Xeon processor for ProTools Studio

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by lesbrunn

I thought AMD systems were not yet 'approved' Of course, I realize 'not approved' probably only means 'not tested'. Wondering if there are any successful AMD users out there.

You think this makes any difference? Avid approved workstations etc. are largely a marketing game. With HP willing to spend money to do this, etc. And if you follow Avid approved systems you may be generations behind, with lower performance and potentially more problems than just making safe guesses with recent systems. What about disk recommendations? You still installing 7200 RPM HDD and putting sessions on dedicated HDD? So much of this crap is out of date and potentially harmful to users.

Yes there are many many AMD users out there. Not many of them are likely to see this post on a thread about Xeon processors and reply. The only real problem I recall one user having is with a massive Threadripper based home built system that might well be well above any system config (Intel or AMD CPU) tested carefully with Pro Tools. It would be good there at least to have a Threadripper baseline say with some high-config Lenovo P640 workstations (known for their quality/basically the reference Threadripper workstation). But most folks are also not likely to go Threadripper for a DAW workstation.

[albee1952]

FWIW, I just ordered an HP Z4 from eBay(model is still on the Avid-approved list of PC's) that is coming with a XEON. If that cpu falls short, the same PC can take an i7 10920X and that will be my upgrade path

[Darryl Ramm]

10920X is an i9, and it's 2-3 generations old by now. But still nice, you get to leverage the Intel scrambling with the 10920X and related processors to try to catch up to AMD Threadripper.

It's a tradeoff for how conservative/turn key you want to be esp. vs. building your own system or looking around for alternative non-officially qualified systems. It's personally just go straight to i9 processors on those systems, and esp. on later gen systems. The Lenovo P360 Tower will hopefully be getting 13th Gen i9 CPU updates soon, and current P360 Tower systems should be compatible/user upgradeable.

I will not purchase any product from HP. They are dead to me over their proprietary printer cartridge behavior and their utter dishonesty and distain with which they treat customers. They dominate Pro Tools approved systems lists only because they throw marketing money and resources at this.

[EGS]

Originally Posted by Darryl Ramm

... personally just go straight to i9 processors...

+1. If budget allows, go 13th gen i9.

[albee1952]

Mine is coming from a reseller and not HP, and it was dirt cheap(under $300). That makes upgrading the cpu still a bargain

[Darryl Ramm]

Now that's my kind of bargain. And if they have the large power supply option even more so.

[EGS]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Mine is coming from a reseller and not HP, and it was dirt cheap(under $300). That makes upgrading the cpu still a bargain

Great!

[smurfyou]

Say what you will about HP as a company but the Z series are serious workstations. Beefy power supplies and easy access to upgrades/maintenance. I've had great experience with them in always-on studio settings.

If you have to use a Windows machine that is

[BlueVub]

Originally Posted by EGS

Cool! Some ideas for the Dell:

1. Create “Dell boot-drive image #1” right away, as-shipped. Use the built-in Windows imaging software (or a similar 3rd party app): https://recoverit.wondershare.com/ba...age-win11.html
2. Establish internet, & take all Windows Updates. Run a Windows Defender scan.
3. Uninstall bloatware.
4. Windows Privacy & all the other Windows System Settings: basically turn them all off. Google search if you have questions along the way.
5. Standard AVID Optimizations & also AVID Troubleshooting steps. Important to do them all.
6. Works? Create boot-drive image #2.
7. Install Audio interface drivers. Make sure Windows does NOT use the audio interface for any sounds in or out. Install Pro-Tools (but no 3rd party plugs). Tests.
8. Works? Image #3.
9. Add 3rd party plugs. Install one plugin manufacturer at a time, latest & compatible versions, tests. Next plug co: install/tests.
10. Works? Image #4.

Thank you so much for this!