MEP2016 Plus (or) Later - Suitable Desktop

CarpentersMate wrote on 5/3/2022, 12:36 AM

Hello Friends!

Hope all is well .... Everyone healthy?

I'm finally looking to replace my old Dell 790 and wanted to check back to see if there were any changes/suggestions as to a desirable/compatible system for MEP2016 Plus (or) later versions? I prefer Dell however a common dilemma with many companies is their infinite 'unwise' wisdom to reduce or eliminate upgradability in favor of 'Throw-Away's. However these slightly older Dell Precisions still provide 'upgradability' and should get the job done:

Aside from Processors, both machines are physically similar. The 3620 is a later model with an improved motherboard. I'll be loading Windows 10 Pro also installing a decent 'middle of the road' Nvidia Graphics Card and a min. of 16GB RAM. I work primarily with SD footage and I'm not a gamer. As before, I'll also install a Multi-Port PCI esata card for externals.

Dell Precision 3620 (Prod Date 2016-17) 3.40 GHz (or) 3.60 GHz Core i7 6th or 7th Gen

Dell Precision T1700 (Prod Date 2014-15) 3.30GHz (or) 3.40 GHz i5 (or) Haswell 4th Gen. (or) xeon?

Thank You!

Best Regards!

Mike

Comments

Reyfox wrote on 5/3/2022, 2:20 AM

Dell computers are still "throwaways". There are other options out there in the pre-built land that use standard parts for ease of upgrading. Gamers Nexus has done several videos on Dell's pre-builts including the $5000 Alienware computer. They've also reviewed other pre built computers for other vendors.

I'd wait a bit on hardware. With the release of Ryzen and Intel CPU's and the upcoming release of new GPU's, that should help to drive down the price of hardware that isn't 8 years old. Especially if you ever plan on upgrading to the current version of Movie Studio.

While you can run today's software on several generations old hardware, and you have stated you do not edit HD (what type of video are you editing), to maximize the performance and to have a smooth editing experience, today's software needs today's hardware. This is where I find a lot of companies will list a minimum spec to run the software, but realistically, it would be painful to the end user.

Specific hardware specs would be helpful. i7, i5 or Xenon really do not give any information on the specific model number. Also, how much RAM, and I am guessing mechanical hard drives, which also impedes performance.

Again, what type of videos are you planning to edit? When you talk about upgrading the computer, in what areas? Those computers would be expensive to upgrade, if at all since the parts haven't been manufactured in years, so the only market to buy would be ebay.

CubeAce wrote on 5/3/2022, 2:21 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

If it is this one, it should be fine for what you are doing.

How much ram is it coming with? I think you will need 8GB.

Ray.

CarpentersMate wrote on 5/3/2022, 2:39 AM

Hello Ray - Yes that's it ... I'll install a NEW HHD and a min of 16GB RAM

Considering I've been using a 10 year old Optiplex Core i3 (this is definitely a step up).

I don't agree with Reyfox - he doesn't understand I'm not a gamer and will only be editing SD (I mentioned all that in the post).

Nice to see you again Ray

Mike

Reyfox wrote on 5/3/2022, 3:03 AM

@CarpentersMate I'm not a gamer either, but my machine can play games. I read that you wrote you do not edit HD, so I did ask what types of video you do edit, so in my reply, I did ask you. Nor knowing your background here, I was giving general information. Maybe if I knew more, I would have answered differently or not at all.

CubeAce wrote on 5/3/2022, 4:27 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

You may find buying ram to be expensive as older ram modules get harder to find. Fingers crossed. If you intend to add ram rather than replace make sure the ram is the same make and specs. Best to remove the ram and take down any information on the labels or if you have an application that can read the ram modules, that may tell you the type and make.

If you can get one with an i7 CPU it should have the Intel HD 630 GPU and you may get away with not needing an additional GPU as I think the CPU could also cope with SD content although if you intend to use Neat Video as a plugin you should look at the requirements for that plugin here. as using that plugin without an additional card could make using it hard or exporting with it taking a long time.

To see the health of any drive within your system I recommend the two Crystal Disk apps.

Between them you can keep an eye on transfer speeds and general health as well as total run times of all your drives.

Ray.

