Buying a New Machine for After Effects

Can anyone give me some advice on what system to get for an After Effects, Maya and Photoshop user.
I am looking at Dell's and HP's and I would like to know what level of processors, how much ram and what kind
of video card etc. I would like to get a fast and reliable system without going overboard.

Thanks for the info. To let you know, I have worked with AE for years doing corporate and commercial work. The system I am on now is just getting old. (dual Zeon 2.40ghz with 2 GB of RAM, NVIDIA Quadro FX 500) My projects can get complex. The last job I did was in about 2.5 minutes long and took 3 hours to render. Lots of footage and several large photos to deal with. Many precomps and lots of effects. The RAM previews take up all my time. They are very slow. Also, my MAYA projects can get fairly complex too. Lots of textures and raytracing. My renders vary from approx. 1 minute to 40 minutes per frame. More and more my clients are asking for HD and my machine just can't take it. I feel like I spend my whole life waiting for renders, so I am thinking of spending 3 to 4k on a new system.(more if I need to)

Similar Messages

How to Optimize a New iMac for After Effects

I bought the most tricked out brand new iMac available, with 32GB ram, an updated graphics card, everything.
But, exporting my project from After Effects takes the same amount of time on my new iMac as it did on my 2011 macbook - about 6 hours.
I know how to manipulate my export settings, so maybe I just need to change my computer's system settings to work better with After Effects.
Mac had no advice and pointed me to Adobe, so here I am.
Any advice?

See this page for information about memory and improving performance in After Effects: http://adobe.ly/dC0MdR
See this page for resources about making After Effects work faster: http://adobe.ly/eV2zE7
See this page for information about hardware for After Effects: http://adobe.ly/pRYOuk

New PC for After effects Cs5.5, Cs6 and probably very soon CC

I want to buy a new computer in the folliwng days/weeks.
I use essentially After Effects (also Photoshop, Illustrator and Cinema 4D)
I had planned to buy the following pc configuration:
- CPU: Intel Core i7-4930K (3.4 GHz)
- MB: ASUS P9X79 PRO
- RAM: (32 Go or 64 Go ?) G.Skill RipJaws Z Series 64 Go (8 x 8 Go) DDR3 2133 MHz CL11 (cerrtified by Asus for this MB)
- GPU: Gigabyte GV-N770OC-4GD - GeForce GTX 770 4 Go
- POWER: Be Quiet ! Alimentation Dark Power Pro 10-850W 80PLUS Platinum
- HDD (for OSD and programms): Samsung SSD 840 PRO 512 Go
- HDD (for current project and AE cache): Samsung SSD 840 PRO 512 Go
- Stockage HDD: 2X Seagate Desktop SSHD 2 To
I would to know if I made mistake(s) about this configuration if experienced AE users have suggestions for me ?
Notable relating to:
-1- 32 or 64 GO RAM
-2- GPU choice
-3- CPU choice:
-4- I planned to buy two SDD (Samsung 840 Pro 512 Go): one ofr the OS and one for the current project and the AE cache. Is it useful ?
Could I buy only one SSD (for the OS AND for the current project and the AE cache) ?
I would be happy to get your suggestions or user experience about this configuration.No one ever wants to waste money.
Cheers
Yann

Without knowing anything about your work it is impossible to judge these things specifically. Generally I'd say you are hopelessly overdoing it with the GPU. I don't know a single use case that actually uses 4 GB on any graphics card except for games. Most OpenGL plug-ins in AE are limited to 2 GB and while this of course could change in the future, currently I see no realistic scenario to push it beyond that, because in most cases then the plug-ins will simply crash due to bugs or their internal logic not being able to deal with more VRAM. Likewise you will see zero benefit of this in C4D unless you use a GPU third-party renderer like Octane. C4D's OpenGL performance will collapse on itself long before you have filled all the memory with textures... Similarly, I see no advantage of 64GB RAM over 32GB. I do heavy CAD scenes all the time, but still have enough room left on my systems with 24 and 32GB, respectively. AE won't use that much RAM even with all MP settings at full on most projects as well. Having the fastest CPU is another matter and many functions in AE, PS and C4D are of course pur CPU and will work faster on a faster processor. With regards to the cache stuff, scroll down a few posts and make up your mind...
Mylenium

New build for After Effects, Premiere Pro and C4D

I was supposed to upgrade back in december, but that project got held off because of a financial emergency, but now i got some money set aside, i'll like it if i could get advice on this build.
CPU : Core i7 5820K 6-core 3.3ghz
Cooler : Noctua NH-D15
MB : Asus X99-A
RAM : Crucial 4x8 GB DDR4 2133 mhz CL15
HDs : Already own a SSD and a few others
GPU : Asus GeForce GTX970 STRIX
PS : EVGA Supernova G2 750 watts
Case : Cooler Master HAF 932 (already owned)
I intend to overclock the processor to around 4ghz, am i well set to achieve this with this setup ?
I use After Effects the most, but i'm really digging 3D and will probably use it more and more, I guess my priority would be good render times and a smooth experience in softwares.
Thank you !

