Tech Computer specs for 4K video processing?

[Struggle4Bucks]

I am a technical midget dwarf. What I do know is that computers age very fast...

What minimum specs should a computer have to not have any trouble handling raw 4K footage?
Puts it much more pressure on a computer then handling HD footage? (not having any problem handling HD footage... no hassle at all)

Thinking about signing up to Adobe cloud. Does that mean that I need a less heavy computer because the Cloud do the processing of the footage and not my computer?

Anyone having good experience with Adobe Cloud?

Thanks!

[bronco67]

The Adobe cloud is for getting and managing your software.

I don't even like to work with regular HD video unless the hard drive is connected in my computer through SATA, so I would definitely never try to do 4k through the internet.

[MaDalton]

you need to work locally

also it very much depends what file format you are using - prores makes giant files but the decoding is not too heavy

but h264/mp4 files need a lot of processing/gpu power and when you start putting more than 1-2 cams in the timeline...

let's say we had to buy something really powerful and expensive

[DrJsn]

If you get multiple Graphics cards you can use them to do all the video editing and processing, which will make it way faster. Theses prices might be off but it'll be somewhere close enough. Then just add hard drives and Bluray drives and software etc. Tell me your budget, I can talk about computers all day so if you want some more detail just ask.

CPU: Core i7 6800k $400
GPU: 3-4 RX480x $250 each
RAM: 64GB $250
MOTHERBOARD: MSI X99a $150

[NatalieK]

We would always work local & you'll probably find any pc or laptop above £500 can handle 4k. Preferably an i7 with a 4k screen, separate graphics card of 1gb & 8gb ram or above should have no problem handling 4k

[Struggle4Bucks]

you need to work locally

also it very much depends what file format you are using - prores makes giant files but the decoding is not too heavy

but h264/mp4 files need a lot of processing/gpu power and when you start putting more than 1-2 cams in the timeline...

let's say we had to buy something really powerful and expensive

Am I correct that you go from raw footage to Prores codec, which is a intermediate codec, to get less bigger files to work with before coding it to end-user codec?

Care to tell what solution you had to buy and what it had cost?

So basically... processing 4K is something really different then HD and probably need investment in hardware? I'm now on a not so special windows computer...but it does process raw HD footage fine... typically 2 GB avchd raw full hd footage...

[Struggle4Bucks]

If you get multiple Graphics cards you can use them to do all the video editing and processing, which will make it way faster. Theses prices might be off but it'll be somewhere close enough. Then just add hard drives and Bluray drives and software etc. Tell me your budget, I can talk about computers all day so if you want some more detail just ask.

CPU: Core i7 6800k $400
GPU: 3-4 RX480x $250 each
RAM: 64GB $250
MOTHERBOARD: MSI X99a $150

My budget is not limited but that doesn't mean I WANT to spend as much as possible
I'm sure, with computers, I can make it as much expensive as possible...

Why multiple gpu? Why not 1 which is sufficient enough?

[Struggle4Bucks]

If you get multiple Graphics cards you can use them to do all the video editing and processing, which will make it way faster. Theses prices might be off but it'll be somewhere close enough. Then just add hard drives and Bluray drives and software etc. Tell me your budget, I can talk about computers all day so if you want some more detail just ask.

CPU: Core i7 6800k $400
GPU: 3-4 RX480x $250 each
RAM: 64GB $250
MOTHERBOARD: MSI X99a $150

Is there a way to check my current computer specs?

[DrJsn]

Is there a way to check my current computer specs?

If your using windows go to system settings and system properties and it will show you.

The more gpu's you use the faster things will go.

[DrJsn]

Is there a way to check my current computer specs?

you can also go settings>system>about

[Struggle4Bucks]

you can also go settings>system>about

Thanks... I'm seeing:

Intel (R) Xeon (R) CPU W3550 @ 3.07 GHz
RAM 8GB
x64-processor

Could I see my graphics card somewhere?

[DrJsn]

Thanks... I'm seeing:

Intel (R) Xeon (R) CPU W3550 @ 3.07 GHz
RAM 8GB
x64-processor

Could I see my graphics card somewhere?

Ya in that same area look for device manager, in windows 10 its just a little bit down on the screen then go to display adapters and your gpu will show up

[bronco67]

Thanks... I'm seeing:

Intel (R) Xeon (R) CPU W3550 @ 3.07 GHz
RAM 8GB
x64-processor

Could I see my graphics card somewhere?

