New CPU for video/photo editing

[Big Bang]

Is it worth splashing on an i7 or would an i5 be sufficient for the task?

TIA

 

[Hoodlum]

The i5 750 Would be fine. The difference between it and the more expensive I7s (outside of the extremes) is negligible.

 

[eddiew]

Probably depends what you're upgrading from and exactly what you'll be working with... An i3 or Phenom x2 will be sufficient for graphics and video work, it's just a question of how fast (or how much faster) you want to do it vs how much you have to spend.

For comparison, I moved from a core2duo @2.66 to a Phenom II x4 @3.5 which is probably a good comparison to an i5. C2D used to panic and pause regularly while doing graphics work at 4000x3000 with 40+ layers. Phenom just chuckles quietly and gets it done

Might be worth checking whether your apps could make use of the i7's hyperthreading - if they do, it may be a significant boost over the i5 - but whether you'll feel it during use is another question.

 

[Big.Wayne]

New CPU for video/photo editing

Hi Big Bang,

If your a "Pro" and video edit every day and generate a revenue stream then there is some sense in the i7 but if your a regular home user and buying new then this is the best bang for buck right now!

£250 gets you a fast quad core, built in Radeom graphics and 4GB of fast RAM . . . AFAIK Video editing *doesn't* benefit from having level 3 cache as the data you work on "streams" from the memory . . . . i7/Pro or Athlon II X4 basically!

 

[cmndr_andi]

I agree that the X4 Athlons are amazing bang-for-buck, but the OP should at least be aware of the what the extra money an i7 or i5 would buy them.

This review shows the i7 920, i5 750 and the X4 630 in apps that are relevant to the OP.

There is certainly extra performance from these CPU in the kind of applications you will be using, whether performance justifies the extra price is up to you.

 

[PhoenixUK]

Well, a good indicator of what you need will be telling us what is your current spec and how good does that feel for you. Also how much and how heavy is the editing you're talking about - a few videos a week and odd family photo edit doesn't really count as some may think : ).

 

[mmj_uk]

To answer your question an i5 750 would probably be the sweet spot in terms of your needs, the i7 860 with Hyperthreading will be slightly faster when doing heavy processing (like encoding) but you're unlikely to notice any difference in normal use.

Might be worth checking whether your apps could make use of the i7's hyperthreading - if they do, it may be a significant boost over the i5 - but whether you'll feel it during use is another question.

Any application that supports multiple core processors will use Hyperthreading, it just varies on how much of an improvement is gained.

 

[easyrider]

Is it worth splashing on an i7 or would an i5 be sufficient for the task?

TIA

What applications will you be using?

here is a comparsion between the Athlon II 630 and i5 750

Just look at the Photoshop and Sony Vegas Video editing benchmarks

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=105&p2=109&c=1

Then look at the other benchmarks

Then ask your self Wayne why even spec that system for the OP?

a: He didn't even ask

b: The Athlon II is slower in all the tasks the OP wants to do

c: He never said he was sticking to a 250 quid budget

d: Are you not getting board posting the same spec to everyone who asks about a new build?

e: Its bad advice

f: I could go on.....

 

[Pneumonic]

Snip..

To be fair wayne didn't ask but the OP didn't specifiy and Wayne did say if he was a pro then i7 but if he was 'average joe home user' I am quite in agreement that Wayne has a good spec there..

Rather than troll / snipe you could ask the relevant questions and then present your own opinion.. that would have been constructive..

 

[easyrider]

To be fair wayne didn't ask but the OP didn't specifiy and Wayne did say if he was a pro then i7 but if he was 'average joe home user' I am quite in agreement that Wayne has a good spec there..

Rather than troll / snipe you could ask the relevant questions and then present your own opinion.. that would have been constructive..

I asked the OP what apps he will be using

Also the OP asked the question between i7 and i5 so he did specify. He didn't ask about Athlon II he asked about i7 and i5

What does it matter wether he is a pro or not.

For the job of video editing and photoshop that Athlon II spec is not the right spec for the job.

Unless the OP was sticking to that budget.

 

[Pneumonic]

I asked the OP what apps he will be using

What does it matter wether he is a pro or not.

For the job of video editing and photoshop that Athlon II spec is not the right spec for the job.

Unless the OP was sticking to that budget.

So he is a home user that might do it once a week.. and its worth him spending an extra £500 - £600 to save a couple of minutes? show me the cost / benefit here?

