Subhadip Sen
Well-known member
Note: I realize I made an error with the thread title. It is not a system, but the PC that is $1500.
Generally, it is a norm to expect hardware requirements to steepen with new software. However, there Is a current trend in the software industry which calls for efficiency. Whether it be OS – Windows 7 / Snow Leopard, games – Crysis / Crysis 2 or NLE software – Premiere Pro CS4/CS5, the new software actually performs faster on same hardware. Relevant to our discussion, Premiere Pro CS5, especially, is an incredible software when it comes to performance. MPE works much faster even without a GPU. Along with CUDA, we can see inconceivable performance boosts – anywhere between 5x to 100x.
We no longer need expensive dual-CPU server machines. In fact, server machines have traditionally always been poor value for post-production purposes.
This article tells its own story: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/xeon-x5680-5600-series-westmere-ep,2692-7.html. Despite all the power provided by the 2 x Xeon X5680 system, it is on average only about 25% faster than a single Core i7 980X. In fact, for CS4, it is often about the same or slower than the Core i7! But the gains from CS4 to CS5 are stunning. A 22-45 minute process now takes 1 minute. A 4 minute render now takes less than 30 seconds. CS5 is a game-changer in every which way.
Based on all these developments and quirks, I believe it is possible to build a realtime 4K R3D editing and post-production system, with Blu-ray authoring capabilities for under $1500. I am building an additional system myself, and thought I would share my research with RED users. This can apply for a backup machine, a second unit, if you simply don’t want to spend tens of thousands on your post production system, or if you are a hobbyist with a limited budget.
Now, let’s be clear – No, this system will not debayer 4K R3D streams in real-time. But it will allow for smooth and flexible editing, grading and post-production of 4K R3Ds – with real-time previews on an external monitor. Because Premiere Pro CS5 (or even Sony Vegas Pro 9.0e 64-bit) is so efficient, it is possible to natively edit R3Ds even on laptops from 2007. Or today's $300 systems, by sufficiently dropping the debayer detail and preview resolution, and waiting hours for the final renders. But that could test your patience. This system won’t. The target is to enable a native 4K workflow, and comprehensively outperform the new August 2010 $2500 Mac Pro. It is also intended to be a 100% native and lossless workflow, with no lossy codecs involved.
Let’s start with the vital components, along with my explanation for my choice:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T. Now, the cheapest Intel six-core (i7 970) costs $900. The cheapest AMD six-core, however, is only $200. It is slower, much slower. It will only perform at 65%-70% of the Intel on average. However, 70% performance at less than 25% the price is damn good value. The reason why it is so cheap is because very few applications actually utilize all six cores effectively. Luckily for us, the likes of Premiere Pro CS5 and Sony Vegas x64 have been optimized for multi-core. As are several other video post-production related softwares/plugins. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...851&cm_re=Phenom_II_X6-_-19-103-851-_-Product
Motherboard: My first choice was a $100 880G motherboard. But I ended up choosing what I thought was a great deal. 5 full-sized PCI-e slots, USB 3.0, eSATA, it seems to have everything I need. And it is an enthusiast class board. Yes, I know it is “Open Box”, so you may want a different option. There are several top class AM3 motherboards in the $100-$175 range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130274R
RAM – OCZ Reaper 8GB 1333. Leaves future expansion to 16GB possible.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227541
GPU – Nvidia Geforce GTX 460 1GB. Nvidia’s first three GTX 400 (465, 470 and 480) products thus far have been quite terrible. However, this is the big exception. AMD has overtaken Nvidia for market share, and this has caused Nvidia to go in panic mode and massively underprice their new GPU, GTX 460. Good for us. At $230, you can’t go wrong with the GTX 460. I chose the more expensive 1GB version as it makes CUDA support on Adobe CS5 possible with the mod.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125333
Storage – 2 x 2TB WD AV HDD. You can work them separately, in RAID0 or RAID1, whichever suits you best. The new generation of 500GB platter 2TB HDDs will hit stores in August, if you want to wait.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136494
Case/PSU – Antec. None of it is glossy, but highly functional from a trusted brand. The whole system is likely to use about 320W at worst case scenario, and 400W with overclocking. Considering inefficiencies and future upgrades (though, efficiency is the theme for next-gen hardware as well), 620W is plenty headroom.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432096
Blu-Ray Writer –Even if you don’t “require” it, Blu-ray authoring is always a bonus.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181
You will need an OS – my suggestion is Windows 7 Home Premium OEM. Of course, if you are planning several major upgrades in the recent future, might as well pay the extra $50 and go for the full version.
Coolers, input devices, misc – Let’s give it $150. It is possible you will save some here. It could also go over if you wish to add a high quality sound card.
Here’s the system, then:
AMD Phenom II X6 1050T - $200
MSI 890FXA - $150
8GB OCZ Reaper - $190
GTX 460 1GB - $230
2 x 2TB HDD - $280
Antec Case/PSU - $95
LG Blu-ray burner - $110
Windows 7 Home Premium OEM - $100
Misc. - $150
Total - $1500
These are all from the most popular E-tailer. You could get bargains if you look around.
Along with this, two monitors would go well - one for editing, a smaller one for previewing. And Adobe CS5. You don't necessarily need everything in Production Premium, so choose wisely. If you are on a tight budget, Vegas Pro 9.0e 64-bit is an excellent option too, and can be had for as little as $400.
I am not going to mention overclocking for now, but I do plan to do it. And 1055T is very overclockable. If you have never built a PC before, and are skeptical, trust me when I say we have all been there. All these components have their own warranties, and a modern PC is remarkably simple to assemble. It would take an hour to assemble, an hour or two to install software, and we are set.
