Building Advice2011 to 2023: Evaluate the upgrade cost from $2K+ 2011 System – Which is the optimal choice?
Building Advice2011 to 2023: Evaluate the upgrade cost from $2K+ 2011 System – Which is the optimal choice?
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
*
Intel Core i7-13700 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor
($366.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:
*
Deepcool AG620 67.88 CFM CPU Cooler
($43.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard:
*
MSI PRO Z790-A WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
($189.99 @ B&H)
Memory:
*
G.Skill Ripjaws S5 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:
*
Crucial P5 Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
($97.99 @ Adorama)
Video Card:
*
Gigabyte WINDFORCE OC GeForce RTX 4070 Ti 12 GB Video Card
($799.99 @ Best Buy)
Power Supply:
*
Corsair RM850e (2023) 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
($114.99 @ Newegg)
Overall Cost: $1793.93
Included are shipping, taxes, and any applicable discounts
*Selected lowest-priced items based on criteria*
Generated by PCPartPicker
2023-10-11 00:36 EDT-0400
A closer inspection of these components is recommended.
https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/PRO-Z790-A-WIFI
https://www.intel.com/content/www/u...-3...tions.html
https://www.deepcool.com/products/C...al...5900.shtml
F5-6000J3040G32GX2-RS5K - Overview - G.SKILL International Enterprise Co., Ltd.
Ripjaws S5 is a high-performance DDR5 memory series crafted with hand-screened ICs that met G.SKILL’s strict validation standards. Each kit offers an optimal mix of speed, compatibility, and reliability, available in matte black or white aluminum finishes...
www.gskill.com
https://www.crucial.com/ssd/p5-plus/CT2000P5PSSD8
https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/G...OC-12GD#kf
https://www.corsair.com/us/en/p/psu/cp-9...9020263-na
I would recommend checking out the available hardware options for our Adobe Premiere Pro workstations. These are designed to ensure optimal performance and stability. Explore our hardware suggestions.
www.pugetsystems.com
If you're looking to cut costs, consider the 12900k with DDR4 memory or the upcoming 14700/14900 models.
However, since video editing relies heavily on the CPU and all its cores simultaneously, I suggest opting for a powerful Z690 board with robust VRMs. This motherboard supports USB BIOS flashback for 14th generation processors.
Here’s an example:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/FNWzK8/...90-extreme
For storage, the WD SN850X SSD is currently on sale. It’s best to purchase it before the discount ends:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/crKKHx/...ds200t2x0e
The power supply is outdated. Upgrading to a new 850W unit would be ideal. This model includes a 16-pin connector compatible with Nvidia cards.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/vNcgXL/...50fnfagu-l
A suitable case with a front panel C design and adequate fans for value:
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/2MwmP6/...-903-max-b
Need to reach consensus on the PSU swap. At twelve, I’d consider swapping any PSU, regardless of its quality, in a fresh build, since back then it was more reliable than impressive.
The current setup is a new installation. Modern cases offer superior connectivity and performance. Upgrading PCs step by step is possible, but the real secret lies in gradual changes over time. By the time a machine reaches its twenties, that method would have lost relevance.
I often repurpose older Lian Li tower models from around the mid-2000s for contemporary projects, particularly when I need to incorporate several 3.5in hard drives and possibly a Bluray burner. Feel free to retain your current case and storage devices, but consider replacing the outdated power supply unit.
I don’t have a clear idea of your exact budget or the resolution you’re targeting—such as 720p, 1080p, 4K, or even higher—and the length of your video files. However, for tasks beyond 1080p, a robust CPU and GPU along with ample RAM are essential. For 4K content, ensure at least 64GB of RAM, while 6K/8K work calls for 128GB. Two DIMMs offer better performance than four, especially when using high XMP overclocks, so invest in what you require now.
The benchmark data from Puget Systems in December 2022 proved helpful during my setup of a new video rendering system for Topaz Video AI and Adobe Premiere Pro, where the Intel 13900K received strong praise.
I also work with Photoshop, which has distinct needs, resulting in an AMD 7950X (for lower power consumption), an RTX 3060 12GB (affordable), and two 32GB DDR5 RAM units (sufficient for 4K tasks).
As noted in Puget Systems’ guidance for Premier Pro:
https://www.pugetsystems.com/soluti...be...tions/#cpu
The optimal CPU choice for Premiere Pro largely depends on your specific tasks and budget. For jobs mainly involving H.264 and H.265 (HEVC), Intel’s Core i9 13900K delivers excellent results, especially with its QuickSync feature and reasonable pricing.
Currently, AMD excels in live playback and exporting within Premiere Pro for most scenarios. However, Intel’s Core processors—particularly the latest 13th Gen models—are competitive, offering strong performance similar to AMD Ryzen CPUs but with Quick Sync capabilities that handle H.264 and HEVC more efficiently. This allows GPU resources to focus on advanced effects and processing tasks.
As seen in the benchmark, both the Intel 13900K and AMD 7950X have strengths depending on your priorities—whether it’s encoding efficiency or real-time performance.
Although the Intel 13900K shines in Adobe Photoshop, I chose the AMD 7950X for its lower power draw (about 50W less than the 13900K) and compatibility with a Noctua NH-D15 cooler. For the 13900K, a 360/420mm AIO would be ideal if your case accommodates it.
I’m running three 1TB M.2 NVMe drives on the Asus X670-P, using one for Windows 10 and Adobe/Topaz applications, another as a scratch disk, and the third for video work-in-progress. I also have five hard drives for archiving, with backups stored on LTO4 tape via an external SAS drive, plus multiple TrueNAS Core RAID-Z2 arrays for redundancy.
Most motherboards provide at least four 6GB/s SATA ports for disks and optical drives. I prefer more SATA connections, and some older setups without NVMe have 8 or 10 ports (all utilized). I generally replace my video editing rig every 4 to 5 years as resolutions grow and processing demands rise.
The benchmark graph from Puget Systems offers a useful comparison of GPU performance. My RTX 3060 12GB scored around 1195, while the newer RTX 4070 Ti 12GB reached 1383—making it a solid pick. I recommend allocating at least 12GB of RAM for video work, rather than the typical 8GB.
You can achieve satisfactory results with a GPU costing as little as $300, but investing in a $2000 RTX 4090 or a $5000 RTX 8000 Workstation card would significantly boost speed. My longest render took 36 hours to upscale a 1.5-hour HD clip to 4K in Topaz. The 7950X maintained stable temperatures at around 89°C/192°F, while the 3060 stayed cooler. With GPUs, you trade processing time for cost—more money, faster output.
Regardless of your chosen motherboard, opt for one with ample VRM heatsinks and reliable power delivery for your CPU.
Wishing you success with your new setup!
Thank you all for your great feedback, Why_Me, Lucky_SLS, DSzymborski, and Misgar! Your insights, ideas, and suggestions have been really helpful. I've been thinking a lot about this as I move forward. Most of my video editing lately involves GoPro 10 footage ranging from 2K to 5K. Again, thanks for your support — cheers! 🌞