i7 Builds - Specs and Results

[filosofem]

Originally Posted by Dorian27

I saw a few unsupported 1394 cards being used, any recommendations for 1394 cards if I go this route?

Avid Qualified SIIG Adapter.

[Dnnspv]

Originally Posted by Dorian27

Someone mentioned that I really don't need a cooling system unless I am overclocking, so I am wondering, "Do I need to overclock?"
Are folks overclocking because they are finding it neccessary in order to adequately run their rigs, or is it more of a "let's squeeze every last bit of juice from the orange, because we can?" -which is cool too, but I'm trying to stick to the neccessities.

Having a six core processor is always the wish but not always the budget, so overclocking generally comes into play for those having slower processors. And it's not only done in the most extreme manner. Some people easily overclock from say 2.8 to 3.5 GHz which is definitely not extreme nor requires a ton of cooling; it just adds a little more juice. Also, guys with HD generally don't need to overclock since the cards handle the load.

We are not gamers or extreme OC geeks here. . Overclocking should only be considered if you can't or don't wanna upgrade your current processor right now but would like to gain a little more juice. You'll be fine with any new processor that gives you the power you need.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by Dnnspv

Having a six core processor is always the wish but not always the budget, so overclocking generally comes into play for those having slower processors. And it's not only done in the most extreme manner. Some people easily overclock from say 2.8 to 3.5 GHz which is definitely not extreme nor requires a ton of cooling; it just adds a little more juice. Also, guys with HD generally don't need to overclock since the cards handle the load.

We are not gamers or extreme OC geeks here. . Overclocking should only be considered if you can't or don't wanna upgrade your current processor right now but would like to gain a little more juice. You'll be fine with any new processor that gives you the power you need.

I'm going to have to disagree with a lot of this. First... Several quad CPUs are technically faster than 6 core CPUs. Clock speed is not at all the only difference, and doesn't generally make up for the lack of cores or bus speeds/cache sizes.

Second, overclocking is not available or recommended on all processors. You need both the right motherboard and the right CPU (ie, modern Intel CPUs with a "K" have unlocked multiplyers). It's not likely that you could take a budget CPU and make it perform much better. Generally, you're already paying a few more bucks for a CPU you can actually OC in the first place.

[sw0mgt]

With the OP stating that most of the original system builds have had their components discontinue, updated or replaced: what are current mobo/CPU/ram parts that are verified the most stable with PTLE8? Is it a matter of me.finding one, maybe two builds that show good PT performance and copying their setup?

Um looking to spend $800 or less on mobo/CPU/ram.

[Dnnspv]

Originally Posted by Dism

I'm going to have to disagree with a lot of this. First... Several quad CPUs are technically faster than 6 core CPUs. Clock speed is not at all the only difference, and doesn't generally make up for the lack of cores or bus speeds/cache sizes.

Second, overclocking is not available or recommended on all processors. You need both the right motherboard and the right CPU (ie, modern Intel CPUs with a "K" have unlocked multiplyers). It's not likely that you could take a budget CPU and make it perform much better. Generally, you're already paying a few more bucks for a CPU you can actually OC in the first place.

Cool. To be clear though, I was not suggesting that you can overclock any CPU and mobo. The question was is overclocking needed, and then a 3930k processor was listed. IMO, it's not needed with that processor especially for audio. Overclocking in general is not needed at all. Just buy a powerful enough processor for your needs. OTOH, since the i7 920, many go with the cheaper 2x GHz processors within their budgets and successfully OC to 3+.

[Dorian27]

I gothcha- some folks I think are OCin just to see what they can get out of their machines. You're saying it can be used as a means to get get what you need out of a system while avoiding a costly upgrade. However, If you have a machine that exceeds the specifications for its intended purpose, then no need to OC.

Thank you, I think a lot of people will find that helpful-and probably fuel for discussion.

[versatyle]

I finally got all my parts and built my new DAW with the following components:

Intel® Core i7-3930K Processor
CORSAIR Vengeance LP 32GB (8 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate Edition
ASUS P9X79 WS, Socket-2011
ASUS EN210 SILENT/DI/1GD3/V2(LP) GeForce 210 1GB 64-bit DDR3
Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 Black Aluminum
LITE-ON 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM
Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSDSC2CW180A310 2.5" 180GB SATA III (1xOS)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache (2xPTLE 10 & Backups)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache (1xSamples)
Corsair AX 850W PSU
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
SIIG FireWire 2-Port PCIe Model NN-E20012-S2
Pro Tools 10 LE - Crossgrade
Digi 002

I can't seem to get past the 300 DVerb Mark???? Dverb 1024 (w/ optimizations) = 300 with CPU(RTAS) at 89%
I thought I would be getting way more DVerbs than that. Any ideas???

