New computer advice

#1

My last computer custom built was in 2011-2012.

I need a computer to use with Maya, Zbrush, After Effects etc.

My main concern is better handling video resolutions for editing/compositing in AE. My current computer comes close to choking the closer I get to 2K videos with a few layers so I would like to get that resolved so I can do full rez compositing with relative ease.

My budget $2000 Canadian though flexible.

My current one:
Nvidia GeForce GTX 580 is my graphics card.
AMD FX 8120 Eight Core processor
32 GB

so I am looking for advice on what I need for a quality upgrade.
Thanks.

#2

Do you need more single-cpu or multi-thread-cpu power?
I am not familiar with maya/zbrush, are you more into modeling or rendering stuff?
AE, is single cpu app, right?
Much more important is, are you using hardware/ CUDA render within AE?
You probably know, you can unlock it, by simple adding your cards name in txt file, like here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY9GDKqnUOw
or like written here
http://www.thefakingof.net/2012/02/26/how-to-unlock-adobe-premiere-cs5-to-use-almost-any-nvidia-graphics-card-with-cuda-acceleration/
so, maybe some of little monters can really speed up your AE
http://www.pcgamer.com/geforce-gtx-1080-ti-review/

Otherwise, the only choice you have regarding CPU is either i7-7700K or AMD ryzen 1700.

At last but not least, I would strongly suggest you to wait 3-6 months for upgrade, as new AMD/ Intel CPUs are on the way, so you will have much more better price and overall choice in the fall of 2017, just my 2cc…
Like i9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr36tTbhcfc
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUuuuah2md8

You were on the same rig for years, so why dont just wait some 3-6 months more and pick up the best on the market? Just my personal thought…

This will be the future for 6 months
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv8voIip2UA

Check some AE ryzen test
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ryzen+after+effects
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ryzen+zbrush
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ryzen+maya

Otherwise, if you do not want to wait, with AMD 1700 or Intel i7-7700 you can not make bad choice.
Cheers!

#3

Thanks for the detailed response! Yeah it isn’t a hurry.
I probably can boost my video handling with some adjustments, but I am thinking long term, since I should probably be able to handle up to 4K with decent results (I realize uprezzing is useful).

Do you need more single-cpu or multi-thread-cpu power?

**Good question. :slight_smile:

I am not familiar with maya/zbrush, are you more into modeling or rendering stuff?

**well both. I do modelling and rendering. I dont find it too much of a hassle with modelling-though I had been using mudbox more often–and after a few million polys it does start to choke so I should deal with that as well.

I am thinking of a long term purchase since I don’t plan to get another for a few years.

#4

I waited with getting a new computer, and leaning between one of these two.

Professional Editing Build ($2,000)

  CPU: Intel i7-8700 (or i7-8700k)
  Graphics Card: GTX 1060 6GB
  Motherboard: ASUS Prime Z370-A
  RAM: 32 GB dual channel DDR4-2666
  Storage 1: Samsung 960 EVO 500 GB M.2 SSD
  Storage 2: Toshiba 5TB HDD (or 6TB / 8TB)
  Power Supply: EVGA G3 750W
  CPU Cooler: Cryorig H5 Ultimate
  Case: Enthoo Luxe
  Operating System: Windows 10


      Video Editing Supercomputer ($2,600)

CPU: Intel i7-7820X
Graphics Card: GTX 1070
Motherboard: MSI X299 SLI Plus
RAM: 32 GB quad channel DDR4-3000
Storage 1: Samsung 960 EVO 500 GB M.2 SSD
Storage 2: 2x Toshiba 5TB HDD (or 6TB / 8TB)
Power Supply: EVGA G2 850W
CPU Cooler: Corsair Hydro H110i
Case: Enthoo Primo
Operating System: Windows 10
#5

They’re both fine, the second one at $600 more… pretty much gives about $600 more performance. Generally the more expensive system will be roughly 40% faster at rendering and gpu tasks, but no different/slightly slower in general day to day tasks which are single threaded.

#6

Thanks. That explains why the link I got the advice from talked about “diminishing returns” starting to set in with the second option.