Advice on best system for 3D and After Effects

Could anyone please offer advice on a good system for 3D and After Effects?  Every time I search, all I find is Dell XPS8960, but it maxes out at 64 GB RAM and I'd like to have 128. Also the power supply being integrated into the chassis means it can't be easily replaced.  I'm looking for a desktop since cooling is better.  I appreciate any advice or suggestions! Thanks!

Edited by kalibahlu, 18 January 2024 - 11:13 AM.

These machines are usually made to order, as two Creatives rarely have similar specifications in mind.

Depending on where you are in the world, there may be specialist manufacturers, but I can't help you there as that's well out of my league

Depends - where you are located in this globe (Country) and the budget (how much or how little you are willing to spend)?

Other uses for the system?

And do you have a proper editing monitor and other devices now or are these also included in this budget?

Professional or occasion uses of the desktop? 

Help us with some information and then we can begin to help you.

Thank you for your replies!  I'm in the USA, hoping to spend under 5K, but flexible.  I'm a graphics professional, heavy on the After Effects and C4D/Blender.  I already have everything else and just looking for a desktop CPU.  Already have dual 4K monitors and various input devices. As far as other uses for the system, Photoshop, Illustrator and occasional  Microsoft Office and Premiere Pro work. I'd like a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4000 series card, and I'd be OK with only 64 GB RAM to start as long as it was upgradable.

Considered a custom system?

https://www.falcon-nw.com/desktops/overview (maybe a Talon model? and highly rated)

https://www.originpc.com/workstation/desktops/ (owned by Corsair so expect to see mostly Corsair parts being used,  also good)

https://nzxt.com/ (more 'gamer' orientated, but these can be used for professional work)

https://maingear.com/ (also build workstations)

Along with the 128GB RAM, you should definitely consider a top tier CPU for this type of professional work. Maybe Intel i9 or AMD?

And of a RTX 4xxx will be needed - 4080 maybe now but wait and it will be superseded by the RTX 4080 Super (will be on the market soon).  Also the same for the RTX 4070 and 4070 Ti will be replaced by their own Super versions.  The RTX 4070 Super is out on the market as of now.  https://videocardz.com/newz/nvidia-rtx-4080-super-reportedly-costs-999-rtx-4070-ti-4070-super-at-799-599

Considered building your own desktop? Not that hard to do actually. It is relatively easy to build a desktop. It is simply  going step by step until completion.

See this video for building, but this video does also give more ideas or background for your custom ordered desktop too. Good to watch even if not building your own system.

Thanks so much!  Yes, I'm thinking the latest i9 would be great. Yes, I would be happy with a custom build as long as there was support.  Previously I had a Boxx Apexx 4 custom build and the support from Boxx is amazing, but of course that costs extra. I'm comfortable changing out any parts that aren't soldered on, such as the cooling system, fans, PSU and of course RAM. I'm checking out your links now.

Considered building your own desktop? Not that hard to do actually. It is relatively easy to build a desktop. It is simply  going step by step until completion.

 

See this video for building, but this video does also give more ideas or background for your custom ordered desktop too. Good to watch even if not building your own system.

 

Yes, I considered it while working on my previous system and feeling confident, but then I finally "broke" something, which I assumed was the motherboard, and I realized that without troubleshooting equipment or working parts to compare to, I'm stuck if something doesn't work.  I had purchased a new motherboard to test, and while breadboarding, couldn't get it to "beep", but the main power socket seemed defective, but I couldn't be sure without buying another board. Or maybe it was just the battery! lol But I had no way to know.

Edited by kalibahlu, 18 January 2024 - 02:47 PM.

Very good. If budget does not allow for the Intel Core i9, then then Intel Core i7 maybe appropriate for your work. The i7 is fairly close to the i9 in performance and runs a little cooler, besides being lower in price.

https://youtu.be/ct8lwm6tCT8?t=238

AFAIK the custom builders previously listed have full support and good warranties. Best look at the web sites for the some rough idea of the detail/specs/models and then phone call  these for further information. Or you may consider another Boxx?

Edited by 0lds0d, 18 January 2024 - 02:49 PM.

I would really like to get another Boxx, but they're very expensive. 

Oh well, expensive, but do you get that high quality that makes it worth it? Always something to consider about getting proper value for your money.

Your professional situation demands very top tier hardware and anyway you look at it, it is going to be expensive. Going cheap maybe OK to save some money, and over paying is a sin, but always buy quality when laying out that kind of money you are spending as it is the best choice in the long run.

The average  PC gamer or home user (doing the occasion photo/video) is a different situation - using cheap hardware is perfectly acceptable.

Anyways you seem to have some time to gather information/specs and then make decisions and find the correct conclusions.

Edit: maybe fix up that dead system at a local repair shop and get it running and sell it or sell it off for parts or sell 'as is'? Then you have some extra funds in hand for this next system.  $5,000 USD is still a lot of money these days.

Edited by 0lds0d, 18 January 2024 - 06:05 PM.

Remember, if you are using it as a source of income (making money). Then it is a Tax Deductible expense.

Oh forgot to ask -  doing CPU overclocking? And cooling is going to be Air, AIO (360 or 420mm I am guessing) or a Custom  cooling loop? 

And case size to be used? Bigger is better?

And drives - lots of NVMe and lots of SATA HDD/SSD - how many?

Any particular favorite brands for the motherboard, RAM, drives, PSU, etc?

Edited by 0lds0d, 18 January 2024 - 06:35 PM.

Edited by 0lds0d, 18 January 2024 - 07:23 PM.