Opinions on My Editing PC Build

Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 12:51
Last edited 13/05/2020 - 12:52

So I'm helping out a friend and building an editing PC for them. I've already told them that right now is possibly the worst time to build a new PC but they need it now for course work.

I've done a fair bit of research into this build already but I figured I'd throw this to my fellow nerd OzBargainers for comment because we're all stuck in iso and as an IT geek what's better than kicking tires over build specs?

To help counteract the current market I've decided to go hard on the CPU with the 3950x but then pair it with a used mid-high end GPU. I figure that GPU is the easiest thing to swap out and in a year or so when pricing on PC parts goes back to normal they can sell on this GPU and put a better one in. From what I've read editing apps rely mostly on the CPU anyway.

CPU: Ryzen 3950x
Cooler: CoolerMaster Hyper 212x
Mobo: Gigabyte GA-X570 Aorus Elite Wifi
GPU: ASUS GTX 1070 Strix (Used)
OS drive: Crucial MX500 500gb
Editing drive: Samsung 970 EVO Plus M.2 500GB (This will be used for storing files for active editing projects)
Archive drive: Seagate Barracuda HDD 4TB
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX CMK32GX4M2B3200C16 32GB (2x16GB) 3200MHz DDR4
PSU: Corsair CX750
Case: BeQuiet! Pure Base 500 White

Computing

Comments

  • mwattstci on 13/05/2020 - 13:16
    -5

    I know it's the old argument of AMD vs Intel, but at this price point it is diminishing returns, and with the recent deals on the i9-9900k, it's nearly half the price of the 3950x, with only a very small difference in live playback. A bigger difference when it comes to exporting, but that's not a big deal for people at home, the live playback is the big issue. take a look at these (older now) tests:

    https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Premiere-Pro-CPU-…

    Also it should be noted if you are using Adobe products, it's all about CPU, but Davinci Resolve, it's GPU dependant. Also for 4k footage, i'd go up to 64gb of ram, anything less than 4k, 32 will be fine.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 13:55

      They will be editing in 4k so I will look at moving some things around to afford the extra RAM.

      • mwattstci on 13/05/2020 - 14:01
        +1

        I have a 9900k with 32gb ram and a 960 GPU, 4K is okay, 1080 is perfect. When I have the cash I’m going to do the GPU and another 32gb of ram. Also I just use a Noctua Nh-d15 air cooler, it’s big, but set and forget. It’s also so so quiet.

        • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 14:09

          Thanks for the info mate! I’ll let them know and they can decide if they want to spring for the 64gb.

  • frondono on 13/05/2020 - 13:17
    +1

    3950x is a pretty serious beast. It'll probably edit faster than real time. Motherboards VRMS will handle it, but I'd probably get a better one. I'd be looking at 1tb minumum for the hd. Spend some cash on the power supply too. may as well get a platinum+. RAM could possibly be a bottleneck too, might be worth getting 64gb.

  • garetz on 13/05/2020 - 13:18

    You are getting the top of the line consumer cpu, but only getting a hyper 212x ? I would change that to an aio water cooler.
    If the os drive is only for the os, you can downgrade that to a 250gb. Propably upgrade the editing drive to 1tb or even better 2tb.
    Increase the archive drive to 8-10tb and also get another disk for backup, maybe an external size to match the archive disk.
    Change the power supply to a gold+ at least or even platinum with a lower 650 rating, 750 isnt necessary for this build and if you overclock you prefer a higher spec psu anyway.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 13:52

      Mmmm. I saw the Hyper212x recommended as a good budget cooler for the 3950x because of the arrangement of the heat pipes. Im trying to keep the initial costs down because users budget is 4k for everything including screen.

      OS drive will also hold all other applications and price difference to the 250gb is negligible. I've chatted to them and I cant see their active projects exceeding 500GB. User currently has a 2tb laptop drive with free space so 4tb should be fine and they can upgrade later if need. I've already explained the importance of backups (two types of people in the world…) but it will be up to them to organise that.

      Think I will take your advice on the PSU. Also will look at other cooling options. Also I was under the belief that AIO was all for show and that air usually outperformed in tests. User hates flashing lights so PC will have a solid side panel.

