Upgraded Adobe Premier/RED editing machine

[kinar100]

Hey guys! Old school gamer turned animator turned video editor now. I have previously attempted to convert my gaming machine into an editing monster and now that my workload is beginning to pick up I'd like to ask advice from the community on how they best edit RED raw files in Premier and AE.

Purchase Date Within the next 2-3 months
Budget Range N/A since upgrading but can really get anything
System Usage Video editing/VFX
Parts to upgrade Looking to possibly upgrade RAM to 32/64/128 gb, Graphics card to a 1080, grab an M2 for OS/editing, processor increase for frequency/cores.
Location SoCal
Overclocking If needed
Monitor Rez/b] 1920x1280
Upgrading? Need to operate faster in Adobe Premier/After effects

Current Setup:

Intel Core i7-4790k 4.0ghz LGA 1150
ASRock z97 Extreme6 Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard
NVIDIA GTX 660 TI 2gb
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16gb DDR 3 1866 (2 x8gb)
2x Intel 730 Series 480gb 6gbs Internal Solid State drives (Raid 0)
NZXT Crafted Series Phantom ATX Full Tower Gaming Computer Case
Windows 10

I have internal storage in the form of a few HGST Desktar NAS 3.5 Inch 4 TB 7200 RPM hard drives

I recently just purchased a Synology 8-bay NAS and will put 6 drives in there to use as a repository for my files.



Not the greatest hardware tech and I really need to maximize my workflow to get these projects underway! Thanks!

 

[bambiboom]

Hey guys! Old school gamer turned animator turned video editor now. I have previously attempted to convert my gaming machine into an editing monster and now that my workload is beginning to pick up I'd like to ask advice from the community on how they best edit RED raw files in Premier and AE.

Purchase Date Within the next 2-3 months
Budget Range N/A since upgrading but can really get anything
System Usage Video editing/VFX
Parts to upgrade Looking to possibly upgrade RAM to 32/64/128 gb, Graphics card to a 1080, grab an M2 for OS/editing, processor increase for frequency/cores.
Location SoCal
Overclocking If needed
Monitor Rez/b] 1920x1280
Upgrading? Need to operate faster in Adobe Premier/After effects

Current Setup:

Intel Core i7-4790k 4.0ghz LGA 1150
ASRock z97 Extreme6 Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard
NVIDIA GTX 660 TI 2gb
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16gb DDR 3 1866 (2 x8gb)
2x Intel 730 Series 480gb 6gbs Internal Solid State drives (Raid 0)
NZXT Crafted Series Phantom ATX Full Tower Gaming Computer Case
Windows 10

I have internal storage in the form of a few HGST Desktar NAS 3.5 Inch 4 TB 7200 RPM hard drives

I recently just purchased a Synology 8-bay NAS and will put 6 drives in there to use as a repository for my files.

Not the greatest hardware tech and I really need to maximize my workflow to get these projects underway! Thanks!

kinar100,

It would help to have a budget, to make specific recommendation, but in that absence, given that Premiere and After Effects have a reasonable multi-threaded potential, and to minimize disruption and have the best cost/performance, consider a used workstation for example:

HP Z420 Workstation 2.90GHz 8 Core E5-2690 16GB RAM No HDD No OS > $540 or offer

The Xeon E5-2690 (8-core @ 2.9/3.8GHz) originally cost $1,900 and has superb performance for Premiere and AE given that the multi-threading of those programs peaks efficiency at 5-7-cores, that is, adding more cores has a diminishing return. The single-threaded performance is also very good- among the best for an 8-core becuase is the 3.8GHz top speed.

The HP z420 is well-made, has great performance, and is very quiet. I have two of them and these have been 100% reliable over the last three years in demanding 3D CAD and rendering.

Another option is the HP z620:

HP Z620 - 1 x E5-2690 - 16GB - 1 x 500GB 7.2K - Standard Video > $1,100

To have dual processors, this would require adding the 2nd processor riser- $175 plus another E5-2690, but that could wait and may in fact never be necessary.

To any this system, it will be necessary to add RAM, better GPU and drives, but in the example of the $1,100 system, it could be put into use very quickly- a few hours hours- by swapping your current GPU and drives in, loading Windows and essential programs

There is another approach taking more attention, but has a lower cost and more flexibility:

HP Z620 Workstation 2x Xeon E5-2603 1.8GHz 4GB 500GB Win 7 Pro 1 Yr Wty > $636

Which means replacing the CPU with an E5-2690, which these days are about $200 each, meaning that systems costs about $900. Or as this one has the CPU riser, the 2nd CPU could be added immediately, later, or never.

