Best computer for 3D modeling and rendering 2024 – our top picks
We run through 5 of the best 3D modelling capable desktop computers currently available
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Looking for the best computer for 3D modeling and rendering, then you’ve come to the right place. With a strong requirement for the process to use up a lot of resources, you’re going to need some good hardware to work the best on it. In that case, you want to get the top pick for the job.
Now that you’ve decided to get a prebuilt PC tailored to the needs of 3D modeling, you might be feeling dread instead of excitement due to all the questions that are tied to the purchase. What kind of CPU do you need? How much RAM? What graphics card? We know that the process of picking the right PC to invest your money in can be just as daunting as it is thrilling. For that reason, we’ve decided to create this guide, keeping it up to date with the latest choices you can be sure to find the right PC for your needs. The current selections are the Skytech Pro Eclipse, CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR, and Skytech Azure.
If you don’t have time to read the full article, we have chosen the Skytech Pro Eclipse Gaming PC as the best PC for 3D modeling. This is thanks to its Core i9-13900k, well known for its powerful single and multi-core performance. And the RTX 4090, which is the best of the best when it comes to rendering and pushing pixels. Perfect for your 3D modeling endeavors.
Best PC for 3D modeling and rendering
The best PC for 3D modeling is one that has a powerful CPU and GPU combo as these are the components that do all the heavy lifting in the rendering workload. It’s up to you to figure out how heavy your rendering workloads will be, and balance that against your budget.
3D modeling is the process of creating a virtual three-dimensional model of a physical object. This technique is used in many different industries — so much so that these days, the vast majority of our favorite games or movies would not exist without the help of 3D modeling. It is also used in many scientific projects and helps pave the way to breakthroughs and that requires some of the best computers for 3D modeling and rendering. If you have an interest in it, you probably know that it’s among the most demanding things your computer is ever going to face. While it can be attempted on machines that weren’t specifically built for it, a lot of them will struggle under such a heavy stress test.
Skytech Pro Eclipse
Skytech Pro Eclipse Gaming PC Desktop (RTX 4090)
CPU
Intel Core i9 13900K
GPU
RTX 4090
RAM
32GB DDR5
Storage
1TB NVME
- Features the best CPU and GPU for gaming
- Comes in a quality PC case with excellent airflow
- 32GB of DDR5 RAM
- 420mm AIO
- Only 1TB of storage
At the top of the list, as the best prebuilt for 3D modeling and rendering is the Skytech Pro Eclipse gaming PC. With the top selection of hardware available to users, there’s nothing that can beat it but that comes with a much higher price it asks for.
For its GPU, it comes with the top spec of the latest generation from Nvidia with the RTX 4090. Unless you opt for enterprise cards, this is the most powerful option to go for. It brings with it high efficiency and really fast rendering times. That is something that Nvidia is the best option for over AMD. With 16,384 CUDA cores, 24GB of GDDR6X memory with over 1TB/s bandwidth, there is nothing quite like it for rendering and modeling without hitches.
As for the CPU, it has the Intel Core i9 13900K which is the best option to get the most out of the best GPU it is paired with. It also comes with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, which is the latest generation option that comes with a lot of speed and potential to power the processor in the PC.
Where you might find some drawbacks to the prebuilt is that it comes with 1TB of storage. Of course, it is an NVMe for fast loading and responsiveness, however, it might fill up quite quickly, especially with large files. Although you should be able to expand on it pretty easily even if at this price point you’d expect more. Where the machine also does well is with the cooling as the CPU has a 420mm AIO to keep it in line and provide plenty of airflow into the prebuilt and keep the performance going.
CyberpowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR
CyberPowerPC Gamer Xtreme VR Gaming PC (i9-13900KF, RTX 4070)
CPU
Intel Core i9-13900KF 3.0GHz
GPU
RTX 4070
RAM
16GB DDR5
Storage
1TB NVMe SSD
- Top spec CPU for performance and computation power
- Recent and fast DDR5 RAM
- Top CPU but matched with a mid tier GPU
If you’re after something a couple of tiers down for a lower budget, the CyberpowerPC Gamer XTreme combines new-gen hardware with some more value options.
For its graphics card, it has an RTX 4070 bringing with it the same efficiency and power as the Ada series, it doesn’t cost the same as the higher tier options and is one of the better value options. Although it will cut back on some of the performance offered, the power of the architecture still brings with it and it can still work efficiently through any rendering and modeling.
It also provides great processing power with a top-tier i9-13900KF bringing the top-tier option. Combined with DDR5 memory the latest and fastest option to go for. With 32GB of it, you also get a lot of RAM to support what the processor has to do especially when working on big files and models.
It does limit your storage capacity to just the one NVMe with 1TB of space, although you will be able to expand on it, it’s still a great starting point for capacity. For the cooling, it gives you a 240mm AIO for the CPU, and with three extra fans, it should keep your performance up without throttling.
