New (to me) Computer

Well guys, since the MAC Mini isn't working out for Resolve, I've now got a "Dell OptiPlex 790". Well, this computer has a 3.3 gHz processor and 8 gigs of RAM. It's only got a 500 gig HD internally, but I've got an external 1TB HD. Problem is: this computer only has a RADEON HD 6350 video card. That probably won't work for DaVinci Resolve, right? Any suggestions as to what video card I may need? NVIDIA GE Force for example? If so, how much memory? 512; 1 gig, 2 gigs, etc...
Thanks.

Hi.

Resolve require Windows 10 and your hardware is far below recommandation. Suggest you read the DaVinci Resolve 15 Configuration Guide:

http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/D ... _Guide.pdf

Regards Carsten.

Hi.

Resolve require Windows 10 and your hardware is far below recommandation. Suggest you read the DaVinci Resolve 15 Configuration Guide:

http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/D ... _Guide.pdf

Regards Carsten.

Yeah I saw that but I plan to install a 512GB SSD, upgrade to 16GB of RAM, add a 650W power supply, and maybe swap the i3 for an i5. Finally select the graphics card. NVIDIA would probably be best but I think a RADEON would suffice.

So, at this point you are planning on replacing the hard drive, RAM, power supply, processor and video card? The only thing you are not replacing is the motherboard and case. And given the original computer it's entirely likely that you'll need to swap both of those to accommodate the new components. How can you possibly be saving money doing it this way?

For the cost of the two computers you have bought without bothering to check if they actually met the hardware requirements you could have just built a proper new machine that met your needs. You seem enthusiastic, but way in over your head. Is there anyone you know who is involved in video production that could provide some mentoring or sanity checking while you get set up?

Yeah I saw that but I plan to install a 512GB SSD, upgrade to 16GB of RAM, add a 650W power supply, and maybe swap the i3 for an i5. Finally select the graphics card. NVIDIA would probably be best but I think a RADEON would suffice.

Hi Mark.

AMD have lowered the price on last years 12 core 24 threads Threadripper CPU to around the half. It is called the 1920X. And in the DaVinci Resolve 15 Configuration Guide is AMD Radeon RX 580 with 8GB vRam recommended. Suggest you have a look on both.

I have made a small guide for a recommended build. Here is a copy and paste of it 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://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/ ... _Guide.pdf

All 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.'