X99 5930 PC Build Critique and Questions!
melf3182 Nov 28, 2014 6:08 PMHey,
was going to get a mac, but have since been persuaded by various posts/videos to seriously consider a custom built PC.
Projects/Workflow:
Short docs, events, EPKs, behind the scenes type stuff: Panasonic GH4/Canon C series, Blackmagic. Edit, grade (usually in-NLE), mix and output. Usually to pro res. Currently transcode but would like to work native where possible.
Indie Features: Offline editing of 2-4k material (pro res LT mostly, maybe also some DXNHD). Temp colour grades, temp VFX, stabilization etc. Possible online prep. But any serious grading done at a proper shop.
Majority of workflow Adobe CC. Some possible Avid. Some Davinci for personal stuff. Occasional FCP7 and FCPX, but I'll also have a high spec Macbook pro.
So here is my build, mostly based on the specs from a similar ADK build on their website and information from the Tweakers page.
I'll be getting this built for me by NCIX Canada for $75 which seems worth it to me. Includes years warranty from them and the parts manufacturers.
Disk Setup: SSD for C drive. SSD for preview files and media cache. Will also add a RAID, questions on that below…..
| CPU | Intel Core i7-5930K 3.5GHz 6-Core | $636.98 |
| CPU Cooler | Zalman LQ-320 Liquid | $79.99 |
| Motherboard | Asus X99-DELUXE ATX LGA2011-3 | $418.98 |
| Memory | Crucial 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 | $459.95 |
| Storage | Samsung 850 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" SSD | $108.98 |
| Samsung 850 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" SSD | $168.98 | |
| Video Card | EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB Superclocked ACX 2.0 | $399.00 |
| Case | Fractal Design Arc XL ATX Full Tower | $136.05 |
| Power Supply | EVGA 1000W ATX12V / EPS12V | $189.98 |
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) | $108.51 |
| Custom | Thunderbolt 2 adapter | $92.40 |
Total $2800 CAD
This will be my first time using a PC in a very long time so I have a few questions:
1) How does this build look? Anything I should swap?
2) How much faster will this be vs a 6 core mac pro, 32GB ram and D500s? I have found an 8-month old one for sale for $3600. Kinda tempting. The build above will cost me just under $3100 once I've paid GST and build costs, so only a difference of $500. As long as the mac is fast enough for what I do it might make more sense given my workflow (see more below). I know its not future proof but thats OK. Buying used, writing off against taxes and selling in 12-18 months works out at a very low cost of ownership anyway.
3) Drive set up. 2 drive RIAD 0+backups. If possible I would like to make this work with an external enclosure such as the OWC Thunderbay connected to the Thunderbolt 2 card. The reason I am considering an external solution is because I frequently edit on my macbook pro on location and other macs at other studios.
Is much difference in speed between an internal and external TB2 Raid 0? And even if there is, could an external TB2 solution still be fast enough? I guess this is another reason why I'm still tempted by the Mac - I can use SoftRaid with the OWC Enclosure for either a fast RAID 0 or Raid 5. Of course I can get a hardware controller for the PC for max speed but then I lose the flexibility of an eternal solution.
4) Compatibility: Speaking of an external RAID enclosure. Will I have any problems using the same external RAID on both Mac and PC? I know I can install macdrive, paragon or what ever else might be necessary to read eat format but will there be any issues actually recognizing the RAID and not seeing it as separate drives?
5) Pro Res. I'll be working with a lot of pro res. The majority of my clients over the last year wanted pro res masters. I've seen various recommendations for alternatives or encoders. But I don't know how convincing they are. In the end, will the faster speed of the PC be made obsolete by extra encoding time and possible reliability issues?
After writing all this out it seems to me that maybe the simplest solution is to get the used mac pro. Might be a bit slower (?) but in the end I'd be able to edit on all platforms, output pro res without any work arounds and use an external enclosure for drives, maintaining 100% compatibility with other machines I'll be working on. However I've read so much about PCs being MUCH faster for premier and I love the ability to customize and expand as I progress in my career so I am more than happy to be told I am reaching the wrong conclusion!
Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

