Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

Hello All!

I am in the market for a new Workstation, and am wondering if anyone has any experience running Pro Tools on Mini PCs? The first two come to mind are Intel NUC, and Mac Mini. Small PCs, that aren't laptops, but get the job done.

A little background on me: I like to make big tracks! 10+ Minute, 32+ Tracks, the whole deal. I don't like to go crazy with my plugins; I don't do a loot more than EQ/Compress/basic stuff. I am also a Logic Pro refugee. I am looking at Mini PCs as an alternative to Laptops. I have several work spaces, and I do not need to have PC+Peripherals in one box; just PC is fine. I am also looking at cost, etc.

I am looking at at the new higher-end Intel NUC
Quickly:
> Kaby Lake i7 (2 Cores @3.5GHz)
> Can handle 32GB of RAM
It looks pretty solid

This machine would only be used for Audio/Production types of things; it would not be my day-to-day/gaming station. So I am not going to install a lot of superfluous applications, etc.

My main concern is the processor; it is only running two Cores. I do not know how intensive Pro Tools is, and I do not want to purchase a machine that will not be up to the task. As I said, I like to do larger arrangements. Having more Audio on the go would be a test of RAM, right? CPU usage is determined more by the number of plugins running?

What do you guys/ladies think?
And thanks for your help!

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

Update:

I am now looking at the NUC Gen6 i7 Model

This guy has a slower processor, but access to more Cores, and can also handle 32GB of RAM. I guess it was last generation's very high-end model.

Intel NUC6I7KYK
> Gen6 i7 6770HQ (4 Cores @2.60GHz)
> Handles 32GB RAM

This looks better to me, but what do people think? Again, I do not know what Pro Tools's System Usage is; is 4 Cores @2.60GHz/32GB RAM enough to run a decent rig?

Thanks

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

For me, it would have to be an i7 quad, as fast as possible and with at least 16GB of RAM. Dual-core just isn't enough power. I would look for a 2011 or 2012 Mac Mini if you gotta have small:o

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

Hi Dave, thanks for responding!

That's what I was afraid of.

In the meantime, I had been looking at this guy

Intel NUC6i7KYK
> Gen6 i7, 4 Cores @2.60GHz here
> Up to 32GB RAM

It's the previous cycle's very high-end model. It looks okay, but again I am not sure about the speed. Is 4 Cores x 2.6 GHz enough for Pro Tools?

I had quickly looked at Mac Minis. I think that they were less/equal power (definitely not more), and an increased cost. That is why I was looking at these guys.

Thanks!

And yes, gotta have it small ;)

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

I see no problem with the cpu you listed, but you need the rest of the system:o Finding a small format motherboard with a compatible chipset is your next mission:D

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

The NUC is a board/all in one! That part is already taken care of

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

Kind of a risk as I can't see what chipset it uses. It looks really cool, but if the chipset isn't compatible.......

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

Yeah, I haven't been able to find that information!
What is the worst case if the Audio portion is bad? Will Pro Tools still run? Or will Audio from PT/General be bad? (Bad meaning can't handle higher Sampling Rates,etc)

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

It won't play at all, constant errors or random crashes.

Re: Mini Computers//Buying Advice?
 

Indeed, its not a chipset having to do with audio. Its the main chipset of the motherboard(like Z97, X99, X79, etc). Pro Tools is a finicky beast when it comes to computer hardware and an incompatible chipset could make it worthless for Pro Tools use(but it might run some other DAW just fine):o