4K editing PC build without a dedicated GPU - Intel or AMD?

Don't think anyone's overthinking it ;)



AMD is by far the better CPU right now for pure CPU performance, however, it requires a dedicated GPU for decent h.264 performance so you'd need the GPU right away. Which unfortunately means choosing Intel for quicksync today, but then negating the need for that unideal choice by adding the GPU later.

If you built that AMD system you shared but without the dedicated GPU up front, it very well may have performed slower than your mac mini for the specific task at hand.



We won't tell your girlfriend ;)

;) Thanks for all your help.
 
This might be an option for you. This CPU has graphics and occasionally goes on sale. It would be an easy build.
PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/3qKQQD

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3400G 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($299.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus TUF GAMING X570-PLUS (WI-FI) ATX AM4 Motherboard ($192.99 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory ($102.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 250 GB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Meshify C ATX Mid Tower Case ($97.89 @ B&H)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $849.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2021-05-03 23:32 EDT-0400
 
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have built my own PCs for 25 years, and also use macs. I don't really like certain aspects of either OS frankly, but performance is performance. I would not build a PC right now, even at this low price point. There just hasn't been a worse time since I started. Integrated graphics options are shite on PC compared to Apple. M1/unified memory is a clear standout that is going to change PCs in the next few years in a major way.

It doesn't seem like the upgradeability aspect applies much if at all here. Use fast, portable external storage instead of planning for a HD upgrade, & get a mac mini imo. Do a DIY build when you actually plan on upgrading before the chipset/motherboard is outdated. Most people - even performance users - don't bother.
 
My "mooshead" had unified memory architecture 25 years ago.

It was also called revolutionary, bringing Reality Engine class to toaster sized box:

http://www.erimez.com/misc/O2/chief_engineer/index.html

didn't want to load down with technicalities, but I was commenting on that aspect of computing coming (returning?) back to the desktop/workstation.

I have a $5kish (+ monitor) windows machine I built in 2016 that I do my basically all of my video, multi TB 16bit ps files; & 3d work (64gig fast ram, upgraded m.2 drives, midrange intel processor, 1080ti). It's still going strong doing what I want, but I hate to hear the loud noise, sucks tons of power & yet it still feels like molasses at times for seemingly no reason (I wipe my boot drives & reinstall annually - always separate data from OS)

$1300 M1 mac mini (16gig) has less lag handling a lot of those scale files in regular use (haven't done any 3D yet). Just doing a lot of the regular work the experience is more pleasant - as a subjective observation for the last month or so. I would bet the SoC/unified memory has a lot to do with that.

Apple didn't invent anything new, I just think that after they make a mac with a cluster of these things it's really going to shake up the mainstream desktop market
 
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