My current project: I am replacing my rendering system, a Dell Precision T5500 with an HP z620. This is to have a higher single-threaded performance, more modern disk system, USB 3. and etc. It also will have 16-core to the T5500's 12:

HP z620 (Original) Xeon E5-1620 4-core @ 3.6 /3.8GHz) / 8GB (1X 8GB DDR3-1333) / AMD Firepro V5900 (2GB) / Seagate barracuda 750GB + Samsung 500GB + WD 500GB > purchased 7.8.16 for $270 ( Has cosmetic shipping damage)
[ Passmark System Rating= 2408 / CPU= 8361 / 2D= 846 / 3D = 1613 / Mem =1584 / Disk = 574 ] 7.13.16

Purchased:

2X E5-2690 : $172 + $174 > one installed
32GB DDR3-1600 ECC: $165 > installed
Complete set new exterior plastic parts: $72 > not installed
2nd CPU riser: $150 purchased an hour ago > not installed

HP z620 (Rev 1) Xeon E5-2690 (8-core @ 2.9 /3.8GHz) / 40GB (4X 8GB +4X 2GB DDR3-1600) / AMD Firepro V5900 (2GB) / Seagate Barracuda 750GB + Samsung 500GB + WD 500GB / 800W > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit >
[ Passmark System Rating= 2304 / CPU= 14532 / 2D= 723 / 3D = 1665/ Mem =2709 / Disk = 538 ] 7.20.16

Pending_ swapped from HP z420:

SSD: Intel 730 480GB
HD: WD Black 1TB
GPU: Quadro K2200 (4GB) from Dell T5500
RAM: Another 32GB

This system is hampered by the old SATA II HDD's, but the system is quite promising. I thought the z420 was quiet, but the z620 is very quiet.

The other little nice feature of a system like this one is that at $270, I can also sell the E5-1620 and Firepro V5900 for about $70-75 each so, it has more of a sub-$150 net cost. Also,, because the cost is kept low, I can afford to buy and upgrade this system while still never losing work time. As compared to building, or major upgrades with motherboard changes, it's only plugging things in as they arrive in the post.

This method is a bit of a game, but rewarding. A dual E5-2690 z620 , 480GB SSD , 64GB RAM, Quadro 4GB might have cost new in the $11,000 range.

If you'd like some ideas on a new build, suggest a budget.

Cheers,

BambiBoom


Modeling:

1. HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) / 32GB DDR3 -1866 ECC RAM / Quadro K4200 (4GB) / Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) + Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5581 > CPU= 14046 / 2D= 838 / 3D= 4694 / Mem= 2777 / Disk= 11559] [6.12.16]

Rendering:

2. Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6-core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Logitech z313 > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 > CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3550 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)

 

[kinar100]

Hey guys! Old school gamer turned animator turned video editor now. I have previously attempted to convert my gaming machine into an editing monster and now that my workload is beginning to pick up I'd like to ask advice from the community on how they best edit RED raw files in Premier and AE.

Purchase Date Within the next 2-3 months
Budget Range N/A since upgrading but can really get anything
System Usage Video editing/VFX
Parts to upgrade Looking to possibly upgrade RAM to 32/64/128 gb, Graphics card to a 1080, grab an M2 for OS/editing, processor increase for frequency/cores.
Location SoCal
Overclocking If needed
Monitor Rez/b] 1920x1280
Upgrading? Need to operate faster in Adobe Premier/After effects

Current Setup:

Intel Core i7-4790k 4.0ghz LGA 1150
ASRock z97 Extreme6 Socket LGA 1150 ATX Intel Motherboard
NVIDIA GTX 660 TI 2gb
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 16gb DDR 3 1866 (2 x8gb)
2x Intel 730 Series 480gb 6gbs Internal Solid State drives (Raid 0)
NZXT Crafted Series Phantom ATX Full Tower Gaming Computer Case
Windows 10

I have internal storage in the form of a few HGST Desktar NAS 3.5 Inch 4 TB 7200 RPM hard drives

I recently just purchased a Synology 8-bay NAS and will put 6 drives in there to use as a repository for my files.

