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how much GPU & CPU for new CC Premiere/ AE computer?
I’m switching from FCP to and need to upgrade from my 4 year old 17″ MBP (2.8 GHz, 8 Gig Ram, NVidia GeForce 9600M GT GPU). Have seen some inexpensive 4 core i7 rigs and people seem to like them–especially with fancy GPUs. But, 4 core seems pretty behind times next to 12 or more options. Thought the place for me to start was looking at what I do the most as I’m not sure what is more GPU and what more CPU work. In the last couple projects I’ve found these things take up most of my time:
– Ken Burns-esque still picture movement (usually have to do outside of FCP in Boris Red or other 3rd party b/c FCP won’t do a smooth stop. Hope for better options in the Adobe world)
– Text/ Object Animations. I do a lot of things similar to Noise Industries “Call Outs” plugin. Same problem of having to do in 3rd party and this takes forever.
– Compression for Vimeo. This takes WAY, WAY too long for my 10-15min pieces and I have to use this a lot as it’s often my only means of collaboration with my co-editor.
– Video Stabilization. Warp Stabilizer and Lock & Load–though both seem to get better results w/i AE.
– Unsharp mask. Have used in Boris Red and AE & both take long time to render previews.
– muzzle fares, lightning strikes, explosions and other tricks on videocopilot.net for AE.
– Fix it work like rotoscoping to remove booms, etc.
– Slow Motion. Almost always use and will probe start suing Twixtor.
– Am just starting to experiment with Apple Motion
– Occasional use of looks stuff like Magic Bullet.So, does this sound like more CPU or GPU work? I know the system should be balanced, but didn’t know if 4 core i7 is too far behind, if massive GPUs like the GTX 680 Mac Edition would really aid my workflow at all, and that sort of thing. Thanks ahead of time for any help or suggestions!
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11 Replies
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I have a 12 core Mac Pro with 32 GB and a GTX 570. Works great for Adobe CC and Davinci.
Robert Brown
Editor/VFX/Colorist – FCP, Smoke, Quantel Pablo, After Effects, 3DS MAX, Premiere Prohttps://vimeo.com/user3987510/videos
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Thank you very much for that. Unfortunately, that’s a bit out of my price range. I may even buy 3 (one for work, one for home, 1 for where I spend weekends) of whatever I get so I don’t have to drag a laptop around. SO, was hoping to spend around $1,200 if GPU won’t matter for me and $1,600 or a bit more if the GPU is crucial.
Any thoughts?
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[Samuel Frazier] “SO, was hoping to spend around $1,200 if GPU won’t matter for me and $1,600 or a bit more if the GPU is crucial.”
Are you trying to stick with the Mac platform, or do you see yourself moving to Windows? Given your budget, I’m assuming the latter. You’re not going to get much of a Mac for that kind of money.
Assuming Windows, do you expect to assemble the system yourself, or are you looking for something pre-built? The latter is going to be challenging with that kind of budget, but not completely out of the question. I know there’s a well-loved and highly-regarded system builder that frequents this board and the Adobe forums that might be able to help you out. I have no experience with him since I’m a Mac guy (mostly). But if the PC platform is your next step, consider talking to EricBowen.
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Thanks very much for that. I was leaning towards building it myself/ getting a buddy to help or build as a favor. I’ve been a Mac person out of necessity b/c I had to use FCP, so I’m thinking of building a hackintosh (also to open old FCP projects) but would probably want something that’s dual boot with Windows 7. Am also considering used Mac Pros, but the lack of USB 3 or Thunderbolt is a big minus.
But, in a general way, does it sound like I’d benefit from an expensive GPU and would the 4 core system be a significant slowdown compared to the machine with much more?
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Based on the workflow info so far the CPU processing will have far greater effect than GPU. I would really suggest a 6 core X79 platform for this but the budget is going to make it difficult. The 760GTX card would be the video card to get with your budget. Beyond that you want the 3930K and 32GB of ram. Those are a must with that work for good performance. Do you have an expansion chassis for the MBP to even add a video card to? Without that you would not get even a Used Mac Pro and that video card with that budget that I have seen.