I found this post which is quite reassuring: https://forums.creativecow.net/thread/3/959855
"I just installed the GTX 970 into my Adobe CC environment.
INCREDIBLE. I created a 4096 sequence, scaled up a 1080 clip to full screen, applied Gaussian blur, Noise, and rotated it on two 3D axes (keyframed), with color correction....
It played back fullscreen, full speed, no dropped frames, and the GPU load never even broke a sweat beyond 19%.
My previous card was a GTX 560 SE. This is not an upgrade, it is a paradigm shift.
Premiere accepted the card after the polite "Enable this unsupported GPU" notice.
Exports (at least to H.264) are taking the card up to about 76%."

After finally downloading my MiniDV tapes to iMovie 10.0.6 (Yosemite), I see that there is no iDVD (why did I buy a new Superdrive for my new MacMini). So, can I buy an old iLife 9 and expect it to load to the new machine. This is NOT progress!!

After finally downloading my MiniDV tapes to iMovie 10.0.6 (Yosemite), I see that there is no iDVD (why did I buy a new Superdrive for my new MacMini). So, can I buy an old iLife 9 and expect it to load to the new machine. This is NOT progress!! HELP

Hello!
They're still being sold in some places: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dsoftware&field-keywo rds=ilife+09&sprefix=iLife+09%2Caps%2C194&rh=n%3A229534%2Ck%3Ailife+09
However, do you absolutely NEED iDVD? There are alternatives, like Burn (free): http://burn-osx.sourceforge.net/
I suggest you try it out since it's free. Maybe it'll be enough.

I just purchased Lightroom 5 back on 15th of February, and v6 is now available. Do I understand correctly that I have to buy the new version for $149.00? Free updates are not available/included with the purchase for some time after the purchase?

I just purchased Lightroom 5 back on 15th of February, and v6 is now available. Do I understand correctly that I have to buy the new version for $149.00? Free updates are not available/included with the purchase for some time after the purchase?

Do I understand correctly that I have to buy the new version for $149.00?
You can upgrade for $79.
Products

The ideal hardware setup / arrangement for After Effects?

Hello there,
Looking to buy some new hardware and am hoping to find some advice on the ideal hardware config for making After Effects scream. I find this questions is sorely lacking answers on the Internet beyond the basics of 'boot from an SSD' and the like... So I am hoping someone can answer these questions once and for all.
Two things I am after:
1. Fast working performance in AE. So when I move a layer about I am able to see it move smoothly in real-time as I drag it about with my mouse. Right now I get either stuttered movement when moving larger layers about, or the image begins to pixelate/drop res to such a horrible extent that I can not see what I am doing. The problem extends to when I am working with a large project file, with many layers, I get nasty lag when attempting to move about in the timeline, opening comps, etc. Everything starts to move quite slowly once I go past a certain number of layers. What upgrades will speed this element, the day to day working rather than rendering, up the most?
2. Faster rendering. Though this is not as key as point number 1.
I am guessing this performance will he helped by a beefier graphics card and more/faster RAM? I currently have a GTX 660ti 2GB and am upgrading to a GTX980 4GB, so hoping that will improve this.
I also have 64 GB of 1600 speed ram that AE happily consumes so think that base is covered. My CPU is a 3930k that is slightly overclocked. It gets maxed out when multicore rendering is happening but not otherwise. I've heard turning hyperthreading off in the BIOS can actually help AE performance?
I am booting/running AE from an SSD (Samsung 840 Pro), and have set my media cache to another dedicated SSD (Samsung 840 Pro). I run/keep my project files on yet another SSD and have other drives holing media.
My drive config plan is this:
- Boot from one 240GB SSD.
- Project files and current working media on 2x 1TB SSDs in RAID 0 (backed up)
- Further media storage on 2x 3TB HDDs in RAID 0 (backed up)
Now I am wondering if I can simply use the 2TB of SSD goodness as both the location for my AE media cache AND my project files/working media? Or am I better off having three fast and seperate storage locations? 1 for the boot, 2 for the project files and media, 3 for the cache?
Otherwise I am running AE on a Hackintosh 3930k CPU overclocked slightly, 64 GB RAM, Sabertooth X79 mobo, 660ti graphics card.
All comments/advice links much appreciated. Apologies if this has already been addressed elsewhere but I have yet to find a detailed response and only generalized comments such as 'use a fast drive for your media cache.'
What I would really like to know is the BEST drive configuration, the questioned detailed above...And what will increase the speed and quality of my real-time workflow in AE the most. Quickly navigating projects without lag, opening detailed comps with many layers, and moving large images around without lag or pixelation.
Thank you!

