Building an editing system

ChuckS

ChuckS

Veteran
I started a thread: http://www.dvxuser.com/V3/showthread.php?t=23744 regarding building an editing system possibly using a Dell workstation. :lipsrseal

I'm posting a link to it here hoping that someone who might have some great advice might not read the PPro thread.

Any suggestion [regarding building an editing system] would be greatly appreciated. :beer:
 
I purchased 2 new Dells last week. Both dedicated for editing (no other software, no web access, no antivirus, etc.). Have 20 weddings to edit this season and it seems every bride is requesting the 8mm look, etc. Could only afford 1 top end unit but I figured the second was still worth getting to help with rendering times.

PC 1 – Dell Precision 670 with dual 3.4 xeon + 4M Ram + (4) 74Gb 10K Raptor HD drives = $2800

PC 2 – Dell Dimension XPS 3.4 + 2M Ram + (1) 74Gb 10K Raptor HD + (1) 400Gb SATA HD = $1700 (Dell outlet)

THEY PERFORM EQUALLY FAST in rendering times using PPro1.5. Rendering times on the same 5min clip were identical with and without Magic Bullet and only 20% faster than the 2.8 system I already owned. I’m sending back the 670 and getting another XPS.

Save yourself some money; go with faster drives and forget the second cpu. I’ve read all sorts of opinions about this, that they’re better for video, but as far as I can tell in a real-world direct comparison, the only advantage to dual processors is if you’re going to try to do other things with the PC while you’re rendering. If that’s the case, it’s the same cost and much better performance to purchase a complete second PC and toggle between them using a KVM swith (allow you to use same pair of monitors + keyboard + mouse, etc).
 
Keith, the way 2 cpus are implemented in Windows, it will never help if you only have a single process. But if PPro allows network renders, you could network render to the same machine, creating a second process which would then most likely be assigned to the second CPU. Another option would be to create two instances of PPro, and then render one stream each. I know Vegas allows both of these options, but don't know about PPro.
 
Yea galt, you can run a second instance of PPro, that works. But, dell xeons run slower memory (400 vs533) and the workstation systems cost more $$ for the same processor & memory speeds. In the end, you can get 2 fast single processor Dimensions for the same price (or slightly more) as 1 slower dual processor Precision workstation. PPro running on 2 separate systems w/ dedicated hard drives renders faster than 2 sessions running on 1 pc w/ dual processors. Make sense? I’ve tried endless configurations of this over the past week, comparing the performance of the dual xeons to the 2 p4s, and the results are clear: Two systems are faster than 1.
 
10s said:
What software will you be using?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the replies so far. I'm thinking of using PPro 1.5, AfterFX 6.5 etc..

keithsoucy said:
In the end, you can get 2 fast single processor Dimensions for the same price (or slightly more) as 1 slower dual processor Precision workstation. PPro running on 2 separate systems w/ dedicated hard drives renders faster than 2 sessions running on 1 pc w/ dual processors.
Click to expand...

keithsoucy, which processor do you think is better, P4 or Xeon. Also which graphics card did you choose and how do you like the performance?

Thanks
 
keith,
how were you able to order the PC with no other software? That's the part I hate about off the shelf units; all the crap you don't need.

What did you choose for a sound card? I'm thinking of getting a 3rd party PCI card for multitracking.
 
Me? Many times. But a PC has always worked fine for me. I'm also invested in a ton of software, and will be getting DVrack, which is a windows only app.
 
I am considering a G5. I was one of the founders of a software company that we sold to Apple which was the core for the development of Motion, so I so have an affinity for that. I have not used FCP enough to know if I would like it or if its as good as Avid or Premier.
 
Chucks, the xeon are business class systems so you’ll notice Dell charges more for the same components in the pre-built systems (cpu, ram, graphics card). If you go with the p4 in a dimension 8400 or XPS, you’ll get much better graphics card, faster ram, and faster cpu dollar for dollar. Also, xeon only has 400mhz ram.

For PPro and After6.5, I’d recommend getting a good speed p4 cpu (3.2up with 2M cache), get fast 10k raptor HD drives, and get the most Ram (533) you can afford (2M+) and you’ll have all you need. For graphics, the systems come standard with 256MB Nvidia GeForce 6800 these days. It’s more than you need. I did not see a difference between that and the 128 ATI.
 
vjbrennan, the first thing I do is wipe the drive clean and reinstall XP. Takes about 20 minutes and you’d be amazed how much better the system runs clean. None of that “buy me” junk.

