Which Workstation Build is Better for 4k video editing and Adobe CC Suite

gforce007

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Jan 22, 2015
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So after pulling all my hair out trying to put together a quality build workstation for video editing/content creation aka Adobe CC Stuff and reading about all the endless variables there comes a time where you just have to pull the trigger.

So if you had a choice which build would you go with, as far as a workstation for Professional Content Creation. I get caught up in the Xeon "stability" and ECC AND registered RAM plus insane cost of Quadro vs GTX. I know your paying for quality and control, and validations etc but is it really worth it today? Isn't the below build just as high quality and stable as all this Xeon, ECC, RDIMM, Quadro Pro Grade stuff without the insane cost due to all extra layers of independent quality control and validation certifications? I'd rather put that money towards my GH4 camera for 4k capture and some GoPros etc

Choice 01:
CPU: Intel Core i7-5960X 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($899.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Swift Tech H240x ($149.99 @ Gigaparts)
Motherboard: Asus X99-E WS SSI CEB LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($472.80 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Dominator Platinum 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($1056.06 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 Pro Series 512GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($250.00)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card ($574.99 @ Directron)
Case: Silverstone TJ11B-W ATX Full Tower Case ($585.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($287.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($197.96 @ OutletPC)
Total: $4575.00
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-02 22:04 EST-0500

Choice 2: this build leaves room to add the additional CPU (within 2-3 months) and more memory with DDR4 prices come down. So either this or build above

CPU: Intel Xeon E5-2687W V3 3.1GHz 10-Core Processor ($2079.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: 2X Arctic Cooling UCACO-FI30201-GB 74.0 CFM Ball Bearing CPU Cooler ($37.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Z10PE-D8 Dual CPU LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($472.80 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($215.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung XP941 Series 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($476.69 @ Mwave)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 980 4GB Video Card ($565.91 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone TJ11B-W ATX Full Tower Case ($585.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair 1200W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($287.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus BW-16D1HT Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($197.96 @ OutletPC)
Total: $5001.28
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-02 22:49 EST-0500
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gforce007

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Jan 22, 2015
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Thanks for feedback.. I mostly will initially focus on 4k content (weddings) using AE and Premeire Pro but I do a lot of "short" philosophical type content as just the hobby end or tech reviews..

I have def learned how a certain spec workstation budget (say $4000) can get to to like 70-80% of performance value and to through another $3000 will buy you another 10%-15%. The ratio may be off but the concept is really what I mean so it makes more sense to eat the 10%-15% performance and put that $$ towards camera/4K lighting, audio gear.

Like mentioned above I could really dive into to 2 x 2687w v3 (20 cores/40 threads total) but it's not like I am doing projects with 1000 layers/comps so what would I be gaining? I mean is the cut in what I assume would already be a fast render time that much to justify the increased cost. This is my dilemma so to speak. I would overclock the 5960x but it's not like I'd OC to 5.0ghz I mean I think if I can run stable and quiet at 4.0-4.2ghz and stable temps at full load I'd be happy.. I guess the 5960x is made to be a workhorse like a Xeon. Seems like the prosumer gap has closed so much which is great in terms of performance. I mean am I even rationalizing logically am I missing something. I know either rig is going to work great and there are no bad options it's just with this much I had to convince the wife I needed :) I don't want any cpu's burning out :)...
 

gforce007

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Jan 22, 2015
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Thanks again. Appreciate you taking time to give some feedback. And yes the only $5000 Workstation build my wife (not a techy) wants to see is one that looks like an ATM and has no withdrawl limit :).. But then again with all that high end gear she would prob like the LED lighting on the water cooler plate and not be impressed (or understanding) the raw power needed to make my life and this business venture a bit more solid with "do your job" hardware resources..
 

gforce007

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Jan 22, 2015
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Next is to try and figure out a SSD configuration.
1) one for OS & Apps (M.2 Drive 512GB?)
2) scratch disk (SSD what size is good??)
3) one for source/working files (set up in RAID 10) if possible 4 512GB so 1 TB.
4) then use my Synology NAS to store rendered finals

Will this work flow set up be optimal? (First time setting it up) you you separate OS and Apps to diff SSD's too?
 
For your Boot: You can go wit m.2, or go with like an Samsung 850 Pro SSD as boot.
For Scratch: Honeslty, you can get away with a caviar blue hard drive from WD. IF you want an SSD, another 850 pro SSD or a random SSD is good.

For storage: go with like 2 1 tb HDDs, since you have a NAS.
4. Good Idea. Better than having to buy More HDD