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What Type of PC configuration is good For Resolve?

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Desmond Ford

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Due to so many uncertainties with Apple, not to mention high premium, I'm seriously considering jumping ship and getting desktop PC. However, I've been out of the PC work for over 7 years now so I'm not really sure where to start. A friend of mine suggested I look into Alienware, which is a customized PC maker for gamers. He said that it would be good for Resolve considering you have to add a lot of Graphic Cards, etc...

Also, what is the ideal set up, in regard to graphic cards, for Davinci Resolve. I understand that I need a GPU and a GUI and anoth GC for output... any clarification or suggestions would be welcomed.
 
Jeff K will know more about this but I'm going through it right now. HP are good option if you want an off-the-shelf solution. I'm working with Next Computing (a Reduser sponsor) to get a system up and running.

In preparation for this I spoke with an engineer from Blackmagic and if you want real time from the system apparently the most important thing is to make sure the two GPU's are running on 16-lane slots. Then you need an 8-lane slot for the Red Rocket and another 8-lane for the BM Decklink HD Extreme 3D card (although I think that may work in a 4-lane slot). Finding a motherboard with those slot options is tougher than you think if you're building your own. I'm pricing out an i7 and a dual Xeon system now.
 
+1 to what Joseph said. As a frame of reference, I built my computer myself, after making the same decision you are struggling with over a year ago, a few months before the FCP X tragedy. I have an i7 950, 12 gb of ram, a gtx 460 (which can easily be "hacked" to work with MPE), and some fast storage. I built this all for under $2000 and it plays back Red footage in realtime and kicks a LOT of butt. If you have a friend who feels comfortable building computers, I would look at a NewEgg DIY solution to start. Like this (just make sure you go Intel CPU and NVidia GPU, at this time):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.769181

On the above I would double the ram and add a GTX 580 to start.

If you don't feel comfortable, a Dell / HP / etc off the shelf beast will get you going.



I hope this helps!
 
Jeffrey T. Morgan said:
+1 to what Joseph said. As a frame of reference, I built my computer myself, after making the same decision you are struggling with over a year ago, a few months before the FCP X tragedy. I have an i7 950, 12 gb of ram, a gtx 460 (which can easily be "hacked" to work with MPE), and some fast storage. I built this all for under $2000 and it plays back Red footage in realtime and kicks a LOT of butt. If you have a friend who feels comfortable building computers, I would look at a NewEgg DIY solution to start. Like this (just make sure you go Intel CPU and NVidia GPU, at this time):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.769181

On the above I would double the ram and add a GTX 580 to start.

If you don't feel comfortable, a Dell / HP / etc off the shelf beast will get you going.



I hope this helps!
Click to expand...

So you playing back red footage at 1/2 resolution right? Thanks for your input. Just starting to look around for a pc (since new mac pro takes for ever) to run resolve on. It is great to now what is working already as an reference.
What BM card do you use?
 
Chuck Z said:
http://blackmagic-design.com/media/3358649/Resolve Win Config Guide Mar 2012.pdf
Click to expand...

It is amazing how fast the tech world moves. Those Xeons from March 1st are now EOL. They have been replaced by Xeon E5 systems, though Core i7 39xx systems are "good enough" as well. GTX 580 is also EOL and will be replaced by GTX 680 in three days' time, but GPUs are more sensitive and it is best to wait for BMD's recommendation, especially regarding drivers. The stock GTX 680 is also only 2GB versus 3GB for the GTX 580, though 4GB variants are expected next month.
 
My question is, can Resolve task multiple GPU cards? Can it work with GPU cards in SLI configuration? If so, why not pack the box with three GTX 590 cards, for example?
 
Tom Lowe said:
My question is, can Resolve task multiple GPU cards? Can it work with GPU cards in SLI configuration? If so, why not pack the box with three GTX 590 cards, for example?
Click to expand...

Yes, you can. The only issue is that GTX 590 is restricted to 1.5 GB per GPU, which will be a bottleneck for 4K timelines. Plus, GTX 580 3 GB x 3 (or 4, if you feel like it...) is all you need for even the most extensive node structures at the highest resolutions. Moreover, given GTX 580's ~30% higher clock speeds, 4 GTX 580s are worth 3 GTX 590s anyway. Personally, I find a single GTX 580 overkill for 1080p work.
 
Subhadip Sen said:
Yes, you can. The only issue is that GTX 590 is restricted to 1.5 GB per GPU, which will be a bottleneck for 4K timelines. Plus, GTX 580 3 GB x 3 (or 4, if you feel like it...) is all you need for even the most extensive node structures at the highest resolutions. Moreover, given GTX 580's ~30% higher clock speeds, 4 GTX 580s are worth 3 GTX 590s anyway. Personally, I find a single GTX 580 overkill for 1080p work.
Click to expand...

Are you using your single GTX 580 for both the GUI and CUDA processing? Can you tell me more about what kind of performance you are getting and how the rest of your system is configured?
 
I am using Resolve Lite with Core i7 2600K processor, 16 GB ram, GTX 285 for GUI and GTX 580 3GB for image processing. Working with this configuration is nice and smooth with up to 15 nodes in realtime, with the internal scopes turned on. I have tried both Decklink 3D and Ultrastudio SDI, and both work great for monitoring output.

If I have understood correctly, the GUI card also takes care of the internal scopes, and I have found that it makes a difference which card you use there. Unfortunately I haven't had access to Quadro 600, but the GTX 285 handles it also very nicely.
 
Subhadip Sen said:
Yes, you can. The only issue is that GTX 590 is restricted to 1.5 GB per GPU, which will be a bottleneck for 4K timelines. Plus, GTX 580 3 GB x 3 (or 4, if you feel like it...) is all you need for even the most extensive node structures at the highest resolutions. Moreover, given GTX 580's ~30% higher clock speeds, 4 GTX 580s are worth 3 GTX 590s anyway. Personally, I find a single GTX 580 overkill for 1080p work.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't link those 580's via SLi though am I right. Currently running two 580s in my machine and I didn't link them this way because I'm using one as a GUI and though that SLI would interfere...
 
So multiple nvidia cards should NOT be in SLI? What if I put three 4GB GTX 680s into a box. Would Resolve use all three? Two?
 
What is the benefit of using control panels with DaVinci Resolve? My understanding is that it just helps you grade faster, but are you missing any features or tools when using just a mouse/keyboard? The software looks awesome, but I can't justify the $29,999+ for the control panels...
 
I have seen the Tangent Element and it seems most people like it. I'm just trying to figure out what the main point of control panels are in the first place.
 
I'm gonna investigate this at NAB. I want to color my Red footage right, and the Avid Artist does look pretty cool. I am also looking at the HP DreamColor LP2480zx for grading.
 
Hi Timo,

I am currently investigating to buy exactly the setup you have. Can you tell me what motherboard and powersupply you have used?

Thanks
 
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