Too many people complain about problems on here with their 'homemade' systems. I have zero complaints! :D

At one time (not long ago) there was a link to a company that sold systems for Vegas. I think it was Boxx. Can't find it on the site any more.

[r]Evolution wrote:
"Too many people complain about problems on here with their 'homemade' systems."

I can't talk for everybody but I certainly can for myself. I am perfectly happy with the computer I built. I do experience some VP problems but I certainly wouldn't say I am among the unlucky ones.

Here is my system:
ASUS P9X79Pro MOBO
INTEL I7-3930K CPU (overclocked at 4.7 Ghz)
Corsair Hydro Series H80 CPU cooler
EVGA GTX 570 GPU (2.5 gig RAM)
Corsair Force 3 GT 120 gig (system drive)
Corsair Force 3 GT 240 gig (data drive)
old 1.5 terabyte HD storage drive
32 gig G.Skills DDR3-1866 PC14900
ASUS Xonar Essence STX
LG Blu-ray BH12LS35

Windows 7 Pro 64bit

This is a combination I'd be willing to recommend to anybody. But if I had had the right money at the time, I would have an EVGA GTX 580 Classified Ultra (they run at 900 Mhz). As for the case, it's a CORSAIR Carbide Series 500R (lots of room, lots of fans, nice cool system). The CPU almost never hits 60C and the GPU 65C.

Oh, and I also just bought a new monitor: a Samsung S24A850DW. I have read a review that complained about uneven backlight but my monitor looks good to me. However, it does have a small feature I just love: a motion detector. If I am away from my desk for more than 5 minutes, the screen goes blank. As soon as I come back, the monitor knows I am here and powers up on its own.

@thehappyfriar, I believe it was Super Micro not Boxx that had "certified" systems. They were pretty expensive as I recall, and I have not seen them around here for a while.

I to have built all my own computers. I have not had any major problems with any of them, I only use name brand components and buy from reliable sources.

I have edited AVCHD full res from my NX5U with 11 and have had no problems (only mainconcept avc render) but all my basic editing has gone well.

If I could afford it I would buy a HP Z800, man those things are really COOL!!!

Paul B

. I am perfectly happy with the computer I built

i have almost the same system as you Nico, and mine is great too.

Ulf

"@thehappyfriar, I believe it was Super Micro not Boxx that had "certified" systems"

You're both right.

Boxx preceeded Super Micro with certified preinstalled systems. I still have the Boxx T-Shirt that Spot passed out at a training session many years ago.

AFTER I built my machine, I found by chance the next project Videoguys.com were planning to build as their possible ideal computer they wanted to build (DIY9). Until now, they stayed away from X67 and X68 motherboards and stuck with X58. But they feel the X79 might be good for NLEs.

If you go to this site, you will find the parts they want to put together for their DIY9. You will quickly notice that quite a few of these components are the same as mine or at least very similar.
http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Videoguys+DIY9+Sneak+Peek+Its+Time+for+Sandy+Bridge+E/0xe9b142f408a2b03ab88144a434e88de7.aspx

First, one sentence of background: I have an EE, and worked in HP's test & measurement division for five years during and after college.

Given this background, I do component level repair on virtually every type of electronic equipment However, despite this, I have never built my own computer, and despite the positive statements made by people here who have done so themselves, I would recommend against it.

Why?

1. You will never know as much about all the issues as someone who builds systems full time. You will therefore make mistakes.

2. You have no recourse if things go wrong. As an example, it sure seems like I've read a lot in these forums about problems of overheating during rendering. This overheating is probably caused by insufficient cooling. Proper airflow is just one of the issues that an occasional computer builder is likely to screw up. How big a fan, and how many fans do you need? My computer (see below) has at least five (it has a thrust spec, and can actually hover in the air during a render).

3. You are building a prototype. As an engineer I know that every prototype I have ever built contained flaws and screw-ups. The second prototype was usually better. When we got it into production, it usually was serviceable, but it wasn't until a half dozen ECOs (Engineering Change Orders) that the product was finally solid.

4. Do you really understand RAID and video card choices, just to name two of the more difficult choices you must make when configuring and building a computer for video editing?

I could go on, but let me just cut to the recommendation. Obviously you want to avoid like the plague the various consumer computer options, with HP and Dell being the biggest of those still standing. They make great office computers, for surfing the net, doing spreadsheets, and running the payroll program. However, they come configured with all sorts of junk software that takes days to remove and gets in the way of fast video editing.

Boxx is a reputable outfit, but rather high-priced, IMHO. My recommendation, is to instead find a local computer builder. I use a company in South San Francisco, about 100 miles from where I live (semi-local) called Polywell. They've been around a long time, and they build very solid computers. They have salespeople you can talk to on the phone. They have limited, but solid, tech support (my computer is in its third year and they just did an advance, no-charge, swap for a failed component). The computer is configured with zero junk software, and you can have it set up pretty much any way you want.

Best of all, I spent 0.00 hours building it, leaving a lot of time for other things.

So, FWIW, that's what I recommend ...

Thanks Steve, I did not know that Boxx offered cetified systems, I do like the way that they build thier stuff.

Paul B

I don't think that Boxx still makes certified systems.

@ [r]Evolution:

Have you tried previews and renders with and without your GTX 570 video card enabled?

I am also considering an overclocked 3930, and I wonder if the six cores and OC speed alone are faster than the GPU assist?

johnmeyer said, "First, one sentence of background: I have an EE, and worked in HP's test & measurement division for five years during and after college.

Given this background, I do component level repair on virtually every type of electronic equipment However, despite this, I have never built my own computer, and despite the positive statements made by people here who have done so themselves, I would recommend against it."

For those who decide to try the DIY route for the first time I might second what you said. I say might because that depends on their background and knowledge of computer systems. Video Guys is a great place to start with DIY systems!

I have been building my own systems for years so the DIY system is the ONLY way to go. I do not have to pay someone else to do what I can do and I can provide my own support.

I made all of those mistakes that you mentioned when I started but I learned from them and no longer make them.

Now I need to heat-up my lunch with my HOT system rendering a project with Vegas 11 64 bit. LOL!

Very slow render because of the split screen between two full HD cameras with masking on both.

The self-build isn't something for everyone, but I have to second VidMus' plug for Videoguys DIY builds. I have built my last two systems with their recommendations and been very pleased.

johnmeyer's caveats are all valid, you can ruin expensive components through mishandling and paint yourself into disastrous corners by shortcutting on case, fans, PSUs. For me all the risks were worth it after the nail-biting of my first build. The confidence you can gain simply by knowing you can repair what you've built is very powerful, especially if you're depending on the system for daily work. Like I said, it's not for everyone, but there is a lot of information out there that can help you be successful.