fails, increase resolution keeping the average user in a propetual state of long render times.

With that said the i7 seems like a good choice and if you have the money I hear professional 3D cards are worth it. It's a shame ninepound isn't around here anymore to help because this is what he does for a living.

I would suggest a core i7 920. The quad core with hyperthreading will make things a little snappier, and if you want more horsepower just overclock it, all the core i7's seem to be pretty good OC'ers.

I don't know how feasible this would be but another option is to get more less powerful CPUs and build a small render farm that is networked together. This is only really beneficial if you get a bunch of older computers for free. I still think that the Core i7 route would be the best.