Skytech Azure Gaming PC
Skytech Azure Gaming PC Desktop (RTX 3060Ti)
CPU
AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
GPU
RTX 3060 Ti
RAM
16GB
Storage
1TB NVMe M.2 SSD
- High quality build
- Seamless 1080p gaming performance
- Great aesthetics
- Compact build may limit its cooling capacity
Now when it comes to a budget option, there is still some potential for a good 3D modeling and rendering machine. The Skytech Azure uses older-generation hardware but comes at a lower price for it.
As it utilizes the RTX 3060 Ti, it does offer one of the best value options of the Ampere series. One of the more popular cards, it is great for 1440p or 1080p performance. But it also has the potential for 3D rendering and modeling as it still comes with the efficiency and power of Nvidia’s CUDA cores.
As for the processor, it comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X, that offers up good potential for the GPU and entire prebuilt. It also comes with 16GB of DDR4, which means there is a lower potential over the newest DDR5 but does save on cost. That can be seen with the lower storage option it also opts for. It gives you just one TB NVMe SSD that gives you speed and power but limits your PC’s capacity in the long term.
Which components matter for 3D modeling?
As mentioned above, 3D modeling ranks high amongst some of the most taxing things your PC can do. The most popular software takes quite a bit of power to run, and then your computer is going to be even more strained under the pressure of heavy projects.
As 3D modeling relies heavily on the CPU, your processor is going to be the most important part of the whole build. However, contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to aim for something with a lot of cores. Instead, consider picking a model with a powerful CPU that has a high clock speed and can also be overclocked.
The second thing for you to look at is the graphics card. The heavier the workload, the better the GPU — that’s the general rule. It’s also good to aim for at least 8GB of memory in a graphics card, although this is not a lot these days. As you are likely to do GPU rendering and not just CPU rendering, your computer needs to be strong on both fronts.
Some of the other things to consider include:
- RAM — while you can make do with 16GB, it won’t hurt to have more, and 32GB might be more comfortable, especially with multitasking and working on large projects.
- Storage — most modern PCs come with an SSD, and we highly recommend one. SSDs help your computer run much faster and save you time in the long run.
- Cooling — as 3D modeling is a constant stress test of sorts, basic cooling is almost never good enough. We took that into consideration and only included models that offer superb cooling capabilities.
Not everyone knows that 3D modeling is actually split into two types: CPU rendering, which makes use of the processor, and GPU rendering, which prioritizes the graphics card. The major difference lies in which part of your PC is going to be used the most.
The vast majority of 3D software in this day and age specializes in CPU rendering, so we stand by the opinion that your processor will play a crucial role in the overall performance of your PC. CPU rendering can handle more complex tasks and has more memory to use, so this is usually a good thing.
Before you settle on a given PC, make sure to check what type of rendering you’re going to mostly be doing. However, the desktops on our list all have good CPUs and graphics cards, so they will suffice regardless of the 3D modeling type.
FAQs
Is a powerful PC ideal for 3D modeling?
A powerful PC is needed for 3D modeling because it allows for faster processing and rendering of large, complex 3D models. 3D modeling software often requires a significant amount of memory and processing power to handle the large amount of data and calculations involved in creating and manipulating 3D models.
Additionally, 3D modeling software often utilizes the GPU for rendering and visualization, which can be a very demanding task for the computer. A powerful GPU can significantly reduce the time it takes to render high-quality images and animations. Moreover, 3D modeling software often includes advanced features such as real-time rendering, physics simulations, and animation tools, which can be very computationally intensive and require a powerful PC to run smoothly. In summary, a powerful PC is needed for 3D modeling to handle a large amount of data, perform complex calculations, and visualize the 3D models in real time.
Is 3D modling CPU or GPU intensive?
3D modeling can be both CPU and GPU intensive, depending on the specific tasks involved and the software being used.
- CPU Intensive Tasks:
- Tasks such as scene setup, polygon processing, physics simulations, and rendering can heavily rely on CPU performance. These tasks involve calculations that are typically handled by the CPU.
- Complex calculations for simulations, physics, and other computations may require significant processing power from the CPU.
- GPU Intensive Tasks:
- Graphics rendering, viewport display, and certain real-time simulations can heavily rely on GPU performance.
- Modern 3D modeling software often utilizes the GPU for tasks like real-time rendering, viewport display, and certain types of calculations, particularly in applications that support GPU acceleration.
Both the CPU and GPU play important roles in 3D modeling workflows. A balanced system with sufficient power in both the CPU and GPU is often ideal for efficient 3D modeling and rendering. However, the specific balance required can vary depending on the software being used and the nature of the tasks being performed.
Final word
The best PC for 3D modeling is one with a strong CPU and GPU combo, because of this, we have recommended the Skytech Pro Eclipse Gaming PC. If you need to do intense 3D modeling, then this is the PC for you. It’s equipped with the i9-13900K and the RTX 4090. this combination of hardware makes it ideal for heavy rendering tasks.
