Is it worth bothering with a Dell, or should I custom build a workstation for Resolve?

[Joseph Owens]

Try Resolve Basics and Configuration forum.

jPo

“I always pass on free advice — its never of any use to me” Oscar Wilde.

[Ericbowen]

You wont have the configuration options especially with the Video cards with a Dell system. The media you use will decide the ideal specs with Davinci. However you really will want a 780TI or Titan card if possible depending on your media. Atleast a 6 Core 4930K and 32GB of ram would be the other specs. Remember the PSU’s in those systems are often not load capable for 1 especially 2 of the higher end cards. They are often proprietary as well which means you cant after market swap them. The video card would most like have to be After Market swapped as well. You are correct that pricing of the hardware is a major consideration by the OEM’s. The Enthusiast hardware will always be more expensive but give the best options and performance.

Eric-ADK
Tech Manager
support@adkvideoediting.com

[Michaelmaier]

Thanks Eric. I think I have pretty much given up going with Dell or any mass produced PC. I will build my own.

The media format I will be grading is 1080p 10-bit 422 ProRes and DNxHD. I’m not doing any 4K at the moment and don’t see me doing for the next year or two.

I wanted to build a workstation based on the recommended Asus P9X79 Pro. But the place where I get my PCs build does not stock it. Only the P9x79. Do you know if it absolutely a must be the Pro version? It seems to be basically the same board, only the P9X79 has 3x PCI Express 3.0 x16 and the P9X79 Pro has 4x PCI Express 3.0 x16.

Then I was thinking going with a single graphics card with one of these options: Radeon HD 7950 3GB GDDR5, GeForce GT 640, 2GB DDR3, GeForce GT 630, 4GB DDR3.

i7-3820 4×6.60Ghz for CPU.

I use a Decklink SDI for monitoring.

Any opinions? Thanks.

[Toby Tomkins]

If getting an nvidia card you need a GTX model.

[Michaelmaier]

Thanks. What is the technical reason?

Is ATi or AMD absolutely fine by the way? I had a lot of problem with ATi in the past with other programs.

I know Resolve doesn’t support AMD processors. But what about graphics cards?

Any idea about the motherboard question, P9X79 Pro vs regular P9X79?

[Michaelmaier]

By the way I have a GTX560 now and it doesn’t seem to be doing the job. So I guess only being GTX is not enough?

[Ericbowen]

Yes the P9X79 board is fine. Also don’t get the AMD card. Get the 760GTX 4GB card or the 770GTX 4GB card. Those would be far better.

Eric-ADK
Tech Manager
support@adkvideoediting.com

[Michaelmaier]

Thanks Eric. The GTX 760 seems affordable enough. Any ideas if the GTX 750 would also work or is it too old to bother?

Are you running the P9X79 or know somebody running it and have it working? Or you are going by the specs alone?

At any rate it’s good to know it will also work. I was afraid it wouldn’t work like is the case with the P9X79 WS.

What system are you running Resolve on by the way?

[Michaelmaier]

And if I would decide going with two graphics cards, would it be fine to go with a GTX760 4GB and something lower like a GT640 2GB or GT630 4GB for the second card? And is having two graphics cards recommended with the P9X79 keeping in mind I will have to use an Intensity Pro or DeckLink Mini Monitor? Thanks!

[Ericbowen]

I run a E5-2697 V2 12 Core Xeon with a 770 4GB card. That handles 4K at half resolution fine. Yes we use the P9X79 here for audio systems so I am very familiar with it. Doesn’t have the best slot layout for Video so we use something else. I would also suggest you only get another 760GTX card or higher if you get a 2nd card. Don’t bother with a lower card with Davinci.

Eric-ADK
Tech Manager
support@adkvideoediting.com