Server or Desktop or Workstation (for video rendering)

[Computer0304]

Which is the best for video rendering? The combinations all must have to be server parts for a server, desktop parts for a desktop, and workstation parts for a workstation. They have to all be either Intel or AMD when comparing.

Edit: It is theoretical unless i say so.

 

[kbrady1979]

Is this theoretical, or is there a possibility of this being built?

 

[kbrady1979]

With the 6 core Intel Extreme processors, there is a line-crossing of sorts from Desktop to Workstation. The answer to your question is also highly dependent on how serious you are about rendering. Is it a hobby, or is it a job? Will freeing up 1-2 hours of your time by getting the job done faster make any real difference? If the answer is yes, then you want a Xeon, or dual Xeon, based system with a workstation graphics card, and more than one SSD and some bulk storage space. Many professionals feel if they could build a system that would shave 10 minutes off each job, it's totally worth it because time=money. To someone who does this as a hobby or where they aren't under any deadlines, spending 5K+ on a new rig to save a few hours a day isn't such a good idea.

So to somewhat give you an answer and not just ramble, I'll mock up a system that I may be putting together for a co-worker who pretty much asked me the same question. I would normally post the parts as links to Newegg, but I despise the new way you have to filter and search for stuff on Newegg, so I won't.

Case: Anything that will look decent and hold everything you need it to. For a workstation/desktop, I'd look for a "Silent" type of case. Fractal Design, Antec, Corsair and CoolerMaster all make a silent case.

CPU: Intel 4930K Ivy Bridge-Extreme Six core CPU.

MoBo: Depending on how many expansion cards I would possibly need, either the Asus X79 Sabertooth, or Asus P9X79 Workstation board

CPU Cooler: If you aren't going to overclock, pretty much anything will do. If you are, get either a high end air cooler, or high end closed loop water cooling unit

RAM: As much as you can afford. For serious rendering/editing, NO LESS than 32GB, but preferably 64GB so you don't have to worry about buying more later on

GPU: This I'm not sure about because I've never dealt with professional grade graphics cards. What I do know is AMD and Nvidia have strengths and weaknesses in different editing programs. It all depends on whether the application you are using relies on Cuda Cores or Open GL to run efficiently. Workstation graphics cards can run up into the thousands of dollars.

SSD: For editing, you will need one for your OS/Applications, and probably another big SSD for a scratch disk.

HDD: A few large capacity AND highly reliable drives to store the final product.

PSU: Something that runs cool and quiet with plenty of ass to power all of the items above......don't skimp on this!

Of course you'll need monitors.....2 or 3 would be ideal, and probably as large as you can afford and fit in your work area. Don't cheap out on these either.......you'll be staring at them for hours on end. 1080p is still a great resolution, but 2560x1440 and 2560x1600 monitors are out there now and prices are quickly dropping. I'd like to have a couple 27" 2560x1440's to do serious work. Expect to pay serious money for them as well because you want a high quality panel, and color properties.

That just about does it for my short list of parts, if you want a more detailed list, like actual brands and models, I can do that tomorrow after work. It's almost 3am and I'll be going to bed shortly.

 

[Computer0304]

DONT GET TO SERIOUS. This is just theoretical.

 

[kbrady1979]

Either way, that's still my answer