That's an old CPU. You should get a 6 core haswell i7. That's a good price/performance CPu. It'll be about 3 times faster than that old xeon.

Make sure your new system has at least 32GB or ram -- even higher would be better. 8GB puts you about 10 years behind in that department.

These things I'm recommending won't be that expensive, but this new system will absolutely smoke what you have now.

[Struggle4Bucks]

Ya in that same area look for device manager, in windows 10 its just a little bit down on the screen then go to display adapters and your gpu will show up

Thanks... I see :

Nvidia Quadro FX 3800

[DrJsn]

Thanks... I see :

Nvidia Quadro FX 3800

Your cpu is from 2009 and your gpu is old too. If you upgrade you're gonna notice a huge diffrence.

[Struggle4Bucks]

You should get a 6 core haswell i7

Noted... thanks

Make sure your new system has at least 32GB or ram -- even higher would be better.

Ill go for 64GB then...

[Struggle4Bucks]

Your cpu is from 2009 and your gpu is old too. If you upgrade you're gonna notice a huge diffrence.

I bought this computer 2 years ago so basically I bought an old new computer

[DrJsn]

I bought this computer 2 years ago so basically I bought an old new computer

Ya I think its always better to build out computers to your own specs. Let me know your budget and I'll make a parts list for you.

[Struggle4Bucks]

Ya I think its always better to build out computers to your own specs. Let me know your budget and I'll make a parts list for you.

Dropping a budget seems useless... I need at least what it takes to process 4K without hassle...

If it takes at least $2000... so be it... If it takes at least $4000, so be it...

[Struggle4Bucks]

The cheaper the better but not at the expense of quality...

[DrJsn]

The cheaper the better but not at the expense of quality...

Here is a quick system build for you. Its under 2k and it'll get through all your video needs faster than almost anything anywhere. Enjoy.

Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core, Radeon RX 480 8GB (3-Way CrossFire), HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower - System Build - PCPartPicker

[Struggle4Bucks]

Here is a quick system build for you. Its under 2k and it'll get through all your video needs faster than almost anything anywhere. Enjoy.

Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core, Radeon RX 480 8GB (3-Way CrossFire), HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower - System Build - PCPartPicker

Thanks a lot for your time and input! I'll check it out now...

[SpicyM]

Stay away from anything that is MSI or Asus = complete shit.
Gigabyte makes high quality motherboards, I would never buy anything alse if choosing a new MB.

Also, I would go with Nvidia instead of Radeon, the last Radeon I tried gave me weird colours compared to Nvidia on the same monitor. Never had any problem with my Nvidia graphic card.

[Struggle4Bucks]

Would this work?

Intel® Core? i7-5820K 3,3GHz
Cooler Master Hyper 103
MSI X99A RAIDER
Crucial 32GB DDR4-2133
NVIDIA GTX 960 2GB
240GB SSD Crucial BX200
2000GB HDD Sata III
600 Watt Cooler Master

It's allready assembled so one "buy button" push and i'll have it home by tomorrow...
Custom made takes 1-2 weeks...

Price is 1425 euros...

[NatalieK]

Here is a quick system build for you. Its under 2k and it'll get through all your video needs faster than almost anything anywhere. Enjoy.

Core i7-6800K 3.4GHz 6-Core, Radeon RX 480 8GB (3-Way CrossFire), HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower - System Build - PCPartPicker

wtf?

This system you built has 2 dvd writers, not needed when he's mentioned editing 4k not converting to dvds. You've dropped 3 video cards in it, 2 x 32gb of ram, with 2 Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive.... seriously?

not heard of ssd? You want a solid state, maybe 500gb or 1tb to work local & a normal hard drive for your programs. Maybe 250 gb maximum!

You don't buy all of those graphics cards, an i7 processor & that amount of ram to have normal drives

[Struggle4Bucks]

wtf?

This system you built has 2 dvd writers, not needed when he's mentioned editing 4k not converting to dvds. You've dropped 3 video cards in it, 2 x 32gb of ram, with 2 Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive.... seriously?

not heard of ssd? You want a solid state, maybe 500gb or 1tb to work local & a normal hard drive for your programs. Maybe 250 gb maximum!

You don't buy all of those graphics cards, an i7 processor & that amount of ram to have normal drives

Do you shoot 4K?

[NatalieK]

Would this work?

Intel® Core? i7-5820K 3,3GHz
Cooler Master Hyper 103
MSI X99A RAIDER
Crucial 32GB DDR4-2133
NVIDIA GTX 960 2GB
240GB SSD Crucial BX200
2000GB HDD Sata III
600 Watt Cooler Master

It's allready assembled so one "buy button" push and i'll have it home by tomorrow...
Custom made takes 1-2 weeks...

