Xtreme hardware need for Video Rendering

[hixie]

This is my first post but i have been reading here for almost a year, so hi to all u guys reading my first post.

Anyways, i want to build a system for Video Rendering.
My current computer i use for Video Rendering takes a whole day to render 20mins of video, and i dont want to use my gaming rig for it.

I was thinking about moving to a socket 775, but there is all this talk bout dual-core, so i dunno wat i should get, i even considered a AMD A64.

What do u guys recommend??

[Disposibleteen]

dual opterons would tear some video rendering up i think, its not terribly cheap though...

[madgamer]

I would agree with the post above actually. For video rendering you really just need CPU horsepower to the max, and I would immagine that a reasonible chunk of RAM to work with wouldn't hurt either. So basically the most CPU you can get for your money. As for dual core, especially when they are first released, they are not going to be the fasest processors made dual core ( intel 3.2ghz will be highest i believe), so dual opterons, or possibly even just a more highend single chip would probibly outperform at a lot of tasks (especially depending on how the software is written to take advantage of the different/multi processors etc.)
http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/MailHome.asp?datePublish=2005/1/24&pages=A7&seq=39 could be total crap, but it was posted on hardocp front page and is at least worth a glance regarding dual core info.

[Disposibleteen]

yup, 512mb of ram would do the job but 1024mb would do the job better

[Butcher_]

Assuming you're using a major package like max or maya, dual CPUs is really the way to go. Get two of the fastest opterons you can afford, plus some fast RAM (I'd recommend at least 1GB, 2 would be better) and you'll be set.

[Kobalt]

Definitely dual opterons, and get a lot of ram. Opteron boards have a lot of space for dimms so if you can get 4x 512dimms that would be great. Look around at overclockers forums in the cyber deals section for 512sticks for around 50 each. I got a 512 stick of mushkin cl 2.5 for only 40$. These are with MIR's though, but I dont mind doing them to save money. Ram will help a lot when rendering video

[hixie]

Thanks alot guys, so its dual opterons for sure?
I was thinking bout 2GB RAM coz i have 1GB RAM on my prescott gaming rig and when i render a large image with mental ray i can't really do anything else. :( also does the dual operton use DDR or DDR2?
What mobo should i get for the dual opterons?? i don't need any fancy onboard 5.1 surround sound or any of that stuff .... maybe just onboard graphics card and SATA ports.
I can get most of the stuff for relli low prices coz i live in Hong Kong most of the time. :banana4:

[madgamer]

I thought you were talking video (camcorder) editing. For 3D rendering you DEFINATELY want as much RAM as you can get. Maya doesnt really even like 512 and a gig is ok, but if you are doing large renderings etc, the more the better. 2gigs would certainly not hurt. opterons use DDR ram. To my knowledge all use ECC DDR400 (socket 940). I hoestly dont know what mobo to reccomend so I can't help you there.