Hello everyone!
I am considering to build a computer for unity development.
The AMD graphic card 5700XT is 100-150 dollars cheaper than 2070 super, so I think it is my first choice.
However, I have seen some posts about how AMD graphic cards are not compatible with unity and they crash sometimes.
Is that true? How often does it happen?
Generally speaking, is it a good idea to use AMD graphic cards for unity development?
Thanks in advance!
You really consider spend that much just for GPU for game dev?
Did you do any game dev before?
Do you know how to program?
What are you other PC specs?
I haven’t heard anything about compatibility issues with Unity, and the game engine crashing is one of those things that will happen from time to time regardless of what hardware you choose.
That said there is one major disadvantage to AMD. If you need to run an app or asset that requires CUDA you will need an NVIDIA GPU. Bakery, a GPU-powered lightmapper, is a good example of this. It has no support for AMD.
https://assetstore.unity.com/packages/tools/level-design/bakery-gpu-lightmapper-122218
One of the main reasons I bought a GTX 1080 was for game development. Currently working on an HDRP project that is in an early unoptimized state and it’s insanely demanding on hardware. Once our game is optimized it’ll be fine but for now getting 60+ FPS very much requires a mid-to-high-end GPU.
You have valid point.
But my concern is, weather OP really need such GPU, depending on her/his dev skills.
If is just dev beginner and needs only for game devs, seems is a bit wastfull, unless has money to burn.
But if GPU will be used for something different as well, including gaming, that then may be worth it.
Thanks for reply!
I am a beginner, but my GPU will also for gaming, so I think it will worth it.
BTW, for CPU, do you think higher clock rate is better or more cores is better?
Thanks
Thanks for your reply!
Is Bakery a commonly used technique?
The page you posted says that it is a high end technique.
I am a beginner who has only one or two hours per day to learn unity, maybe I won’t be able to use this technique in several years?
And for CPU, I am wondering whether higher clock rate or more cores is better?
If is significant higher frequency, then I would be going for.
But if is just by few %, then I would go for extra cores.
Just mind, not only frequency and and cores are matter in CPU.
Personally I wouldn’t be bothering with any OC CPUs.
So really depending, what CPU choices you have.
Also, make sure, you choose adequate cooling.
Are you planning assembly at home by yourself?
I am asking, as you may also consider look into good thermal pastes.
Both. We’re starting to see games show up that want more than four cores, but at the same time you want them to be fast cores if you can. One of the six or eight core processors from AMD would be a good choice.
Completely depends on the games you want to make, but I will say that lightmapping is not that advanced of a technique to learn and in fact Unity’s CPU-powered lightmapper comes enabled by default with new lights being set up by default to bake into the lightmaps.
I am considering 3700X, 3900X or I9 9900K.
9900K has higher frequency while 3900X has more cores.
9900K has better gaming performance while 3700X and 3900X are faster in some office software.
So it is really hard to decide…
Yes I am planning assembly at home by myself.
If I end up with 3700X, I think the default cooler is fine, but the other 2 may need better solutions.
I see.
I think I will go for AMD GPU.
Thank you~
That graphics card will work fine with Unity. There are some things that do benefit from Nvidia. For example, anytime you see the term CUDA, that is Nvidia specific. Also, sometimes companies will simply choose to only support Nvidia cards. The Oculus Quest Link feature, which lets you use a Quest like a Rift over USB, came out this past week and so far only supports Nvidia cards. So while Unity will work with that AMD card, it is possible other things you use may or may not have Nvidia specific requirements.
If you are a beginner, you should consider starting out with a smaller build and then upgrading down the road as needed. As for a CPU, a Ryzen 5 3600 can play games and run Unity well. You probably won’t need 8, 12, or 16 cores right away. Similarly, you could also consider a GTX 1660 card when you are starting out.
I own a rig with the AMD 3900X and a rig with the Intel i9-9900K. Both systems have an Nvidia RTX 2080ti. For day to day working, the AMD 3900X feels more responsive. For playing games (like PUBG), the i9-9900K is slightly faster. If you are just starting out, then you probably don’t need either of those CPUs.
You can’t do DXR with AMD in Unity.
@
Do you mind, I bite the discussion from other point of view?
Keeping gaming matter itself on side, you want PC, which at least suffice for next 4 years, before even considering to upgrade. You have plenty good advise already.
But what kind of game do you want to make, so you want such beasts setup for your Unity dev rig?
Be honest, I may not be able to learn Unity at all, it seems difficult. I know computer graphics is difficult since I studied at university.
However, like you said, I want the new rig to be suffice for next 4 years, so I think the CPU and GPU I mentioned may not be luxury.
I may also do some data-mining and AI work, and I really cannot torlerate every test to run for like 1 minute. That will drive me crazy.
So… If I can pay 200 dollars for good mood when coding in the whole next 4 years, it seems worth it.
Anyway, thanks for your information! Now I know which to choose.
You will pay far more these day for electricity than you make money from that.
People use cluster server for mining, with dedicated hardware, specifically designed for that.
Not to discourage, but AI work is much harder than making some game, as it often contains many elements of game making, even if the AI purpose is not for games. But results can be fun as well.
Being developing anything, you need be very patient with things. 1min, 10min, 1hour, 1day, depending what you are doing, may be nothing, like blink of the eye. You need to be aware of such things, if you want to pursue in that direction.
Nvidia all the way, simply because of RTX imo.
3600 Ryzen 5 is amazing value and requires no overclocking or fuss to get excellent and regular perf. You want 16GB system ram. You want an nvidia card, a 2060S on sales - would be a cool choice during sales season, failing that like others have suggested a 1660 (S or ti) will be fun, but only if you can get the cheapest version for those.
As for amd, I have no interest in a card that limits my development. If I want to accelerate baking, I have an RTX. It’s relevant.
I use tensorflow.