Quad core mother board question for new PC

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Body Flight

Active member
I am building a PC computer and my computer guy mentioned that the server motherboard will accept 2 quad cores, and the other boards will accept one. Is there any benefit to the server boards, or will the more traditional board suffice? I have not decided on what I'm using for a NLE yet. I am planning on at least 8gb RAM, and will be using the HVX and using the P2 workflow. Suggestions? Ideas? Warnings?

Thank you all for your time and assistance - I appreciate it more than you realize!
 
If you want 8 gigs of ram you need to be running a 64bit copy of windows. Make sure the software you choose will run in a 64bit version of windows. A server board with dual quad cores would be nice if it's within your budget, it will certainly be more powerful (by a lot) but a single quad core is more than enough for most editing.
 
The problem with server board is that you need expensive ram. You can use two 4 gig dual channel kits on a regular board(2 times 2x2gigs). You can find those for pretty as well.
The q6600 is so cheap now(single quad config)....it's decent and would save you a lot compared to a dual quad. If you really want a dual quad you might consider the macpro and install windows on it. A mac is a nice thing to have too.
Go look in the cafe a la dvx section theyre was a long thread on the subject(single quad config). Lots of fine connaisseur there.

Me i got a q6600(i bought it before the price drop!) that i overclocked to 3.2. I use the gigabyte ds3 board. I also use the on board raid.

In my opinion, spending too much on a pc is not such a good investment, it loses value so quickly. As long as it gets the job done...I edit mostly 720p so as long as i keep this camera and workflow i wont need to change computers.

You might want to check the subforums of the different editing software it might give you an idea of what you need for wich software.

Hopefully more people will chime in so you get more different opinions.

Pierre
 
Thanks for the feedback! I was thinking the dual quads was overkill. I have been reading the forums for a while, but have not found anything regarding the server mother boards. Thanks for the 64bit heads-up... I wasn't thinking of that!

What family of intel processor should I be looking at? (Any to avoid?)

And yes, PC's are about as good an investment as a new car...
 
Body Flight said:
Thanks for the feedback! I was thinking the dual quads was overkill. I have been reading the forums for a while, but have not found anything regarding the server mother boards. Thanks for the 64bit heads-up... I wasn't thinking of that!

What family of intel processor should I be looking at? (Any to avoid?)

And yes, PC's are about as good an investment as a new car...
Click to expand...


For Multi-core rendering , an 8core Xenon and 8+Gig RAMs is a good thing and not overkill.

Adobe does Multi-core processing FYI.

Rendering 64bit with 3dsMax is awesome too. I got an 8core Xenon Serverboard workstation and the renderspeed I get is truly appreciated. :smile:Not overkill. Try rendering huge Effects filters with AfterEffects, you then can imagine what speed could be like with an 8core.

Overkill is if I am using DOS. Or an App that does not do Multi-core. Not all Apps are.:D

It really isn't much to build your own 8core Xeon.:thumbsup:
You can search the board for my computer stats if your interested.

Not to brag, but just making known some computer purchasing facts.
 
Xenons are lamps. hehehe

There many benefits in using server boards among them is reliability, expandability (More PCIe, or PCI-X ports) and performance since they can have two or more sockets.
If you look at pricing there is no reason in the world to set-up a server pc based machine since a mac pro which has a server board by the way, has everything one could need at a much better price with the best OS pre-installed...

Since I could not go for Mac Pro I set up a Q6600 oc @3.2 P5K3 motherboard with a Decklink HD extreme PCIe, 2x24inch samsungs and 2 HS50's for sound, using internal raids. I consider this a rather inexpensive setup.
 
jazzx said:
Xenons are lamps. hehehe
Click to expand...
OOps!

Thanks for the correction.

Serverboards costs a little more , but it has a better upgradeable platform (Extra CPU sockets, RAM max, drive ports) For those who cannot afford to fully load it, you can always use a single CPU for now and as much RAM you can manage. Then later add more as needed.

Single CPU boards aren't as upgradeable and in a year or so you'll be wanting more power. Your options to upgrade your plain single CPU mobo will see its limits.
 
Indeed. I agree 100%.

Afford a Tyan S4985 motherboard and start with:
ONE QuadCore (AMD 8000 serie) + TWO GB RAM (stick to XP 32bits).

All roads stay open:

1) While sticking to 32bits, you can add another CPU/2GB couple, and you can have up to EIGHT CPU/2GB couples, this represents 8 x 4 = 32 processors !

