New computer for Vegas

essami wrote on 3/5/2013, 2:52 PM
Hi,

I'm shopping for a new computer and It's been over three years since I last got a Dell Precision M4400 laptop so Im very much out of the loop in regards to the capabilities of compys these days.

My question is to do with what kind of computer will do the work for me? I'm currently shooting with the Sony FS-700 and what I would like to do is run four HD tracks simultaneously in multicam mode and preview those at best setting in Vegas Pro. I'll also be running the free edition of Resolve for color correction and a little bit of After Effects. Render times are not a priority but it'd be nice to not have to wait 3-4 hours to render a 4 minute music video with basic cuts and a few cc / magic bullet looks effects on the tracks. Anyone who's using their computers for approximately the same purposes what kind of machines are you rocking?

I've been doing research and I kinda know whats top of the line these days but I dont know what kind of system specs I should have to cover my needs. I've been looking at the new fully configured 15" retina Mac Book with bootcamp and external 2560x1440 screen (3800€) to a desktop PC with intel i7-3930, GTX 690, Asus P9X79, 32GB memory, ssd 500gb, 2TB and 2560x1440 screen worth around 3700€. (Plese note that in Finland everything costs at least 1/3 more then in USA.) Will the Mac Book work for my needs or should I go for the desktop PC? Or are these both overkill and I could save my pennies and buy a lesser specd machine?

Thanks!

Comments

CLWaldroff wrote on 3/5/2013, 5:39 PM
I need to build a new system as well, was wondering if there's any advantage of having a good i5 vs an i7. I know, from experience, that vegas uses the gpu for some of it's horsepower but how much is cpu related? If it uses more gpu than cpu then an i5 would be just as good as an i7.

BTW, essami, you're 690 is probably overkill. From what I've read lower end gtx cards are no better than higher end cards in Vegas. I use a 680 in one of my systems and it's good but I bet I could get similar results with a 660ti.

Also, 32GB of ram is overkill again. I have 16GB and never come close to using it all, even with HD video.
john_dennis wrote on 3/5/2013, 6:26 PM
I stick to my comments from this thread.

I wouldn't buy Apple hardware to run Windows programs. If you have some other reason to run Apple hardware, knock yourself out.

P.S.
I still remember and appreciate the help you have given me in the past.
PeterDuke wrote on 3/6/2013, 5:51 PM
John

I am usually negative to Apple but I am starting to lust after the MacBook Pro with Retina display. The 13" has a 2560x1600 screen, while the 15" has 2880x1800. These are the highest DPI screens I know of that are affordable.

Do you know of anything else comparable?

(I am attracted to the high DPI for viewing stills, not video).
john_dennis wrote on 3/6/2013, 6:34 PM
"The 13" has a 2560x1600 screen, while the 15" has 2880x1800."

At 13", it probably wouldn't help me any. I worked briefly on my daughter's 14" or 15" Thinkpad yesterday and I could hardly see the icons.