CarpentersMate wrote on 5/3/2022, 10:32 PM

Ray

I appreciate the help (thank you). I like to keep things simple. With all 'our' knowledge, (fundamentally), a Core i7 should be just fine, (more than fine). Yes its one of the models on the reference sheet you provided above. The thing about these older models is 'yes' they are still 'upgradable'. My Dell tech friends are disappointed, (pissed off) because, (unless you spend over $1,200), some of the newer models are garbage 'throw-aways.' Anyway the point is any of these 2016-17 Precision models with Core i7 7th Gen. and some 'modest improvements' will work out fine. And there's a ton of em on ebay ... I could get a 'stripped down' version for less than $200! 🤓

When you find bargains like these, RAM, Graphics Cards, Optical & System Drives are a pittance 👌 I always choose Free Returns (seller pays return shipping), and insist on photos ... And BTW I'd remove Dell's M.2 wafer sized drive for a conventional SSD or HHD System Drive.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/374036027442 < Choose 'see original listing'

https://www.ebay.com/itm/354023080217 < Choose 'see original listing'

We'll see ...

Take Care

Mike

CubeAce wrote on 5/4/2022, 1:12 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Derek.

Both machines look good. You may get away with just the 8GB of ram supplied. Try it first. If you are using Neat Video, they have a small program you can download from their site and run on your machine to see how well it will perform with your setup.

As for swapping out the M2 drive which I presume would be the C: drive. Why? Unless it is too small for your needs. I'm running a 250GB C: drive (NVMe) and still have about 64GB of space left.

I have on that drive MEP, VPX, all the associated third party plugins I have accumulated over all the upgrades I have had and a couple of bought ones, Cubase, Photoshop, Capture NX 2, as well as a plethora of other lesser programs.

Any solid state drive is worn out by the amount of 'writes' it performs and not 'reads' and C: drives are normally read from ,rather than written to, so it may be in great shape which is why I suggested the Crystal Disk programs which are free bye the way..They report on the health of any of your disks and hours of use.

I have two second hand solid state drives on my machine as well that do get written to regularly. One M2 drive and one SSD, both have been running on my machine for over two years now and both are still showing as healthy.

Ray.

CarpentersMate wrote on 5/4/2022, 1:30 AM

Hi Ray

I don't use Neat Video (at least not now). But I use Wondershare for batch conversions and extracting VOB's. As for the M.2 technology, (I've already tried it). To me it seems like a gimmick to 'Jump Start' or 'Boot Up' a machine... Its usually sooo small its not even worth loading all your applications. Call me a bit ole fashioned, (as I mentioned), I prefer a conventional Full Sized HHD. I don't mind a slow boot, would rather have a 1 or 2 TB Big Boy's Drive haha - The M.2 chip is no bigger than a darn Memory Board. Theoretically yeah I know its the new technology, (but not fer me), I'm too old ... LOL (maybe next time) ... Sure I would try Crystal Disk Programs (if I get an SSD), looks like a useful tool ...

Thanks Ray

Mike

CubeAce wrote on 5/4/2022, 3:17 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

Using an NVMe or M2 for a C: drive is not a gimmick and can help newer versions of MEP and possibly your older version to run more smoothly on a newer machine as data transfers would be quicker. Not to mention those export times. Your current setup was probably not fast enough to show a difference.

They also look after themselves when bad sectors arise, mapping the areas as not to be used, and when written to they use 'leveling' to ensure all the memory cells get equal uses to prolong the drives lifespan. They are not glorified SD cards despite their look.

You must have a lot of programs to warrant the use of a 2TB C: drive.😉

Never store video or audio files, or project files on the C: drive. It will slow the video editor down in most cases.

Ideally a C: drive should only be for the operating system and programs. Maybe program caches but I normally place them on another drive if possible as well.

All my programs and add on plugins only take up a total of 76GB. All the rest has been me being lazy and not storing things like my emails or program caches to another drive location.

The Crystal Disk Programs work on all drive types, not just SSDs. They can be useful tools to predict drive failure. They don't take up much drive space and I rarely use them once I have gone over the system once but are there for when I may need them.

Either way, it will be your system and you must do what you feel comfortable with. You could assign the M2 drive to be used as the active project drive where it may also be of benefit but will ware more quickly. (Still, don't hold your breath, that may take years to happen.)

My active project drive is an old second hand 250GB SSD. Still going strong.

It would be a shame to not give it a use.

Ray.

CarpentersMate wrote on 5/4/2022, 5:01 AM

"Never store video or audio files, or project files on the C: drive"

I never do that Ray ... 😉

"Using an NVMe or M2 for a C: drive can help newer versions of MEP and possibly your older version to run more smoothly" Yes I read about NVMe ...

We'll see - maybe I'll try it but I'd rather have a larger capacity Full Sized System Drive. Those M.2 chips are 'puny' ...

The system I pick up may not have an M.2 installed anyway. It depends on the configuration in the machine when they're sold? I may even pick up a stripped down system as I mentioned for less dough and build it up myself ... we'll see how it goes ...

Thanx Ray! 😃

Mike