Eric-ADK
Tech Manager -
Wow, thank you very much for that detailed analysis!! I really appreciate it. Looks like the 6 core will add a couple hundred to my cost. Then multiply that by two (office computer can prob even be i5 core as can’t do as much editing there). Wasn’t prepared for the 16 gigs of RAM though. Didn’t realize my work was that heavy!! Then again, it takes forever on my MBP. It’s 4 years old and even though I’m adding a 1 TB SSD, it’s probably always going to be too slow. It doesn’t have Thunderbolt, so I don’t believe I can add an external GPU via an expansion chassis.
My other option is to buy a new MBP or possibly wait a few months for the newer version to come out. But, would that even be on par with a 4 core 1155 socket w/ 16gig RAM, the 760GTX, and an SSD?
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You need enough ram to feed the threading in AE as well as encoding/effects processing in other applications. AE will use more ram than any other application listed especially with 6 cores/12 threads. 32GB is really where you want to be on that. I would sacrifice a system for now and use the current laptop at work since less editing. The desktop will always outperform the laptop especially when considering the same Gen CPU’s. The Current Desktop and mobile platform is Haswell 1150 socket. That is what you want to look at now if you cant get the X79 setup.
Eric-ADK
Tech Manager -
I think you are on the right track in thinking that you could build a machine that would yield a dramatic improvement in performance but at the same time be quite robust and reliable. I’ve built around 20.
I would not recommend you build a hackintosh. Windows 7 & 8 are perfectly functional OS’s and not all that different really from OSX. I use both Mac and MS OS’s daily, and like both and have headaches with both. Apple seems to be leaving the professional media market behind, so switching to PC is something most people will be doing eventually anyhow.
There are many sites on the web with excellent suggestions for systems that would be make a good platform for an capable video editing platform. Most of them are designed for gaming, but all you really need to do is up the RAM to something more appropriate for AE and Premiere, I’d recommend 32 GB.
If you are mostly using Adobe products I’d recommend you stick with nVidia cards. Again there are plenty of places on the web that will give you great data on card performance. For what you are doing I see no need to buy a card that will require you apply for a second mortgage.
In order to manage budget I’d be pretty conservative in your build. Do get a mid range Asus or Gigabyte board. Good instructions, solid quality. Get the fastest CPU you can afford. SSD’s are still somewhat small and expensive and in my opinion, not really worth the premium. I’d urge you to consider putting a RAID in your machine, probably with a couple of Western Digital RED drives. Get a 1 TB drive for your system. I would not recommend you plan on overclocking your machine, it can be a little tricky and the payoff just isn’t that great.
Vendors? I like NewEgg. Lots of reviews, good prices, good service. They’ve been around awhile and they are good at what they do.
Last word: Use the web, there’s just scads of suggested systems, how to’s, forums, etc. etc. Maybe start with Tom’s Hardware, one of the oldest and biggest. Also there’s YouTube. Tons of trash there but more than a few gems buried among the litter.
Good luck.
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Sorry for the delay. Been trying to catch up as have been out of the office for 2 weeks. But thanks for all that info!! I really appreciate it. I’m really not thrilled about building a hackintosh. However, there are programs on the Mac I’ll need to use that a PC won’t run. Final Cut Studio, opening old projects, etc. I need a Mac around and this seems to limit my hardware choices. I’d want to get a dual boot with Windows though.
I’m definitely hitting the net and doing all the research I can. Found this build in particular that sounded attractive:
It has 32 gig Ram, thunderbolt, and supposedly a very quiet case. After being spoiled by the MBP silence, quiet would be nice. I’d also probably upgrade to the GTX760 card. But, it’s only 4 core and a 1155 socket.
I’d love to get a 6 core machine, but under the limitations mentioned above, it would cost $300-400 more (plus I’d have to buy two of them).
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Thanks very much for that advice. Leaving the laptop at work has disadvantages, but seems necessary under these circumstances. I’ve priced out a 6 core machine, but at around $400 more than a 4 core 1155 socket rid, it might be out of my price range. I hate playing the waiting game, b/c it never ends, but I suppose that’s an option until 6 core options become cheaper.
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