Workstation Advice

Question

Hi -- I'm getting started in motion graphics and visual effects, and intend to start freelancing in addition to my full-time web job. I'd like to invest in a workstation between now and January for $3000-$6000, but am having some difficulty in understanding all the technical aspects of AE and hardware configurations. Mainly I don't want to have to say "no" to a gig because I can't do something a client would want or because it would take me too long (because of the computer being is too slow, that is).
I've spoke with Adobe, and they recommend:
Processor: Xeon E5, at least 3.0GHz, 8 cores
RAM: 32GB
Graphics: NVIDIA Quadro 4000
SSD: at least 512GB
I've been considering the HP Z840 (approx. $4000 + $400-600 for an SSD)
Operating system
Windows 7 Professional 64 (available through downgrade rights from Windows 8.1 Pro 64)
Processor
Intel® Xeon® E5-2630 v3 (2.4 GHz, 20 MB cache, 8 cores)
Number of Processors
1
Standard memory
16 GB 2133 MHz DDR4 ECC Registered RAM (2 x 8 GB)
Memory slots
8 DIMM (with 1 processor) and 16 DIMM (with 2 processors)
Internal drive
1 TB 7200 rpm SATA
Optical drive
Slim SATA SuperMulti DVD writer
Graphics
NVIDIA Quadro K4200 (4 GB)
Drive Bays
Four 3.5"
Network interface
Integrated Intel I210AT PCIe GbE
Integrated Intel I218LM PCIe GbE
Storage controller
Integrated SATA 6.0 Gb/s
These specs run low to what Adobe recommended, but I don't know how to figure out what the difference makes in terms what AE is actually capable of doing for a client.
I've also been considering the MacPro, but didn't know how significant the lack of NVIDIA is, and if it is significant, if Mac offers the option to get a Quadro 4000 (it's not clear on their website).
I'd like to be able to do 3D work (probably with Cinema 4D) but don't know how 3D integrates into a motion graphics workflow--if being able to work in 3D would accelerate projects.
The Adobe agent said there were problems with both Mavericks and Windows 8.1.
For someone just getting into motion graphics, but also wanting to make money, are the MacPro or Z820/840 overkill? If not, then is $3000 way too low of an expectation to be able to get the hardware I would need? If I go up to $6000, where is AE going to get the most value (performance/$)?
Thank you so much!
Tom

Answer 1

--Here's my rig:
i7-3930k CPU
AsRock X79 Extreme6 Mobo
Nvidia Quadro 4000
32Gb (4x8Gb) G.Skill RAM
Thermaltake 2.0 water cooler
250Gb Samsung SSD for OS and apps
10Tb (2x3Tb and 2x2Tb Seagate HDDs) of internal storage
OCZ ZX 1000W PSU
Win 7 Ultimate SP1
I built it last year and (knock on wood) didn't have any problems with the workstation yet.
Most of my work is animation/motion graphics for clients on [often] tight deadlines and I usually have AE/PPro/Illustrator, Photoshop and Bridge running at the same time, sometimes C4D as well
--Performance improvements in comparison to my previous workstation (same GPU, quad-core i7 CPU):
Cinema4D v14 render - 30%
After Effects CS6 render - 50%
Adobe Premiere CS6 Exporter (mixed 2K and 4K footage to QT HD) - 45%
Adobe Media Encoder (from folder to folder, not through Premiere Pro) - 40%
Improved scrubbing and preview in 2K and 4K sequences and multitasking.
*benchmark from a year ago
-Previews and scrubbing in After Effects and Premiere Pro rely on the video card, rendering utilizes 100% of CPU, same goes for Cinema4D. Preview chokes a little when scrubbing 5k footage in premiere, but in 1/2 rez plays back fine. I believe next gen graphics card would fix it, but not sure.
Hosting your media cache folders for PPro and AE on SSD drive helps a lot.
-Sometimes I run performance manager when rendering effects-heavy AE comp or rendering 5K footage and never noticed any tasks that would require more than 28Gb of RAM. My MoBo can support 64, but as of yet, I didn't see the need for the upgrade.
-I bought BluRay burner about 3 years ago, burnt exactly 1 job on it, and it just sits in the tower, collecting dust. I'm not quite sure if DVD/BR burner is a necessary part of a rig now days, unless you do wedding videos or something. In fact, I can't even recall using it as a DVD/BR reader.
--Few things to consider-
Hexacore processor runs pretty hot - water cooling is suggested
This particular video card runs pretty hot too - 90C while idling. I spoke with PNY engineer and he suggested NVIDIA Quadro 4000K - it's cooler and has 3Gb of VRAM and the difference is only about $150. Crossfire is not really supported by Quadro 4000 either.
My workstation is currently worth around $2800, according to pcpartpicker.com, not counting monitors, wacom tablet and other, and it's still up to speed with competition and relatively future-proof - all i can think of upgrading right now is a graphics card - and be good for another few years or so. But this is not the first system i built, so if you want a plug-and-play solution, get a Mac Pro - specs on that thing are rather sweet and my colleague is very happy with it.
hope that helped