Not the greatest hardware tech and I really need to maximize my workflow to get these projects underway! Thanks!

kinar100,

It would help to have a budget, to make specific recommendation, but in that absence, given that Premiere and After Effects have a reasonable multi-threaded potential, and to minimize disruption and have the best cost/performance, consider a used workstation for example:

HP Z420 Workstation 2.90GHz 8 Core E5-2690 16GB RAM No HDD No OS > $540 or offer

The Xeon E5-2690 (8-core @ 2.9/3.8GHz) originally cost $1,900 and has superb performance for Premiere and AE given that the multi-threading of those programs peaks efficiency at 5-7-cores, that is, adding more cores has a diminishing return. The single-threaded performance is also very good- among the best for an 8-core becuase is the 3.8GHz top speed.

The HP z420 is well-made, has great performance, and is very quiet. I have two of them and these have been 100% reliable over the last three years in demanding 3D CAD and rendering.

Another option is the HP z620:

HP Z620 - 1 x E5-2690 - 16GB - 1 x 500GB 7.2K - Standard Video > $1,100

To have dual processors, this would require adding the 2nd processor riser- $175 plus another E5-2690, but that could wait and may in fact never be necessary.

To any this system, it will be necessary to add RAM, better GPU and drives, but in the example of the $1,100 system, it could be put into use very quickly- a few hours hours- by swapping your current GPU and drives in, loading Windows and essential programs

There is another approach taking more attention, but has a lower cost and more flexibility:

HP Z620 Workstation 2x Xeon E5-2603 1.8GHz 4GB 500GB Win 7 Pro 1 Yr Wty > $636

Which means replacing the CPU with an E5-2690, which these days are about $200 each, meaning that systems costs about $900. Or as this one has the CPU riser, the 2nd CPU could be added immediately, later, or never.

My current project: I am replacing my rendering system, a Dell Precision T5500 with an HP z620. This is to have a higher single-threaded performance, more modern disk system, USB 3. and etc. It also will have 16-core to the T5500's 12:

HP z620 (Original) Xeon E5-1620 4-core @ 3.6 /3.8GHz) / 8GB (1X 8GB DDR3-1333) / AMD Firepro V5900 (2GB) / Seagate barracuda 750GB + Samsung 500GB + WD 500GB > purchased 7.8.16 for $270 ( Has cosmetic shipping damage)
[ Passmark System Rating= 2408 / CPU= 8361 / 2D= 846 / 3D = 1613 / Mem =1584 / Disk = 574 ] 7.13.16

Purchased:

2X E5-2690 : $172 + $174 > one installed
32GB DDR3-1600 ECC: $165 > installed
Complete set new exterior plastic parts: $72 > not installed
2nd CPU riser: $150 purchased an hour ago > not installed

HP z620 (Rev 1) Xeon E5-2690 (8-core @ 2.9 /3.8GHz) / 40GB (4X 8GB +4X 2GB DDR3-1600) / AMD Firepro V5900 (2GB) / Seagate Barracuda 750GB + Samsung 500GB + WD 500GB / 800W > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit >
[ Passmark System Rating= 2304 / CPU= 14532 / 2D= 723 / 3D = 1665/ Mem =2709 / Disk = 538 ] 7.20.16

Pending_ swapped from HP z420:

SSD: Intel 730 480GB
HD: WD Black 1TB
GPU: Quadro K2200 (4GB) from Dell T5500
RAM: Another 32GB

This system is hampered by the old SATA II HDD's, but the system is quite promising. I thought the z420 was quiet, but the z620 is very quiet.

The other little nice feature of a system like this one is that at $270, I can also sell the E5-1620 and Firepro V5900 for about $70-75 each so, it has more of a sub-$150 net cost. Also,, because the cost is kept low, I can afford to buy and upgrade this system while still never losing work time. As compared to building, or major upgrades with motherboard changes, it's only plugging things in as they arrive in the post.

This method is a bit of a game, but rewarding. A dual E5-2690 z620 , 480GB SSD , 64GB RAM, Quadro 4GB might have cost new in the $11,000 range.

If you'd like some ideas on a new build, suggest a budget.

Cheers,

BambiBoom


Modeling:

1. HP z420 (2015) > Xeon E5-1660 v2 (6-core @ 3.7 / 4.0GHz) / 32GB DDR3 -1866 ECC RAM / Quadro K4200 (4GB) / Samsung SM951 M.2 256GB AHCI + Intel 730 480GB (9SSDSC2BP480G4R5) + Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > 600W PSU> > Windows 7 Professional 64-bit > Logitech z2300 speakers > 2X Dell Ultrasharp U2715H (2560 X 1440)>
[ Passmark Rating = 5581 > CPU= 14046 / 2D= 838 / 3D= 4694 / Mem= 2777 / Disk= 11559] [6.12.16]

Rendering:

2. Dell Precision T5500 (2011) (Revised) > 2X Xeon X5680 (6-core @ 3.33 / 3.6GHz), 48GB DDR3 1333 ECC Reg. > Quadro K2200 (4GB ) > PERC H310 / Samsung 840 250GB / WD RE4 Enterprise 1TB > M-Audio 192 sound card > Logitech z313 > 875W PSU > Windows 7 Professional 64> HP 2711x (27", 1920 X 1080)
[ Passmark system rating = 3844 > CPU = 15047 / 2D= 662 / 3D= 3550 / Mem= 1785 / Disk= 2649] (12.30.15)

Thank you so much for the incredibly thought out answer.

