New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Some advice please from those of you running stable (just odd crash!) iterations of Vegas Pro 12....

I am looking to have a new PC built for me to run Vegas 12..maybe with After Effects as well.

Could you give me your specs...especially in the region of £750 ($1500) with particular attention to the video card and main processor. There must be some good combos out there? Nvidia GTX Ge Force 560 ti - is it the most compatible and cost effective card for example? Intel i5 or i7?. sandy bridge or ivy bridge? It's so bewildering!!!! I just want to go to my shop and ask them to construct a machine that just works...

any specs sheets most welcome within my budget

many thanks.

Ian

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Do you have any knowledge about building a computer on your own? If not, do you have a friend who knows anything about building one for you?

Mostly I am asking because if you have knowledge, you have a good way to save some money if you get used components from a reliable seller.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

I have no idea how to build one....that's why I am asking !

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

A mid-range or premium i7 is great for modern codecs. 12GB or more of RAM. Separate system and media drives, at a minimum. Consider SSD for a system drive, and consider RAID 0 for media. GPU acceleration is important for some, especially those cutting high-volume, not so much for me.

For me, that's about $350 for a mid-range i7 on my next build. For those cutting high volumes of projects on a deadline the choice of a premium processor can make a lot of sense.

Lots of posts on this forum on PC builds; there really is no one solution, but you can learn a lot by not only reading the threads, but by paying attention to what kind of work those posting messages are doing.

If you want more specific recommendations, you should post more info about what camera codecs you're using, what kinds of editing workflows you like, what you're cutting with now and where it is falling short.

For your $1500USD you should be able to have a very solid mid-range+ box built. You might get a spec from your favorite builder and post that for review here...

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

I'd also recommend getting an i7 build (Ivy Bridge). At least 8GB of RAM (more is always better). SSD for Windows and Vegas for a whole lot faster working (32GB / 64GB would be OK). The rest of your data can be stored on a fast HDD (I'd recommend either Western Digital or Seagate). Seth also mentioned RAID 0. I recommend doing that as well.

Personally, I don't see why you'd need very powerful GPU since I'd always render a video on CPU rather than GPU. Just get a decent. Not the newest model and you save some money. GTX 480, 550, 560 or 580 would be just fine to work with a video.
Only reason I'd render on GPU is that my CPU was so bad, that GPU was actually a better choice. But when it comes to rendering videos, I'd use the money on CPU / RAM rather than GPU. But that is just me and someone else might think that it's actually the opposite.

Of course, if you have the opportunity to get the latest and greatest of gear, I'd say 'go for it'!

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Thanks guys. Your info is fine, but what I am driving at here is trying to establish a configuration that works with Vegas 12...this comes from reading so many tales of woe from user who seem to have endless clashes with video cards in particular. I am just after some specs sheets from people who have a working system with Vegas 12

thanks

Ian

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

happy with 550ti - don't use gpu with an i7/920

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Along same lines as Leslie..
Happy with GTX580- dont use GPU with 3930k.
Might be wrong, but I dont think many people get performance value from their GPU in Vegas.
Mine for instance, renders slower with GPU, and becomes a bit more unstable.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

With my Gtx670 it doesnt mather if I render with only CPU or using Cuda if enabled (GPU)......

But for workflow, it does increase the workflow speed with better preview and faster handling inside Vegas using FX, obvious many FX use the GPU as it states. Both sonys own and third partys..

How much better performance with GPU enable?
I dont know how to measure but from my own view I would say maybe 40% greater workflow/preview...
Less stutter with alot FX added on clips in various videotracks.

If someone would have unstable system with that setting ON, i would adress GPU drivers, firmeware for you Graphiccard, bad hardware compatible, to low PSU maybe,

I would bet my money on a gtx 500 serie becasue that card have been tested and approved by Sony Vegas. And even benchmarked with sony. i didnt know this when i built my system. Therefor no effect with keplet with rendering..

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

I've just be quoted this spec....any comments welcome?

""Hi, based on the info you provided i have worked out an initial specification for you. We no longer sell the GTX 560TI so I switched that for the GTX 650. The full spec is:

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
Xigmatek Loki CPU Cooler
1 x 24x DVD-RW Optical Drive
Cooler Master Elite 334u Case
1 x 1TB (1000GB) Sata III Hard Drive
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 1GB Graphics Card
MSI B75MA-P45 Motherboard
3.4GHz Intel Core i7 3770 4-Core Ivy Bridge CPU
Xigmatek 600W PSU
8GB Transcend 1333MHz RAM
1 Year Standard Warranty

I included Windows 7 because i was not sure if you would require it, The Price of the above PC is £750.90, if you did not want/need Windows 7 including the price would drop down to £669.91.""