Price is 1425 euros...

I'd change the raider MSI to asrock
ASRock X99 Extreme4 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard (X99 Extreme4) - PCPartPicker
There's the 64gb version for $70 less. But if you're spending over a grand, you should think about the future... upgrading to higher is possible


Also, no need for more than 1tb on the extra sata disc, it's only for programs & the operating system. You want half gig really and then up rate the ssd

[TheDA]

wtf?

This system you built has 2 dvd writers, not needed when he's mentioned editing 4k not converting to dvds. You've dropped 3 video cards in it, 2 x 32gb of ram, with 2 Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive.... seriously?

not heard of ssd? You want a solid state, maybe 500gb or 1tb to work local & a normal hard drive for your programs. Maybe 250 gb maximum!

You don't buy all of those graphics cards, an i7 processor & that amount of ram to have normal drives

You are the one that started it with the stupid fucking laptop suggestion.

[nakeddutch]

[MaDalton]

Am I correct that you go from raw footage to Prores codec, which is a intermediate codec, to get less bigger files to work with before coding it to end-user codec?

Care to tell what solution you had to buy and what it had cost?

So basically... processing 4K is something really different then HD and probably need investment in hardware? I'm now on a not so special windows computer...but it does process raw HD footage fine... typically 2 GB avchd raw full hd footage...

no - it simply depends on the camera/recorder which output format you get.

if you for example use a Shogun to record 4k, you will get prores. but the files are like 10-20 bigger than h264

but not as heavy on decoding and therefore require less power


in regards to your specs - this is what we got:

Intel Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition, Octo Core, 3.0GHz, 20MB,LGA2011-V3,22nm,BOX
ASRock X99 EXTREME3, X99, QuadDDR4-2133, SATA3, RAID, ATX
Kingston HyperX FURY Black Series 16GB(Kit of 2) 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC CL15 DIMM
Kingston HyperX FURY Black Series 16GB(Kit of 2) 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC CL15 DIMM
Transcend 256GB SSD SATA3 MLC M.2 2280-D2-B-M (čtení/zápis; 550/320MB/s)
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 980 TI
Corsair CPU Cooling? Hydro Series H110i, 140mm vent.

those parts were about 2000 ?

and definitely use SSD drives or a raid 0

but we got that machine cause we work with up to 5 cams with h264 files with 60 fps - if you only work with one camera, you do not need something like the above - which is despite of watercooling still pretty loud when under heavy load

[CurrentlySober]

You really need to get a mac
Thats the only real solution that will suit your needs...

[Struggle4Bucks]

no - it simply depends on the camera/recorder which output format you get.

if you for example use a Shogun to record 4k, you will get prores. but the files are like 10-20 bigger than h264

but not as heavy on decoding and therefore require less power


in regards to your specs - this is what we got:

Intel Core i7-5960X Extreme Edition, Octo Core, 3.0GHz, 20MB,LGA2011-V3,22nm,BOX
ASRock X99 EXTREME3, X99, QuadDDR4-2133, SATA3, RAID, ATX
Kingston HyperX FURY Black Series 16GB(Kit of 2) 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC CL15 DIMM
Kingston HyperX FURY Black Series 16GB(Kit of 2) 2400MHz DDR4 Non-ECC CL15 DIMM
Transcend 256GB SSD SATA3 MLC M.2 2280-D2-B-M (čtení/zápis; 550/320MB/s)
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 980 TI
Corsair CPU Cooling? Hydro Series H110i, 140mm vent.

those parts were about 2000 ?

and definitely use SSD drives or a raid 0

but we got that machine cause we work with up to 5 cams with h264 files with 60 fps - if you only work with one camera, you do not need something like the above - which is despite of watercooling still pretty loud when under heavy load

Ok got it.... thanks

[Struggle4Bucks]

You really need to get a mac
Thats the only real solution that will suit your needs...

I would need anger management first... Not looking forward throwing a $5000 Mac at the wall

[candyflip]

You really need to get a mac
Thats the only real solution that will suit your needs...

That's the dumbest statement anyone could possible make. Video professionals have been moving away from OSX in droves for years. Apple not updating their Pro level machines in years tends to do this

[candyflip]

For editing, if you're machine can't handle the 4K...just use proxies.

