Best set up for (4k) video editing ($2-3k)

[Rayeveryday]

Hey guys,

I've been using my iMac 27in ('09) for a while now and getting busier with video content. I have so much video footage that I haven't edited yet all because my computer is too slow. I can't sit myself to edit anything because of it. I'm creatively blocked and discouraged.

I need the best set up for video editing (4K). Willing to drop $2500-3k for it.

Please let me know what this dream set up is.. I'm a noob when it comes to building a computer. I've used Mac my whole life but now seeing that I've just been wasting my time and money.

 

[King Dranzer]

Here is the list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2630 V4 2.2GHz 10-Core Processor ($649.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2630 V4 2.2GHz 10-Core Processor ($649.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Intel BXTS13A CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Intel BXTS13A CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z10PA-D8 ATX Dual-CPU LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($369.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory ($205.99 @ Jet)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory ($205.99 @ Jet)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory ($205.99 @ Jet)
Memory: Kingston ValueRAM 32GB (1 x 32GB) Registered DDR4-2133 Memory ($205.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($164.99 @ Jet)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($90.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Core 2300 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair RMx 1000W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $2991.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-05 10:59 EST-0500

Best suited for 4K video editing at that price.

 

[jmsellars1]

That system doesn't have any display outputs, I think you'd struggle to edit anything on that 😉

The following sources actually recommend a decent graphics card as well, a mid range Geforce card would do the job b the sounds of it:
http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/guides/workstation-adobe-4k-guide.pdf
https://www.videomaker.com/article/f6/17135-editing-in-4k-minimum-system-requirements
https://gopro.com/support/articles/minimum-system-requirements-for-4k-editing-and-playback

Other than that you're right in suggesting plenty of CPU/RAM. 6+ cores and 32GB+ RAM seem to be recommended.

Something like this would be good value for money:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core Processor ($404.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($85.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: EVGA Micro 2 Micro ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($197.38 @ B&H)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($334.97 @ Jet)
Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($249.99 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital Blue 3TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 1070 8GB Video Card ($424.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define Mini C MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA P2 650W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($105.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12A FLX 120mm Fan ($19.88 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 FLX 68.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($21.48 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-A14 FLX 68.0 CFM 140mm Fan ($21.48 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2029.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-05 17:11 EST-0500


Gets you 6 cores and should be fairly easily overclockable to 4.2Ghz (If you do that don't increase the memory frequency past 2400Mhz, the memory controllers on those chips are a bit flaky.) I'd replace the case fans with those Noctuas, 2 140mm front intakes and a 120mm rear exhaust. I don't think I'd go any higher end than this because the next CPU up (i7-6900k) costs $1000 and isn't all that much better. In terms of RAM that board is already maxed out with 64GB too, it really should be more than enough though as 32GB seems to be recommended.

One thing though, the position of the M.2. slot on that board is really poor so it is sat directly beneath the GPU and they get hot enough as it is. If it throttles you could look at either adding some small heatsinks or putting it on a PCI-e adapter and rigging a heatsink/fan to it or something.