Budget Blender Computer That Can Be Upgraded

Brian_G · August 2020

Budget: $440 (including tax)

Purpose: very basic computer to start learning the 3D modeling program Blender. I want to be able to upgrade the computer as I become more proficient in Blender.

Requirements:

Optimal

64-bit eight core CPU
32 GB RAM
Full HD displays

This is the parts list I think might work (including replacing the processor): https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/custom-pc-builder-amd.aspx?load=93107fed-e201-49f8-b9cb-73745f9600ef

Do you think my first parts list will work? Will I be able to upgrade my build (a part at a time) to the second build?

Ian · August 2020

Greetings. The first parts list will work, but if the program is needing a video card with 4GB of VRAM, you are missing that so I am not sure how well the program will do without that.

There is for sure upgrade room on your first build on the CPU, RAM, hard drives and video card.

Brian_G · August 2020

Thanks for answering.

I didn't mention the "minimum" requirements. Blender will run without a dedicated video card, but not well. I plan to add the card before I try to render anything. I hope to upgrade in increments: video card, then processor, then add RAM, another SSD, and finally an HD just for storage. The video card will cost as much as my initial build, so that will take the longest to add. Somewhere in that time I hope to buy a 1920 x 1080 monitor (my current monitor is 1280 x 1024 which only meets minimum requirements).