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**gdame** · 02-07-2008, 02:27 AM

Hi ZB,

I agree that the P5K64 WS is an ideal mainboard and I do not understand why DDR3 is not a vaible option for you. If it is cost, well that becomes a very small factor after you add it all up.

Check out these two threads and you should be able to get a good sense of the system recipe that I would recommend.

Grass Valley Forums

http://ediusforum.grassvalley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4576

Grass Valley Forums

http://ediusforum.grassvalley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4618

Let us know what you decide to do.

**Bluetongue** · 02-07-2008, 05:06 AM

Hi ZB
I use that board the GA X38T-DQ6 with Edius for HD work without an NX card (Software only) so I cannot comment on the compatibility.
I did read one thing in your query, you did not wont to use DDR3, the GA X38T-DQ6 uses DDR3 ONLY, don,t worry I got trapped too and had to console my self with 2GB of memory as the 4 gig sticks are not available here in Australia yet but it works a dream, render times are close to half from my old dual core XP4600.
If you are using it as stand alone one thing to improve the performance is to place the Swap file (Page file) onto one of the raid disks otherwise there will be some video and audio stuttering on playback (very minor and random), must be some sort of holdup in the disk access in the chipset?
I have selected field update for Edius on playback and use the full left monitor for video playback in single mode.
As i edit in around 7 min sequences at the completion of each sequence it is output in HDV to a DVICO TVIx HD player and check for anything I cannot see on the Left Hand monitor. The system works well and has no compatibility problems
Regards Barry

**zb21** · 02-07-2008, 06:16 AM

Gdame,

Thank you for your response. My thinking of GA-X38-DQ6 was because of the following reasons:

1. It is the board, which allows me to ‘grow into’. As I mentioned – as of today I do not own neither HD camera nor Edius NX board. I anticipate I will get those at some point in the future, but as of now I do not exactly know when. But I do have a need to upgrade my mobo at this time and I would like this mobo to be reasonably compatible with future HD and Edius NX.
2. GA-X38-DQ6 allows me to reuse the two dual video boards that I have through two PCIx16 slots.
3. It provides two PCIx16 slots for a future upgrade for Edius NX.
4. I still have one more PCIx1 slot available for any needs that may arise. Like for example HighPoint 2300 RAID controller. As I understand 2300 is like 2310 except it has x1 PCIx interface instead PCIx4, which may not have so much room for breathing as 2310, but in theory should still suffice.
5. Without even needing HighPoint that board gives me reasonable solution for RAID system right out of the box. By a reasonable RAID system I mean decent RAID 0, 1 or – most likely – 5 through ICH9R and still a way to boot system from SATA drive without a pain of having system drive on a RAID. That is why I think having two extra SATA connectors through Gigabyte controller is still worth the extra money over a cheaper GA-X38-DS4. Not having an extra SATA controller besides ICH9R would require either to resort to have system drive attached through IDE interface or to have additional SATA ports connected via PCIx1 card. DQ6 saves that PCIx1 slot. What it comes down to is that for start I would just have a spare PCIx1 slot for yet unforeseen needs, which is always nice.
6. It can be stuffed with inexpensive RAM.
7. For now, that is for as long as I use DVStorm I have PCI slot for it plus one extra PCI slot, which I may use for whatever I want (like I said – having a room to grow is always nice).
8. Allows me to re-use my Dual Core CPU for now and upgrade to the newest and greatest when I need and when (meanwhile) the price goes down.

Overall – my thinking was that for some $300 today I may gain the following as comparing to my current system:

1. Ability to install two ‘real’ dual video cards for up to four monitors.
2. Decent RAID (5) for my general needs (currently I do not have any)
3. Some better overall system performance due to the better chipset and faster memory.
4. More expansion slots, USB ports etc.
5. Reasonable path to gradually upgrade in the future.

ASUS P5K64WS has one biggest advantage over Gigabyte: It has been tested by you and confirmed that everything works very well in a configuration that is best suited for video editing as of today. For me however it also has some shortcomings and these are:

1. While it provides four PCIx16 slots, which is great – there are only four of these slots. Assuming that I would want to use two of these for video cards – that leaves me with two others, that may be needed for Edius NX cards. No extra room left. And the problem is that this board’s only SATA controller is via ICH9R, which I do not know well, but what I know this chip does not allow programming of individual ports. It is even entirely RAID or no RAID. That is why if I want to have – say RAID 5 for my data/ video drives I can not have non-RAID system drive and I have to either use IDE or have additional SATA controller installed. But I do not have PCIx slots anymore and I would need to use one of the PCI slots where -–for now – I would like to have DVStorm and – possibly – something else. Well, not necessarily, but the room is tight.
2. Like you mentioned – price of DDR3 as of today is high and while I admit this may be a small fraction of overall cost – I have feeling that spending another $300 on DDR3 today is in my situation kind of a waste. I do not know, I think I am simply looking for alternatives since – like I said – I do not make money on video editing.

Another way to go would be to use one of the PNY video boards, e.g. VNS 440 providing four monitor support out of just one card (read PCIx slot). I would expect that this card – although not great for gaming and not exactly a bargain – would be sufficient for video editing. But I found a post on NEWEGG.COM that someone had problem with WinDVD nad Nero’s DVD player and chipset compatibility rather than performance was the culprit. That is why my question if someone have tried these cards with Edius?

Another question of mine was about BNC HD output provided by main NX card. Do I really need secondary board with component output or that BNC output would be sufficient for non-professional needs?

Thanks again for your answers,
ZB

**zb21** · 02-07-2008, 06:25 AM

Hello Bluetongue,

What you are saying is encouraging. Thank you for your suggestion regarding swap file. I studied Gigabyte web-site for a while and came to the conclusion that there are two flavors of GA-X38-DQ6. These are: GA-X38-DQ6 and GA-X38T-DQ6. X38 seems to be using DDR2 while X38T that you have uses DDR3. DDR3 is expected to be faster, but you have to shell out more $$$. Thanks for the warning.

Best regards,
ZB

PS: I always wanted to visit Australia :) Sounds so nice :))

**Romigo** · 02-07-2008, 07:32 AM

Is GIGABYTE GA-X38-DQ6 going well with STORM card ???

**zb21** · 02-07-2008, 07:44 AM

Romigo, I do not know. I see no reason for it not to work, however I do not own that mobo as of today. I am considering it and wondering - like you - if there may be any problem or cavity with my thinking,
ZB

**gdame** · 02-08-2008, 02:37 AM

ZB,

I hear what your saying and since you you have neither an NX board or an HD camcorder, then I would build yourself a system that suits your needs. My policy is that you build a computer for what you need it to do at the time you build it. Building a system over time with future compatibility requirments is almost always a mistake unless you have a defined roadmap of completing the system within 3 to 6 months.

BTW, what are you using this system for?

**STORMDAVE** · 02-08-2008, 03:40 AM

Check Angelo's system specs...he seems to be using a DVStorm with that mobo. I don't see how you would have problems with the NX if you ever need to upgrade from the DVStorm to the NX...

**Ron Evans** · 02-08-2008, 01:51 PM

I agree with George. Build for your needs today only. Next week there will be something better at half the price!!!!! IF you don't need anything new today don't buy anything!!!! I would also recommend a system just for email and the WEB at least that will contain any viruses etc to one machine that can be cleaned and reloaded with little consequence. I keep my oldest, slowest machine for this purpose all the others have no virus protection etc and only go to the WEB for program updates through a hardware router.

Ron Evans

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GIGABYTE GA-X38-DQ6 for HD editing ?

GIGABYTE GA-X38-DQ6 for HD editing ?

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