i7 Builds - Specs and Results

[chrisdee]

I wonder if anybody successfully run large sessions with many different VI’s and plugins at 64 samples on their new builds?

I basically wonder if the hardware buffer can be set and forgot permanently to it’s lowest setting on the newest powerfull rigs? Or do we still have to change it between mixing and trackng?

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by chrisdee

I wonder if anybody successfully run large sessions with many different VI’s and plugins at 64 samples on their new builds?

I basically wonder if the hardware buffer can be set and forgot permanently to it’s lowest setting on the newest powerfull rigs? Or do we still have to change it between mixing and trackng?

I get about 90% of my work done at 64, but there are certain plugins that force me to go to 1024. Melodyne is one and KeyScape is another(and why I track/edit with MiniGrand, then swap to Keyscape and commit the track).

[keithl]

Hello

I am doing a new build based around:

ASUS PRIME Z370-A
Intel Core i7-8700K

and just need a cheap/basic video card that can handle Pro Tools with a DVI/HDMI connection.

would anybody be able to suggest anything. Looking for <$100, but will purchase whatever is needed.

Thanks!

[Jon E.]

Originally Posted by chrisdee

I wonder if anybody successfully run large sessions with many different VI’s and plugins at 64 samples on their new builds?

I basically wonder if the hardware buffer can be set and forgot permanently to it’s lowest setting on the newest powerfull rigs? Or do we still have to change it between mixing and trackng?

I have a much older build from 2012 (GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD3H, Intel Core i7-3770K, Corsair Vengeance CMZ16GX3M4A1600C9 16GB DMM), for most of my sessions I set and forget at 128 samples. But my needs are modest, usually no more than 32 tracks, I bus my convolution reverbs and freeze/commit my virtual instruments and amp sims. That said, I usually never have my total CPU/cores peak past 20%. My point is, depending on your workflow, you certainly can do this with new hardware!

***EDIT***
Boy, did I have the wrong build, must have been a parts list I was considering. I actually looked up my post on this thread(!) to find the details of my old but still running build with one exception, I lost driver support for the video card and had to replace:

1 x Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80619i73820 $299.99
1 x GIGABYTE GA-X79-UD3 LGA 2011 Intel X79 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard $239.99
1 x G.SKILL Ripjaws Z Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9Q-16GBZH $129.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 8 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM $99.99
1 x CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX750 V2 750W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply $84.99
1 x Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Bare Drive - OEM $84.99
1 x Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $54.99
1 x ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32XCD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM $19.99
1 x Logitech K120 Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard $15.99
1 x Logitech M100 910-001601 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical 1000 dpi Mouse $11.99
1 x COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler Compatible with latest Intel 2011/1366/1155 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+ $30.99
Re-used from my old AMD Opteron Quad:
1 x Western Digital Caviar RE WD1600YS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #: WD1600YS
2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM Model #: WD2500KS
1 x BFG Tech BFGR76256GTOCE GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail Model #: BFGR76256GTOCE

[zedhed]

I've just upgraded to an M.2 NVME drive which I cloned the OS to, so thought I'd share my experience here.

After doing some research I got quite excited about the M.2 form factor SSD drives capabilities, specifically the Samsung 960 series. In my excited state, I bought one. Installed it and WTF, it was a no show on my system.

As it turned out, i hadn't done my homework well enough, I'd purchased a SATA M.2 instead of a PCIe (NVME) M.2 drive. So I learned here that there are two types of M.2.
After swapping it for the right one, I duly installed it on my motherboard M.2 connection. Again WTF, I'm only getting 2x4 lane speeds instead of 3x4 (still way faster than SATAlll) but not good enough!

After doing a lot of research including reading and re-reading my Motherboard manual, I discovered its M.2 connection only supports Gen 2 not 3 so I was never going to get 3x4 out of that connection. At this stage I thought I'd wasted my money so started thinking about a motherboard upgrade...an expensive proposition.

And then after hunting around on the internet I came across M.2 to PCIe adapter cards. I knew I had two PCIe slots left so went and got one. IT WORKED!

Wow, the difference between SATAlll and NVME is outstanding. Indeed it's the most noticeable performance enhancement I've ever seen. Pro Tools is skipping through anything I throw at it as if it's on steroids on 64 buffer. I'm going to try 32 to see if I can drive PT to a stop.

I was so happy I went and bought a second drive and adapter card (same Samsung 960) to fill the other spare PCIe slot.

I wanted to share this to give a heads up to those starting out on a build or looking to pep things up a bit on a current rig.

I'll say this though, research is needed to make sure weather or not your Motherboard (and adapter card if used) supports M.2 NVME SSD's running @ 3x4 not 2x4 and that it has a UEFI Bios (needed to boot into OS on an M.2 drive).

My other SATAlll SSD's have now replaced my old WD black spinners as storage/Archives drives.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by zedhed

Wow, the difference between SATAlll and NVME is outstanding. Indeed it's the most noticeable performance enhancement I've ever seen. Pro Tools is skipping through anything I throw at it as if it's on steroids on 64 buffer..,,.

I told you !!! It is amazing

I’m glad I didn’t have an issue, perhaps dumb luck idk

I probably should have mentioned it was an NVME M.2 drive.....

Cheers

[ulisauer]

Hi, we're planning a new workstation for our ProTools HDX rig. Does anyone have experience with Intels Xeon W-2145 processor and the ASUS WS C422 PRO/SE mainboard? Or would be the Intel i9-7900X a better choice?

[YYR123]

X99 Asus i7 6850k with HDX on Win10 Pro v1709 without issue

[DonaldM]

In looking to gather components to build my own system. The local computer shop (which are really good folks!) suggested the Gigabyte Z370XP SLI for the MOBO. Has anyone used this one? Will this work with PT?

[zedhed]

Hey Donald,

I'm sure that MB would be fine.

A couple of things to note though. I've highlighted the areas where potentially speed can be choked depending on what is plugged in where. That may or may not be of any consequence to you depending on what drives you're intending to use.
I would strongly urge anyone to go down the M.2 NVME route though, as per my previous post.

Expansion slots:
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
* For optimum performance, if only one PCI Express graphics card is to be installed, be sure to install it in the PCIEX16 slot.
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x8 (PCIEX8)
* The PCIEX8 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX16 slot. When the PCIEX8 slot is populated, the PCIEX16 slot operates at up to x8 mode.
1 x PCI Express x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
* The PCIEX4 slot shares bandwidth with the M2Q_32G connector. The PCIEX4 slot will become unavailable when an SSD is installed in the M2Q_32G connector.