Recommendations for turnkey PC system?

Chris Santucci

Chris Santucci

Veteran
I need to upgrade from a Mac Pro (3Ghz dual quad core) and am thinking that a dedicated PC based system that can handle 4K footage might be the best option since my current system is choking on this stuff big-time and I don't feel like shelling it out for a newer Mac - and I need to start learning PP.

I've seen ADK mentioned elsewhere. Any other suggestions?
 
I am in the same boat. I have an old PC (4 years) and an old imac that I am borrowing and looking to replace them with a new PC using PP. I have been looking at ibuypower and have been building different configurations and coming up with a PC that is around $4000. A little on the high side for me so I may dial it back some.
What is your budget for the computer?
I have seen these in my searching as well but they are too high for me.
http://raincomputers.com/
http://www.maingear.com/custom/desktops/quantumshift/customize.php
 
Chris Santucci said:
am thinking that a dedicated PC based system that can handle 4K footage might be the best option since my current system is choking on this stuff big-time
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This is Red 4k footage I assume? I'm not sure how much performance you can get in dealing with it outside of investing in a Red Rocket card. I would be interested in hearing anyone's experience, from the new Ivy Bridge-based systems to some kind of crazy, dual CPU (not core) setup.
 
Hectorxd said:
I am in the same boat. I have an old PC (4 years) and an old imac that I am borrowing and looking to replace them with a new PC using PP. I have been looking at ibuypower and have been building different configurations and coming up with a PC that is around $4000. A little on the high side for me so I may dial it back some.
What is your budget for the computer?
I have seen these in my searching as well but they are too high for me.
http://raincomputers.com/
http://www.maingear.com/custom/desktops/quantumshift/customize.php
Click to expand...


I've seen the most positive mentions online of ADK: http://www.adkvideoediting.com/adobe.asp

My budget is maybe about $4-$6K.


Gary Huff said:
This is Red 4k footage I assume? I'm not sure how much performance you can get in dealing with it outside of investing in a Red Rocket card. I would be interested in hearing anyone's experience, from the new Ivy Bridge-based systems to some kind of crazy, dual CPU (not core) setup.
Click to expand...


Yes, exactly. I suppose I should research the RR card.

Found this: http://www.techspot.com/news/47849-ivy-bridge-e-delayed-until-second-half-of-2013.html
 
Yeah, I'm not sure how much a new PC will help you with Red 4k footage over just purchasing a Red Rocket, though at $4,750 it's like buying TWO spec'ed out 2012 iMacs!

But, here's the thing, if you decide to upgrade your Mac Pro, and stay in the Apple realm, you can actually buy an enclosure to put the Rocket in and use it over Thunderbolt. I've heard people who've done it say it works just as well, so that's an option. But you're still out of pocket quite a bit to do that.

So, I guess it depends on your budget. I would, hands down, say keep your Mac Pro and add a Rocket. A 27" iMac spec'ed out with a Thunderbolt enclosure and a Red Rocket would also be something you could look into if you want to both upgrade your ability to handle Red Raw and also have a faster machine to boot (though that's over $8k to do that). Otherwise, I would really look into a dual CPU (not core) setup and go with the top-of-the-line Xeons that you can possibly afford. Probably be in the realm of a Rocket card, but I have no idea how close. Haven't heard from anyone processing Red Raw footage on raw CPU power alone.
 
Gary Huff said:
Yeah, I'm not sure how much a new PC will help you with Red 4k footage over just purchasing a Red Rocket, though at $4,750 it's like buying TWO spec'ed out 2012 iMacs!
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Yeah, there is that. I'd rather just have a faster/more powerful system to start with, especially one that can handle larger still files that I might want to use. FCP chokes on very large still files as of yet and also who knows what other 4K stuff I might have to deal with in the future.

Gary Huff said:
But, here's the thing, if you decide to upgrade your Mac Pro, and stay in the Apple realm, you can actually buy an enclosure to put the Rocket in and use it over Thunderbolt. I've heard people who've done it say it works just as well, so that's an option. But you're still out of pocket quite a bit to do that.
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Yeah, that's a possibility, but like you say - it's très expensivo. Not to mention, I'm not down with having to upgrade system software every 12 months and I like the idea of paying a few grand less for a comparably capable PC.


Gary Huff said:
So, I guess it depends on your budget. I would, hands down, say keep your Mac Pro and add a Rocket. A 27" iMac spec'ed out with a Thunderbolt enclosure and a Red Rocket would also be something you could look into if you want to both upgrade your ability to handle Red Raw and also have a faster machine to boot (though that's over $8k to do that). Otherwise, I would really look into a dual CPU (not core) setup and go with the top-of-the-line Xeons that you can possibly afford. Probably be in the realm of a Rocket card, but I have no idea how close. Haven't heard from anyone processing Red Raw footage on raw CPU power alone.
Click to expand...


I'd be working with prores footage, more than likely, not R3D. I'm actually trying to move away from most of the post work I do, so I don't want to go too nuts investing in a new system. Of course, I could just go back to the offline/online approach and just stick with what I have.
 
Chris Santucci said:
I'd be working with prores footage, more than likely, not R3D. I'm actually trying to move away from most of the post work I do, so I don't want to go too nuts investing in a new system. Of course, I could just go back to the offline/online approach and just stick with what I have.
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In that case, I'd look into something with dual CPUs (not sure what to recommend on turnkey-based systems). You could easily spend the cost of a Red Rocket card and get a machine that is crazy-powerful. Dual hexacore CPUs and a Quadro card would be utilized to the max with Adobe software. Start there and work downward until you get to a price that is like baby bear's porridge...just right.

EDIT: Scratch that...totally forgot about these guys. If I was going to purchase a Windows-based laptop, I'd purchase it from Maingear, and I'd say they develop some pretty impressive workstations too.
 
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I'll second the recommendation for BOXX. They have been building dedicated 4k capable workstations to support Red 4k workflows for several years. They consistently come out on top of Desktop Engineering mag's comparison tests for engineering workstations. They have a desktop grade laptop too.

I don't own one, but I have specified them for dedicated high end graphics and video presentation systems in corporate theaters. Nice folks to work with. Very responsive.

I got them to quote me an editing workstation a while back and priced out the same components for a DIY build at Newegg. The price difference was less than $500 on a $3500 workstation. Worth it for the 3-year warranty and tech suppport.
 
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