I’m looking for recommendations on parts/builds to use in a budget blender rig. I’ll be using it to make models/rigging for three.js web apps.

I know this is probably something that has been covered in a million places online, but after spending the weekend waiting 30 seconds for every click in blender I’m ready for a little chit chat and hope the community will oblige and share some tips on building a cheap but solid rig.

Fine with sourcing used parts on Craigslist/online etc. I just want the best rig I can buy for the cheapest amount.

Would be using Linux fo sho!

Edit: I live in the US. Don’t have a hard budget in mind, just trying to be crafty.

Edit 2: I’m basically looking for the “used Honda civic” version of a blender rig. Started freelancing this year and haven’t made the big bucks yet, but hit the point where I need something to get work done

Thanks!

<3

  • wagesj45
    1•1 year ago

    I recently purchased one of these bad boys used to use as a server, but it has more than enough horsepower to run Blender. If you’re going to use Cycles, I recommend going on ebay and getting a used RTX card. the 20xx and the 30xx series are going for about $200 used right now. Assuming you bring your own keyboard/mouse/monitor, you should have a really nice Blender build for about $650, all said and done.

    • Bobby BandwidthOP
      2•1 year ago

      Btw how much power does your server eat up with the dual cpus running? I love the idea of getting one of these, so cheap and so much horsepower, but wondering if it’s going to be painfully expensive to fill up the tank.

      • wagesj45
        2•1 year ago

        To be honest, it isn’t really something I think about. Energy consumption just is what it is in this household. Part of the expense of working with the tools I need.

        It is definitely a powerful machine, but I do not know what the power draw is, I’m sorry.

        • Bobby BandwidthOP
          2•1 year ago

          Gotcha gotcha, yeah I feel you. I asked chat gpt to estimate it and it said $50 a month! So I thought I’d check with humans

          • wagesj45
            1•1 year ago

            That seems pretty high to me. You can try using this calculator to see how much you might be spending. It has an 825W power supply. So I supposed the worst case scenario of completely maxing out its usage 24 hours a day would be about $70 a month. But that is just absurd usage. You’ll be using much less than that 99% of the time.