      • Cave Fire on 13/05/2020 - 14:08

        Link here of someone with a 3950x and the hyper 212 led with no issues : Link They did note that they have a low ambient temperature where the pc is and are using a good thermal paste. The main thing with an AIO is that they will eventually leak over years, so better to just avoid that with air cooling.

        • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 14:18

          Mmmm I think their room would get quite hot during the summer heatwaves in Melbourne. Do you have any recommendations under $100?

  • xuqi on 13/05/2020 - 13:22
    +1

    I suggest buying the Corsair RM 80+ Gold series PSU (10 years warranty) as a minimum for a higher-end build, as opposed to the cheap 80+ Bronze CX series (3 years warranty).

    Coolermaster Hyper 212X isn't suited for cooling the high-end Ryzen 3950x, so consider using a decent AIO water unit, or a higher-end air cooler.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 13:43

      Yeah sounds like I will go with everyones advice and go a better cooler and PSU.

      • stratbargain on 13/05/2020 - 16:20

        Go with the Noctua DH-15

        • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 17:07

          Yep already done, got a little extra money in the budget. Went the Noctua DH-15 and pumped it up to 64GB of ram. Will get a better PSU too its just a matter of finding one in stock.

  • Eeples on 13/05/2020 - 13:29
    -1

    video editing?

    If not get a Chromebook.

  • Benicio on 13/05/2020 - 13:42
    -2

    'editing'. can you be any more vague?

    • Cheaplikethebird on 13/05/2020 - 13:44
      +1

      Sorry I figured it was easy to assume that a $4k PC build is for video editing and not document editing.

  • uncompressed on 13/05/2020 - 17:17

    You will have to check with them which specific app they will be using. For example, Davinci Resolve requires quite a lot of GPU power and can take advantage of that I believe even Adobe Premiere Pro used a bit of GPU acceleration?

    500GB might not be enough for active media files, but again, it depends on the kind of jobs they do.

    • Cheaplikethebird on 14/05/2020 - 09:58

      Yeah already asked all that. They dont use Resolve a lot and I've been following the Puget Systems guide that says that Premiere Pro only uses it for GPU accelerated effects. Anyway I figure with little bargains to be had on PC parts ATM that the GPU is the safest thing to cheap out on with a view to upgrade later.

      They're a film student at uni so usually only one or two active projects that they are working on and usually pretty short.

  • greatlamp on 16/05/2020 - 16:48
    +1

    Hi

    Some comments

    CPU: great choice, the 3900x is currently around $715 from amazon. A huge price jump for 4 extra cores (and all core turbo is 200mhz LESS on the 3950x). Not good value, but if you need it keep it in.
    The 9900k is junk at this point, overpriced and under performing.

    Cooler: noctua d15 is excellent.

    MB: Aorus elite x570 is fine. More expensive boards have more slots and bundled stuff. Waste of money if you don't need the slots. VRM more than enough.
    The Asus X570 TUF is basically their version. Get whichever is cheaper. You do NOt need a better board than this.

    GPU: Used prices are sometimes overpriced. Keep in mind it performs similar to a 2060. If you are considering a 2060, make sure to get the evga 2060 ko, it is using a cut down version of the 2080 core, and is significantly better for non gaming tasks vs a standard 2060

    Os and Editing drive: why 2? You can just partition a 1tb in 2 drives in Windows, and have nvme performance for everything.

    Archive drive: get an 8tb, 10tb, or 12tb WD external drive and shuck the disk out. These shouldn't be SMR and will perform better than a budget SMR in write performance. Also Seagate sucks.

    RAM: 3200mhz cas 16 . Whatever brand is cheapest per gb.

    Psu: you don't need a titanium, don't listen to people fooled marketing. A bronze PSU is 90-92% efficient. A platinum PSU is 97-98% efficient (numbers may be a bit off but around there)
    Put your parts list in pcpartpicker. Look at the estimated power consumption. Get a PSU that 50%-100% higher than this. PSU isn't going to blow up if it isn't under stress. More important to stick to good brands, Corsair, Seasonic, EVGA

    Case: whatever you like.

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