For professionals immersed in demanding creative fields like video editing, color grading, and motion graphics, a reliable and high-performance workstation is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. When it comes to custom-built PCs, Puget Systems stands out, not only for their meticulously crafted hardware but also for their unparalleled customer support. This review delves into the Puget Systems Genesis I workstation, exploring what makes it a compelling choice for professionals seeking a robust and expertly supported system.
Puget Systems distinguishes itself in the realm of custom PC builders through a deeply personalized and comprehensive customer experience. Unlike typical review scenarios where systems are simply dispatched with minimal interaction, Puget Systems engaged in a thorough consultation process to tailor the Genesis I workstation to specific professional needs. This began with a detailed phone conversation with a customer service representative, Jeff Stubbers, who went beyond generic recommendations to understand the reviewer’s workflow intimately.
Instead of dictating pre-set configurations, Jeff inquired about the specific software applications used, such as After Effects, Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve, and how intensely each was utilized. This consultative approach ensured the system was optimized for real-world professional tasks, moving beyond generalized performance metrics. The reviewer’s need for a versatile system capable of handling everything from video editing to color grading and dabbling in Maxon Cinema 4D was carefully considered. Despite the desire to keep the budget under $10,000, the focus remained on building a system with longevity and robust performance for a freelance editor and colorist.
Following the detailed consultation, Puget Systems provided a transparent build process, offering continuous updates via a dedicated webpage. This page not only outlined the system specifications but also included images of the actual workstation as it was being assembled. Furthermore, Puget Systems proactively shares in-depth benchmark data on their website, specifically tailored for post-production professionals. These benchmarks are far more relevant than standard generic tests, providing valuable insights even for those not immediately purchasing a system.
The build process itself was a model of transparency. The reviewer received updates detailing each stage, from assembly by Beth to benchmark testing by Kyle, and quality control by Josh. This level of detail extended to identifying and rectifying a technical issue—a second GTX 1080ti card initially placed in a reduced bandwidth PCIe slot—before shipping. This openness fostered trust and confidence in Puget Systems’ commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The system was delivered within 12 days, a timeframe justified by the rigorous build and testing procedures undertaken.
Unboxing and Initial Setup: A Silent Powerhouse
The Genesis I workstation arrived securely packaged in a double box, with sturdy foam protection surrounding the Fractal Design case box and a separate accessories box. Inside, beyond the necessary cables, was a meticulously compiled three-ring binder. This binder contained system details, build process photos including thermal imaging, comprehensive benchmark results (Cinebench, Adobe Premiere tests), and a recovery USB 3.0 drive. Notably, only essential manuals and cables were included, avoiding the clutter of unnecessary components often found with other custom builds.
Upon powering on the Genesis I, the first impression was its remarkable silence. The Fractal Design Define R5 Titanium case, equipped with sound-dampening material, effectively neutralized any operational noise, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail in both performance and user experience.
The Genesis I system sent for review featured high-end specifications designed for demanding professional workflows:
- Motherboard: Gigabyte X299 Designare EX
- CPU: Intel Core i9 7940X 3.1GHz 14 Core
- RAM: 128GB (Eight Crucial DDR4-2666 16GB modules)
- GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 TI 11GB (x2)
- Audio: Onboard sound card
- Networking: Integrated WiFi+Bluetooth
- Primary SSD: Samsung 860 Pro 512GB SATA3 2.5-inch
- Secondary SSD: Samsung 970 Pro 1TB M.2 NVMe
- Optical Drive: Asus 24x DVD-RW SATA
- Case: Fractal Design Define R5 titanium
- Power Supply: EVGA SuperNova 1200W P2
- CPU Cooling: Noctua NH-U12DX i4
- Thermal Compound: Arctic Cooling MX-2
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
- Warranty: Lifetime labor and tech support, one-year parts warranty
- Software: LibreOffice, Chrome, Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop App, Resolve 1-3 GPU (courtesy installs)
The total system cost was approximately $8,358.38, a price point deemed justified by the system’s robust configuration, exceptional support, and build quality.