2) Going to 64bits? Everything is ready, you can now add more RAM per CPU (no 2GB limit anymore), if needed.

This is true scability, and with 4 PCIe (2 x16, 2 x4) you have HW modularity, too.
The first purchase (1 large MB, 1 expensive CPU & RAM) is perhaps beyond vanilla MB cost, but you can expand your system with no limits!

With HD editing, compositing, 3D & DAW, power requirement can turn your "plain computer" obsolete sooner than a workstation.

[Microsoft Multicore Processors Licensing allows XP based systems to add more processors without paying license extension.]
 
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Thank you all for your feedback! I will go for the server board, and dual Xeon processors.

pinkabeth... it sounds like I am about to build close to what you already have. Do you mind if I PM you for more info?

I think I will be using the nvidia 8800gtx ultra video card... does anyone have feedback on that card? Should I go for it, or is there a better card out there?

(I'm planning on using Premier Pro CS3... if this has any relevance.)
 
Nvidia makes awesome cards. I wanted the 8600 GTX, but the double thickness wouldn't let it fit in my configuration of cards.

You might want to take a look at NewTek's SpeedEDIT for your editor or the newly released VT5 to give you a virtual set studio as well as an editor.
http://newtek.com/

It sounds like you are building a great machine. We just went through this a few months ago and I commend you for asking for input. I reserched for months and it's paid off.
 
Jennyparis, you pretty much summed up my intentions... I'm glad I stumbled on to this thread. Do you have a motherboard recommendation for Intel Xeon's? I've had better experience with Intel generally. I'll need to confirm compatibility with Black Magic Decklink as well, since I'm already invested in all that.

Just to be clear regarding 32 vs 64 bit... you purchase all the same hardware, and it's the operating system that determines what you're running... correct?
 
Nov 12th, INTEL announced 5400 chipset series, with Dual & Quad procs (5100/5300/5400). Have a look at tyan's MBs, named Tempest (S5397, S5393, S5396 & S5392).

Yes. Have a 64-ready MB/Procs; Use 32 OS (2GB memory limit), and later upgrade to 64 OS. (Waiting for a more mature VISTA).
 
Jennyparis said:
Nov 12th, INTEL announced 5400 chipset series, with Dual & Quad procs (5100/5300/5400). Have a look at tyan's MBs, named Tempest (S5397, S5393, S5396 & S5392).

Yes. Have a 64-ready MB/Procs; Use 32 OS (2GB memory limit), and later upgrade to 64 OS. (Waiting for a more mature VISTA).
Click to expand...


cool - thanks!
 
Thanks for the heads-up Jennyparis! I'm looking at the Tyan Tempest MB's (S5397), but I'm slightly intimidated by the number of DDR2 slots! What are the constraints?? in other words, do I have to populate all slots, or go in groups of two / or four? If I start with 2gb memory, do all other memory cards need to be the same (assuming they get aded later? Also, I really don't want to worry about the OS after I set the system up. Is there a problem with the 64bit version of XP that I should avoid?
 
Sorry - one more question... the Tyan mother boards were recommended. Are they superior to the boards produced by Intel? (Better value / lower cost / ??) Thanks!
 
Email Tyan, or an integrator about MB memory details, it is brand new stuff.

Or make it simple: Use one 2GB DDR2 card with your first processor; later, you can add another CPU with another 2GB same card; and again, being in 32bits.
Later, when switching to 64bits, you can add 2GB (or more) per CPU.
I can't see an issue on that. Just plan it ahead.

64bits XP was kinda interim. Just wait the robust Vista Ultimate version, I mean when more maturity is recognized (service packs, drivers, reviews, bench) ...
... Or make your own periodic test. I have a double boot station, based on 64bits HW, with XP32 and Vista Ultimate. I use XP32, but I can evaluate Vista (every quarter/semester), updating OS/drivers/apps (when avail.), and I see if I am eady to dive into 64, or not. (really not yet, as far as I am concerned).

Yes, TYAN is well ahead, read reviews. Even more flexible with AMD CPUs.
 
Jennyparis said:
I have a double boot station, based on 64bits HW, with XP32 and Vista Ultimate. I use XP32, but I can evaluate Vista (every quarter/semester), updating OS/drivers/apps (when avail.), and I see if I am eady to dive into 64, or not. (really not yet, as far as I am concerned).
Click to expand...

Same here, but today we moved to Vista Ultimate 64 for good.
We got SpeedEDIT installed without a hitch and are not going back.
 
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