Mac Pro (ATX) - 2x Thunderbolt - Dual/Triple GPU - Video&Sound Editing

[kronos]

Hello Community,

first of all thanks for this amazing website and the project!

This is my first build and my first post so please point me anywhere if I missed something.

For my first build I want to stick strictly to recommended parts but my plans might involve heavy use which can't be covered within the guides.

So here is my planned buying list:

• Motherboard: GA-Z87X-UD7-TH (2x TB)
• CPU: Core i7-4770K 3.5Ghz

• Graphics: GeForce GTX 770 (4GB) - 2x (Gigabyte)
• RAM: 32GB 1600MHz DDR3
• Power Supply: Corsair RM Series 850 WATT
• Drives: Samsung SSD 840 PRO 512GB //
  Plus maybe an internal RAID0 for backup procedures from drives I already own.
• Case: Fractal Design Define R2 (ATX) or Server-case (19 inch)
• WiFi: TP-Link PCI Express WiFi Adapter (for backup internet connection

Variable / Planned:

• Sound: RME HDSP 9632 (PCI)
• Video I/O: Blackmagic DeckLink 4K (PCI) / Ultrastudio 4K (Thunderbolt External)
• Graphics: Additional Graphic Cards for DaVinci Resolve or RedRocket/H.264 Encoding
• Storage:
  • ARC-8050T2 - Areca Thunderbolt 2 8-Bay RAID
  • OWC Mercury Accelsior_E2 (240GB) (with 2x eSata Ports)
• Optical: BluRay Burner

Thunderbolt 2 (2 Ports) is a must-have for storage/video requirements.
USB 3.0 would be great but can be acomplished through thunderbolt docks if necessary.

This of course reads itself very heavy but its planned for video&sound editing plus color correction.
So those of you who are doing this serious are aware of these high demands.

I'm really unsure about the right power supply and how to calculate it appropriately.
I ran it through this website http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
and it came out with 647 Watt. Thats why I choose the highest from this series.

I choose Kingston over Crucial just for my experience, but no hard feelings.
Also if I read around the web correctly - 64GB RAM is only available for E-ATX motherboards, right?
Meaning 32GB is the technical limit for one ATX board?

I'm happy for any input/recommendations on the current list, Thanks a lot in advance!

 

[Going Bald]

Build looks good to me. 850W on the PSU should be plenty for 2 GPUs and the board/CPU/drives power.
If you plan to add 3rd or 4th GPU later, enter that number of GPUs in the calculator and see what it comes up with. 1K or 1200W for 4 GPUs is possible recommendation.

You will probably have to install Windows to initialize the TB ports before OS X can see them - others have had same problem.

 

[kronos]

Ok, thanks.
I was planning for a windows os - so I'll keep the Thunderbolt ports in mind.

Should I mind any parts regarding the cooling, extra fans?

 

[Going Bald]

Ok, thanks.
I was planning for a windows os - so I'll keep the Thunderbolt ports in mind.

Should I mind any parts regarding the cooling, extra fans?

With multiple GPUs I would definitely recommend at least 2 in/2 out case fans.

 

[AndyAndreas]

Hi Kronos!
Can I ask you which softwares are you going to use?

 

[kronos]

I'm using Avid Media Composer (7.0.3) , DaVinci Resolve Lite 10, Adobe Premiere Pro CS 5 & 6 (I'm not into this cloud thingy) and Avid ProTools 10 & 11.
EditShare Lightworks - still in learning mode.

Im not shure about my multi-gpu idea (besides driving 3-4 screens) regarding rendering speed and support. But have to figure this out by myself.

 

[AndyAndreas]

Multiple GPUs should give you better performances, of course.
There are some interesting tests here about Adobe Premiere: http://provideocoalition.com/cmg_keyframes/story/adobe-premiere-pro-and-multiple-gpus

There will be a new DaVinci Resolve (version 11), which seems very interesting. Maybe you already know that. I am trying the beta version now.

 

[adamroberts]

Just remember that with that motherboard the PCI slots will drop from x16 as you populate the oter slots. So give it some careful thought as to what cards you install and what slots you put them in.

Here is info:
http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4781#sp

 

[KID]

Why are you going to use the 4770K and not the 4790k that has more power?

 

[kronos]

Sorry for the delay - I've been busy with the built.

I went for the 4770k because the Buyers Guide July wasn't out yet plus the european market not well stocked, or at least amazon wasn't.

The PCIe / Thunderbolt capacity indeed is a limitation.

I already bought the parts, assembled and set up my hackintosh. I still have troubles / issues - is this the time to post under "User Builds" to get support on this specific build?

Thanks, as always, a lot!