How to configure your workstation for Blender 4.1

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Blender is a professional, free open-source 3D CAD program for creating models, movies, animations and visual effects. With the integrated video editing program you can edit your video clips optimally. The integrated render engine "Cycles" supports CPU as well as GPU for your renderings. Starting with version 3.0. Blender has a new realtime render engine called Cycles X. With Cycles X, small animations can be created and edited in real time with little work. Would you like to work on larger and very complex projects with appealing geometry more easily and quickly? We configure the optimum business workstation for your individual Blender applications and offer you the opportunity to put the system to the test with a test licence for Blender via remote access. Contact us and arrange a free remote test. The current version: 4.1 Below is our expertise for Blender: 

Optimal processors for Blender 4.1: Focus on Intel Core and Intel Xeon CPUs

Blender 4.1 is a powerful 3D graphics software that is used for a wide range of projects, from small animations to complex film scenes. Choosing the right processor (CPU) can have a significant impact on performance. Here we look at which Intel Core and Intel Xeon CPUs are best suited for small, medium and complex Blender projects.

Small projects for individual objects, simple animations, basic simulations.

  • Our recommendation: HP Workstation Model Z2 G9 with Intel CPU:
  • Intel Core i5-13600K
  • Cores/Threads: 14/20
  • Clock frequency: 3.5 GHz (base), up to 5.1 GHz (turbo)
  • Cache: 24 MB
  • Advantage: Excellent single-core performance and sufficient multi-core performance for light workloads in Blender. Price-performance ratio is ideal for beginners or smaller projects.

  • Our recommendation: HP Workstation model Z2 G9 with Intel CPU:
  • Intel Core i7-13700K
  • Cores/threads: 16/24
  • Clock frequency: 3.4 GHz (base), up to 5.4 GHz (turbo)
  • Cache: 30 MB
  • Advantage: Offers better multi-core performance and higher clock frequencies than the i5, which reduces rendering times for slightly more demanding projects.


Medium projects for scenes with multiple objects, more complex animations, detailed simulations.

  • Our recommendation: HP Z2 G9 with Intel Core CPU:
  • Intel Core i9-13900K
  • Cores/Threads: 24/32
  • Clock frequency: 3.0 GHz (base), up to 5.8 GHz (turbo)
  • Cache: 36 MB
  • Advantage: Offers high multi-core performance and excellent single-core speed, allowing for handling more complex scenes and shorter rendering times.

  • Our recommendation HP Z4 G5 with Intel Xeon CPU:
  • Intel Xeon W7-2495X
  • Cores/Threads: 24/48
  • Clock frequency: 2.5 GHz (base), up to 4.8 GHz (turbo)
  • Cache: 35.75 MB
  • Advantage: For workstation users, this Xeon processor offers ECC memory support and better reliability for rendering tasks.


Complex projects for highly detailed scenes, films, advanced physics and particle simulations.

  • Our recommendation: HP Z2 G9 with Intel Core CPU:
  • Intel Core i9-14900KS
  • Cores/threads: 24/32
  • Clock frequency: 3.2 GHz (base), up to 6.0 GHz (turbo)
  • Cache: 36 MB
  • Advantage: The KS variant offers a higher clock frequency for maximum performance. Ideal for users who need ultimate single-core performance and high multi-core performance.

  • Our recommendation: HP Z4 G5 with Intel Xeon CPU:
  • Intel Xeon W9-3495XCores/threads: 56/112
  • Clock frequency: 1.9 GHz (base), up to 4.4 GHz (turbo)
  • Cache: 105 MB
  • Advantage: Extreme multi-core performance for high-end workstations. Ideal for very complex projects where rendering, simulations and other computationally intensive tasks are processed in parallel.

When is a dual-CPU enterprise workstation worth it for Blender 4.1?

Our dual-CPU enterprise workstations can be a great benefit for Blender 4.1 in certain scenarios. Blender, an open source 3D modeling, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing and motion tracking software, typically uses multiple CPU cores for rendering and simulation tasks. Here are some benefits and considerations for using a dual-CPU workstation:

Benefits of dual-CPU workstations for Blender 4.1

  • Increased processing power: More cores: Dual-CPU systems offer more physical CPU cores, increasing the total number of threads Blender can use. This can significantly reduce rendering times, especially for CPU-based rendering like Cycles.
  • Better performance in simulations: Complex simulations (fluids, smoke, hair, etc.) benefit greatly from the extra processing power.
  • More RAM capacity: Expanded memory support: Dual-CPU workstations often support more RAM than single-CPU systems. This is especially important for large scenes and complex projects that require a lot of memory.
  • Expandability and future-proofing: More expansion slots: Dual-CPU motherboards often offer additional PCIe slots and higher I/O capacities, which is useful for additional GPUs or other expansions.
  • Improved bandwidth: The additional CPU can make more data paths available, which can improve overall performance.

