New Computer

I’m new to using AE but I have Master Suite 5.5, and have been thinking about getting a new computer that is better suited for using AE. I’ve had my current system for two years, and it’s been good for most of my other needs, but I think it’s too outdated for AE. Since I don’t know anywhere near as much about AE as I’m sure everyone on here does, what all should I look for in either getting a new system, or in upgrading my current system. I’ve done quite a bit of research but have found mixed information. I’ve found information saying the i-7 2600 would be the best, then I found something saying i-7 2600k is better, followed by a comment saying its better buy not much and not worth the extra cost for the i-7 2600k. I’ve also found several other i-7 processors and different info on them. Also, I’ll need info on what type of video card to get, and anything that is essential to being able to use not just AE but all of the programs in 5.5 without having problems with rendering, computer freezing etc.

for some reason after effects doesn’t like opengl and is crashing on me any five minutes. I don’t know if is Adobe fault, AMD fault or some other program who use opengl and may interfere with AE.

So you can’t get rid of the crashes

Now, I don’t know about those 4 cores Intel processors you listed there, but when I build up my pc, a six core Intel processor was something like 800 euro and a six core AMD processor was 200 euro. From some graphs I checked online at the time, Intel was better like 6% or something like that. But was 600euro more So, you should check those AMD processor as well. If you get the an AMD processor get the blackbox edition, with a good cpu fan you can unlock additional clock speed.

Now, there is no perfect cpu or other piece of hardware.

What I know is, for Adobe products and software in general, you need fast RAM and plenty of it, you need a good motherboard to use that ram properly, you need fast and reliable Hard Drives, at least two of them, one for the operating system and installing the software, one for “scratching”, and you may also need a third one for data. For the video cards it depends on how dedicated you computer need to be for a certain task. Do you want to play some games when you are not working or you need a dedicated machine just for work?

The key anyway is to have a balanced computer, don’t get the fastest ram if you don’t have a proper motherboard to use it. or the fastest CPU and you buy a slow HardDrive that struggle to keep up with the data required by that powerful CPU .

Also get a good case to keep everything at low temperatures.

If you have the budget and you don’t know about hardware it may be wise to get a specialized video editing workstation.

Thank you, I was thinking about using 2 hard drives. One (an SSD ) for my operating system, Adobe, and all of my other software, and the other (a spinner) for scratching. As a student I can get some good discounts on software like Windows 7 for $30, so I don’t think I want to buy from a company like Dell, that includes not only software that I can put on it myself without having the full price which will be included in the final price of a computer, but also a ton of other software that I don’t use. I’d like to get the components and put it together myself. There are so many similar products out there I didn’t know what, if any differences they really had, and if those differences would really make a difference in using AE. I’m really not into gaming, but I know for AE memory is most important. I’m glad you mentioned the problem with opengl, I will definitely stick with Intel. As far as memory I will likely get 16GB RAM . You asked about gaming when I mentioned the video card, and I’m wondering if you are saying that the video card is not as important for using AE. Can you recommend a couple video cards you think would be appropriate?

even with intel AE will still use opengl.

Wasn’t familiar with it but just read an article on it. I just ended up purchasing a dell a few minutes ago also, and think it will work out. With my student discount it came out to a lot less than I thought it would. Initially I was just trying to find some cheaper alternatives to what I really wanted to get. Thanks again.

great just do great stuff with it.

Don’t install Skyrim! Like I did.

I think core i5 2500k is enough for processor When you saying that you are not that advanced in AE Dont understand me wrong but buying the best machine in the planet will not help you to go to the next level…

My personal opinion is to work on hardware that you have as longer is passible (right now my workflow is based on core2 duo.) And its no big deal for me that something will generate prewiev in 2,30 sec and i7 will do it in 1,40 sec…

If you have good money to spend on new machine Ill keep with Intel team. Blue label was always faster in Adobe and compression tasks. i7 2600k + ssd + hdd + 12 GB ram is great setup for next few years.

Thank you! It’s been a while since I checked this thread, but ended up getting a good deal on a system. i7-2600, 16GB, SATA3 SSD , and RAID 1000GB , with AMD Radeon HD 6870 video card. I wasn’t going to go with the i7, but was going to go with an i5, and 12gb not 16, because of what everyone on here had said, but I ended up getting a deal on the package that I got for less than going online, buying the parts myself and building a lower grade system. Really made out, and hope it will last me many years to come. I’ve also signed up for a graphic design minor through my school, and I’ll be taking several classes related to AE, photoshop, inDesign, etc. So I’ll definitely be getting my use out of it. I do have one question unrelated to the new computer though. I’ve been looking at different graphic design software separate from Adobe recently, and found some youtube videos, such as http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=jn2FpdI5-C0 which deals with designing 3d graphical interfaces for desktops, and I see that it uses DesktopX. The designer also mentioned using some other software such as 3D Studio Max, and Vray. I’m just wondering, since I’m not familiar with all of the software that makes up Creative Master Suite 5.5, do I have everything I need to do similar 3d desktop interfaces with master suite 5.5. Or is additional software required? And what software would I have to brush up on in Master Suite 5.5 to be able to do this type of work if no additional software was required?