Lost in choices for new 4K video editing GPU selection

tpallred · Jul 18, 2015

I'm building/buying a new system to edit 4K video (from GoPro and drone camera) which will produce mostly 1080p end results (since 4K displays are still pretty rare) of probably less than 15 minutes long. I'm still looking at monitors but think I've got most everything else but the GPU figured out. Obviously more is better but I'd like to get in the door for as little as will accomplish the goal. I have a current PC which will do everything else I need so 4K video editing is all I'm looking for from this new system. For cost purposes I'd like to get into it with a single GPU with the idea that I could pair it with a second card if for some reason that would add capability later. Not exactly sure why I'd do that if a single card is working but there you go. Preferred OS is Windows 7 Professional, which I'm already using. I know it's expired but still available. Current video editing software is PowerDirector 13 but I'm open to other choices. It's a little glitchy sometimes when I've got compressed and/or reversed clips in my video but maybe that's just the limitations of my current system (An upgraded Dell Inspiron 570 with Phenom II CPU, 16GB, two 7200rpm hard drives and a EVGA GTX750 Ti GPU).

Proposed new system
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 Mid Tower ATX Case
PSU: Corsair CX750 PSU 750W (SLI/Crossfire Haswell ready)
CPU: i7 4790K (no overclocking)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Cooler
MOBO: Asus Z97-A (maybe the gamer version)
RAM: Corsair Vengeance DDR3 RAM 32GB
OS Drive: Samsung 850 EVO 500GB SSD
Program Drive: Samsung 850 EVO 120GB SSD
Scratch Drive: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB SSD
General Storage Drive: Seagate Barracuda 3TB SATA/6G
External Backup: Some 5TB 7200rpm USB 3.0 external drive
DVD: Asus 24x DVD Burner
Generic All-in-one card reader
Display monitor: TBD but 4K capable. Just going to be editing, not gaming or watching movies

Looking at GPUs gives me a headache. I'm thinking the GeForce GTX960 w/4GB might work but there are so many versions when I search on Amazon or Newegg that I'm just lost. I'm open to other choices. I know the Pro Samsung SSDs are faster but only by 7%-8% and the price is significantly higher plus I'm thinking the SATA interface will be saturated anyway with the EVO. If I've forgotten anything, just ask. I'm not married to any of the above choices but I think they'll do. I'm in the USA. Thinking about purchasing within the next 30 days.
Thanks in advance.
Tom

Justin Millard · Jul 18, 2015

The main advantage to the Pro series is the 10 year warranty. You are right about speeds being limited by SATA III.

For 4K footage I would honestly look at spending a bit more on the GPU. You will get better performance with a GTX 760, R9 280X or GTX 960 than you would with a 750Ti. Higher end GPUs give you very small performance boosts for a lot more money so those three cards I mentioned usually go well for professional editors.

You don't need the 4GB version of the GTX 960 as the system RAM isn't really all that much slower than the VRAM, but it might make a slight difference.

Also if you are not overclocking you should be fine with a H97 motherboard.

EDIT: Just remembered that the GTX 960 has the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Codec) for compressed 4K footage so that should be your pick out of all I mentioned.
EDIT 2: Just read you are considering adding a second card later. Get the 4GB version if that is the case. Double VRAM mainly helps with SLI.

datguy20 · Jul 18, 2015

Maybe something like this would make sense for you? I didn't see a budget listed so I kind of just picked things :??:

Added a decent IPS 4k monitor to the list if you want something to consider.

For editing video I don't think the GPU is nearly as important as the CPU. You could probably get some sort of workstation GPU (sub-$150), or even reuse your 750 ti if you wanted.

I also don't see the point in splitting up your SSD's so much for different things. A 500GB drive could act as your OS/Scratch and have plenty of space (maybe even a 250GB would do). Then the 5TB HDD to store finished projects.

Justin Millard · Jul 18, 2015

I agree that CPU is the most important for video editing.
However HEVC encoding will be massively importance for 4K content. That is the main big advantage of the GTX 960 over the 750 Ti.

Its a tricky decision between the six core and the four core system, with the six core CPU also having a bigger cache that helps a lot. Buying a 5820K and overclocking to 4GHZ (don't worry you can get help here) would probably actually help you a lot if this is what you do for work.

tpallred · Jul 18, 2015

Addressing a couple of things...

Possibly I was unclear (Hard to imagine, right?) that the GTX 750 is in my current system, which I'll be keeping for non-editing tasks, and wasn't under consideration for the new system since I thought it would be inadequate. I freely admit I'm a newbie about GPUs though.

Yeah, I realized I should have put something in about cost afterwards. The system I laid out was $1300 without a monitor or GPU. Since I mentioned the GTX 960 as one possibility (Newegg $240) I'd certainly pay that. If it got above $100 more than that then I'd start thinking about things differently or a little harder.

I peeked at the partspicker site and saw it was $70 more for your suggested CPU and MOBO. Not a killer if it would make a big difference.

The system drive layouts were spurred by posts in other forums and articles suggesting the OS be on one drive, the program files on a second, and the scratch disk for the project work files. Was just trying to reduce delays during editing and rendering. I'm flexible for other choices that save money but still get the job done.

This is currently a hobby for me but it would be nice if it could become at least a parttime gig. I figure it that happens then it could pay for future system enhancements. Worst case scenario would be to use PowerDirector 13 to convert all the 4K into 1080p, which it will currently do on the existing PC, then work with the 1080p for editing and final result.

Not a bad price for the monitor. I figured it would be at least $100-$200 more.

So are we thinking the GTX 960 with 4GB is the way to go for price/performance for my current needs for GPU? Most everything I've read suggests the i7 4790K would do the job but then again that's why I come to you guys.

I sleep during the day and work at night so I'm headed to the rack until a couple of hours before I go in tonight. I'll check then for additional answers/questions. I appreciate your quick help thus far.

Justin Millard · Jul 18, 2015

i7 4790K is good enough and will get the job done well, but the 5820K will get the job done slightly faster if maximum speed is important to you. Its all down to your personal preference.

As far as the graphics card its probably worth putting the 750 into the new system and trying it before deciding whether or not you want a new GPU.

Running two graphics cards probably will not help much with editing speeds so one 2GB GTX 960 will get the job done. It is a good card for hobby 4K editors who want graphics acceleration.

Kisianik · Jul 18, 2015

Just rethink your case option - Cooler Master HAF 912 is USB 2.0 not 3.0 - for 2 front USB ports, other than this that case is excellent, look at my signature you will see some similarities with your old PC.

tpallred · Jul 19, 2015

Thanks, guys. If the 4790K is good enough and the 5820K is only slightly faster then I don't see spending the extra money. It seems like the consensus is that the GTX960 will do the job and only one is needed. Thanks for pointing out the USB 2.0 on the case. I'd like front access to 3.0 so I'll look at something else. Good ideas and I appreciate it.

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