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Ask him what the price would be if you'd get yourself 2x 500GB in RAID 0 with 64GB SSD.
If those are the specs you are happy with, I'd do a RAID 0 configuration with HDD's and one small SSD for Windows/Vegas.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Thanks. It was just a first quote thats all. Anybody wish to post their machines full specs? People who have no real issues with vegas 12? Thanks.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

I'd get at least an 800W power supply.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Actually, the GTX 650 is a significant downgrade from the originally specced GTX 560 Ti (performance-wise): It is barely faster overall than a GTX 550 Ti. And even the GTX 650 Ti is no faster overall than a vanilla GTX 560 (non-Ti). This makes the closest GPU to the GTX 560 Ti (on a performance basis) the plain GTX 660.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

See already what I mean about bewildering !!!! I just want to buy a set up that works!

Anyway...here is a spec sheet from Videoguys.com 800 323-2325 we are the video editing and production experts website: is it gonna be ok with Vegas 12?

they seem trustworthy and respected...cost in UK maybe around £1000 or just above as I priced most items through google...I don't mind paying that for a good machine. no SSD drive?...is it needed/make a difference?

Videoguys' DIY X Ivy Bridge Budget Build (Feb 2013)

Motherboard Asus P8Z77-V Deluxe $279.00
Processor Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge $319.00
RAM 16GB G.Skill Ripjaws Z 4x4 GB kit $99.00
Boot Drive HGST 1TB 7200 RPM $103.00
Video Storage G-Tech G-SPEED Q for Ext. RAID 5 Available at Videoguys.com
G-Tech G-RAID for External RAID 0
Case Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower $60.00
Power Supply CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W $109.00
CPU Cooler COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO $35.00
Blu-ray Burner Pioneer BDR-208 Blu-Ray Disc Burner $90.00
OS Windows 7 Professional 64-bit $129.00
GPU MSI GeForce GTX 570 $219.00
TOTAL PRICE $1,442.00

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

There is no guarantee any computer will work flawlessly with Vegas 12. If you purchase a computer, and if you have issues, you will have to work them out.

It is likely that a generic build such as outlined by videoguys will work fine. All you can do is pay your money and take your chances.

Vegas works fine with most PCs. For best performance the key is to purchase the fastest processor you can afford; for HD, it is especially important that the files your are editing reside on a separate, fast drive such as listed in your specs from Videoguys.

People have issues with Vegas and Premier on any variety of builds. Go ahead and purchase the best you can reasonably afford, you'll likely be just fine. Bottom line is there are NO guarantees in this life or any other.

Good luck, keep us posted.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

The Z77 motherboard and unlocked 17 3770k processor are better choices in the Videoguys build.
Just my .02

Ken

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

I have never tried to render onto SSD. I only render onto HDD. But I doubt that it will make a huge difference to your rendering times.

Most noticeable differences are with Windows and program boot/shut down times. If you can stand much longer booting times, then I'd say to go with HDD and/or RAID 0 configuration. But I can guarantee that if you test SSD, you will never go back to using Windows from HDD.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Re: HD speed: Hard drive speed does not affect rendering speed, there is not connection there. Hard drive speed affects system responsiveness. When video is located on a fast drive, the HD files will tend to playback smoother, given the processor is not the weak link in the chain.

I was editing this morning, a 4 camera edit. Footage was located on a typical 7200 rpm drive. It was sluggish in Vegas, jerky playback.

I moved footage to my fast editing drive, and it smoothed right out. This is how HD speed affects video editing.

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Ian, I gave up with having GPU acceleration switched on in Vegas 12 after trying it with both an AMD card, an nVidia card and now (in a new PC) another AMD card. It either makes no apparent difference to render / preview, or simply makes it unstable.

So when, last November, my old PC died, I just bought the fastest chip I could get for my budget.

It's an off-the-shelf Advent PC with i3770 at 3.4GHz, Windows 7 64-bit, 16GB RAM, 1 x 1 TB hard drive for Windows / programs, 1 x 2 TB hard drive for video (both 7200 rpm Seagates I think)

It runs splendidly, the only issue I had was that the drives were configured as the 2 TB being the system drive, so I first had to make the system backup DVDs as normal, then immediately format the drives, swap them over and re-install everything so as to make the 1 TB drive the system drive - I only have Vegas and other video stuff on there so I'll never need more than that.

The only downside of this PC is that it has very little expansion space but there's just enough for me to have a PCI Firewire card and a Blackmagic Intensity Pro for monitoring.

I've taken the drives out of my defunct PC, popped them into external USB3 cases and now use them as a backup drive and a Vegas temp drive.

It came fitted with a multi-card reader so I can read the CF cards from my Z5 and SDHC from my Panasonic "holiday-cam".

Cost me £750 I think.

Regards
David

Re: New Computer Suitable for Stable use of Vegas 12
 

Absolutely, I built a computer to edit with Vegas back in 2008, according to the videoguys specs of that time and the thing is still running beautifully!
Three hard drive.
One for the OS, XP PRO
two in RAID 0 for work and capture
and plenty of external storage.
I'm still using it to edit today.
I'm not a pro.
Yes, I do have a Intel Q6700 and 4 Gig or ram so rendering of an hour project is slow, but hey, that's what nights are for. When I wake up in the morning it's done?
Playback only possible in preview when playing Cineform codec or HDV though.

I'm building a new system soon and it will be whatever the videoguys will have on their site at that time.