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PP CS4 Hardware Recommendations
Hi everyone,
I just posted this message over at the official Adobe forums.. but then I did a bit more homework and found this forum which seems to have some more experienced Premiere Pro Users so I’m going to run the risk of rudely cross posting and hope to get a more detailed reply!
I am building a mid-range rig to run Production Studio CS4 using AVCHD footage from a Sony HDR-S11. I am attempting to build a system using what I can configure at the Dell website (we have discounts in place with Dell resellers, so it has to be Dell).
I understand that editing AVCHD footage with Premiere CS4 can be a miserable experience if the processor isn’t up to speed. I’m looking for some recommendations or experiences or even a thumbs up with what I have currently configured at the Dell website. Thanks in advance for any and all help!
Dell Precision T7400
Windows XP 64bit
Dual Processor, Quad Core Xeon E5410 @ 2.33ghz each
8GB RAM
512MB Quadro FX1700 (listed on Adobe’s site as working for Graphics Accleration support)
Single 250GB drive for local storage
External ESATA drives for video project storage -
10 Replies
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After looking into this a little bit more, it sounds like my hardware setup will be sufficient.
However, I am curious about my OS choice. I currently have CS3 and plan on (at least initially) using my new rig with CS3. Should I get 64bit XP or 64bit Vista?
If I decide to upgrade to CS4, will I be better off running it on 64bit XP or 64bit Vista?
Any thoughts?
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Technically, XP64 is not supported. There shouldn’t be a reason why it wouldn’t run…but tech support won’t give you the time of day for XP64…I’d probably go Vista at this point. I think the kinks are getting worked out of it.
TimK,
Director, Consultant
Kolb Productions, -
Your setup is basically fine in that there’s nothing there that shouldn’t work or cause problems. But personally I’d setup something substantially different.
I’d go with an Intel i7 920 or 940 processor, with 6 or 8 gigs of DDR3 1600 Ram. For a motherboard I’d go with either ASUS P6T Deluxe or ASUS P6T6 WS Revolution. The revolution is great if you need a lot of PCIe slots. Only I think it doesn’t have firewire on the MB but you can get a little firewire card for next to nothing. It’s no bid deal really. I see no need for a Quadro Video Card in Premiere. They are expensive and you can get a GEFORCE 260 with 896 of RAM for substantially less and it will do well in Premiere,and will overall be a better card. It’s Open GL performance for Premiere is more than adequate. The system I describe would be my bias but what you’ve outlined is also fine. Your dual quad xeon’s I assume would out perform the a single quad i7, but I think it wouldn’t be by much. You can easily run the I7 920 at 3.2 with stock fan, and with a little better air cooler you can run it very stable for video editing at at least 3.5, and it has some new technology on the chip from Intel that makes it scream.
Good Luck.
Tilford Bartman
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Thanks for the information. Unfortunately, we’re locked into buying a Dell machine, and Dell doesn’t make any i7 workstations – only gaming rigs which are deficient in other areas. That being said, we also can’t go piecemeal with building a system consisting of different mobos and video cards.. we’re just locked into the various options available when configuring a Dell system. I’ll check my video card options when I reconfigure the system as well, maybe I can save a few bucks by not getting the Quadro.
Edit: I see now that Dell has an i7 XPS Studio line. I’ll see if I can configure a system comparable to the one I listed above!
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Dell does make an i7 workstation, although I guess they call it a desktop – the Dell Studio XPS Desktop – I just ordered one with 12 GB RAM, an i7 920 and an ATI Radeon 4850 video card, Windows Vista Ultimate 64. (1 TB striped SATA array which I’ll use for backup).
It came with a 24″ 1920×1024 (computer) monitor and it was $CDN 2,200 complete
I will need to add a 300 GB WD Velociraptor for Windows/Programs, and will upgrade the power supply for $45.00 to a 650 Watt unit.
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I was wondering how you feel the performance of your Dell XPS i720 is working out, that is exactly what I spec’d for my designers here.
The other option is going to a Mac Pro with similar hardware. Though much more expensive. But i have also read that CS4 does not run 64bit in the Mac enviroment. But will run in a 64bit Vista enviroment?
Previous people mentioned that the XPS was deficiant in areas, I know the Dell Workstation is Quad channel memory vs tri channel but DDR2 vs DDR3.
I’m hoping you feel the XPS screams compared to your older system?
What have your experiences been, thanks in advance!
JP
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I was wondering how you feel the performance of your Dell XPS i720 is working out, that is exactly what I spec’d for my designers here.
The other option is going to a Mac Pro with similar hardware. Though much more expensive. But i have also read that CS4 does not run 64bit in the Mac enviroment. But will run in a 64bit Vista enviroment?
Previous people mentioned that the XPS was deficiant in areas, I know the Dell Workstation is Quad channel memory vs tri channel but DDR2 vs DDR3.
I’m hoping you feel the XPS screams compared to your older system?
What have your experiences been, thanks in advance!
JP
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We’ve decided to go with my original specc’ed machine, which is the dual Quad Core Xeons at 2.50ghz. We are planning to re-purpose this machine after the video project is complete and I have not been pleased with the limited configuration options available to Dell’s i7 Studio XPS line.
As soon as it arrives I’ll let you know how it runs!
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I haven’t received the system yet, I’m scheduled to receive it tomorrow. My software is still in the box but I’ll have it installed shortly after I receive the system, hopefully. I’ll give you an update at that point.
I’ve heard that PP CS4 works great with Windows Vista Ultimate 64. I’ve heard that although it’s not 64 bit native, it makes good use of the extra ram available in Vista 64.
I’ve also heard that configurations with my ATI card have been more stable than those with the Nvidia card.
Some people have indicated that it’s been working well for them, and some (many) have indicated that PP CS4 is a buggy mess. Hopefully that’s not the case. I’ll soon find out!
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My new system has 8GB of ram and those dual Xeons at 2.5ghz along with the Quadro FX 1700. It was about $3000 at Dell.com if I remember – it’s a Precision Workstation T7400 and it’s running Vista 64 Ultimate.
It’s a great system! I am very happy with it so far. Unfortunately, I gain nothing extra by running CS3 with the Quadro FX 1700. I was under the impression that I would have some sort of GPU acceleration with CS3 and the Quadro. It’s not a huge deal because we’re going to be transitioning the system to a CAD/GIS system after the video project is complete, so the card won’t go to “waste”.
Plus, the dual Xeons just scream and with the 8GB of RAM, and After Effects opens 6 instances of itself during renders to speed things along.
One more thing: the T7400 is a huge full size case and weighs about 80lbs. I had no idea it would be that massive. It is whisper quiet however. The mouse and keyboard shipped with it are garbage.
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