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Help understanding 3ds Max system requirements

 
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Platoon
 Platoon
(@coletrudel66167)
Active Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter 24/02/2025 5:50 pm  

Looking to buy/build PC specifically for 3ds Max (mostly architectural visualization). Budget around $2000. Been looking at some prebuilt Alienware systems but getting mixed signals about specs. Should I prioritize CPU or GPU? How much RAM do I actually need? Any advice appreciated!



   
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An.D.
 An.D.
(@an-d)
Eminent Member
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 17
25/02/2025 11:19 am  

Current recommendations for serious archviz work:

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7950x or newer (Intel having issues with 13th/14th gen)
RAM: Minimum 64GB (32GB barely cuts it nowadays)
GPU: RTX 4070Ti Super or better for GPU rendering
Storage: Fast NVMe drives, at least 2TB
PSU: 850W minimum

AVOID Alienware - terrible airflow, proprietary parts, horrible upgrade path. Build your own or get local shop to build it. For $2000 you can get way better specs than those prebuilts.



   
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BarneyLot
 BarneyLot
(@barneylot)
Eminent Member
Joined: 10 years ago
Posts: 20
25/02/2025 11:54 am  

just get 4090 bro everything else trash 😎



   
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KerrysRix
 KerrysRix
(@kerrysrix)
Eminent Member
Joined: 9 years ago
Posts: 15
06/03/2025 10:17 am  

Depends entirely on your work. I'm running massive scenes on 32GB RAM just fine, but only doing interiors. Outdoor scenes with lots of vegetation? Yeah, you'll want 64GB minimum. Our main workstation has 128GB and still runs out sometimes on huge projects.



   
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TylerAdunk
 TylerAdunk
(@tyleradunk)
Active Member
Joined: 9 years ago
Posts: 17
10/03/2025 3:13 pm  

Running Corona - went with 7950x, 64GB RAM, and modest RTX 3060. Since Corona is CPU-based, spent more on processor than GPU. Working great!



   
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GeorgeWaria
 GeorgeWaria
(@georgewaria)
Active Member
Joined: 9 years ago
Posts: 6
12/03/2025 3:22 pm  

wait so nvidia or amd better??? seeing different answers everywhere...



   
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koako
 koako
(@koako)
Eminent Member
Joined: 9 years ago
Posts: 20
14/03/2025 11:45 am  

NVIDIA for 3ds Max, period. Most renderers (V-Ray, Arnold) use CUDA, which is NVIDIA only. Plus better driver support for professional apps. For CPU though, AMD currently beating Intel in price/performance and stability.



   
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Forgeni
 Forgeni
(@forgeni)
Active Member
Joined: 1 year ago
Posts: 7
18/03/2025 11:32 am  

Here's a solid $2000 build:

  • Ryzen 9 7950x - $490
  • 64GB RAM - $190
  • RTX 4080 Super - $1000
  • B650 Motherboard - $200
  • 1TB NVMe - $60
  • Case + PSU + Cooling ≈ $250

Much better value than any prebuilt.



   
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Platoon
 Platoon
(@coletrudel66167)
Active Member
Joined: 4 years ago
Posts: 3
Topic starter 19/03/2025 8:48 am  

Thanks everyone! Think I'll skip Alienware and go AMD route. One more question - dual monitors necessary or luxury?



   
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lonnnelNof
 lonnnelNof
(@lonnnelnof)
Active Member
Joined: 9 years ago
Posts: 4
20/03/2025 12:33 pm  

get m4 macbook pro instead 🍎



   
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