Finally upgraded

[frosty]

My computer (built in 2008) just wasn't cutting it anymore for my HD video editing and video projection mapping projects. It struggled to keep up and it's encoding times were slowing me down on high volume projects.

So, I'm finally upgrading.

Old System:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Processor (3 something ghz, forgot)
3GB's RAM
Nvidia Geforce GTS 450

New:

AMD Phenom 2 X6 1100T Six core processor @ 3.3ghz
16GB's DDR3 1600 RAM
AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB DDR5
Biostar motherboard with 32GB RAM support, SATA 3, USB 3.0, Gigabit LAN, etc
New case with 450w power supply
Using HDD and blu-ray burner from my old PC

Total system cost: $575

I think that should handle what I'm throwing at it quite well. After some research, the AMD processor is far better for what I do than an equivalent Intel chip would be. The RAM will work well, especially since I have the capability to double it when the 8GB RAM sticks launch next year. Video mapping requires you to run multiple pre-recorded and live clips of varying resolutions in real time while applying effects to them, so you need all you can throw at it. The GPU will help massively with video editing. The old GPU only has 400 stream processors, the new one over 1100. That'll speed up encoding and real time effects a lot.

I'll post the results of some video mapping projects when it all gets here. I also just ordered 2 4500 lumen 720p projectors so I can start video mapping buildings.

[Luis]

I'd say you're missing at least a small system SSD to speed everything up, but nice nonetheless.

I'm looking forward to upgrade around February.

[frosty]

I do plan on getting one soon. Might even get 2 and raid them (striped).

[Segitz]

The PSU coupled with the X6 and the 6870 might be a bit barebones. When both cpu and gpu run at full load, you'll be pulling around 270 Watts with those two parts alone. Guessing an 80% efficiency of the PSU, you get 360 Watt out of it.

[frosty]

I thought that as well, but my budget was a bit tight for this one. I'll likely upgrade it after a couple paychecks. There aren't going to be many other devices running on it. Just one internal HDD and a BD burner.

[Segitz]

Yeah, I killed my (cheaper) 550 Watt PSU when I upgraded my 65 Watt CPU to a 95 Watt one, and "upgrading" my 140 Watt GPU to the 151 Watt one. Though I do have a lot of USB devices and several HDDs that need power, too.

[Viper]

I was going to bring up the PSU issue too. What make and model is it? Top fo the line, it may handle it for a year or two. Low end, a week or two.

Corsair, PC Power and Cooling and Seasonic (technically they are all Seasonic...mostly) are the brands you want to look for most. Antec and OCZ also use some Seasonic PSU's for some models.

[Coded-Dude]

I just upgraded as well:

This was just over $450 after a $20 mail in rebate.

AMD FX 4100 4-Core 3.6GHz
GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3
SAPPHIRE HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCIE Graphics Card

Had to upgrade my PSU as well, so bought the Thermaltake TR2 600 for about $75

[frosty]

this thing will only run full speed when editing video, and even then the process isn't 100% efficient so you may end up seeing 60% GPU and 70-80%- CPU used at the most. that with one other hard drive is all it'll be powering at any given point. the blu ray drive is only used when burning or playing back video, and GPU/CPU loads are very low during those times.

however, i am ordering a 600w when i get paid later this week. this'll be just to get the system going and then it'll become a backup in case my main one fails.

[D3adcell]

I just upgraded as well:

This was just over $450 after a $20 mail in rebate.

AMD FX 4100 4-Core 3.6GHz
GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) 240-Pin DDR3
SAPPHIRE HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCIE Graphics Card

Had to upgrade my PSU as well, so bought the Thermaltake TR2 600 for about $75

Let us know how the video card performs. I have a friend that is in need of an upgrade and doesn't want to pay toooo much for a video card but needs a new one for the old republic.

[Segitz]

You could ask me^^ I got exactly that GPU. And it performs VERY well. In a LOT of cases I am even limited by my CPU (X4 945 overclocked to 3.4Ghz).