[MaDalton]

You really need to get a mac
Thats the only real solution that will suit your needs...

with all respect but that is just not true anymore - if it was ever true

but the Mac Pro are totally outdated (plus overpriced), the iMacs just can't handle the workload (just had that issue with a client recently that is editing on an iMac - but once again - i am talking about more than one camera and 60 fps files) and then there's still the issue that you need to convert MP4 files first before you can edit them in Final Cut

[CurrentlySober]

I would need anger management first... Not looking forward throwing a $5000 Mac at the wall

That's the dumbest statement anyone could possible make. Video professionals have been moving away from OSX in droves for years. Apple not updating their Pro level machines in years tends to do this

with all respect but that is just not true anymore - if it was ever true

but the Mac Pro are totally outdated (plus overpriced), the iMacs just can't handle the workload (just had that issue with a client recently that is editing on an iMac - but once again - i am talking about more than one camera and 60 fps files) and then there's still the issue that you need to convert MP4 files first before you can edit them in Final Cut

They dont call me GFY (half) Troll of the year 2016 for nothing !!!

[pornguy]

Get the most powerful of everything you can. Then get two extra fans and keep the room cool.

[Struggle4Bucks]

Get the most powerful of everything you can. Then get two extra fans and keep the room cool.

You know what? I am going to build an airconditioned garage for it too... just called the contractor

[DrJsn]

Would this work?

Intel® Core? i7-5820K 3,3GHz
Cooler Master Hyper 103
MSI X99A RAIDER
Crucial 32GB DDR4-2133
NVIDIA GTX 960 2GB
240GB SSD Crucial BX200
2000GB HDD Sata III
600 Watt Cooler Master

It's allready assembled so one "buy button" push and i'll have it home by tomorrow...
Custom made takes 1-2 weeks...

Price is 1425 euros...

The cpu and video card are old. I think you're better off with the newest tech. As some people are mentioning brands they like better than others, its all inter-changeable pick any brands that you think are good.

[NatalieK]

You are the one that started it with the stupid fucking laptop suggestion.

not so stupid for those wanting to start shooting in 4k and only have a budget. You can get an i7 with 1gb graphics car, 200gb ssd and 16gb ram for just over £500. This would be able to edit 4k.

Do you shoot 4K?

We have a 4k camera but still working on i5 and unable to edit the 4k. We're in the same position as you, looking at either high quality laptops of about £1000 plus or a pc of about similar.

Hence knowing about the ssd and the normal harddrive.

Obviously if you have lots of money, you could go for a piece of art, something like >

TypeXD's Completed Build - Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core, GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB (2-Way SLI) - PCPartPicker

5k later, it will still only do the same job as something of 2k, maybe just a bit quicker or sometimes quieter.

What MaDalton has looks like a perfect set up and should last for a few years too

[DrJsn]

wtf?

This system you built has 2 dvd writers, not needed when he's mentioned editing 4k not converting to dvds. You've dropped 3 video cards in it, 2 x 32gb of ram, with 2 Hitachi Deskstar 7K2000 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive.... seriously?

not heard of ssd? You want a solid state, maybe 500gb or 1tb to work local & a normal hard drive for your programs. Maybe 250 gb maximum!

You don't buy all of those graphics cards, an i7 processor & that amount of ram to have normal drives

Those are Bluray burners that also burn dvd's. If you don't need 2 then just get one, most people like to have at least one optical drive. And in my opinion ssd is overpriced, most video editing and processing takes up huge space, so you can save money getting cheaper hard drives. But if you prefer ssd and want to spend the money then get it.

[candyflip]

not so stupid for those wanting to start shooting in 4k and only have a budget. You can get an i7 with 1gb graphics car, 200gb ssd and 16gb ram for just over £500. This would be able to edit 4k.



We have a 4k camera but still working on i5 and unable to edit the 4k. We're in the same position as you, looking at either high quality laptops of about £1000 plus or a pc of about similar.

Hence knowing about the ssd and the normal harddrive.

Obviously if you have lots of money, you could go for a piece of art, something like >

TypeXD's Completed Build - Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core, GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB (2-Way SLI) - PCPartPicker

5k later, it will still only do the same job as something of 2k, maybe just a bit quicker or sometimes quieter.

What MaDalton has looks like a perfect set up and should last for a few years too

It's no wonder people don't take you seriously. Here, let me help you out:



I have a top of the line MacBook Pro from late 2015. It's an outdated machine but it runs Final Cut Pro, which I use from time to time. It edits 6K RED footage doing this.