Or he is an individual that might spend a couple of hours a day or have their living based off it..

big difference between the two in terms of "requirement"

I agree that Wayne's specification may not be correct... but then neither is the i7 necessarily.. Wayne at least stated his specification was for a home user not someone that would gain the benefit of the time saving.. in which case he says buy the i7

So lets not start another thread of my willy is bigger than yours.. actually ask the right questions and then provide some opinions based on fact and not trolling? is that possible?

 

[PhoenixUK]

The Athlon II is slower in all the tasks the OP

Slower doesn't necessarily mean slow.

He never said he was sticking to a 250 quid budget

He didn't mention budget and he has no idea what he actually needs, if he knew he wouldn't be asking.

Its bad advice

Not at all, considering that the OP didn't state neither budget or the exact type and amount of work he'll be doing.

I could go on.....

I bet you could, you've been trolling with the same argument for the past 3-4yrs so it's nothing new, you'll be probably going on as long as you will have internet access.

Then ask your self Wayne why even spec that system for the OP?

And you ask yourself, the OP didn't state any details, is 20 or 24sec difference when all your encoding/editing closes at few simple photos a day or a week ?

So unless the OP says that he is actually doing some heavy encoding, few hrs a day, then all your points are invalid.

If he was in real need of maximum performance he would own a 16-32core mac long time ago. Or at least i7 920 already since it's been on the market for ages.

Just the fact that he's asking if i5 will be enough for him means that he actually doesn't know what he needs and therefore any spec and comparison is good so then he can choose himself if he can justify the extra cash or not.

Let him choose?

 

[easyrider]

Intel Core i5 750 2.66Ghz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156) - OEM £159.99
(£136.16) £159.99
(£136.16)
Patriot G Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel (PGS34G1333ELK) £79.99
(£68.08) £79.99
(£68.08)
Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 microATX Motherboard £66.99
(£57.01) £66.99
(£57.01)

Total : £306.97

 

[easyrider]

snip

Just specced an i5 750 rig for £ 306

 

[Big Bang]

Eek! What have a started here!

Well I'm upgrading from an old skool P4 3.2Ghz and will be primarily using the system with Photoshop and video editing for initially transfering old VHS/Hi8 recordings then in the near future digital camcorder.

I started a thread on the Graphics card forum as I'll need a new video card too (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18125377) preferably one that will have video inputs to transfer my vidz. Although someone mentioned they use a Easycap USB adaptor, which might be enough to satisfy my needs Either way gaming is not going to be an issue with this system.

Thanks for the advice from everyone so far.

 

[Pneumonic]

Intel Core i5 750 2.66Ghz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156) - OEM £159.99
(£136.16) £159.99
(£136.16)
Patriot G Series 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Dual Channel (PGS34G1333ELK) £79.99
(£68.08) £79.99
(£68.08)
Gigabyte GA-H55M-S2H Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 microATX Motherboard £66.99
(£57.01) £66.99
(£57.01)

Total : £306.97

Yes... and now come back with sensible choice for MB and RAM.. Wayne's was by no means the cheapest.. he hasn't gone sort by price and then selected the cheapest parts.. is some thought to his at least.. you might want to add VAT and Shipping as well...

 

[Pneumonic]

Eek! What have a started here!

Well I'm upgrading from an old skool P4 3.2Ghz and will be primarily using the system with Photoshop and video editing for initially transfering old VHS/Hi8 recordings then in the near future digital camcorder.

I started a thread on the Graphics card forum as I'll need a new video card too (http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18125377) preferably one that will have video inputs to transfer my vidz. Although someone mentioned they use a Easycap USB adaptor, which might be enough to satisfy my needs Either way gaming is not going to be an issue with this system.

Thanks for the advice from everyone so far.

Coming from a P4 anything you choice is going to blow it out the water, your best to set a budget and then work to that

 

[buttkinz]

for the extra 50 quid if he could afford it over the athlon build id take an i5 anyday,

 

[easyrider]

Yes... and now come back with sensible choice for MB and RAM.. Wayne's was by no means the cheapest.. he hasn't gone sort by price and then selected the cheapest parts.. is some thought to his at least.. you might want to add VAT and Shipping as well...

Mines a faster system.

Lets gets this straight.

This is not a love story...it doesn't need emotion attached to it.

Its a clinical choice based on speed and price.


BTW my spec is £261.25 ex VAT


OK

Good

 

[easyrider]

for the extra 50 quid if he could afford it over the athlon build id take an i5 anyday,

To right.

Its not a hard decision now is it.