Render faster with cycles

What are settings in cycles I can disable that don't really affect the realism that much? I have a pretty good graphics card, but even still it takes quite a long time just to render a basic scene with a single HDRI (no other lights) and just one mesh object.

  • Martin Bergwerf replied

    Depends on what you're Rendering.

    But in general, every timesaver will affect the realism.

    Getting a better computer or outsourcing the Render (Renderfarm?) might be an idea.

    Or you can try this out (there is a free version): https://pidgeontools.gumroad.com/l/PidgeonToolBag 

  • Martin Bergwerf replied

    And yes, actually enabling the GPU for Rendering might help as well.