[frosty]

So, the radeon came in today, ahead of the rest of the system. Initial impressions:

This thing is fucking huge! It weighs a ton also. Massive cooling system.

It's so big, I couldn't put it in without relocating my HDD to another rack.

Then I put the card in, and went to plug the HDD and blu-ray burner sata cables back in.

Fuck.

The fat ass card is blocking my sata ports on the motherboard. STUDY THE AREA OF YOUR MAINBOARD THAT THE CARD WILL OCCUPY BEFORE BUYING... otherwise you may find yourself pretty pissed off when you can't even use the damn thing.

Thankfully, my new motherboard doesn't have this issue, so i'll just have to wait for it to get here before I can actually put this card to the test.

[D3adcell]

Make sure you have a case it can fit in as well.

[Coded-Dude]

yes the case size and motherboard configurations are important when buying GPU's these days. I have had my GPU for a week, and the CPU & RAM for a few days. MB gets here tomorrow, so I should be up and running friday or saturday.

[venomv]

Yeah, when I bought my new GPU 6 months ago or so I didn't realize how huge it was, it barely fit in.

[frosty]

if these things get any bigger, they'll have to make it external. it's ridiculously huge. I even had to re-arrange shit in the new PC to get it going.

Impressions so far:

I haven't been able to make it choke up on real time 3D graphics, but i've only had a AMD tech demo to try out so far.

Vegas rendering I haven't yet tried.

Vegas real time editing acceleration is buggy and almost broken in the version of vegas I have. I works fine on Nvidia cards, but not so much AMD. Sony needs to patch vegas to address this. fades glitch out on you, flashing rapidly between tracks, you get a green screen at times, among other things. Gladly, the CPU is so damn fast it doesn't need it at this point. It stays real time no matter what i throw at it. Vegas really likes having enough RAM to fit a 1.5 hour 24mbps 1080p video clip inside... I'm just not able to max this thing out. i bet 3D would stress it though, as well as video mapping in HD. i'll let you know when i do manage to get it to break a sweat.

[Viper]

Cards of great length have been a major point for about 4-5 years now. It really has created a new consideration for GPU buyers in that they must know how much case room they have or it can limit their options.

Be glad you didn't spring for one of the bigger boys.

I doubt they go bigger simply for the fact that they've reached a point where growing in length just isn't feasible for many consumers and their cases. But many now are starting to take up 3 slots instead.

[Coded-Dude]

I'm using my old 60GB PS3 hdd for OS(will buy a larger sata 3 ssd drive for data later). BF3 is a 15GB download....lol Anywho, I am getting this thing going with software.

CPU=7.2
RAM=7.8
GPU/3D=7.8
HDD=4.6

Dustin, I have 10c if you want it.....just let me know(not sure which version of Vegas you are using).

[frosty]

i'm using the latest version. it works just fine, and the gpu assisted rendering is nice. it just has a few bugs with gpu assisted editing when using amd cards. they'll work it out, they're usually pretty quick about patching.

[=NukeBlaze=]

The PSU coupled with the X6 and the 6870 might be a bit barebones. When both cpu and gpu run at full load, you'll be pulling around 270 Watts with those two parts alone. Guessing an 80% efficiency of the PSU, you get 360 Watt out of it.

The efficiency charge is at the wall, not after it is converted into DC. The max output of the supply is going to depend on the quality of the design/components, so if it came with the case I wouldn't have high expectations. Even if it can reach that wattage, the noise on the lines might be higher.

My prediction is a Rosewill case, and the less likely being an Antec.

To those out there in internet space land, check this out when buying PSU's:
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page541.htm


Also, don't raid SSDs since you lose TRIM's garbage collection.
Also, PSU wattage is secondary to quality. Feel free to IM me if you'd like a recommendation based on your aims/budget.
Also, cats don't like raspberry jam.