[Tubthumper]

I would always use the CPU instead of the GPU for processing videos. The GPUs are faster, but the quality comes out looking like crap at the same bitrate in comparison to CPU processing.

[mikesouth]

the problem with all the advice here is that everyone is assuming you are using 4K the same way they are.

THE most important question is what format are your 4K masters in? is it pro-res, avchd long GOP, H.265 the answer to that question will determine your best bet.

one thing for sure you NEVER EVER want to try to edit 4K online...only locally.

[TheDA]

not so stupid for those wanting to start shooting in 4k and only have a budget. You can get an i7 with 1gb graphics car, 200gb ssd and 16gb ram for just over £500. This would be able to edit 4k.



We have a 4k camera but still working on i5 and unable to edit the 4k. We're in the same position as you, looking at either high quality laptops of about £1000 plus or a pc of about similar.

Hence knowing about the ssd and the normal harddrive.

Obviously if you have lots of money, you could go for a piece of art, something like >

TypeXD's Completed Build - Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core, GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB (2-Way SLI) - PCPartPicker

5k later, it will still only do the same job as something of 2k, maybe just a bit quicker or sometimes quieter.

What MaDalton has looks like a perfect set up and should last for a few years too

Well good luck with that, it really sounds like you know what you are talking about.

[TheDA]

It's no wonder people don't take you seriously. Here, let me help you out:



I have a top of the line MacBook Pro from late 2015. It's an outdated machine but it runs Final Cut Pro, which I use from time to time. It edits 6K RED footage doing this.

[NatalieK]

Those are Bluray burners that also burn dvd's. If you don't need 2 then just get one, most people like to have at least one optical drive. And in my opinion ssd is overpriced, most video editing and processing takes up huge space, so you can save money getting cheaper hard drives. But if you prefer ssd and want to spend the money then get it.

yes, I know bluray burners, my laptop has the one, my pc has 2, but the OP didn't need dvd burning, he request was 4k editing. So I said, you don't need the 2 burners & you need the ssd instead of 3 graphics cards...

1 or 2 graphics cards, 1 or 2 gb each would do, and 500gb ssd and a 250gb sata for programs. The ram would be good to 32gb and an Asrock motherboards best. Maybe a water cooling unit if you can afford it

Final Cut Pro, which I use from time to time. It edits 6K RED footage doing this.

final cut pro is great as is vegas pro

athough you still need the 4k screen and graphics card able to edit 4k or your system will still crash

[DrJsn]

yes, I know bluray burners, my laptop has the one, my pc has 2, but the OP didn't need dvd burning, he request was 4k editing. So I said, you don't need the 2 burners & you need the ssd instead of 3 graphics cards...

1 or 2 graphics cards, 1 or 2 gb each would do, and 500gb ssd and a 250gb sata for programs. The ram would be good to 32gb and an Asrock motherboards best. Maybe a water cooling unit if you can afford it



final cut pro is great as is vegas pro

athough you still need the 4k screen and graphics card able to edit 4k or your system will still crash

Different strokes for different folks I guess. I definitely think the more gpu's you have the the better your machine will run almost any gpu software. But also the amount of time it takes will be cut down huge. 1-2 GB of ram in GPU is small now. The new top of the line stuff has 8-12 GB ram. Ram is important for gpu. The more the better, you will notice the difference. As for the size of the hard drives that all depends on the needs of each user. I always like to have excess storage though.

Having more GPU processing power will speed up your video editing and encoding/transcoding far more than having ssd. SSD is great and better than normal hard drive, but if I was looking for an area to save money that's where it would be. Of course if you don't need to save then get SSD.

Get the new Generation of Core i7 6800k, its the best bang for your buck from the new generation of i7's, if you need cheaper you can look into certain e5 xeon's
Get 64GB of Ram, worth it in the long term
Get Whatever brand montherboard you think is best. I like EVGA, Gigabyte, MSI
Get multiple gpu's Stick with radeon rx480 or nvidia gtx 1060, 1070, 1080 depending on budget. Don't get older model stuff.

For the case, hard drives, optical drives, power supply, get whatever fits your budget.

I like EVGA brand personally because they have a real lifetime warranty and they actually honor it, I bought a $700 gpu back in 07 and they replaced it in 2013 with the new version top of the line.

[candyflip]

athough you still need the 4k screen and graphics card able to edit 4k or your system will still crash

Again, no your don't. Watch the fucking video I posted Gary. I have delivered 4K files from a laptop that does not play them and does not have a 4K monitor.

That statement is yet another reason you're not taken seriously here.