building a NLE pc for CS4

D

donjohannes

Member
I was really divided where to post this. Should I put it in the hardware section with all the camera gear stuff or put it in the software department, given that people using software will all have a computer on which it is running.

So anyway here it comes (hopefully in the right place):

I'm putting together a PC for After Effects work and Premiere editing as I progress into the world of the HMC151 with its AVCHD recording. My old pc crashed on me too frequently with SD on larger projects, so it has to go into well earned retirement. I have been discouraged by the notes on AVCHD editing and have little hope even my new pc will do too great with it, but there is always transcoding for now....

Here is what I put together. Any suggestions appreciated:

- core i7 920 (will be overclocked to 3.33)
- Noctua CPU-cooler NH-U12P SE1366
- Asus P6T Deluxe V2
- Corsair HX3X12G1333C9, 6x2GB RAM
- 4 x Western Digital Caviar Black, 7200rpm, 32MB, 640GB, SATA-II (2 for a raid 0, another one for a rather huge cache and one for writing to, then I already have 2.5 TB for storage of the source files)
- graphics: ZOTAC GTX-260 Synergy Edition 896MB DDR3
- LG GGW-H20L, HD-DVD ROM, BluRay und DVD Burner
- Cooler Master HAF Tower RC-932-KKN1-GP
- Cooler Master Silent Pro Series PSU - 700 Watt
- Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64bit, inkl. Win7 Coupon
- Scythe SCKMRD-2000-BK Card Reader

in switzerland this cost me approx 2200 USD - which is cheaper than what I found it for in the Euro Zone, but most likely more expensive than in the US

Greetings,
Johannes
 
If you're building a system specifically for HMC151/AVCHD editing, you want an nVidia CUDA graphics card. Get the rip-roaringest most macho nVidia Quadro you can afford. The CS4 suite is optimized to work with nVidia's CUDA-equipped graphics cards and that one upgrade will probably be the most significant upgrade you can make.
 
Thanks Barry,

The GTX260 is a CUDA card according to this:
http://www.nvidia.de/object/geforce_gtx_260_de.html

I was looking at the quadro FX series, but the price just goes up so quickly and I was not sure on the true benefit - even though there is a big one on paper for some 3d applications (3dsmax or Maya). The GTX is a gamer card but according to an article I read (tomshardware.com) a GTX 280 is virtually identical to a Quadro FX4800 except for drivers, tech support and warranty. The problem is that the GTX is somehow crippled on the driver side and there seems to be a softmod hack to run it with the quadro drivers. (here for example: http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=539&pgno=8 ) . Hmm wonder if there are any legal issues

Johannes
 
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LOL.. Those MAC guys crack me up... heh.

Let's see... I recently built an i7 920 @ 3.4ghz with 6gb OCZ ram, a WD 750gb and two 1.5tb drives for video... BD-R, key, mouse and even a sweet LianLi case with TWO 22" monitors for UNDER $2K... It will edit AVCHD native files off of the SDHC cards from my HMC150 in realtime on P-Pro CS4 and it NEVER crashes.
I guess if you are afraid to install an OS or tweak a bios then you should buy a MAC. I've been building and editing on PC's for 10+ years and would NEVER waste my money on a MAC.

My rig would have cost me double if it were a mac.


nice setup btw.
 
@Freudenberg

Thanks for the peek. I see we have similar specs, though you went for a better graphics card. The store I'm buying from is just throwing the gtx260 at me for nothing, so it's hard to go for something more expensive

@ATL
Where is the MAC user? Or was this a general comment? Happy to hear the AVCHD files edit well on your system. That does give me some hope.
 
Oh. heh.. From the link to the older topic here at dvx user.

Some quotes:
Jim Behl said:
Get a Mac and Final Cut Studio if you are working professionally. You will not pay that much more for that than you would for a windows box comparatively equipped and you will have a system that will pay for itself in several ways.
1. Integrated software and hardware leads to fewer conflicts and simply works better. All the way from ingestion to distribution.
Click to expand...

Then he said:
I can honestly say if you wish to spend your time editing rather than working with the computer system, get a Mac
Click to expand...

heh..

=)
 
ATL Media Group said:
I guess if you are afraid to install an OS or tweak a bios then you should buy a MAC. I've been building and editing on PC's for 10+ years and would NEVER waste my money on a MAC.

My rig would have cost me double if it were a mac.
Click to expand...

LOL.. Those PC guys crack me up... heh.

Really? What does it matter? You made an equally ignorant statement as the "MAC guys" in your quote above, so what gives you the right?

It's a bit ridiculous as to how zealots on both sides act about something as stupid as a computer. Yes, believe it or not, some people don't want to spend their time installing an OS or tweaking the BIOS. I'm one of those people, I'd rather spend my time working and doing something creative.

I'm just trying to point out the hypocrisy of blasting one side for blasting your side. I use a Mac, big deal, my rig cost three times as much as yours, who cares? Guess what, it crashes, has problems, etc. Every computer does, no one option is perfect, they're inherently flawed. I personally just prefer to use a Mac since that's what I've always used and they use them at my place of employment. If I was to work somewhere with PCs it'd be no different, so whatever.

Maybe next time you should think of adding something constructive to thread at hand instead of bashing another thread's post that are completely off-topic and clearly not the intention of the person who linked to it.

To the OP, regarding working in After Effects, if you want to take advantage of Multiprocessing in AE you need at least 1 GB of RAM per core, which you have covered, but I think it generally works better with around 2 GB's per core. I've never had good luck with nVidia cards in AE, but your mileage may vary.
 