As for my budget, our overhead is almost nonexistent at this point so our primary concern is speeding up the rate at which I can edit. What is holding me back originally was my insane render times and general operation within Adobe premier, after effects and Cinema4D.

Dropping $600-1k on a graphics card is not out of the question. My machine is the most important part of our pipeline right now and if double to triple my output then the card will pay for itself in a matter of hours. Same goes for all the upgrades required.

 

[bambiboom]

"Thank you so much for the incredibly thought out answer.

As for my budget, our overhead is almost nonexistent at this point so our primary concern is speeding up the rate at which I can edit. What is holding me back originally was my insane render times and general operation within Adobe premier, after effects and Cinema4D.

Dropping $600-1k on a graphics card is not out of the question. My machine is the most important part of our pipeline right now and if double to triple my output then the card will pay for itself in a matter of hours. Same goes for all the upgrades required."

kinar100,

OK, this provides a clear direction.

Given:

1. As the i7-4790K already has the highest (Passamrk) single-threaded performance of any CPU existing,
2. Both Premiere and AE are increasingly optimized for GPU performance in essential processing operations
3. Your system has a RAID 0 of one the best performing and reliable SSD's, the Intel 730 480GB,

I'd say you can concentrate on the GPU with these two alternatives:

1. If you are using 30-bit color, and /or the monitor is a 10-bit color correcting, and you need complete reliability at the highest image quality: Quadro M4000 (8GB)

However, as you express it, as the processing rate is the key factor to improve, the better choice overall will be:

2. - If you can risk a very slightly reduced render crash reliability: GTX 1080

> and >

3. Increase RAM to the Maximum 32GB.

For reliability, I would suggest running without CPU overclocking, unless you have time to make extensive experiments and find the limits methodically. I tried pushing rendering (single image from 3D CAD) with a GTX 295 in 2012 and I had successive renderings fail at about 25 minutes in. With the failures averaged in, Quadro rendering was much faster in large file single images.

But just in a couple of years, the CPU, RAM, and especially the disk subsystems have improved overall system balance, plus software is increasingly optimized, so the GTX clock speed and number of CUDA cores seems to work well in Premiere editing- and the GTX 970 became kind of an editing star as the 580 had been before. As Adobe CS / CC will not recognize multiple GPU's, focus is on a single GPU solution and for the proposed upgrade the GTX 1080 would be my choice.

I've been reading reviews of GTX 1080, 1070's, and 1060's, but these are so new and there is such a flood of commentary I can't really commit to what the "best" version. In the GTX 960, 970, 980 series, the 970 became a well thought of Premiere GPU. Among those- the red and black casing MSI was said to have very good performance, ran cool, and was one of the quieter running versions. So, possibly:

MSI GeForce GTX 1080 DirectX 12 GTX 1080 GAMING Z 8G 8GB 256-Bit GDDR5X PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support ATX Video Card > $750

Check the size of these before buying- apparently the triple fan cases make big cards.

Very glad to throw in my two pence.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

 

[frapport]

Been thinking about where you are and where you need to go from your current bottlenecked build. A short midstep would indeed be to add another 16GB of RAM and change out your GPU for a 1070/1080 or just add a 1060/16GB's and move the machine down the pecking order with a pretty good boost and buy something that will give you a direct punch.

It's a bit of an ouch but it should serve you until the chips out there change.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-6850K 3.6GHz 6-Core Processor ($605.30 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D15 82.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($88.49 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus X99-A II ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($225.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 64GB (4 x 16GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($219.60 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($219.60 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung SM951 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($297.73 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 8GB Video Card ($649.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake Core V71 ATX Full Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($117.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $2759.66
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-07-23 23:57 EDT-0400

Get one of the fastest drives for your M.2 slot and add in two SSD's of some capacity in raid or separate folders and shunt everything out to your other drives when you have finished each project.