Considerations and potential drawbacks

  • Upfront cost: Dual-CPU systems are usually more expensive to purchase.
    Power consumption: They also have higher power consumption and generate more heat, requiring better cooling.
  • Software limitations: Scalability: Not all of Blender's features scale linearly with the number of cores. For example, some tasks (like OpenGL-based work in the viewport) do not benefit significantly from more cores.
  • Complexity and Maintenance: Maintenance effort: Dual CPU systems can be more complicated to maintain and troubleshoot.

Our conclusion
For users who use Blender intensively for rendering or complex simulations, dual CPU workstations can offer a significant performance boost, but they are an investment that should be carefully weighed against specific requirements and budget.

Our recommendations

  • Our remote test: Test the performance of your workflows on one of our dual CPU workstations remotely against a powerful single CPU workstation to evaluate the actual performance gain.
  • Check your needs: Consider the type of tasks you perform in Blender. For pure modeling and animation tasks, a powerful single CPU with high clock speed and good GPU acceleration might be more suitable.
  • Invest in GPU: For GPU-based rendering in Blender (Cycles GPU or Eevee), a powerful GPU is often more important than additional CPU cores.

By considering these points, you can make an informed decision about whether a dual-CPU workstation makes sense for your specific Blender 4.1 needs.

Optimal Memory for Blender 4.1: Our Guide to DDR4 and DDR5 RAM

Blender 4.1 is a powerful 3D modeling, animation, rendering, and simulation software. Choosing the right memory (RAM) plays a crucial role in performance, especially in different project sizes. Here are the recommendations for DDR4 and DDR5 RAM, tailored to small, medium, and complex projects in Blender 4.1.

Small Projects, such as:

  • Modeling and Simple Animations
  • Simple modeling (e.g. low-poly models)
  • Basic animations (e.g. simple movements)
  • Scenes with few lights and limited detail

Recommended RAM:

DDR4: 16 GB to 32 GB
DDR5: 16 GB to 32 GB

For small projects, DDR4 RAM is perfectly adequate. DDR4 with a clock speed of 2666 MHz to 3200 MHz offers solid performance. DDR5 offers higher bandwidth and efficiency. DDR5 at 4800 MHz or higher may be useful if you plan to move to larger projects in the near future or generally want to use the latest technology.

Medium projects, such as:

  • Complex modeling and advanced animations
  • Complex 3D models (e.g. detailed characters or buildings)
  • Advanced animations (e.g. movement with physical simulations)
  • Scenes with moderate complexity (e.g. multiple light sources, moderate texture resolution)

Recommended RAM:

DDR4: 32 GB to 64 GB
DDR5: 32 GB to 64 GB

For medium projects, Blender requires more RAM to handle complex geometries and animations efficiently. DDR4 in this capacity is well suited, although a higher frequency (3200 MHz to 3600 MHz) can be advantageous. DDR5 offers significant advantages in speed and energy efficiency here. DDR5 with frequencies of 5200 MHz or higher can speed up processing and improve overall performance.

Complex projects, such as:

  • Highly detailed scenes and extensive simulations
  • Highly detailed 3D models and textures (e.g., high-resolution characters with elaborate materials)
  • Extensive animations and simulations (e.g., liquids, smoke)
  • Large scenes with many elements and elaborate lighting

Recommended RAM:

DDR4: 64 GB to 128 GB
DDR5: 64 GB to 128 GB or more

Complex projects require a lot of storage for handling large data sets and performing rendering processes. DDR4 with a higher capacity and speed (3600 MHz or higher) can meet these requirements when DDR5 is not available. DDR5 is optimal here because of its higher bandwidth and efficiency. It enables faster data access and better overall performance for large, data-intensive tasks. Frequencies of 5600 MHz or higher are ideal.

Our tips:

  • Quad-channel: For medium to complex projects, quad-channel operation should be used to maximize bandwidth.
  • ECC RAM: For particularly critical projects and professional environments, ECC (Error-Correcting Code) RAM can be useful to avoid data corruption.
  • Upgradability: Plan for future upgrades and expansions of your system, especially if you focus on DDR5, as this technology is still evolving.

Our conclusion
The choice of memory for Blender 4.1 depends heavily on the complexity of the projects you are working on. While DDR4 is a cost-effective and powerful option for smaller and medium-sized projects, DDR5 offers significant advantages in terms of speed and power efficiency for medium to complex projects. The right RAM capacity and speed can greatly improve workflows and ensure that Blender 4.1 runs smoothly and efficiently.