Performance Benchmarks: Excelling in Real-World Workflows
To assess the Genesis I’s performance, a series of benchmarks and real-world tests were conducted, focusing on video editing and color grading tasks within Blackmagic Resolve 15 and Adobe Premiere Pro. A standardized 10-minute UHD sequence (3840×2160 at 23.98fps) comprising mixed format footage from 4K and 8K Red, ARRI Raw UHD, and ProRes4444 was used. This sequence included temporal noise reduction, resizes, and a base grade to simulate typical editing workloads.
In DaVinci Resolve 15, a Smart User cache test to a secondary Samsung 1TB drive using DNxHR HQX 10-bit codec completed in 4 minutes and 34 seconds. Uncached playback was smooth for all media types except 8K, which played in real-time at Quarter Resolution Good settings. Export tests revealed impressive speeds: an H.264 export took 11 minutes and 57 seconds, while a DNxHR HQX 10-bit QuickTime export completed in 7 minutes and 44 seconds.
Comparing these results to tests on an Intel i9-based MacBook Pro with a Blackmagic eGPU (Radeon Pro 580), the Genesis I demonstrated significant performance gains. The MacBook Pro took 16 minutes and 21 seconds for an H.264 export and 22 minutes and 57 seconds for a ProRes4444 export, highlighting the desktop workstation’s advantage with dual Nvidia GTX 1080ti GPUs.
Premiere Pro tests using a similar sequence yielded equally impressive results. An H.264 export (UHD, 23.98fps) took 9 minutes and 15 seconds, while a DNxHR HQX 10-bit QuickTime export took 24 minutes. An H.265 export, a more demanding codec, completed in 47 minutes.
Storage performance was evaluated using the AJA System test on the 1TB secondary drive, achieving read speeds of 2951MB/sec and write speeds of 2569MB/sec. These speeds are excellent for cache or project drives, though for optimal input/output speeds with RAW media and exports, an additional dedicated drive is recommended.
Synthetic benchmarks further validated the Genesis I’s capabilities. Cinebench R15 scores were: OpenGL – 153.02fps, CPU – 2905 cb, CPU (single core) – 193cb, MP Ratio – 15.03x. The Superposition Benchmark, a demanding gaming test, yielded an overall score of 7653, demonstrating the system’s robust GPU performance with an average FPS of 57.24 and peak GPU temperature of 85°C under load.
Conclusion: Genesis I – A Worthy Investment for Professionals
Initially skeptical of custom PC builders, the review process with Puget Systems and the Genesis I workstation proved transformative. The level of support, build quality, and transparent process far exceeded expectations. From the initial consultation to ongoing updates and final delivery, Puget Systems demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction rarely seen in the industry.
While the option to build a PC independently using component lists from sites like PCpartpicker.com exists, Puget Systems justifies its premium through exceptional service and meticulously optimized systems. The Genesis I is not just a collection of high-end components; it’s a professionally assembled, rigorously tested, and expertly supported workstation tailored to demanding creative workflows.
Pros:
- Exceptional customer service and personalized consultation.
- Transparent and detailed build process with continuous updates.
- Meticulous build quality and silent operation.
- Outstanding performance in video editing and color grading applications.
- Comprehensive benchmark testing and performance documentation.
- Lifetime labor and tech support warranty.
Cons:
- Premium price point compared to DIY builds.
- 12-day build and delivery timeframe may be longer than off-the-shelf solutions.
For creative professionals seeking a dependable, high-performance workstation backed by unparalleled support, the Puget Systems Genesis I represents a compelling and worthwhile investment. It’s a system designed not just to meet, but to exceed the rigorous demands of modern content creation.
Source: postPerspective
Link: https://postperspective.com/review-puget-systems-genesis-custom-workstation/
