Technology support for new PC

Former user wrote on 9/21/2018, 4:05 PM

Hello, a friend of mine is using Movie Edit Pro 2018 software and he would like to buy a new computer to speed up the work with this software. I want to help him to build up a new PC to suit his needs. I have read minimum and recommanded requirements, but some things are still not clear.

Could someone tell me, please:

Does this software use more than 4 cores?
Does this software profit from multithreading?
How well is the software with RAM memory? Is 16 GB enough or would be 32 better?
What about graphic card? Requirements say only it should have at least 512 MB VRAM, but does the software profit from using graphic card? Does standard "gaming" graphics suit the needs or should it be better "professional" graphics?

Thank you for all the answers.

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 9/22/2018, 2:53 AM

I would recommend:

Intel i7-8700 with standard cooler - no need for water cooling.
motherboard to match that has the required connections especially for the monitor(s)
16GB RAM is sufficient 32GB would be better.
Cooler Master semi fanless 650W powerpack
Unless the user is into gaming there is no need for a NVidia or AMD graphics card, Movie Edit Pro will use the Intel integrated GPU, using NVidia or AMD the graphics cards will not be used for hardware acceleration.
Storage devices - 2 x 7200 RPM hard drives 1TB for OS and programs 2TB or more for data.
or if funds allow
2 Samsung EVO 860 SSD drives 1TB and 2TB assigned as above
BD Writer

The above with non SSD drives is capable of handling 4K video and exporting 4K up to approx 2/3 real time or real time depending on the project complexity

HTH

John EB

Former user wrote on 9/23/2018, 12:19 AM

Thank you John for the answer. Your suggestion looks good, but it still isn't what I asked. I know a bit about building a PC while working for IT company. And your answer didn't give me much hints.

You suggesting buying i7-8700, which is 6 core, 12 thread CPU, that's fine, but I still have no idea if the software can use all of it's power, all cores, all threads. I was more hoping in using i5-8600K with overclock while it is still 6 core and it has better base frequency than i7-8700. But as I don't know if the software can use it, I can't decide if more threads will have more power than less threads on cocaine.
16GB is sufficient, that means what exactly? System requirements of the software say 8GB, 16 is double. If the software isn't able to use it, why to buy 32GB? So I have still no clue if the software will use it or not.
Also, system requirements say "Note: require an OpenGL 3.3 enabled graphics card with at least 512 MB VRAM. Intel HD is not supported." - They mean the one Intel HD that was specifically onboard in first generation of Core i3/5/7 Processors? OK
I'd say 2x 7200 RPM hard drive is a bit overkill for OS and software. And 2x 1TB SSD is overkill too. I'd say 1x PCIe M.2 Samsung 960 256/512 GB for system and programs and 1x PCIe M.2 Samsung 960 256/512 GB for this software and his "cache" will be faster than SATA SSD drives and will have enough space (with 2 or 4 TB drive for data) but storage wasn't even in my question.

So. I still have no clue if the software uses more than 4 cores, if it uses multithreading processes, if it uses more than 8GB of RAM while working or if it's better to use onboard graphics or even an older dedicated card.

johnebaker wrote on 9/24/2018, 3:19 AM

@Former user

. . . . i5-8600K with overclock while it is still 6 core and it has better base frequency than i7-8700 . . . .

From the base frequency the i5 would appear to be the faster processor, however the i7 has a larger L3 cache at 12 MB (i5 9MB) which gives better performance; the 8700 also has a significantly lower thermal power dissipation ie it runs at a lower temperature.

. . . . I don't know if the software can use it, I can't decide if more threads will have more power than less threads . . . .

Whether the program can use it it or not is not so relevant - the program will use what it needs - the main reason for going to 6 cores is future proofing. With a 6 core processor the PC should be good for at least 5 years before software hardware requirements become an issue.

. . . . System requirements of the software say 8GB, 16 is double. . . . .

System requirements are based on what is necessary for the program to run correctly, however it does not mean it will run smoothly eg when editing for example 4K video or complex timelines.

With more memory, more data is held in memory reducing the level of usage of Windows page file swapping ie reading/writing data to the hard drive which could be stored in memory.

. . . . Note: require an OpenGL 3.3 enabled graphics card with at least 512 MB VRAM. Intel HD is not supported. . . . .

I do not know specifically what this is referring to because the program is designed to take advantage of an Intel 4 gen or later processor iGPU for encoding and Hardware Acceleration (HWA). MEP currently has no support for NVidia NVENC codec or HWA, the big brother to MEP, Video Pro X does however this is restricted to HVENC (h.265) only. This is why I did not recommend a NVidia graphics card.

The statement may be referring to some 3rd party plugins which could/can not use the Intel iGPU.

. . . . I'd say 2x 7200 RPM hard drive is a bit overkill for OS and software. And 2x 1TB SSD is overkill too . . . . .

I recommended 2 x 7200 RPM for OS / software and data OR 2x 1TB SSD for OS / software and data.

. . . . M.2 Samsung 960 256/512 GB for system and programs OR 1x PCIe M.2 Samsung 960 256/512 GB . . . .

There is no issue in using M.2 drives, they are faster than SATA SSDs. However you do need to take into account that for the OS drive you will need to have plenty of free space, a 256GB OS + Programs drive will IMHO be insufficient. Rendering AFAICS uses a temp file is used on the system drive to store rendered data before it is written to the final video file location.

Similarly a 256/512GB data drive is, IMO, too small. For maximum performance you should be using Proxy files and these can be significantly larger than the source video because they are less compressed so utilizing less processor/iGPU power to give smoother playback in the program and they are created in the same folder as the source video files.

I would recommend you consult your friend and determine their requirements for storage and backup eg they may want to keep all source data, projects and intermediate or proxy files for a period of time, and/or require more space for game recording etc.

Using SSDs or m.2 drives only I would seriously consider a good backup regime in the event of drive failure/data loss.

HTH

John EB