Please help rating older I7-3770 processor's "power" for PT12

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by dvdr

As for 96/24: since this is a given project, I can't change much about it - this is, what was given to me as stems and I need to work with it as is.

Don't take it as a given. You can always create a new session @48k and import audio & possibly session data. Then you can finally convert your mixes/stems to 96k if required.

[RiF]

Originally Posted by dvdr

Let's put it that way: I am looking for enough horsepower to not run into problems with occasional projects like the abovementioned.

Well then just go for the fastest Core i7 CPU (Intel Core i7-6900K and up), most RAM (16 GB min) and fastest SSDs you can get. A machine with these specs should give you about 2x the performance of your current i7-3770. Plus, an audio interface with solid drivers can help a lot, too.

If you cannot fully influence the amount of tracks, the sample rate etc. that are given to you, you need to be prepared for the worst and hopefully still have some headroom left.

Originally Posted by dvdr

Right now, it maxes out with the error message to "disable some plugins" - haven't we all entcountered that at times ;-) ?

Did you try to check the "Ignore Errors During Playback/Record" setting which often seems to help a little?
You're only mixing/editing (right?) and it can be re-enabled for offline bouncing of a project (or does not even influence it, I don't know).

[Bob Olhsson]

That computer isn't that old. This sounds like problems with one or two plug-ins. I would disable tracks and plug-ins until I could identify the culprit and then freeze every track it's on up to the plug after it.

[YYR123]

i7-3770 released Q2-of 2012

https://ark.intel.com/products/famil...-i7-Processors


In computing terms that CPU is ancient...... Moore's Law and all.

I didn't say it was useless, but it isn't new or recent by any stretch of the imagination.

[TAMBOR]

Originally Posted by dvdr

Hi

I have a 5 year old computer, running Win7Pro, 2 SSDs (one for Win, one for data), equipped with a Intel Core I7-3770 (4x 3.40 GHz/8MB) and 8GB RAM.

Test-wise, I worked on it with a 96/24 30-track project, using plugins from Waves (including NLS), Brainworx, Slate and MCDSP. No virtual instruments. Even when "freezing" the two most plugin-heavy tracks and disabling NLS, I am reaching the limits of the machine.

Mind helping me please rating this computer's specs, whether this is a processor and/or a RAM-limitation and what ways of upgrading you see? Or do I have to buy a new machine - in that case, please include a processor suggestion for being on the "safe side".

Thanks in advance!

My opinion is that 4 cores @ 3.4Ghz is reasonably strong, but 8GB of ram is too little. I would suggest 16GB or 32GB if possible. You may be doing some swapping in the background, and even with SSD it is going to slow you down.

Your graphic adapter could also be a bottleneck, and you can upgrade to a pretty powerful card for $200-300 these days.

If you want to look to a newer system, I would recommend the ASUS X99-E WS/USB3.1. You can put the 5960X 8 core or 6950X 10 core CPU on it. Also you will be using DDR 4 ram, and you can use the Thunderbolt 3 add-in card. Has tons of slots for upgrade. All works well with Windows 7.

FWIW, I'm running the 5960X on that motherboard, overclocked to 4.4GHz, and using only air cooling. Heat is not a problem even at 100% CPU.

Be aware if you move into Skylake or Kaby Lake you will get caught up in the "have to use Windows 10" game, and for reasons of stability and security, you may not want to use Windows 10.

[Bob Olhsson]

For all of the badmouthing, I've found windows 10 to be far more stable than windows 7 ever was and I'm not alone.

I agree about the RAM but otherwise that computer shouldn't be a problem.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

I've found windows 10 to be far more stable than windows 7 ever was and I'm not alone.

I agree about the RAM but otherwise that computer shouldn't be a problem.

yes i have found that I reallllly like win10. Very Stable and very happy.

[TAMBOR]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

For all of the badmouthing, I've found windows 10 to be far more stable than windows 7 ever was and I'm not alone.

I agree about the RAM but otherwise that computer shouldn't be a problem.

Glad to hear Win 10 runs well for you. But that's not what I mean.

By definition, an OS that does not allow you to fully control the application of updates/patches is not "stable". You will always be at the mercy of someone else's decisions, someone with whom you can't communicate or hold accountable. (Hmmm... sounds kind of like AVID, but that would be a different thread.)

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by TAMBOR

Glad to hear Win 10 runs well for you. But that's not what I mean.

By definition, an OS that does not allow you to fully control the application of updates/patches is not "stable". You will always be at the mercy of someone else's decisions, someone with whom you can't communicate or hold accountable. (Hmmm... sounds kind of like AVID, but that would be a different thread.)

I did a couple posts on our site about this. There is a couple apps that easily block all the telemetry features of Windows including updates. They work great.

I am seeing more and more problems arising with Win 7 users. I think testing for most devs with 7 has pretty well stopped.

http://www.pro-tools-pc.com/windows-...ng-phone-home/

http://www.pro-tools-pc.com/data-col...-phone-home-2/

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

That computer isn't that old. This sounds like problems with one or two plug-ins. I would disable tracks and plug-ins until I could identify the culprit and then freeze every track it's on up to the plug after it.

The "modern" version of that same processor is the 7700. Typical upgrades are about 7-10% more power per generation. Benchmarking tests between the 2 processors shows that to be pretty well true between them. 30-40% improvement in the 7700.