11
[Microblog] @ asklemmy@lemmy (hear-me.social)
submitted 12 hours ago by to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
6 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

@asklemmy@lemmy.world @asklemmy@lemmy.ml @ask l wish to build up a workstation right from scratch, where l can do basic animation, graphics and games. I wish to build it up purely on floss products as l wish to work entirely with Foss. Can anybody suggest what are the likely hardware components that would go into building up such a workstation ?? I would also be modifying the machine later on according to my requirements, so I need to build it up accordingly.#animation #graphics #blender #godot

all 6 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 3 points 11 hours ago* (3 children)

The entry requirements for those specifics are incredibly low.

There are programs like Blender, which could run on a potato, but that will also benefit from having GTX or RTX Nvidia card or any AMD card after like the RX 570 or something.

Outside of that, your largest handicap is going to be RAM. You're gonna want probably a minimum of 16 gigs, and you'll hate having only 16 gigs. 32 would be better, 64 is ideal.

My current suggestion for anyone looking for a computer would be to go to eBay and look for used DDR4 systems.

Few people want DDR4 systems because AI benefits from the faster transfer speed of DDR5.

If you're looking for inexpensive, but up to the task, something like this would probably be ideal as a starter system.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/147674109296

Since it's AM4 you could probably upgrade the processor to like the 5850, but it might require a bios update first.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • hideshow 3 child comments
    •
  • [–] 2 points 11 hours ago (1 child)

    As far as your FOSS requirements, wipe the drive, install a Linux on it, (i'm personally rather fond of CachyOS) and slap on whatever software you want, and you should be good to go.

    And if you find yourself needing something like an Adobe software, look into the vibe-coded art craft stuff. It does almost everything that the Adobe things do, and it's free.

    And they are spending credits like Mad Men working out all the bugs with it. So even though they are not ready for prime time, they're still close enough right now that you can at least get your feet wet.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
  • hideshow 1 child comment
    •
  • [–] [S] 1 point 1 hour ago

    @bizarroland thanks for all your suggestions. Can you imagine a child who is just learning to identify colours ? Or maybe a child who is just learning how to grip a pencil and draw a circle ? My interaction with technology is just like that. I don't need a huge investment plan at the moment. Rather than buying a second hand laptop, l prefer building up a desktop right from the scratch, based on low spec parts, and hitting the bottom line of blender and Godot.Have l been able to express what l wish to convey ???

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
  • parent
    • [–] 1 point 10 hours ago

    Most any laptop made in the last 6 years likely supports Vulkan. I'm making a 2D Godot app rn on an Acer spin 720. If you really want to splash some cash, you can build a PC in a case. Intel Arc or AMD card, whatever for other parts. Prices are so crazy rn, I would just buy a mini PC with 3D graphics. Save your money to pay an artist. 😸Install your favorite Linux distro. That's the real question.

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •
    [–] 1 point 10 hours ago

    Old thinkpads are the way to go if you want a full libre kernal with coreboot, but I assume you mean foss userspace programs lol

    For a desktop look at AMD am4 or higher/6th gen intel cpus or higher, that should enough to get you started (I used a 6th gen intel laptop for 90% of my art, gamedev, and 3d rendering, before I bought a PC and old tablet in 2024). If you got the money for a GPU, go AMD as they have much better support on linux. Even a cheap rx460 is more than enough to make basic 3d games

    That kinda rig depending on where you live should run you $400 max. Its enough to get you into the scene and by the time your pushing that hardware to the limit your have enough experience to know what to upgrade

  • permalink
  • fedilink
  • source
    •