Why Nvidia GeForce graphics cards are a great fit for Blender 4.1

Blender 4.1, a powerful and versatile open source 3D modeling and animation software, benefits significantly from Nvidia GeForce graphics cards. The integration of specific technologies and features makes these cards a preferred choice for Blender users. Here are some reasons why Nvidia GeForce graphics cards are particularly well suited for Blender 4.1:

CUDA cores and OptiX technology
Nvidia GeForce graphics cards use CUDA (Compute Unified Device Architecture) cores, which allow parallel computing processes to be performed efficiently. Blender 4.1 fully supports CUDA, resulting in significant performance gains for compute-intensive tasks such as rendering. Nvidia's OptiX technology also offers optimized hardware-accelerated ray tracing capabilities that further reduce rendering times and deliver improved image quality.

Compatibility with Blender's Cycles renderer
The Cycles renderer, Blender's physically based rendering engine, is optimized for Nvidia GeForce graphics cards. Thanks to CUDA and OptiX, Cycles can use the processing power of the GPU to calculate photorealistic renderings faster than with pure CPU power. This is especially beneficial for complex scenes with high geometry and shader complexity.

RTX cards and real-time rendering
Nvidia RTX graphics cards, which belong to the GeForce series, offer special RT cores for real-time ray tracing. This technology enables Blender 4.1 to render sophisticated effects such as reflections, shadows and refractions in real time, which significantly speeds up the creative work process. This real-time preview capability reduces the need for time-consuming test renders and allows artists to work faster and more effectively.

Tensor cores and artificial intelligence
The integration of tensor cores in Nvidia GeForce cards, especially in the RTX models, supports AI-based features such as the Nvidia AI denoiser. In Blender 4.1, this denoiser can remove noise in rendered images in real time, which significantly improves the quality of previews and final renderings while reducing rendering time.

Extended driver support and regular updates
Nvidia offers regularly updated drivers that are specifically optimized for professional applications. These drivers continuously improve the performance and stability of Blender 4.1. Thanks to the close collaboration between Nvidia and the developers of Blender, bugs are quickly fixed and new features are seamlessly integrated.

NVLink and multi-GPU support
For particularly demanding projects, Nvidia offers NVLink, a technology that makes it possible to connect multiple GPUs and combine their memory and processing power. Blender 4.1 can benefit from this feature by processing large scenes more quickly and further reducing rendering times. This is particularly useful for users who work with very high resolutions or complex simulations.

Our conclusion
Nvidia GeForce graphics cards offer an excellent basis for use with Blender 4.1 thanks to their powerful CUDA cores, OptiX technology, real-time rendering with RTX, AI support through Tensor cores and regular driver updates. This combination of hardware and software optimizations enables Blender users to implement their creative visions more efficiently and with better quality. Whether creating realistic renderings, working in real time or using advanced AI techniques - Nvidia GeForce graphics cards are an optimal choice for Blender 4.1.

Best Nvidia Geforce Graphics Cards for Blender 4.1: Recommendations for Small, Medium and Complex Projects

Blender 4.1 is a powerful 3D software that holds a prominent place in the community of graphic designers, animators and visualization professionals. Choosing the right graphics card is crucial to harnessing the full power of this software. Here we look at the best Nvidia graphics cards for different project sizes: from small to complex projects.

Graphics Cards for Small Projects
Ideal for: 3D modeling, Simple animations, Low-poly game development

Recommended graphic card:

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060Ti
  • CUDA cores: 3,072
  • Memory: 8GB GDDR6
  • Pros: The RTX 4060Ti offers solid performance for beginners and hobbyists. It supports ray tracing and DLSS, making it future-proof for smaller projects.

Graphics Cards for Medium Projects
Ideal for: Advanced 3D Modeling, Medium Complex Animations, Architectural Visualization

Recommended Graphic Card:

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
  • CUDA Cores: 7,168
  • Memory: 12GB GDDR6X
  • Pros: The RTX 4070 Super offers a great balance between price and performance. It supports advanced ray tracing and DLSS 3, which is useful for realistic renderings and interactive design processes.

Graphics Cards for Complex Projects
Ideal for: Photorealistic renderings, Highly detailed simulations, and large animation projects

Recommended Graphics Cards:

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
  • CUDA Cores: 9,728
  • Memory: 16GB GDDR6X
  • Pros: The RTX 4080 offers almost the same performance as the RTX 4090 at a lower price. It is ideal for large, complex projects and offers excellent performance for professional applications and extensive rendering.