Hope this helps. Look forward to suggestions as well.
Generally, it is a norm to expect hardware requirements to steepen with new software. However, there Is a current trend in the software industry which calls for efficiency. Whether it be OS – Windows 7 / Snow Leopard, games – Crysis / Crysis 2 or NLE software – Premiere Pro CS4/CS5, the new software actually performs faster on same hardware. Relevant to our discussion, Premiere Pro CS5, especially, is an incredible software when it comes to performance. MPE works much faster even without a GPU. Along with CUDA, we can see inconceivable performance boosts – anywhere between 5x to 100x.
We no longer need expensive dual-CPU server machines. In fact, server machines have traditionally always been poor value for post-production purposes.
This article tells its own story: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/xeon-x5680-5600-series-westmere-ep,2692-7.html. Despite all the power provided by the 2 x Xeon X5680 system, it is on average only about 25% faster than a single Core i7 980X. In fact, for CS4, it is often about the same or slower than the Core i7! But the gains from CS4 to CS5 are stunning. A 22-45 minute process now takes 1 minute. A 4 minute render now takes less than 30 seconds. CS5 is a game-changer in every which way.
Based on all these developments and quirks, I believe it is possible to build a realtime 4K R3D editing and post-production system, with Blu-ray authoring capabilities for under $1500. I am building an additional system myself, and thought I would share my research with RED users. This can apply for a backup machine, a second unit, if you simply don’t want to spend tens of thousands on your post production system, or if you are a hobbyist with a limited budget.
Now, let’s be clear – No, this system will not debayer 4K R3D streams in real-time. But it will allow for smooth and flexible editing, grading and post-production of 4K R3Ds – with real-time previews on an external monitor. Because Premiere Pro CS5 (or even Sony Vegas Pro 9.0e 64-bit) is so efficient, it is possible to natively edit R3Ds even on laptops from 2007. Or today's $300 systems, by sufficiently dropping the debayer detail and preview resolution, and waiting hours for the final renders. But that could test your patience. This system won’t. The target is to enable a native 4K workflow, and comprehensively outperform the new August 2010 $2500 Mac Pro. It is also intended to be a 100% native and lossless workflow, with no lossy codecs involved.
Let’s start with the vital components, along with my explanation for my choice:
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T. Now, the cheapest Intel six-core (i7 970) costs $900. The cheapest AMD six-core, however, is only $200. It is slower, much slower. It will only perform at 65%-70% of the Intel on average. However, 70% performance at less than 25% the price is damn good value. The reason why it is so cheap is because very few applications actually utilize all six cores effectively. Luckily for us, the likes of Premiere Pro CS5 and Sony Vegas x64 have been optimized for multi-core. As are several other video post-production related softwares/plugins. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...851&cm_re=Phenom_II_X6-_-19-103-851-_-Product
Motherboard: My first choice was a $100 880G motherboard. But I ended up choosing what I thought was a great deal. 5 full-sized PCI-e slots, USB 3.0, eSATA, it seems to have everything I need. And it is an enthusiast class board. Yes, I know it is “Open Box”, so you may want a different option. There are several top class AM3 motherboards in the $100-$175 range.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130274R
RAM – OCZ Reaper 8GB 1333. Leaves future expansion to 16GB possible.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227541
GPU – Nvidia Geforce GTX 460 1GB. Nvidia’s first three GTX 400 (465, 470 and 480) products thus far have been quite terrible. However, this is the big exception. AMD has overtaken Nvidia for market share, and this has caused Nvidia to go in panic mode and massively underprice their new GPU, GTX 460. Good for us. At $230, you can’t go wrong with the GTX 460. I chose the more expensive 1GB version as it makes CUDA support on Adobe CS5 possible with the mod.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125333
Storage – 2 x 2TB WD AV HDD. You can work them separately, in RAID0 or RAID1, whichever suits you best. The new generation of 500GB platter 2TB HDDs will hit stores in August, if you want to wait.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136494
Case/PSU – Antec. None of it is glossy, but highly functional from a trusted brand. The whole system is likely to use about 320W at worst case scenario, and 400W with overclocking. Considering inefficiencies and future upgrades (though, efficiency is the theme for next-gen hardware as well), 620W is plenty headroom.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.432096
Blu-Ray Writer –Even if you don’t “require” it, Blu-ray authoring is always a bonus.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136181
You will need an OS – my suggestion is Windows 7 Home Premium OEM. Of course, if you are planning several major upgrades in the recent future, might as well pay the extra $50 and go for the full version.
Coolers, input devices, misc – Let’s give it $150. It is possible you will save some here. It could also go over if you wish to add a high quality sound card.
Here’s the system, then:
AMD Phenom II X6 1050T - $200
MSI 890FXA - $150
8GB OCZ Reaper - $190
GTX 460 1GB - $230
2 x 2TB HDD - $280
Antec Case/PSU - $95
LG Blu-ray burner - $110
Windows 7 Home Premium OEM - $100
Misc. - $150
Total - $1500
These are all from the most popular E-tailer. You could get bargains if you look around.
Along with this, two monitors would go well - one for editing, a smaller one for previewing. And Adobe CS5. You don't necessarily need everything in Production Premium, so choose wisely. If you are on a tight budget, Vegas Pro 9.0e 64-bit is an excellent option too, and can be had for as little as $400.
I am not going to mention overclocking for now, but I do plan to do it. And 1055T is very overclockable. If you have never built a PC before, and are skeptical, trust me when I say we have all been there. All these components have their own warranties, and a modern PC is remarkably simple to assemble. It would take an hour to assemble, an hour or two to install software, and we are set.
Hope this helps. Look forward to suggestions as well.
