Some details:
-I want to put together a system that can handle these things (fairly) easily.
-I want to build a regular, desktop (not laptop) Windows PC.
-Not Mac, server, or render farm. Just a normal PC, tuned for video compositing.
What components would be best in these areas?:
-Motherboard
-Processor (with # of cores)
-RAM
-Disk storage space
Thanks.
Try StreamFab Downloader and download from Netflix, Amazon, Youtube! Or Try DVDFab and copy Blu-rays! or rip iTunes movies!
+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10
Thread
-
-
WAY too vague. All you are going to get is 1000 fanboys spewing internet gossip.
-
I've got one more specification to add: I'll work on Windows 7, so no (reasonable) RAM limit.
Other than that, I just wanna know what BEST equipment can I get for the specs I've provided.
(The best specs for gaming are not the best for editing, too. That's why I asked for an opinion here, from experts- to avoid these pitfalls.)
NONE whatsoever. But you'll observe what I said above- only Desktop PC equipment will do. No render farms, no servers. Whatever fits inside one tower. -
-
What software?
Best single socket desktop solution right now is based on Sandy Bridge platform , low power consumption, great performance, apparently overclocks easy if you get "K" series
Gigabyte P67A-UD4 or Asus P8P67 Pro
i7-2600K
2x4GB DDR3 or 4x4GB DDR3 (dual channel only for sandy bridge; 4GB sticks are more affordable these days, many apps can eat up 16GB quite easily e.g. compositing with AE CS5)
SSD for boot & apps (if you can wait a few months for 2nd generation Sanforce Controller it would be better e.g. Vertex 3 Pro)
Several 1-2TB HDD for storage & assets
GPU: Nvidia based GPU with CUDA e.g. GTX 570, GTX 580 . The reason is, Mercury Playback Engine for Premiere Pro CS5 requires it. Greatly speeds up editing and rendering. On the low end all you need is >768MB memory. e.g. A lowly GT220 for <$100 will work with the CS5 "hack"
Recommended software: editing Premiere Pro CS5 (if only for MPE, it makes it worth it) , compositing : after effects. If you get the production bundle or master collection it will save $ than buying separately (if you include all the other titles like photoshop, soundbooth etc...)
If you're doing heavy 3D work, then a workstation class GPU is recommended e.g. quadro. A lot more expensive
Review of Sandy Bridge
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i7-2600k-i5-2500...i3-2100-testedLast edited by poisondeathray; 10th Jan 2011 at 09:32.
-
Adobe's line (ie. CS 4 or 5).
Why? Does some software require more power than others?
It's got only 4 cores, is it enough for intermediate-level compositing? Does the # of cores even matter that much? People over at Adobe forums said minimum 12 cores is necessary.
Is 12 even possible in this setup (desktop PC, not server)?
Can you somehow "link" processors to add up cores?
"Several" meaning how many? 2? 10?
To give an idea, I need the space to store 1 feature film, ~120 min, lossless, at 1080p. -
Yes, each new generation is more "heavy" , requires more resources, more memory. However, PP CS5 with MPE is a godsend. HD edits like DV butter. Don't get CS4 if you have a choice. Get CS5 with a compatible Cuda GFX card.
i7-2600K
It's got only 4 cores, is it enough for intermediate-level compositing? Does the # of cores even matter that much? People over at Adobe forums said minimum 12 cores is necessary.
Is 12 even possible in this setup (desktop PC, not server)?
Can you somehow "link" processors to add up cores?
The #cores does matter. You get very nice speedup (almost linear) with AE
On a single mobo you can use SMT with multiple sockets, but you said you didn't want that either
You have 4 cores / 8 threads (4 hyperthreaded) with i7-2600K. You can get an I7-980x , but it's $1000-1500 and 6C/12T . That's the highest single socket right now for desktop. But single thread performance of that Bloomfield generation actually slower. IPC (instructions per cycle) are actually higher on this new generation.
Right now, you can get a dual socket overclockable mobo, the EVGA SR-2 . Dual Xenons x5650 (6C/12T each for 12C/24T) can overclock nicely, but each CPU is about $1K . This is last generation but there are no native 6C for sandy bridge yet. If you can wait, later this year they should release 6C/12T and 8C/16T variants of sandy bridge (enterprise versions)
Another option is AMD's lineup, but they are much slower per clock cycle., They have native 8 core CPUs out right now
2 x 2TB is enough in terms of storage. 2TB drives seem to be much more affordable these days, but you said cost really wasn't a big factor. You want extra space for scratch discs and intermediate filesLast edited by poisondeathray; 10th Jan 2011 at 11:31.
-
-
You said you wanted a "regular desktop" . The EVGA mobo is technically workstation or server class (which you said you didn't want), but will fit into some very large cases (larger than EATX). If you had to buy NOW, that's what I would get if you were willing to get a dual socket mobo. If you can wait a few months, I would wait for the sandy bridge version (and the EVGA SR3 or whatever they're going to call it)
It really depends on your definition of "normal computer" and "server".
I wouldn't call an EVGA SR2 setup a "regular desktop"
Similar Threads
-
Can someone recommend good low-mid-price system for video-editing/capturing
By johnharlin in forum Newbie / General discussionsReplies: 1Last Post: 17th Jun 2011, 08:08 -
Video compositing??
By AcousticRocker20 in forum LinuxReplies: 0Last Post: 30th Jan 2011, 15:12 -
Best laptop to meet High Definition(AVCHD) video editing system requirement
By Michelle Sheen in forum ComputerReplies: 1Last Post: 5th Apr 2010, 23:21 -
Help to select DeskTop Video Editing System
By In2Bangladesh in forum ComputerReplies: 0Last Post: 25th Aug 2008, 14:43 -
Help me with a new system list for video editing and home use please
By Dash1 in forum Newbie / General discussionsReplies: 5Last Post: 19th Nov 2007, 13:47