Hi Anthony.
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.
To recommend a video card is easy as everybody expect nVidea to launch their new line of graphics cards tomorrow Monday. For 4K choose one with 8-12 GB of vRAM. And more CUDA cores is better.
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
Last Monday, August 13th did AMD launch AMD Threadripper next generation with a little cheaper CPU's. The 16 cores 32 threads 2950X get much better reviews than expected and can be delivered worldwide from 31th August.
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.
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.
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.
Regards Carsten.