72 pcie lanes cheapest build

Ittaidv · Nov 24, 2014

I'm looking to build a system for mixing video using vmix.

I would like to have as many HD video inputs as possible on this system. I'm going to use blackmagic capture cards.

Each HD video input uses 4 pcie lanes. So a Blackmagic Decklink quad would use 16 lanes.

In order to get as many inputs as possible, i'm looking for a system that has the most lanes available.

I checked some cpu's, but except for dual xeons i'm never going to reach 72 lanes on the cpu side.

Since the recording of the stream will happen on another pc, the system i want to build can run on relatively low clock speeds. I'm using 8% on my current pc (I7 2600k) when running vmix with 5 HD inputs.

I'm looking for a solution either with PLX chips and an I7 or with cheap dual xeons that have 40 lanes each.

What would be the best solution?

sadams04 · Nov 24, 2014

You are you sure you need that many lanes? How many and what exactly are the cards you plan to install internally?

You can look toward PLX to multiply the number of lanes, but the overall bandwidth is still limited to the specs of the CPU. You should be sure to read up on PLX and make sure it fits into your mass PCI lanes outlook... PLX adds latency (a few percent), but this may not be an issue for you. Look toward Gen 3 PLX bridges for the latest.

The ASROCK X99 Extreme 11 has a pair of PLX chips which allows 4-way SLI at 16x/16x/16x/16x. There are other boards out there as well that have PLX enabled as well (at a premium cost). Also, keep in mind that the i7-5820k has 32 lanes while its big brothers sport 40 lanes (i7-5930k and i7-5960x) before PLX multiplies them.

The Z97 platform also has some boards out there with PLX. Look for boards that support 8x/8x/8x/8x (most commonly called 4-way SLI). This is probably your cheapest setup that maximizes lane usage...
http://pcpartpicker.com/parts/motherboard/#l=4&c=99

Ittaidv · Nov 24, 2014

sadams04 :

I'm sure I want to maximise the amount of lanes right now yes

I want to use:
1 videocard (may be using 8 lanes)
1 hdmi output card (using 4 lanes)

And have the rest of the lanes for as many HD inputs as possible. With a 76 lanes mobo I would be able to use 12 for the videocard and the hdmi output, 64 for maximum 16 HD inputs, which is not so crazy.

If we would ever switch to 4K for our streaming and recording, the number of lanes for each input would also go up. Would be stupid to not spend an extra 500-1000 now and have to build again from zero.

I'm now looking at a asus-x99-e-ws mobo, this one appears to have a PLX chip, that allows it to go up to 76 lanes, would this be a good choice?

I was thinking to pair it with a Intel Core i7 5930K processor. Would that be powerfull enough with it's 40 lanes?

Karsten75 · Nov 24, 2014

Ittaidv :

What exactly is a HDMI output card if it's not a video card?

What devices will be on the input at what bandwidth to consume 4 PCIe lanes?

I'm pretty sure you're trying to build something way out of your league.

You do know that a PLX chip simply multiplexes PCIe lanes together right?

anbello262 · Nov 24, 2014

Does it have to be jsut 1 system?

I don't really know, haven't done the math, but maybe it's cheaper to just make 5 low end PCs with less PCIe lanes per pc? For about $400 you can have a complete system. If you don't need much power, then you can cut corners on many places. So for about $2000 you can have about 80 true lanes, considering 16 lanes per cpu.

Just an idea, though. Somewhat cost effective, but not easy to accomplish.

Ittaidv · Nov 24, 2014

Karsten75 :

A HDMI output card sends uncompressed HDMI out, this means BIG datastreams. For example this one does that:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/964120-REG/blackmagic_design_decklink_mini_monitor.html

It's not way out of my league, i'm sure about that. I'm building my own systems since i was 12 or so

I also built a mixer already, using 4 HD inputs on an intel i7 2600k. I'm using it for my company :www.slash9.tv

Now it's time to upgrade it to a newer system with more then 16 lanes, which is the limitation now.

I'm sure it is possible to build a system like the one here. There are commercial solutions which are super expensive and are in fact nothing more then a windows pc and some capture cards. When you open them up they are just like any regular pc with some capture cards.

The concept of the PLX chip I still don't understand. Am i still limited to the amount of lanes my cpu has? Or can I have some extra when I have a mobo with a PLX chip?

In other words: will a system that has 40 lanes on the cpu and 32 lanes on the PLX chip have 72 lanes free to use?

Ittaidv · Nov 24, 2014

anbello262 :

It's not about cheap. It's a machine for professional use, so we don't mind to spend some money. It will always be cheaper then any commercial solution, and because we built it ourselves we will know how to repair it on the spot if anything goes wrong

Splitting the machines is not a solution, since all images need to come together and be mixed by a software called Vmix on the same machine.

Karsten75 · Nov 24, 2014

Ittaidv :

WE'll talk a little more about the other aspects of your idea, but here is as much as outsiders can know about the workings of the PLX chip.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6170/four-multigpu-z77-boards-from-280350-plx-pex-8747-featuring-gigabyte-asrock-ecs-and-evga

Search

72 pcie lanes cheapest build

Ittaidv

Reputable

sadams04

sadams04

Splendid

Ittaidv

Reputable

Karsten75

Judicious

anbello262

Distinguished

Ittaidv

Reputable

Ittaidv

Reputable

Karsten75

Judicious

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page