New build, GPU choice

[wsimard]

Hi !

I'm currently building a live media server for live shows with a i7-6700, 32 GB Ram, Samsung SSD M.2 (boot) + Samsung SATA SSD (media). I plan to use Arena with 6 WXGA projector (Epson 535w or Optoma W316ST) + a control (UI) monitor. I plan to use some HDMI to SDI then SDI to HDMI converter since I need some 50ft runs (maybe longer). First, is this a good choice of component for Resolume ?

Then come the graphic card options. Since the rackmount case is short, my cards needs to be under 7.75". Over this, I need to cut the case and I loose almost all the 3.5" disk space. Since the memory is "important" only on the main card, I tought thoses 2 cards could be good (same card, but one with 6GB VRAM and one with 3GB).

- Main card: ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
- Secondary card: ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

Thoses cards are 6.85" long, so this would be the ideal choice (I think). I know I could go with the Datapath x4 option, but it's not in my budget for now.

There's also some cheaper GTX 1050 Ti card in small format, but they all have 3 outputs. I could use some MST hub but from what I read, it doesn't seem always stable, or doesn't work in all situations.

All recommandations are welcome ! Thank you !

[wsimard]

I want to add that I read about PCI-E lanes. With a MSI Krait Z270 motherboard, there's 16 lanes dedicated to the GPU (so x8/x8 for the cards) and 24 lanes for the rest (this new chipset has 24 lanes instead of 20). So I would order a i7-7700 instead. So it look I should be ok with 2 video cards, a M.2 SSD and eventually a BlackMagic capture card x4)

[Arvol]

The new GTX 10 series are great in the machines I've built. I've personally used the 1080 and 1070 models.

If you want to stay away from multiple cards here is a few options:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814202235

WORKSTATION CARDS:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814132055

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814195115

For these cards you will need active adapters:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812232066


For space, maybe look into PCIe Riser cards? If the rack is going to be permanently mounted and not moved, once you get them working, you should be set, I highly discourage riser cards for touring build, have had a few go out on me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 1JM1CH2197

Haven't tried this one, but it looks interesting...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6703JY7590

Now you can get a 2U rack case:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6811165082


Just a few options to think on.
I haven't tried these cards personally, but to avoid multiple cards and to save some space, this should work.
How many clips and at what resolution do you plan to have playing at the same time? Assuming each projector is going to have it's own signal (no cloning?)

[Oaktown]

Take a look at this post re. PCIe lanes on your Z170 chipset MB.

[Digitrevx]

Ugh I would have recommended x99. Can m.2 and throw in anything like capture cards and the board and cpu will take it. 40 lanes. And please for the love of god don't buy a over priced work station card for Resolume and mixing gpu's with vram differences is pretty risky versus just paying for a duplicate. Maybe a Resolume Dev can confirm there will be no impact but in general consumer land I hear the card with more vram will suffer because of the other card with less. Again it's just what I hear.

But I do know your fps loss will double if you have anything coming out of the 2nd card. So do test your content to stay above whatever your fps target is.

A optimistic calculation of fps loss with all your stuff hooked up to 2 cards is loss of 28fps. Could be as bad as 38fps loss. So if you got weak cards and you try to do a lota layering it will suffer. Believe me I've tried it with 2x 780 classifieds and 6 displays and learn Resolume hates it. So unless you got overpowered cards don't do it.

By far the best solution is a 10 series gforce card (1070 or 1080) and data path in a x99 build. We have one and it crushes everything.

The ram currently in your system will not matter that much as resolume barely scratches 4gigs. Until the anticipated 64bit version is released.

[wsimard]

It seems to be some misconception about PCI-E/CPU lanes.

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/46 ... onception/

X99 and Z170/Z270 are not designed the same way at all.

X99 CPUs has up to 40 lanes (28 lanes for a 5820K)
Z170/Z270 CPUs has 16 lanes (all Skylake CPU)

BUT...

Those lanes are used for the GPU.

X99 use a DMI 2.0 interface (x4, 2 GB/s, PCI-E 2.0) between the CPU and the chipset (and all the other devices)
Z170 use a DMI 3.0 interface (x4, 8 GB/s, PCI-E 3.0) between the CPU and the chipset, and the chipset has 20 lanes for the PCI-E devices).
Z270 use also a DMI 3.0 interface, but the chipset has 4 more lanes, for a total of 24.

So, in either systems, I could have 2 GPU, 1 M.2 and 1 capture card (along with 1 SATA SSD) with enough lanes.

I'm not saying the X99 is a bad platform, but I just think you "may" underestimate the Skylake platform. Unless someone tried the setup and confirm it was not working or way too slow.

There's also some more info here:

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2015/08/ ... HVv9bFMCEI

[Digitrevx]

wsimard it's not a misconception or underestimate. I just happen to feel that a show worthy machine should be built on a professional platform for flexibility and power. Specially if someone is interested in building a tower or tray type of machine. Why heft around that size and weight if you are going to build on a consumer gaming chipset found in your run of the mill gaming laptop.

[wsimard]

First, Z170 and Z270 are not laptop chipset.

Second, Z170, Z270 AND X99 chipsets are considered "performance desktop chipset". X99 is not more "professionnal" than the Z170/270. It's not a Xeon server-class chipset.

Third, I will let that picture from Intel speak by itself.

Both chipset are on this page:

[wsimard]

I hope I didn't sound rude. But I think it's worth taking some time to read how PCI-E lanes works. In our case, Z270 may have an advantage over the X99.

But I would be very curious to see 2 machines side-by-side, with similar specs, starting with a machine with only 1 GPU, then adding PCI-E cards/m.2 devices and benchmarking everytime.

[Jloh313]

Pls correct me if i am wrong!GTX 1080 only got 5 outputs.Base on my experience if you running on 2 gpu SLI configuration you will still only had 5 outputs,if you got six projector to hook up it will not works for ur rig too.