Guess what, it crashes, has problems, etc. Every computer does
Click to expand...

Hmm.. Not mine. Maybe you should rethink your purchasing decisions?
Again, the other thread had yet another MAC elitist telling us that if we want to be "professional" then we should use a mac. I defend my stance that my PC cost less and works better and you are offended?
You prove my point.


I stand by my statements.
 
they'll tell you this over there too but get a different PSU. corsair, seasonic, and some others i cant think of right now are good and trusted brands. don't underestimate the importance of this, a power supply crapping out on you can compromise every other part in your computer.
 
Oh ya... forgot about that one. I got a deal on mine with a bundle at Newegg. Got a 750W LianLi PSU which has been very good. It's a high quality PSU that I would recommend.
 
Got all my parts from newegg, love that place. The 1st motherboard was shot, sent it back for a replacement with no problems. Everything else is rock solid and edits like a champ! Had it for over a year now. I got the 850W PSU Antec I believe.
 
Ya.. Same here.. all from Newegg.. I did get a little irritated tho. Paid $279 for my CPU... while it was shipping, got a flier in the mail from MicroCenter.. same CPU $199 in store which is 10 min from my house. Newegg wouldn't help... Oh well. The rest of the stuff was priced right. They also ship FAST.
The LianLi PSU I have has a switch on the back to turn on/off the blue LED on the fan. Kinda neat. The fit and finish on their stuff is second to none. I won't buy any other case than a LianLi.
 
ATL Media Group said:
Hmm.. Not mine. Maybe you should rethink your purchasing decisions?
Again, the other thread had yet another MAC elitist telling us that if we want to be "professional" then we should use a mac. I defend my stance that my PC cost less and works better and you are offended?
You prove my point.


I stand by my statements.
Click to expand...

I was hardly offended, barely amused, don't worry :)

My point was that there was no reason to go bashing on other people's preferences, especially when it isn't constructive. You could have easily worded your post as such:

I recently built an i7 920 @ 3.4ghz with 6gb OCZ ram, a WD 750gb and two 1.5tb drives for video... BD-R, key, mouse and even a sweet LianLi case with TWO 22" monitors for UNDER $2K... It will edit AVCHD native files off of the SDHC cards from my HMC150 in realtime on P-Pro CS4 and it NEVER crashes.

nice setup btw.
Click to expand...

Now that would have been constructive and helpful to the OP without the useless flame filler that you so diligently chose to add-in. He would have known that you have a great computer that never crashes and can edit AVCHD in PPro CS4 in realtime. Even better you were even kind enough to list all the parts too. Very helpful info. I was merely pointing out that it diminishes your professionalism when you add in all the Mac bashing banter. Just because some Mac fanboys stooped to that level in the other thread doesn't mean you have to here.

And before you go saying that I'm a Mac fan, etc and I'm offended by Mac bashing, go ahead and stop yourself. I probably bash Mac's more than any die hard PC guys, I'm very demanding of computers and love and hate them at the same time. Either way, let's just not go there.

As to your other statements, I have re-thought my purchasing decisions, but the cost to switch doesn't outweigh the benefits as of right now. I have a substantial investment in software, hardware and an established workflow on a Mac. The cost of a new PC would actually represent the smallest investment in switching and the cost to move everything else over is far higher. As well as time, which is something I don't have so much of. So, I have to make due with Mac and deal with whatever problems it may have and work around it's limitations, no matter how minor or major.

And if you're computer never has a problem, that's awesome! I dream of such a scenario, problem is, I could buy the same PC and have problems myself, there are so many variables that making statements that aren't quantifiable is just plain silly. That's why I hate the PC vs. Mac flame war, each side says they have less problems and less this and better that and blah, blah, blah. Well, until you have quantifiable, hard evidence of said this and that, all you really have is vapor.

We're all welcome to have our opinions, but let's just try to be helpful to one another and be professional.
 
Ok, people I'm back and I'm really excited. This is what I ended up buying and to give away the good news first. This beast just rocks. AVCHD? I can't believe it: No problem! Editing the MTS natively from the HMC150 (downloaded some, since I'm still waiting for my cam, so I'm not sure if its PH or some other mode) is smoother, than my 3 year old dell with SD. No kidding! I applied levels and effects - still it would play without pre-rendering smoothly at the highest quality setting.

Here is a timelapse of the building process and me becoming a nerd/geek: http://www.vimeo.com/6427608

Here are the specs:
- core i7 920 (overclocked to 3.4) and in a 9 hour prime95 stress test will not cross 60 degrees Celsius! So much room for further clocking, though I won't since it also makes it less power efficient.
- Noctua CPU-cooler NH-U12P SE1366
- Asus P6T Deluxe V2
- 12 GB Corsair HX3X12G1333C9, 6x2GB RAM
- 5 x Western Digital Caviar Black, 7200rpm, 32MB, 640GB, SATA-II (2 for a raid 0, another one for a rather huge cache and pagefile etc, one for the data I'm working with, and one for writing to, + I already have 2.5 TB for storage of the source files). Say Overkill, but it's
- graphics: ZOTAC GTX-275 Synergy Edition 896MB DDR3
- LG GGW-H20L, HD-DVD ROM, BluRay und DVD Burner
- Cooler Master HAF Tower RC-932-KKN1-GP
- Cooler Master Silent Pro Series PSU - 700 Watt
- Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64bit, inkl. Win7 Coupon
- Scythe fan controller coming next week


Did the testing in Premiere CS4.1
 
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