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Question

Choosing Processor For Rendering Speed

May 19, 2013 3:35PM PDT

When looking for a processor specifically for faster rendering, do you guys research the Processor name, type, and benchmark or just by looking at the processor specs are you able to know approximately how fast it's going to render? I always thought that the more cores you had, the faster the rendering speed was going to be. I'm probably wrong since there's more to it than the number of cores I guess. I'm thinking of building a desktop for basic family video editing, nothing special really; however, I would like to edit everything as fast as possible. HD, Ram, video card, etc... is not that important since I've been getting by with just a dual core and a simple video card; it's when I'm rendering that I have to wait for hours. So what are the main specs to look at when looking for a processor to render fast? number of cores, Ghz, name, brand, etc.? Obviously going for an i7 Intel Processor would be everyone's answer, but I would like to choose based on a budget as well as on my own, what the best processor is.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Video editing
May 20, 2013 12:03AM PDT

Cpu intense.....lots of data grinding.
If I wanted to do such a thing I would go here.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/
That would give me an idea of how one cpu compares to another.
I would then go as high up the list as my budget allowed.

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Answer
Video editing has changed in the past years.
May 20, 2013 3:43AM PDT

Not only can it be CPU intense but now some software uses the GPU. So let's just go with the very nice i7 and the very nice Nvidia Titan.

That's going to cover the basics and about as fast as it gets.

The simple dual core would be for your budget plan. Works, but a little wait.
Bob

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Answer
It depends, of course ...
May 25, 2013 6:29AM PDT

I am not certain about rendering, but I would think that a better GPU would be more effective/important than a better CPU for your needs.

I would also steer you away from Intel processors for cost reasons. If you look at the passmark site (www.passmark.com) one of the things they do there is rate CPU value where they place performance against cost. I believe that you will find AMD processors provide more bang for the buck than Intels. Also, AMD chipset boards are usually cheaper than Intel chipset boards. In my desktop, I have the Asus Sabertooth 990FX motherboard. It sold for about $180 when I bought it. The same board for Intel chips was $270 or so. (FYI: the Sabertooth board is a high end board made to military specs.) Additionally, the store where I purchased it, Microcenter, often has sales where you get an instant rebate of $40 if you purchase an AMD chipset motherboard and AMD CPU together, further enhancing the CPU bang for the buck equation.