Hi Daz.
In Resolve the CPU is used to run the app, disk I/O and compression and decompression of codecs.
Resolve does all its image processing in the GPU on the graphics card. More CUDA/OpenCL Cores are better.
I'm not convinced a laptop is ideal for Resolve. And in the DaVinci Resolve 15 Configuration Guide:
http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/D ... _Guide.pdfOn the lower parts of page 19 is written about laptops. Under both HP and DELL is written, but it is valid for all laptops: 'While performance for many applications and UHD resolutions will be limited'.
So I can only suggest that you read above Configuration_Guide to bring you up to date on what you will need for 4K.
In you price range will I definitive suggest you to build a desktop, as AMD just lowered the price with 50% on previous year model of the 12 cores 24 threads Threadripper CPU. It is called the 1920X. And
nVidea have just announced some new graphics cards called RTX 2080/Ti and the previous GTX 1080 with 8 GB vRam started already to drop in price. An alternative at even lower price can be the AMD RX 580 8GB vRam. But it will also give you lower performance.
For others asking for advises on desktop have a made a small guide that I will copy paste to you:
'Carsten's hardware guide for DaVinchi Resolve. Version from 16. September 2018.
In Resolve the CPU is used to run the app, disk I/O and compression and decompression of codecs.
Resolve does all its image processing in the GPU on the graphics card. More CUDA/OpenCL Cores are better.
I will suggest you to look at the new nVidea RTX Video Card serie. For 4K choose one with 8-11 GB of vRAM. And more CUDA cores is better.
In the last days there have been price drops on the previous generations GTX 1080 and GTX 1080 Ti on Amazon.com. There is a maximum of one graphics card in the free version of Resolve. If you use Noise Reduction etc. then you probably need 2 GPUs with 11 GB vRam each and the paid Studie version of Resolve.
In the DaVinci Resolve 15 configuration guide is one of the suggestion on page 18 the AMD Ryzen Threadripper CPU.
https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/suppor ... and-fusionAll AMD CPU's loves fast memory, and on page 36 under GIGABYTE Motherboard:
16GB (4x4GB RAM) DDR4-3200 SDRAM minimum
64GB or 128GB or more recommend for FUSION
On August 13th did AMD launch AMD Threadripper next generation with a little cheaper CPU's. For 4K work look at the new 16 cores 32 threads 2950X that get much better reviews than expected.
When I try to check prices don't I yet see any big price drops on the previous 16 core 32 threads Threadripper 1950X CPU's. So far for 16 core 32 threads CPU will I recommend the new 2950X. While I currently see some large price drops on the 12 core 24 threads 1920X CPU's. May be you can choose it for HD 1920 x 1080 only.
Both the old and new Threadrippers CPU use a TR4 socket and a X399 motherboards. Suggest you to buy one with nice reviews. If you later want to upgrade to a faster CPU will I suggest you to buy a Asus motherboard, as they can be upgraded to a TDP of 250 Watt by buying the X399 cooling enhancement kit coming to September.
For CPU's with more than 20 cores will I look for a motherboard with a 16+3 VRM circuit.
Look here for a Free NVMe RAID upgrade for AMD X399 chipset:
https://community.amd.com/community/gam ... 99-chipset All motherboard have a QVL List you can find on the manufactures homepage. Here you can see what DDR4-Ram they have tested in that particular motherboard. The Configuration Guide recommend to use minimum DDR4-3200.
The cheapest recommended RAM is many times the G.Skill Flare X DDR4. The Flare X series is made special for AMD CPU's
The Threadripper CPU's have a 4 channel memory design. You will get the fastest system by using 4 DIMM's only, and leave the last 4 sockets empty.
Do you still have some questens you are free to ask.
Regards Carsten.'