Hello--
I'm kind of new around here—I've been reading the forums for awhile but I haven't made many posts. I am preparing to have a workstation built to run Avid MC. I'm planning to use the template of the Video Guys DIY 9 Budget build (henceforth called VG DIY to save space).
I am an experienced Media Composer editor but I haven't edited with it since 2005. There's been many changes since then but I'm still cognizant of the care needed in using the proper components and configuration for an Avid system—although when I used MC before it was for a large media corporation so I was never responsible for understanding the detailed tech issues behind the hardware and configuration. Thus, I'm limited in my knowledge in those areas.
I know that you guys get questions every day about “How can I build the best MC system?” so I've read a lot of threads here to learn what I can and minimize questions that have already been answered. I hope my main area of concern is at least slightly different from other “What's the best workstation?” questions.
I'm interested in advice about how and where can I use less powerful components to start with with an eye toward improving the system as I need to. What, if any, compatibility/configuration issues might this create later on?
First, some basic facts:
1. Need to order a custom-built workstation by September 10 so I can edit a fairly simple short film. Mostly cuts with a few simple FX, basic audio editing, basic grading.
2. Having an area computer retailer (small company, good quality) do the build
3. Basing it mostly on Video Guys DIY 9 Budget build
4. Want to start minimally with an eye to scalability for later improvements as far as possible
5. Hope to bring it in under $1500
6. I have a good layman's understanding of computers but not enough to attempt the build myself.
7. I want to be sure that the workstation configuration meets Avid's system requirements so I can get support from them (maybe a stupid question but, does VG DIY 9 indeed meet the system requirements?)
Here are the specific components I'd like to “start low” with and the questions I have about doing so:
CPU – Could I start with an Intel Core i7 3820 and graduate to something better later using the same motherboard?
GPU – could I start with a lower level Quadro GPU and upgrade it later? Is it better to use a Quadro 2000 (because Avid “likes” Quadros) even though VG DIY recommends a GTX570 if you're trying to save money?
Hard drives/Storage – I'm thinking of using a USB 3 external HD as the media drive and a 1TB 7200 rpm HD as boot drive to start with (SSD boot drive and RAID array media storage later). Would it be better for now to use an 2nd internal 1TB 7200rpm HD as my media drive?
RAM– Plan on using VG DIY recommended G. SKILL Ripjaws Z series 1866 (what does the 1866 mean again?) to start with but only 16GB
DVD drive – hoping to start with modest DVD burner and upgrade later, but if the price difference isn't large I may get a Blu-Ray now.
And here are the VG DIY recommended components I plan to use from the start:
Motherboard – Asus P9X79WS
Case – Antec Twelve Hundred V3 ATX Full Tower
Power Supply – CORSAIR Pro Gold (CMPSU-850AX) 850 watts [NOTE: is it fairly easy to swap out a power-supply if you need more watts later?]
OS– Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
I also have questions about I/O method, powering audio, and driving my monitor (I'm kind of embarrassed I even need to ask these!).
Powering Monitor—DoI need two separate GPUs—one to do all the Avid graphic stuff and one to drive my monitor? Or is the graphic capability of the motherboard/CPU sufficient to power my monitor at this point.
I/O—In the short term, can I get by with inputting and outputting directly to the motherboard?
Audio—Do I need a dedicated audio card or for now can I get by with the audio capabilities on the motherboard/CPU?
I have other stuff I need to figure out too, and I've been doing as much research on it as I can. But my immediate concern is getting a workstation built so I've tried to limit my questions to build questions for now.
Thanks so much for any help and advice you folks can give me.