Quad Core, Dual Core, does it make a difference?

[DavidBeier]

I'm in the process of building a new rig and also planning to upgrade to Media Composer 3.0. I'm currently debating between the AMD Phenom 9850 Quad Core and a cheaper dual-core alternative. I'm leaning toward the Quad Core to be a bit more "future proof" but I've heard different things as far as Avid goes. Will it make any difference with Media Composer 3.0 or is this something I'm just going to have to wait for the software to catch up to?

 

[Butcher]

Well, if you go with any AMD chip you may not have a system that runs at all. Avid requires Intel chips. AMD chips cause huge problems--sometimes crippling the software.

If you're going to build a machine to run Media Composer 3.0, follow these requirements (and these really are requirements, not suggestions):

http://www.avid.com/products/Media-Composer-Software/system-requirements.asp

Media Composer 3 has been updated to better take advantage of multiple cores, as well as the GPU. You'll definitely want to go with an nVidia Quadro card--I wouldn't go any lower than the 1700. There have been documented problems with non-Quadro cards, so I wouldn't try an 8800 (in case you were thinking about it).

If you can afford an Intel Quadcore, definitely do it. I can only assume that Avid is going to continue to improve their use of multiple cores, so the more you have now the more you'll have to take advantage of later.

Michael.

 

[styks1987]

Geforce with Avid

Geforce with Avid

you can also go here and find out how you do not have to use quadro cards and spend a ton of money!