GH4 Computer system requirements for 4k editing?

J

jnorman34

Active member
The prevailing wisdom for computer system requirements for editing 4k video files seems to be something on the order of Core i7 quad-core, 8-16gb ram, a 2gb dedicated graphics card, and either SSD or 7200 rpm hdd. this is equivalent to the current crop of high-end gaming computers, or top-end MBP 15.6", and cost is high. no smallish laptops seem able to supply such credentials.


however, lately, I have been reading posts from various folks who are having success using much less powerful systems - core i5 dual-core, intel graphics, 4-6gb ram, etc. I am certain these systems are much slower to render output than higher-spec'ed systems, but I do not mind longish rendering times, if I can save hundreds of dollars on the computer.


specifically, I want a laptop form factor, and would like to stick with 13-14" FHD display. so far, I have found sager and razer blade machines that are spec'ed well, but would rather stick to Lenovo, sony, or perhaps a MBA or 13" MBP (which only seems to have intel 4400 or iris graphics.)


since I know many of you are already now shooting with the new GH4 (mine is still on backorder), I would appreciate knowing what you are editing with, and what your personal opinion is regarding what the basic system requirements actually are.
THanks.
 
I have a MBPr and now the Mac Pro 6 core with D700's. While I can edit 4K on the laptop I tend to cut using proxies. You (I) want to have the editing to be smooth like butter so that you can concentrate on the process of editing instead of having hang ups and cursing your computer system.

Now on my Mac Pro 6 core w/d700's and 64 gigs ram????? I'm able to edit 4K, grade, use multiple layers, text, animation and so on in realtime and at full resolution without rendering. So this speeds up the entire process while saying focused on the edit. The new Mac Pro really is a beast and it's beautiful sitting on the desk. Call it a trash can if you like PC guys. I say it is a trash can. One that you can throw your PC into.

4K is demanding once you start cutting and are using multiple tracks. On a laptop, if you don't use proxies you will feel it.
 
jnorman34 said:
however, lately, I have been reading posts from various folks who are having success using much less powerful systems - core i5 dual-core,
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Intel Core i5 is quad core, Core i7 is quad core with hyperthreading (each core can processe two threads), Core i3 is dual core. I have seen some references to Core i7 also including hex core but don't know anything about that.
 
jnorman34 said:
The prevailing wisdom for computer system requirements for editing 4k video files seems to be something on the order of Core i7 quad-core, 8-16gb ram, a 2gb dedicated graphics card, and either SSD or 7200 rpm hdd. this is equivalent to the current crop of high-end gaming computers, or top-end MBP 15.6", and cost is high. no smallish laptops seem able to supply such credentials.


however, lately, I have been reading posts from various folks who are having success using much less powerful systems - core i5 dual-core, intel graphics, 4-6gb ram, etc. I am certain these systems are much slower to render output than higher-spec'ed systems, but I do not mind longish rendering times, if I can save hundreds of dollars on the computer.


specifically, I want a laptop form factor, and would like to stick with 13-14" FHD display. so far, I have found sager and razer blade machines that are spec'ed well, but would rather stick to Lenovo, sony, or perhaps a MBA or 13" MBP (which only seems to have intel 4400 or iris graphics.)


since I know many of you are already now shooting with the new GH4 (mine is still on backorder), I would appreciate knowing what you are editing with, and what your personal opinion is regarding what the basic system requirements actually are.
THanks.
Click to expand...

It's less about resolution, and more about bit rate. It'll be easier to edit a 4k 100Mbps video, than a 1080p 200Mbps video.

That said, give yourself a maximum budget, then head over to http://pcpartpicker.com/ and build a machine.
 
There are a lot of laptops with Nvidia 600 series GPUs. The GPU is really the ticket, because it offloads a lot of the rendering and effects from the host CPU. I believe the Mac Book Pro has a 650 series GPU. For about 40% of the money you find PC laptops with similar specs. Buy an Asus, pick up a coupla lenses with the what's left over. Sorry, can't recommend anything specific from experience.