  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
  • CUDA cores: 16,384
  • Memory: 24 GB GDDR6X
  • Benefits: The RTX 4090 is a powerhouse for professionals who need the highest performance. It handles complex scenes and demanding simulations with ease. Perfect for advanced ray tracing and GPU-accelerated rendering.

We equip our Geforce RTX series enterprise workstation with the Founders Edition

Benefits of Geforce RTX Founders Edition graphics cards

Geforce RTX Founders Edition graphics cards offer several benefits that make them attractive to both enthusiasts and professional users. Here are some of the main benefits:

Reference design and quality
Optimal cooling and fan design: Founders Edition graphics cards are often equipped with sophisticated cooling technologies that are tuned for optimal thermal performance and lower noise levels. Typically, they use advanced fans and vapor chamber coolers.

Solid and compact PCB layout: These cards are intended as a reference design for other manufacturers, offering a good balance of size, efficiency, and power.

Top-notch performance and stability
Strict quality control: Nvidia ensures that Founders Edition cards meet high quality standards, ensuring reliable performance.

Optimal clock frequencies: Founders Edition cards run at Nvidia-recommended clock frequencies, enabling stable and efficient performance.

Aesthetics and build quality
Stylish design: These cards often feature a modern and elegant design that fits well with high-end PC builds.

High-quality materials: Use of materials such as aluminum casings and high-quality components for a robust build.

The best Samsung M.2 NVMe SSDs for Blender 4.1

Blender 4.1 is a powerful 3D modeling, animation, and rendering software. The success of your projects often depends on storage speed, especially when working with large files and complex scenes. Here are the best Samsung M.2 NVMe SSDs for different project sizes and requirements:

  • Samsung 970 EVO Plus: The all-round SSD
  • Recommended for: Small to medium projects
  • Capacities: 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
  • Read speed: Up to 3,500 MB/s
  • Write speed: Up to 3,300 MB/s
  • I/O performance: Up to 620,000 IOPS

The Samsung 970 EVO Plus offers excellent value for money and is ideal for beginners and advanced users working with small to medium projects. Its high speed ensures quick loading of projects and fast access to data, which makes working in Blender smoother.

Advantages:

  • Fast performance: Ideal for common tasks in Blender.
  • High reliability: 5-year warranty and proven durability.
  • Good value for money: Offers performance at a reasonable price.

Disadvantages:

  • Less suitable for very large projects: Limited performance under extreme requirements.

  • Samsung 980 PRO: For demanding users
  • Recommended for: Medium to complex projects
  • Capacities: 250 GB, 500 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB
  • Read speed: Up to 7,000 MB/s
  • Write speed: Up to 5,100 MB/s
  • I/O performance: Up to 1,000,000 IOPS

The Samsung 980 PRO offers extremely high speed and is ideal for medium to complex projects in Blender. This SSD uses PCIe 4.0, which allows for twice the speed of PCIe 3.0, making it perfect for users who don't want to compromise on large scenes and complex renderings.

Pros:

  • Extremely high speed: Reduces loading times and improves performance on large scenes.
    Future-proof: PCIe 4.0 for upcoming applications and hardware updates.
  • Excellent IOPS: Provides top performance for complex data access.

Cons:

  • Higher price: Premium performance comes at a price.
  • Requires compatible hardware: Full speed only achievable with PCIe 4.0 motherboards.

  • Samsung 990 PRO: The choice for professional users
  • Recommended for: Complex and large projects
  • Capacities: 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB
  • Read speed: Up to 7,450 MB/s
  • Write speed: Up to 6,900 MB/s
  • I/O performance: Up to 1,400,000 IOPS

For the most demanding Blender projects, the Samsung 990 PRO is the ideal choice. This SSD offers top performance and is specially designed for professional users who regularly work with extremely large and complex projects. It reduces loading times and significantly speeds up the workflow, even for the most intensive tasks.

Benefits:

  • Highest performance: Maximum speed and IOPS for smooth work on complex tasks.
  • Extended capacities: Options up to 4 TB provide enough storage for large projects.
  • Excellent energy efficiency: Optimized for intensive workloads without overheating.

Cons:

  • Cost-intensive: Mainly suitable for professionals who need the highest performance.
  • Requires advanced hardware: Optimal use requires the latest hardware.

Our conclusion

An enterprise workstation for Blender should be carefully tailored to the specific project requirements. While simple projects can get by with moderate hardware requirements, medium and complex projects require significantly more powerful equipment. With the right combination of CPU, RAM, GPU and hard drives, a workstation for Blender can maximise efficiency and productivity, regardless of the complexity of the tasks. We recommend the following performance workstation for Blender 4.1 below. We are able to offer both new and refresh (at least two new components) and excellent refurbished business workstations. Ask for a non-binding offer. 

 

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