i7 Builds - Specs and Results

[knandermueller]

Hey Guys,

I originally posted on here when everyone was just started building their i7 boxes. Based on everyone's help and advice I got a sweet i7 build up and running without too much issue, and it has served me well for over two years. That build was XP based with PTLE 7.3

I finally decided to upgrade so I could take full advantage of all my RAM (and upgrade to 16GB), a 64bit OS, and newer software, so I installed Win7 and PTLE8 ( I know 9 is better, but I gotz no cheddar)

My system that was running pretty flawlessly on XP after the initial debugging, but now when I try to run PTLE8, I bluescreen (errors vary each time) and the whole system crashes. When I reboot I have a dialogue that states DAE error 1115.

I researched the 1115 error here and on the net and saw that it can be due to USB controllers (not likely as I am using FW) or FW issues. I have done some debugging on my end (BIOS tweaks, checked both firewire ports, and firewire cord, etc) but still getting the same results. Most people that I read had DAE 1115 errors did not also have bsod issues. I suspect the mobo, but before I start ripping my system down or revert back to the old install, I thought I would check here.

Since I figure many of you on here have the same hardware as I do (since I picked my specs based on advice on this forum) I was hoping that some of you have had the same issue and were able to resolve it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I left my XP install standing on a different partition, but I'd really like to upgrade if possible.

My specs:

DIGI002
PTLE 8.0
Mobo: GIGABYTE EX58-UD3R
CPU: i7 920 DO Stepping (Batch B)
6GB OCZ Gold DDR3 1600 GIGABYTE EX58-UD3R mobo
i7 920 DO Stepping (Batch B)
RAM: 6GB OCZ Gold DDR3 1600
Storage: System HDD, WD Velociraptor 300GB partitioned into 2 drives, one 60GB for OS and Protools app, remainder for data.
2nd HDD WD Caviar Black 1TB partitioned into 4 +/-250GB drives
CDROM: 2 Samsung DVD-RW's
VIDEO: Sparkle GeForce 9500GT
CASE: Antec 900
PSU: Corsair HX620 620W PSU

[bigfryman]

Originally Posted by filosofem

RAID, SSD, Z68 and 2600K I'll tell you what, you're a gambling man. None of this is recommended nor qualified with Pro Tools 9. Pro Tools 10 supports RAID. You are going to do what you want to do. Yes, some users have had success, there are also those that have not. I guess you will be flipping a coin. Your build from the outset looks okay, just make sure that that RAM is listed on the motherboards qualified vendor list. And good luck.

I have managed to find myself a DP67BG so I would think this would be a safer option than a Z68 chipset. As for the RAID, I have done a little bit more research and found that most users that are having issues are using software RAID rather than hardware. I will be using hardware RAID 1, just for data redundancy sake on my audio drives. If I have issues with RAID, I'll just use the second hard disk as a plain old back up drive. I'll take my chances with SSD boot up drive, but from reading through the forums a little more, there are plenty of success stories.

Anybody have good/bad experiences with a DP67BG?? I see there is one in the header at the start of this sticky.

Cheers!

[mano111]

Originally Posted by bigfryman

I have managed to find myself a DP67BG so I would think this would be a safer option than a Z68 chipset. As for the RAID, I have done a little bit more research and found that most users that are having issues are using software RAID rather than hardware. I will be using hardware RAID 1, just for data redundancy sake on my audio drives. If I have issues with RAID, I'll just use the second hard disk as a plain old back up drive. I'll take my chances with SSD boot up drive, but from reading through the forums a little more, there are plenty of success stories.

Anybody have good/bad experiences with a DP67BG?? I see there is one in the header at the start of this sticky.

Cheers!

Motherboard is a good choice. Nothing wrong with an SSD for a system disk, regardless always keep a system image to be safe.
RAID? Even though Hardware RAID1 might work I haven't tested it for audio recording. Just so you know, the rule is no RAID.

[filosofem]

Originally Posted by mano111

RAID? Even though Hardware RAID1 might work I haven't tested it for audio recording. Just so you know, the rule is no RAID.

Unless you're running Pro Tools 10 that supports RAID but does not guarantee performance.

[Sawllkwa]

Originally Posted by filosofem

Hey Roger, what's apparent reading through your post is that you have your sh*t together and there is not a lot any one can add to what you have said as the choice is solely yours to make. Personally, since you are really looking for opinion, if you can afford Core i7-3930K then Core i7 3930K is the smart money. Core i7-39xx is newer and offers more punch for your buck given that it blends the best of Core i7-9xx and Core i7-2600. The Core i7-39xx architecture is more suited for Digital Audio Workstations and Non-Linear Editors. Plus the added bonus too is that LGA 2011 Socket is going to be compatible with Ivy Bridge Extreme processes in the future.

Thanks guys!!

These are the components I went with:

• Intel Core i7-3930K 3,2GHz / 12MB / Socket 2011
• ASUS P9X79 WS
• Corsair Hydro H80
• 2 - Corsair XMS3 Vengeance 16GB DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz (4x4GB), 32 GB total
• Intel Intern SSD 120GB 320 Series Intern SATA 2.5" (for OS)
• Cooler Master HAF tower (the MB is big..)