I have a moderately strong i7 desktop PC. When I swapped out my 4 year old video card with a Nvidia 760 with 4gb, Premiere went from sluggish to full speed ahead, with no other changes. I can edit GH4 4K without ever rendering at 1/2 quality. And output 10mbs VBR 1080p in about the running time for the piece. An occasional render does help the timeline flow once the transitions and effects start to pile up, doesn't take very long. All this with everything except Premiere itself on a single disc! Have rarely seen Premiere using more than 14gb the 24gb on my system, and I suspect it could do as well with less. Project length doesn't seem to much affect the amount of RAM committed.

There are other performance issues like other software running at the same time as your editor. When my backup software kicks in at midnight, that takes a big hit on the timeline. Changed the scheduling. Norton can occasionally be a disc system hog. Worthwhile looking at what you've got running in addition to the editor, and trim down everything that isn't essential. Your boot times will thank you as well.
 
Im rocking a ASUS G750JH with 32GB of ram and editing is no problem. Get something with a decent video card and much ram as possible. SSD's are help a ton too.
 
atarijedi said:
It's less about resolution, and more about bit rate. It'll be easier to edit a 4k 100Mbps video, than a 1080p 200Mbps video.

That said, give yourself a maximum budget, then head over to http://pcpartpicker.com/ and build a machine.
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I dont know much about computers and I'm trying to learn the same thing since my GH4 is on pre-order. I dont know if your statement will be true, if you watch Griffin hammonds video on the GH4 he says the 200mbps is a variable bit rate and the file sizes are often smaller than when shooting at 100mbps, so I would assume edits smoother than 4k.

I was also curious about i7, i5 i3 when looking into computers. I assumed the higher number the better but I guess this isnt the case since the newer macs have gone backwards from i7's to i5's. Some of the more expensive macs have a lower ghz also. I guess you really have to understand what all this means if you are planning to build a computer, thats why im just searching for nerds on craigslist who can costume build for me. Any pre-built PCs for video editors online anywhere? I assume someone has to have one of those pick the parts websites with a preset of a good editing machine.
 
PegLeg Media said:
I dont know much about computers and I'm trying to learn the same thing since my GH4 is on pre-order. I dont know if your statement will be true, if you watch Griffin hammonds video on the GH4 he says the 200mbps is a variable bit rate and the file sizes are often smaller than when shooting at 100mbps, so I would assume edits smoother than 4k.

I was also curious about i7, i5 i3 when looking into computers. I assumed the higher number the better but I guess this isnt the case since the newer macs have gone backwards from i7's to i5's. Some of the more expensive macs have a lower ghz also. I guess you really have to understand what all this means if you are planning to build a computer, thats why im just searching for nerds on craigslist who can costume build for me. Any pre-built PCs for video editors online anywhere? I assume someone has to have one of those pick the parts websites with a preset of a good editing machine.
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i7 is beter then i5 and and i5 is better then i3, You are correct. Try to find a i7 if you can afford it. The HT in the chip will help out greatly. As for prebuilt computers, my asus laptop is great editing machine. They even have new model with a better video card. I got the ASUS because it has a thunderbolt port. (very nice to have)
 
i'm rocking a 4 year old box with an Intel Core i7-950 3.06, Gforce gtx 470 and top of the line raid-ed drives ; editing 4k is not a problem. Adobe Premiere CC is incredible I can even do real-time effects like color correction, but I don't do any long projects 3-5 minutes tops so.... . That being said I will build a new system this summer :P
 
Bill T. said:
When I swapped out my 4 year old video card with a Nvidia 760 with 4gb, Premiere went from sluggish to full speed ahead, with no other changes. I can edit GH4 4K without ever rendering at 1/2 quality. And output 10mbs VBR 1080p in about the running time for the piece.
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Oh wow, I had no idea Premiere was that dependent on the GPU. What was your old GPU, if I may ask?
 