for After Effects advice, Eric on the forum here can give you the best info. However, I have seen him say many times that AE is MEMORY INTENSIVE,....the more, the better. You HAVE 64GB...that seems very adequate for most workflows.
The OTHER thing he says is that other than Ray-Tracing, the GPU is HARDLY used at all.....CPU speed and number of cores are a BIG factor in AE performance.....your 3930k overclocked should be adequate....the MORE OC, the BETTER.
Next is the drive system....you have NOT described EXACTLY what you are doing NOW....you mentioned what your PLAN is,but for , right NOW you said : " I run/keep my project files on yet another SSD and have other drives holing media. "
HERE is where you MAY be doing something that may....or may NOT.....be causing slowdowns.   With AE it is RECOMMENDED to use a dedicated drive for the "Global Performance Cache"...the HIGHER the speed of this drive, the BETTER, as AE STORES already "rendered" frames, ( for "previews", of course), on it so it DOESN"T have to RE-RENDER ALL the frames all over again every time you make a change to your work !!! So, in YOUR case : your OS drive is great...Samsung Pro models are the BEST...you have the 840 Pro ,which is only SLIGHTLY behind the 850 Pro in performance. ANOTHER 840,or, 850 Pro would be GREAT as the " Global performance cache drive" AND would also be the place to put ALL previews,Cache files, media cache files for Premier Pro,too. The overall speed and less latency of the SATAIII SSD will surpass the performance of a 2 disk RAID 0....even a 3 disk RAID 0.
Next....the speed at which you SERVE UP the video files can be important in preventing a slowdown.....ESPECIALLY if using large, uncompressed files. Here, you have options.....it is NOT necessary to put your project files on a SEPARATE drive from your media...you just want to make sure that the drive with your media and project files is as fast as the OTHERS in your system ! SO, you COULD use a THIRD SSD as a "working drive" for ACTIVE projects only.....a 1TB SSD perhaps...Crucial M550 is CHEAPER than the Samsung and as good as the 840 pros. As the CAPACITY of SSDs are small...you would MOVE all media and completed project files to HDDs for archiving and storage....the use of RAID with your existing HDDs would NOT be needed for this function.
Another option would be to take FOUR quality 1TB HDDs...( the Seagates are selling for $44 right now), and create a RAID 0 off the motherboard to have a large 4TB capacity AND speed similar to the SSDs!   WARNING !!! the odds of ONE drive failing are BIG....you would immediately lose ALL your data !! HOWEVER....if you back up that RAID 0 RELIGIOUSLY....you would have NO worries. One way to do THAT is to buy a 4TB ENTERPRISE level 7200rpm HDD....Seagate has one with a 128 MB cache that does over 200MB/sec. for just over $300.
Even with all this covered, there are MANY factors which can CHOKE a fast computer....the CODECS you are using have a HUGE bearing on performance. The VERSION of After Effects is important...NEWEST versions have the BEST performance with features like the "global performance cache", etc. The use of "third party plug-ins" can CRIPPLE a machine if these are NOT written to take advantage of "hyperthreading",OR, are "32 bit" and HUMBLE your machine because AE is NOW 64 bit!!
Make sure you have Windows fully updated and the newest drivers for your video card. Then , make sure your Windows POWER SETTINGS are set to MAXIMUM PERFORMANCE when"plugged in"....the DEFAULT Windows settings...even under "high performance" has setttings that will THROTTLE your GPU and CPU if you don't change them.....I found THAT out the hard way!
Finally, make sure , in AE settings, you have set the"memory allocation" correctly...there is a formula regarding how much to assign on a "per CPU core basis". There ALSO is a selection to make for "allowing multiple frames" to be processed...make sure THAT is set correctly.
Good luck !!     I hope this helps!

I'm buying a new machine and I have 2 options of Graphics cards

I'm buying a new machine and I have 2 options of Graphics cards 1 = NVidia NVS 510 2Gb PCi GFX with HDMi and 2 = NVidia Quadro 2000 1Gb PCI GFX Card – 3D. I know that the Quadro 2000 is supported but the NVS 510 is very new and I don't know if it has been tested on the After Effects platform yet. Which card would be the better one to choose?

Only one of those, the Quadro 2000, is listed on the system requirements page as a card that After Effects will use for the GPU acceleration on the ray-traced 3D renderer:
http://www.adobe.com/products/aftereffects/tech-specs.edu.html
See this page for details of how After Effects uses the GPU:
http://blogs.adobe.com/aftereffects/2012/05/gpu-cuda-opengl-features-in-after-effects-cs6. html

How can I choose powerful system for After Effect?