Configurations I have tried:
Using Ghost 15 for backups throughout the process
Updated BIOS to latest
No Overclocking yet
I loaded Windows 7, PTLE 10, Office 2010, Nero 10, Daemon Tools Lite, as my base build and took an image
Avid's Windows 7 PT Optimizations
Switch to X.M.P. - I think it's enabled by default, i didn't figure out how to set this
Disable Speedstepping (C1E, C3/C6/C7)
Disable TURBO MODE and speedsteppin
Hyperthreading is on
"Boot device priority" only checked my OS hard drive
Disabled On-board Firewire, Audio, Serial, both LAN ports
CPU Cores Enabled (Note) [All]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) (Note) [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology (Note) DISABLED

Seems like my DAW did better before a lot of the windows 7 tweaks? I must be missing some major setting in the bios or at the OS level, not sure at this point. Any recommendations are appreciated! Thanks.

[sw0mgt]

The system is for PTLE 8.0; as with all audio builds, quietness is a concern! It will never be used for gaming. I will probably not OC very much, but I want to make sure the system will be cool enough until I'm ready a few years later to do water-cooling. Is the 650W PSU sufficient? I bought it in 2007.

New parts:

Mobo:
ASUS Rampage IV Extreme LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Extended ATX Intel Motherboard

CPU:
Intel Core i7-3930K Sandy Bridge-E 3.2GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) LGA 2011 130W Six-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73930K

CPU heatsink:
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler

RAM:
2 x G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR

Case:
COOLER MASTER HAF X RC-942-KKN1 Black Steel/ Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case


To be used with these old components:
SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-650HT 650W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

EVGA 320-P2-N811-AR GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

1x Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

1x Western Digital AV-GP WD10EVDS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal AV Hard Drive -Bare Drive

PLEXTOR Black 18X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 10X DVD+R DL 18X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-R 32X CD-RW 40X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA Super Multi DVD Burner

SIIG FireWire 2-Port PCIe Model NN-E20012-S2 -- Must work with new parts for audio recording!!



Replacing:
ABIT IP35 Pro LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor BX80562Q6600

4x Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK




Should I see a good increase in performance?

Thank you, kindly!

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by sw0mgt

The system is for PTLE 8.0; as with all audio builds, quietness is a concern! It will never be used for gaming. I will probably not OC very much, but I want to make sure the system will be cool enough until I'm ready a few years later to do water-cooling. Is the 650W PSU sufficient? I bought it in 2007.


Should I see a good increase in performance?

Thank you, kindly!

an increase is only putting it mildly. you will be going foward by leaps and bounds!!

i would NOT reuse the power supply. this is one of the most important parts of the build. do not short yourself here!!! 650 w is fine, but definitely replace it.

[guitardom]

Originally Posted by versatyle

I finally got all my parts and built my new DAW with the following components:

Intel® Core i7-3930K Processor
CORSAIR Vengeance LP 32GB (8 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
Windows 7 64Bit Ultimate Edition
ASUS P9X79 WS, Socket-2011
ASUS EN210 SILENT/DI/1GD3/V2(LP) GeForce 210 1GB 64-bit DDR3
Antec Performance One Series P183 V3 Black Aluminum
LITE-ON 12X BD-R 2X BD-RE 16X DVD+R 12X DVD-RAM 8X BD-ROM
Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSDSC2CW180A310 2.5" 180GB SATA III (1xOS)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache (2xPTLE 10 & Backups)
Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache (1xSamples)
Corsair AX 850W PSU
Noctua NH-D14 SE2011 140mm and 120mm SSO CPU Cooler
SIIG FireWire 2-Port PCIe Model NN-E20012-S2
Pro Tools 10 LE - Crossgrade
Digi 002

I can't seem to get past the 300 DVerb Mark???? Dverb 1024 (w/ optimizations) = 300 with CPU(RTAS) at 89%
I thought I would be getting way more DVerbs than that. Any ideas???

Configurations I have tried:
Using Ghost 15 for backups throughout the process
Updated BIOS to latest
No Overclocking yet
I loaded Windows 7, PTLE 10, Office 2010, Nero 10, Daemon Tools Lite, as my base build and took an image
Avid's Windows 7 PT Optimizations
Switch to X.M.P. - I think it's enabled by default, i didn't figure out how to set this
Disable Speedstepping (C1E, C3/C6/C7)
Disable TURBO MODE and speedsteppin
Hyperthreading is on
"Boot device priority" only checked my OS hard drive
Disabled On-board Firewire, Audio, Serial, both LAN ports
CPU Cores Enabled (Note) [All]
CPU Thermal Monitor 2(TM2) (Note) [Enabled]
Virtualization Technology (Note) DISABLED

Seems like my DAW did better before a lot of the windows 7 tweaks? I must be missing some major setting in the bios or at the OS level, not sure at this point. Any recommendations are appreciated! Thanks.

typically if you are turning on xmp, it is doing some sort of oc'ing. i leave it off and set everything manually.

in the pro tools setups are you setting your machine to run on all but 1 of your processors??? it will probably default at 6.