PegLeg Media said:
I dont know much about computers and I'm trying to learn the same thing since my GH4 is on pre-order. I dont know if your statement will be true, if you watch Griffin hammonds video on the GH4 he says the 200mbps is a variable bit rate and the file sizes are often smaller than when shooting at 100mbps, so I would assume edits smoother than 4k.

I was also curious about i7, i5 i3 when looking into computers. I assumed the higher number the better but I guess this isnt the case since the newer macs have gone backwards from i7's to i5's. Some of the more expensive macs have a lower ghz also. I guess you really have to understand what all this means if you are planning to build a computer, thats why im just searching for nerds on craigslist who can costume build for me. Any pre-built PCs for video editors online anywhere? I assume someone has to have one of those pick the parts websites with a preset of a good editing machine.
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Here's a good guide to start: http://www.videoguys.com/Blog/Entry.aspx?BEID=0x86959ff2ee4098c3eef68b2070f368dd&
 
OP here - I just bought a new Lenovo yoga 2 pro, i7, 8 ram, intel graphics 4400. imported some 4k video files from GH4 into powerdirector 12 ultra, and it rendered them just fine. yay!!
 
I have a GH4 coming to me. I have been shooting on the Canon T3i and Panasonic HMC40. I'm pretty excited to try out the GH4! However, I have a 2009 (late) imac dual core, 8gig ram, with FCP 7... I realize FCP 7 won't do 4K (I will be shooting in the 1080p mode on the GH4) I should be fine right? Short video Skits. Nothing over 5 minutes...
 
I have i7 3930k, 32gb RAM, GTX 670 2GB. Premiere pro CC works real time whit C4K set at full. But when i put some effect, i can hear the audio but the image is not playing. I change to 1/2-1/4 and happens the same... Maybe my premiere pro and AE aren't setp up good for work maximum power. I have CUDA ON.
 
Anyone using a 4K monitor with editing? If so, what video card are you using? I'm planning to update my system real soon!!!
 
ntouched said:
Anyone using a 4K monitor with editing? If so, what video card are you using? I'm planning to update my system real soon!!!
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I just got the Dell UP3214Q 32" IPS UHD monitor to replace my old 27" Apple Cinema Display and so far I'm very impressed with it. Finally, a matte screen that doesn't show my reflection! The color rendition is better than the Cinema Display as well, which no matter how many times I tried color calibrating with my Spyder Pro 3 always looked blueish greenish. The Dell comes color calibrated right out of the box. The GH4 UHD footage looks spectacular on it. There's so much more work space, I feel more productive just sitting in front of it. It's got a USB 3 hub and a SDXC card reader built into it which is very convenient. The only downsides I see so far is that there's no built-in webcam, it runs hot, uses more power, and needs a DisplayPort 1.2 connection for 60Hz refresh rate.

I'm using a Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 graphics card to power it and my NEC EA231WMi IPS 1080p monitor.
 
Benjobe said:
I just got the Dell UP3214Q 32" IPS UHD monitor to replace my old 27" Apple Cinema Display and so far I'm very impressed with it. Finally, a matte screen that doesn't show my reflection! The color rendition is better than the Cinema Display as well, which no matter how many times I tried color calibrating with my Spyder Pro 3 always looked blueish greenish. The Dell comes color calibrated right out of the box. The GH4 UHD footage looks spectacular on it. There's so much more work space, I feel more productive just sitting in front of it. It's got a USB 3 hub and a SDXC card reader built into it which is very convenient. The only downsides I see so far is that there's no built-in webcam, it runs hot, uses more power, and needs a DisplayPort 1.2 connection for 60Hz refresh rate.

I'm using a Nvidia GeForce GTX 680 graphics card to power it and my NEC EA231WMi IPS 1080p monitor.
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Thanks for your input!
 
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