Budget $500
Option 1:
Dell Optiplex 9010 refurb last was $180 here
Specs = Core i5 3470 / 4gb ram / 256gb ssd
Add on = 4gb ram + 1050Ti low profile = another $300 ?
or
Option 2:
Custom build Ryzen 2200g/2400g or Core i5-8400
Note i already have casing + PSU + monitor.
Only need CPU/MOBO/RAM/SSD + Windows
Graphic card can wait for future upgrades. APU/iGPU should be enough for now?
or
Option 3 ??? Recommend me. Thanks!
davinci resolve
win10
For video editing aim for 16gb, 8 is usable but I see you wanting more pretty quickly.
I'm looking at another photo editing box and it needs to be 16gb just for that extra punch - 8gb seems to max out quickly.
Custom build would be more expensive, but its all new stuff with warranty.
Clock for clock, the newer i5 cpu would be faster than the i5 3470, plus its a 6 core cpu vs a quad core.
Hopefully your video editing package supports multithreading properly.
Personally, I would go with the newer stuff, its a more future proof base to build on.
I used to build PC's for a local Video production mob. My tips would be: don't skimp on the PSU, editing uses a lot of juice. Also don't skimp on the GPU, most modern software uses the GPU to render effects etc so the bigger the better. Your first option only has a 128gb SSD in it so there is no way you'd have enough space to handle the render files and footage/audio for video editing, especially these days when everything is HD.
A quick look at the Davinci Resolve specs here http://documents.blackmagicdesign.com/DaVinciResolve/2017081…
Recommends a 1000w PSU, 16gb ram and a GTX 1080 as a minimum. It also states that all image processing is ALL done on the GPU.
Also some more about specs here: https://www.richardlackey.com/davinci-resolve-system-require…
In short, don't skimp on hardware or you will be disappointed, I've seen it before. Alternatively if you can't budget for that amount of computer consider a different software package with lower requirements.
Worst Optiplex (to consider):
(~$500) Dell Optiplex 790-MT
3.1GHz Intel Core i5-2400
1300MHz DDR3 8GB
7000MHz GDDR5 4GB
1.3GHz GTX 1050 Ti-LP (MSi)
WD Blue Sata SSD 256GB
SeaGate 2.5in HDD 1TB
Best-Value Optiplex (currently):
(~$700) Used Dell Optiplex 9010-SFF
3.8GHz Intel Core i7-2600
1600MHz DDR3 16GB
7008MHz GDDR5 4GB
1.4GHz GTX 1050 Ti-LP (MSi)
MX300 Sata SSD 1TB
SeaGate 2.5in HDD 2TB
Best (possible) Optiplex:
(~$900) Dell Optiplex 9020-SFF
4.0GHz Intel Core i7-4790
1800MHz DDR3 32GB
8000MHz GDDR5 4GB
1.5GHz GTX 1050 Ti-LP (MSi)
New WD Blue3D Sata SSD 1TB
SeaGate 2.5in HDD 2TB
…all three systems are good for putting under or near a TV, and running media through it.
However, all three devices choke when it comes to 3D Modelling and Video Editing/Encoding.
It's basically a limitation of the processor's performance (quadcore cpu).
A very old and cheap 2012 Intel Core i-2690 (Xeon) would be the minimum. It has 2.9GHz on all 8 cores/16 threads, built on 32nm, with some leeway to overclock. Despite its age, its powerful enough for actual Video Editing work and can even be used for PS3 Emulation. A better option would be the 22nm Intel Core i7-5960x, overclock it to 4.0GHz, uses little power/heat. A more modern option would then be the 14nm Intel Core i7-6900k, overclocked to 4.5GHz on all cores, its quite thirsty though. Equal to this in both price and performance, but slightly newer, is the 14nm+ Intel Core X-7820x, overclocked to 4.9GHz.
On the other side Team Red, I wouldn't recommend the old AMD 8core/8thread (actually 2x4 core) processors. They are real 8 cores, but behave more like a 4core/8thread processor due to paired module. And because of the low-IPC, high energy, high heat, and low frequency… overall they are a poor choice. The lowest performing unit is the FX-8100, whilst the highest is the FX-8370. Both not recommended. A much much better option is the Ryzen r7-1700, with proper 8core/16 thread design, modern 14nm lithography, and overclocking to 3.9GHz on all cores. And the next step further is the Ryzen r7-2700X, with a slightly enhanced 12nm wafer, and overclocking to 4.2GHz.
My recommendation:
nCase m1
ASRock x370 fatal1ty mITX motherboard
3.8GHz AMD Ryzen r2700X
3200MHz DDR4 (2x 8GB) 16GB
9000MHz GDDR5 8GB
2.1GHz GTX 1070 Ti-SC (EVGA)
Samsung 960 Pro NVMe SSD 1TB
SeaGate 2.5in HDD 2TB
min$1,800 = ~200+100+300+100+550+600+50
max$2,800 = ~280+180+360+180+800+850+100
Custom build, Ryzen.
As you get more money you can put a decent graphics card in there, and also update the processor to a 12-16 core CPU next year. Not something you'll do with an Intel. Just make sure you get decent motherboard and memory.
What software(s) are you using?
What operating system?