Beast Build for VFX, 3D, and Video Editing - under $3500

[philipbowser]

I'm looking to build the best system I can for under $3500 in the next 4 months for After Effects, 3D, and Video Editing. I've got some experience with building systems when I built a render farm in an Ikea Cabinet about 8 months ago but since I've lost touch with what's good and spiffy. I'd love someone to correct my naive knowledge and help me out.

So far here's what I'm thinking:

- Intel core i7 3770k OR Intel Dual Xeon (not sure what's good in this situation)
- At the very least 16 GB of Ram, but would love 32. Heck even 64!
- Something like 4 X 2TB HD, or at least 4TB HD minimum
- SSD to boot off of and store applications
- 2X ESATA ports
- Minimum 2X Firewire 800 Ports
- Quadro card or better options for Video+3D work.


* I don't need Monitors/Keyboard/Mouse.
* I don't need Windows install.

That's where my knowledge ends. I'd like to try and use up ALL $3500 on this, so if there are better options than what I've mentioned that will make better use of the budget then go at it! Let me know your thoughts and thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Phil

 

[g-unit1111]

You will not be able to build an effective dual Xeon rig for $3500.

I'd suggest something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-3930K 3.2GHz 6-Core Processor ($539.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock X79 Extreme9 ATX LGA2011 Motherboard ($350.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vector Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($269.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: ATI FirePro V7900 2GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($739.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: ATI FirePro V7900 2GB Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($739.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D ATX Full Tower Case ($227.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE 90 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($155.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $3488.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-30 14:55 EDT-0400)

- Six core Intel i7 3930K will process video faster, and the 32GB of RAM gives you a nice RAM disk, and has the ability to expand up to 64GB
- Professional grade GPU: ATI Fire Pro V7900 - x 2
- Fastest SSD on the market
- Noctua D14
- Obsidian 800D allows for hot swapping of mass storage hard drives
- I'm not sure about Firewire, you'll have to use an add in card for that

 

[philipbowser]

g-unit1111, thanks!

This is definitely the kind of knowledge I'm looking for. Glad you thought about the hot swapping of drives, I'm sure that'll come in handy many a time. Why the AMD FirePro v7900 if I may ask? I'm unfamiliar with AMD graphics cards, the only ones I've used before in workstations are the Quadro cards. I'm assuming these are better and well suited for Video work? What are the pros/cons.

 

[g-unit1111]

g-unit1111, thanks!

This is definitely the kind of knowledge I'm looking for. Glad you thought about the hot swapping of drives, I'm sure that'll come in handy many a time. Why the AMD FirePro v7900 if I may ask? I'm unfamiliar with AMD graphics cards, the only ones I've used before in workstations are the Quadro cards. I'm assuming these are better and well suited for Video work? What are the pros/cons.

The current Quaddros are old, slow, power hungry, and very outdated. They're the equivalent of the NVIDIA 4XX series. The new K series are much better but those will run you an arm and a leg. The AMD Fire Pros are a good cost effectivve alternative.

 

[philipbowser]

Awesome, thanks for the info! Much appreciated. Can't wait till this thing gets rollin.
Cheers!

 

[ncmike]

I built a similar rig - the base rig slightly more expensive (here: http://pcpartpicker.com/b/BHn ) I was going to get the Titan; I have it on order from B&H but is now back ordered (again) and think I am going to go for a pair of V7900's instead for the very same reasons as recommended above. I do CS6 2Dl, video, and gaming, so its hard to choose when you do all three but only the FirePro will give me 30-bit support to get the true color from my new Dell U3014 30" 30-bit monitor as well.

Regards
Mike

 

[philipbowser]

Mike,

It sounds like the V7900's are just the way to go for what we do. I'd be interested to hear how it holds up for you!

Cheers,
Phil

 

[g-unit1111]

I built a similar rig - the base rig slightly more expensive (here: http://pcpartpicker.com/b/BHn ) I was going to get the Titan; I have it on order from B&H but is now back ordered (again) and think I am going to go for a pair of V7900's instead for the very same reasons as recommended above. I do CS6 2Dl, video, and gaming, so its hard to choose when you do all three but only the FirePro will give me 30-bit support to get the true color from my new Dell U3014 30" 30-bit monitor as well.

Regards
Mike

Titan = great for gaming, not so much for rendering. That's where the K5000 and K4000 come in.

 

[ncmike]

I built a similar rig - the base rig slightly more expensive (here: http://pcpartpicker.com/b/BHn ) I was going to get the Titan; I have it on order from B&H but is now back ordered (again) and think I am going to go for a pair of V7900's instead for the very same reasons as recommended above. I do CS6 2Dl, video, and gaming, so its hard to choose when you do all three but only the FirePro will give me 30-bit support to get the true color from my new Dell U3014 30" 30-bit monitor as well.

Regards
Mike

Titan = great for gaming, not so much for rendering. That's where the K5000 and K4000 come in.

I am somewhat confused though. Which is better, the AMD 7900 or the W7000? and why? I don't understand the difference between the V and W series cards.