I am planning on building a new computer for use with Resolume Arena. I'm finding this difficult. A little about what will be loaded. Along with Resolume, I will be running a software package called v-mix. Inputs in this system will include 1 blackmagic quad, and 1 blackmagic quad 2 - for a total of 12 hd-SDI inputs.
Was planning on using some form of the GTX980 TI for graphics.
Here is where I run into difficulties. I would LOVE to have a ton of processing power thus was mainly considering going with a dual processor Xeon with a minimum of 64 GB ram, most likely going to 128 MB. I would love to have Thunderbolt ability for storage. No Xeon board has built in Thunderbolt so an add in card would be required.
One reason I would like to go dual processor is due to limitations of the internal PCIE lanes. The GTX 980 requires 16 lanes clear, and each BM Quad requires 8, that's already 32 lanes, plus other internal uses and the lanes start to bog down. Not sure my logic here stands, but I only get one chance to get this right, so feel free to correct me.
There are some issues I'm learning about dual processors. Do the apps actually have the ability to use them? If the memory is not configured properly you might as well forget enhanced performance. I really need to get this right.
Talked with a gentleman today who I respect a lot, stated that I should just go with i7, maybe dual, with built in Thunderbolt - that the enhancements of going dual processor are not worth the investment. To put the money into a powerful i7.
Processing 12 HD inputs, recording each stream independently, output to multiple sources, including projector mapping, and my requirements are huge. And I need to get a few years work from this system.
1200 watt PSU, rackmout 4U server case, SSD system drive, a few other SSDs for storage. Dual network cards...these are all things I am planning on using.
Any comments, suggestions, links or other information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.