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RenderPRO12
27 Jan, 2011 By: Ron LaFonFirst Look Review: Dedicated rendering module from Boxx is a compact, cost-effective alternative for users dreaming of a render farm.
Undoubtedly many users would like to have a render farm at their disposal for off-loading rendering jobs and freeing processor time on their primary workstations — but the sticker shock from a rack-mounted render farm and its associated IT costs usually puts that fantasy to rest quickly. A new option is both efficient and more cost-effective: the renderPRO series of personal dedicated rendering modules from BOXX Technologies.
The lack of an up-to-date benchmark test for Autodesk 3ds Max Design, which I typically use to conduct this type of review, limits my ability to evaluate hardware performance objectively (and for that reason, I won't be specifying a letter grade for this product). For this First Look, I'll aim to provide an understanding of this new rendering hardware option and whether it could be a viable, cost-effective option for your work environment.
The BOXX renderPRO units are compact, 6.75" x 3.8" x 20" (W x H x D) devices that allow you to off-load rendering operations from your primary system. Three models are available, the PRO4, PRO8, and PRO12, each of which can be configured according to user needs, including the amount of RAM in the unit and the size of the optional solid-state hard drives. The company works directly with users to determine the model and configuration that will best suit their processing and budgetary needs.
RenderPRO units can be used singly (positioned next to or on top of your workstation) or clustered in stacks and configured individually or in nodes comprising several units. You can even pack renderPRO units easily to use in other locations as needed. Although there is a limit to how many BOXX renderPRO units can be clustered together, that limit is high; some installations have hundreds of units functioning quite well, the company reports.
Technical Specifications
For this First Look, BOXX loaned me a renderPRO12 system equipped with dual Intel Xeon X56770 2.93-GHz six-core processors that featured a 12-MB cache. A total of 12 GB of 1,333-MHz ECC DDR3 RAM was installed using six 2-GB DIMM cards. This renderPRO12 also was equipped with a 160-GB, 7,200-rpm SATA drive and Microsoft Windows 7 Professional x64. The system had a 300-W power supply and featured two USB 2.0 hubs, two Intel gigabit Ethernet connections, one VGA (DB15) port, one COM (DB9) port, and one RJ45IPMI connection. The system included one low-profile PCI Express Gen2 x16 slot. Not included were optional accessories such as a powered USB hub, an external CD-R drive, and a standard keyboard and mouse.
The BOXX renderPRO is a personal, dedicated rendering solution for 3D graphics, animation, and compositing workflows.
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