Will this computer setup run Premirere / AE well?

Admir

Well-known member
Hi!

I am going to assemble a new computer, and hope that this will be enough for video editing AVCHD files in Premiere cs5.5 / AE. Right now, it's almost impossible.. Anyway, this is what I was thinking about (i'm on a tight budget).
If you have any better alternatives for me let me know.

Computer case: Fractal Design R3

GPU: Nvidia GTX 560 1gb CUDA

CPU Intel I7 2700k 3.5 ghz

Motherboard: Gigabyte z68x

RAM: 16gb 1600 mhz

HDD: 2tb 7200 RPM

SSD: 120gb SSD drive for windows / premiere / ae

Power supply: OZC 600w ModXstream



I hope that someone has a setup that looks something like this that could tell how well the editing flows.. Right now, as soon as I apply any type of effect, I have to render / RAM preview in AE. Scrubing is not even worth mentioning, it's that bad...

Any input is appreciated!
 
Hi Admir, that looks like a good build. I would just wait 4-6 weeks (late April/early May) for the new Ivy Bridge CPUs and Z77 motherboards. For source footage and fast access, you could add another 2TB drive into a raid 0 array using the Intel raid functionality (but also always have another copy of your source footage)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_future_Intel_microprocessors

Also it's likely that since the GTX 680 is out, the mid tier cards from the "Kepler" engine will come out, like the GTX 670 or 660, though I'm sure the GTX 560 or 560 Ti or 560 Ti 448 will work fine.
 
Thanks for your input!

First I wanted to go with the GTX 680 but as far as I see Premiere / AE will never use all of the capacity of such a card, so I am going to save some money by buying a cheaper one and go with a better CPU.

I like the 560 since it has DDR5 memory, and double fans, that's always welcome.

My current setup is AMD X3 i700, 2.8 ghz, 4gb ram, nvidia gt 220ti 1gb, and Premiere has a really hard time editing the footage. I really hope to see a big improvement with the new setup!
 
I don't see the reason why I would need 800 watt, unless I am going use two graphic cards or more? Maybe i' ve missed something?

Thats exactly why, for a little more $$ you can ensure that any future peripheral expansions will have the power you need.

Some of these nvidia cards have a huge amount of draw on the power supply.
 
Thanks, I will check that out! I couldn't find any apparent reason why I should get dual GPU's for editing.. At least what i've read is that dual cards is useable for high end games and while you run two games at once?
 
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Here's a short preview of the new Z77 chipsets that are "officially out" three weeks before the Ivy Bridge CPUs

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5728/...view-asrock-asus-gigabyte-msi-ecs-and-biostar

Here's a preview of the Ivy Bridge CPUs that are coming out in 3 weeks

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5626/ivy-bridge-preview-core-i7-3770k

From what I understand, the Mercury Playback Engine in Premiere Pro doesn't use SLI, so the current Fermi cards like the 560 Ti or 560 Ti 448, 570, 580, or 680 will work just fine.
 
Thanks for the links allantab!

May I ask; Mercury playback, is this something that is determined by what GPU you use, or the CPU?

I understand that Cuda is a part of the GPU, how do I know what GPU that will support the Mercury Playback engine/how do I enable the Mercury playback in Premiere?
 
you need the more powerful power supply to run that graphics card that setup will be perfect the i7 so you dont have to always rerender to see the timeline playback smooth and plenty of ram to watch handle your prerendered viewing
 
There's always something new coming...
But something new AND big is coming very soon...
Ivy bridge is a significant update to Intel's CPU architecture...
The GTX 680 is a massive upgrade to the 500 series... it's got a LOT more CUDA cores which will definitely be put to use by Premiere/AE... and the new CPU will be noticeably faster...

If you can't afford the newer/better hardware, might as well still wait for Ivy bridge to launch and the CPU prices to drop. But if you can swing it, would definitely be worth jumping on the updated hardware, it's not a minor update and it won't be THAT much more in the grand scheme of things.

600watt PSU should be fine if it's a high quality one. Personally I'd feel more comfortable giving a little more headroom, that is, if you went with a GTX 680 (not an issue the the GTX 560).

Oh, and don't forget a backup HDD. You are going to be backing up... right?

And of course, you know Premiere Pro/AE CS6 are right around the corner, right? Does Adobe have a free upgrade if you buy now? I'd make sure.
 
Thanks for all the great input, I love this forum!

I have invested in a new computer and this is what I've got


Fractal design r3 chassi
Gigabyte z68x motherboard
Intel I7 2700k 3.5ghz - 3.8 ghz
Watercooling system
16gb ram 1600mhz
Asus gtx 560 TI 1gb dual fans, 370+ Cuda cores
ssd 120gb
2tb 7200 rpm hdd
650 w Fractal Design psu.

Cuda is unlocked and fully working in Premiere. There is a massive difference with this computer compared to my old one.. But Scrubbing avchd material gets a bit choppy but you can work with it. You can apply some magic bullet before rendering is needed, magic bullet is definitly hard to work with compared to the effects that you have in Premiere.

To be honest, maybe I was expecting a bit to much from the new setup but this is a huge improvement for my workflow!

What are your experiences, how much effects can you add before rendering is needed? Can you scrubb avchd files smoothly before rendering?
 
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I always build a computer to the specs found on the DIY systems at www.videoguys.com. I'm running an Asus P5Q-SE with a quadcore and 16Gb or RAM. System has played back AVCHD from the start no problem and its 4 years old. The new bridge is untested with video systems. Better to use something tested that works than getting the latest and greatest, IMHO.
 
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