For sound I just use the Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS (D) Card w/Dolby 5.1, IEEE 1394 that dell offers with the system. Could do better but it's only $70 and it works fine for my needs...
 
keithsoucy said:
vjbrennan, the first thing I do is wipe the drive clean and reinstall XP. Takes about 20 minutes...
Click to expand...

Good LORD!! What kind of 5Ghz / 20,000RPM / 10GB RAM machines are you using to install XP in 20 minutes? I gotta get out of the stone age...!! ~reservoir~
 
Yea, you're right. Maybe 30. Hell, even 50 is still worth killing that AOL mess...

Actually, Dell these days is doing a *better* job of giving you the option not to have that stuff installed.
 
keithsoucy said:
Chucks, the xeon are business class systems so you’ll notice Dell charges more for the same components in the pre-built systems (cpu, ram, graphics card). If you go with the p4 in a dimension 8400 or XPS, you’ll get much better graphics card, faster ram, and faster cpu dollar for dollar. Also, xeon only has 400mhz ram.
Click to expand...

I always thought xeon was Intel's dual processor chip and the P4 was single. Can you put a xeon chip in a single processor mb? Am I wrong?

I built my own machine around the P43.2 HT chip.
 
you can buy a workstation with just 1 xeon. Don't see the benefit in that though. If you’re only going to have 1 cpu, my guess is a P4 would give you better bang for the buck (only guessing though).
 
Thanks everyone for your advice. :thumbup:

I'm looking at the Dell Dimension XPS Generation 4 Desktop: Pentium 4 Processor 550 with HT Technology (3.40GHz, 800 FSB) 2GB RAM, 256MB Nvidia GeForce 6800 Graphics Card, etc.. ~$2400.

I also discovered that Dell has a factory outlet, when I started looking at it I got all excited :happy: - a similar system to the one above is $1000 less, then I noticed that the systems were refurbished :cry:. I'm not sure why a company that builds systems on demand would have refurbished systems, but does anyone have any experience purchasing a refurbished Dell? [If I get a refurbished system I can afford a 24 inch UltraSharp Widescreen Digital Flat Panel ] I believe they have the same warranty.

Also, any opinions regarding XP home vs. Professional? :undecided
 
Don’t worry PCs from the outlet. They’re not refurbished per say but more customer returns (like the workstation I just returned because I discovered the XPS provided faster rendering PPro1.5). I own a business and have purchased plenty (over 20) Dells over the years. Some new, some from the outlet. Dell stands behind their product either way. Can’t say I have not had problems (with both categories), but Dell has always corrected them for me quickly and painlessly. For a company their size, the have the absolute best service practices I’ve ever experienced.

Couple pointers when buying from Dell:

1. If you can, buy through the small business section. (Make up a business name if you have to—say you’re a consultant or something). There are better deals offered under the small business section and everything is a little less expensive than going through the Home section.

2. Shop around on the Dell website. There are many ways to purchase the same system, and often times you can get significantly better deals depending on where you go within the dell website.

3. You’ve already found the dell outlet. That’s a good thing. Sometimes the deals are good there. Sometimes they are not. Do not assume just because it’s in the Outlet that it is a bargain. But, often you can find AMAZING deals there. And you have the option to extend the factory warranty up to 3 years when you buy, so there is really no worries. I have baught several PCs from the outlet and have never come to regret it.

Always use XP Pro, so I cannot comment or compare to XP Home. I believe the differences are more related to security issues than anything else.

Good luck with your purchase!
 
ChuckS, I want to clarify my previous comments on buying single CPU systems versus dual processors.

If you are going have only 1 PC, dual processor is they way to go. They are no faster in rendering times, but you can do other things while you wait for the render. It’s almost like having 2 PCs.

If you’re going to upgrade and hold onto your old PC, or can afford 2 new PCs, you can purchase faster single processor systems for less money.

For example: Using a KVM swith, I have 2 computers that share the same mouse, keyboard and pair or monitors. I can toggle back and forth between them with just a flip of the switch. That way, I can start a render on one, and then keep editing on the other. For me, this setup allows for much faster rendering times and only cost a few hundred more than the 1 dual processor system. But it’s not for everyone as you need space and to be somewhat technical savvy.

If you’re not planning on using 2 PCs and a KVM switch, maybe a Precision Workstation with dual processors is the way to.

Hope this isn’t too confusing. Believe it or not, I’m trying to help.
Good luck!
Keith
 
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