Advice for PC or build

[pron022020]

Thanks for all the advice. General ideas:
32gb RAM
Intel i7 processor
M.2 drives
Windows 11
[plenty of cooling that is also quiet]
at least 3 USBC ports, maybe also a Thunderbolt

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by pron022020

Thanks for all the advice. General ideas:
32gb RAM
Intel i7 processor
M.2 drives
Windows 11
[plenty of cooling that is also quiet]
at least 3 USBC ports, maybe also a Thunderbolt

I'd be more specific.

i7 is a fairly meaningless marketing term, and covers a decade and a half of processors.
I'd much rather have a current gen i5 than a two gen old i7. As I already said, I'd be trying to be on Raptor Lake and then you can get i5 or i7 depending on what you can afford.

M.2 NVMe/PCIe on PCIe4? And specifically I'd get a WD Black SN850 or Samsung 980 Pro drives. Both PCIe 4.

USB-C supporting what USB 3.2 Gen 1, Gen 2? Gen 2x2?

If Thunderbolt is needed that helps narrow motherboards.

There have been recent threads about current gen motherboards you can search for. And you should be doing research in that main DUC build thread... and it's not specific to i7. https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=238426&page=706

[ejinbc]

OP

Free Advice Alert

With your budget the best deal will be a modern machine. I have found that upgrading every 5 years is a good plan. I went from a 3700K to an 8700K to a new 13900K system. You get a big enough jump in performance with these upgrades to justify the $$. I must say I am very happy with the 13900K for the projects I run.

I had a minute so I spec'd a minimum system (IMHO) for running Pro Tools in 2023. Yes, you can get cheaper but I don't think that's a good idea.

If you look at the attached, that's kind of the minimum full system. Many PC stores that sell parts will build and test a system like this for a few hundred dollars.

If you play games add a video card; if you have extra cash go for the 13900K; need more storage add a 2T M.2 drive; even more extra cash improve the Motherboard;...

Hope that helps.

ejinbc

[abc1mce2]

Myself I would save up and go for an I9 build. Another thing maybe to consider is if your gonna Hackintosh your build in the future. If so make sure your motherboard is one that's easy to hack and don't use Samsung NVE M.2 drives cause of trim. Almost all other brand M.2 drives will work in a Hackintosh system.