Hi
Would you please help me? I want to buy new system for working with After Effect CS3, I dont want to buy turnkey station, I want to build it myself.
Is there any good web site that recommends system for After Effect in different prices?( for example what Motherboard, CPU, RAM)
And what Graphic card should I use to see output in TV.
I appreciate any help in advance.
Regards
Shahram

[email protected] wrote:
> Hi
>
> Would you please help me? I want to buy new system for working with After Effect CS3, I dont want to buy turnkey station, I want to build it myself.
> Is there any good web site that recommends system for After Effect in different prices?( for example what Motherboard, CPU, RAM)
> And what Graphic card should I use to see output in TV.
>
> I appreciate any help in advance.
>
> Regards
> Shahram
The Mac Pro's are pretty killer for AE. On a Winbox, you simply get the
best processor(s) you can afford, max out the memory, get a good board
like ASUS or a Tyan if your really into finnicky thoroughbreds. The Vid
card will have little to do with AE, so research that on its own merits.

GPU for After Effects CS5.5

hello I want to buy a new computer I have adobe CS 5.5 what type of grahic card is supposrted in (aspecially after efect) I could chose etween 1) NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M Intel HD Graphics 4600, 2)2 x NVIDIA GeForce GT 755M SLI c)NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M
What card will be the best for GPU acceleration and work?

thank You one more guestion if I can.
if you need to choose between those tree what is the best for After effect?
2014-06-11 23:58 GMT+02:00 Todd_Kopriva <[email protected]>:
GPU for After Effects CS5.5 created by Todd_Kopriva
<https://forums.adobe.com/people/Todd_Kopriva> in After Effects - View
the full discussion <https://forums.adobe.com/message/6451581#6451581>

IMac - Decent System for After Effects?

We are starting to do heavy effects work at this company I just joined and they outfitted me with this iMac:
27-inch iMac Late 2012
Processor 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7
Memory 32 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2048 MB
HDD - 1.12 TB Fusion Drive
It seems like a pretty powerful system but I have to say this first project I am working on isnt very impressive. Ram previews aren't as efficient as they need to be and the overall performance is lacking. I would imagine the new Mac Pro's would be a better option but before I request a different machine I want to know if I am just being too critical. What do you guys think?

It seems like a decent system. It's certainly faster and better than any computer that anyone was using for After Effects only a few years ago, even if it might not be the very fastest thing now.
See this page for resources about making After Effects work faster: http://adobe.ly/eV2zE7

Do i have to buy a new machine to install Mountain Lion?

I have a MacBook and have snow leopard. Will I not be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion? It is frustrating since moving to iCloud and now my Mac mail server will not work unless I have mountain lion, as I was told by Apple sales person. Also, I have paid for what was once .mac and then MobileMe for years and now with the move to iCloud, I would still pay the $99 annual fee just to have my Mac mail account. I have other email options but I like the Mac one for family use.
Are there any options for other than to buy a new machine which I was not expecting do to for another couple of years or so. I like my MacBook. It was purchased 1/2007.
That seems to be a bad answer for all pre-2008 MacBook users who were used to using the mail function and now can't. I don't need the other features of mountain lion.

Apple has tightened its requirements for this OS upgrade, and some older Macs— even ones that qualified for Lion — won't make the cut for Mountain Lion.
The general system requirements are straightforward:
OS X v10.6.8 or later
2GB of memory
8GB of available space
Apple also lists which models support Mountain Lion:
iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)
MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)
MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)
Xserve (Early 2009)
MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)
Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)
Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)
So it appears you Cannot run Mountain Lion on that machine.
Hope this helps

Video tutorials for After Effects CS4 (and some still relevant from CS3)

I just added a post to my blog about some new video tutorials that we posted (and some old ones that are still relevant):
video tutorials for After Effects CS4 (and some still relevant from CS3)

Thanks Todd!

Plug-ins for After Effects CC (12.0)

http://adobe.ly/11iUoPS
Here's the most important part:
"Important: There have been few significant changes to the effect plug-in API for After Effects CC (12.0), so you shouldn’t need new versions of most plug-ins for After Effects CC (12.0), if you already have plug-ins that work for After Effects CS5, CS5.5, or CS6."
Read the page linked to for details.

Great to know. This has been one of my concerns--ie, having to wait until plug-in vendors catch up before I upgrade. Looking forward to Monday.
Thanks Todd.

Best tutorial for after effect in net

hi
i read a thread in FAQ about how to learn after effect but i want your experience.in the internet there are many tutorials for after effect but can someone tell me where can i download or buy the best and complete after effect tutorial from begining to really professional?

Once you have a handle on the basics it is important to focus on one area at a time. Compositing, motion graphics, Visual Effects all require completely different skill sets. When you figure out what you want to concentrate on then we can give you a better idea of how to start. If you want a complete course in AE I'd suggest Total Training or Lynda.com Both offer excellent tutorials that take off right after Adobe TV leaves off.

Buying a New Machine for After Effects

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