I reused my SATA HD's (500 GB for programs, and 2 - 200 GBs for PT files), installed WIN7 64 corporate, nVidia GPU, etc.
I installed PT8 last night to test, and it ran like a wet dream. There was a little issue when I got the 'Audio Record Volume' error, but that was a quick fix by changing the drives to 'R' from 'T'.
I was running Melodyne and strike and she purr'ed along.
I'll install PT9 as soon as it's delivered.
Just so I got it right, I had my buddy that works at a nuclear plant as a system engineer help me. He's also a tube amp wizard. I think he had multiple geek orgasms the whole time we assembled it.

[filosofem]

Originally Posted by Sawllkwa

These are the components I went with:

• Intel Core i7-3930K 3,2GHz / 12MB / Socket 2011
• ASUS P9X79 WS
• Corsair Hydro H80
• 2 - Corsair XMS3 Vengeance 16GB DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz (4x4GB), 32 GB total
• Intel Intern SSD 120GB 320 Series Intern SATA 2.5" (for OS)
• Cooler Master HAF tower (the MB is big..)

I reused my SATA HD's (500 GB for programs, and 2 - 200 GBs for PT files), installed WIN7 64 corporate, nVidia GPU, etc.
I installed PT8 last night to test, and it ran like a wet dream. There was a little issue when I got the 'Audio Record Volume' error, but that was a quick fix by changing the drives to 'R' from 'T'.
I was running Melodyne and strike and she purr'ed along.
I'll install PT9 as soon as it's delivered.

Our first confirmed Intel Core i7-39xx X79 build! Excellent! If you have time can you post a Dverb test results, please?

[mano111]

Originally Posted by Sawllkwa

Thanks guys!!

These are the components I went with:

• Intel Core i7-3930K 3,2GHz / 12MB / Socket 2011
• ASUS P9X79 WS
• Corsair Hydro H80
• 2 - Corsair XMS3 Vengeance 16GB DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz (4x4GB), 32 GB total
• Intel Intern SSD 120GB 320 Series Intern SATA 2.5" (for OS)
• Cooler Master HAF tower (the MB is big..)

I reused my SATA HD's (500 GB for programs, and 2 - 200 GBs for PT files), installed WIN7 64 corporate, nVidia GPU, etc.
I installed PT8 last night to test, and it ran like a wet dream. There was a little issue when I got the 'Audio Record Volume' error, but that was a quick fix by changing the drives to 'R' from 'T'.
I was running Melodyne and strike and she purr'ed along.
I'll install PT9 as soon as it's delivered.
Just so I got it right, I had my buddy that works at a nuclear plant as a system engineer help me. He's also a tube amp wizard. I think he had multiple geek orgasms the whole time we assembled it.

+1 Congrads on first known working PTLE 8+ X79 build . Please keep us posted on performance and issues (if you ever have any...). Proper D-verb test is detailed on the first page of this thread. Please test 64 and 1024 sample playback buffers.

[Sawllkwa]

Thanks, I actually didn't want to be the trailblazer (guinea pig), but oh well, hehe.
The system is stock and I'll try and do a dverb tonight.

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by Sawllkwa

Thanks, I actually didn't want to be the trailblazer (guinea pig), but oh well, hehe.
The system is stock and I'll try and do a dverb tonight.

congrats!!! post back with your dverb results and i'll post build and results on page 1

[Sawllkwa]

Ok Tests Completed.

Just a background. To save money on the build I used a combo of new and old. Not the best, but will replace when the wife's shock is abated.

Operating system - Win7 64-bit, corporate version
Protools - PT8.0.5 on a 002R. Probably move to PT10 in a week or so.

The new componenets:

• Intel Core i7-3930K 3,2GHz / 12MB / Socket 2011
• ASUS P9X79 WS
• Corsair Hydro H80
• 2 - Corsair XMS3 Vengeance 16GB DDR3 PC3-12800 1600MHz (4x4GB), 32 GB total
• Intel Intern SSD 120GB 320 Series Intern SATA 2.5" (for OS)
• Cooler Master HAF tower (the MB is big..)

Here are the reused components:

• 2 - 200 GB SATA drives: WDC WD 2000JD-22HBB0 (for PT files);
• 500 GD SATA drive: WDC WD 5000AAKS-65YGA0 (for programs);
• Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS;
• DVD w/lightscribe; and
• 700W Rocketfish PSU

I haven't over-clocked yet. Don't really know enough to do myself.

I did two set of test. The first is without any of the Win7 optimization (listed one first page), and the next was with the optimization except: 'disable system start-up items', 'HD optimization' (newly formatted drives), 'Install latest device drivers (PT9 only)', 'disable USB power mgnt', 'not hearing input/output' (not an issue), 'disable network adapters', or any of the others listed after.

Dverb 1024 (without optimizations) = 484 with CPU(RTAS) at 89%

Dverb 1024 (with selected optimizations) = 621 with CPU(RTAS) at 89%
Dverb 64 (with selected optimizations) = 473 with CPU(RTAS) at 86%

I was floored how much the dverb jumped after the optimizations :P
I guess putting the PT files on my 'oldest' HDs isn't the best. That'll be one the first changes. I used to have to run my old system in 'disable system start-up items' all the time, so I'll use that for big mixes.

I'm still open to impoving now that the MB and cpu are ok.

Cheers