Building a workstation for Pro Tools 12

[atticmike]

Howdy fellas,

Like a lot of long-time Mac users, I've grown tired of how Apple treats their audio post production customer base, in particular not upgrading the "Pro" line up. While I'm still happy with how my Mac Pro 3.1 performs at this very moment, I'd love to extend my hardware horizon and harness a more capable system. How would you go about tackling this delicate transition? First and foremost, I'd love to be able to keep an extra ssd in this new system and run macOS from time to time. Secondly, I'd appreciate a performance boost that's at least twice as fast as my current dual quad core (Intel Xeon E5462 @ 2.80 GHz 2 processors, 8 cores).

Now, what'd be your recommendations? Is it necesarry to pick a dual cpu setup again or can it be done with one? Does it have to be a Xeon or are i7s as durable and feasible for applications such as Pro Tools nowadays?

By the way, I wouldn't mind doing a little bit of gaming on this future build as well.

Also, what's the best bang for the buck regarding the 6 and 8 core i7, is it really worth spending another 500 bucks on the 8 core? I guess it will surely not double the performance?

Mike

[Shan]

You'll find many of your answers in the i7 builds thread. The gents are usually quick to respond. Quite a few of us use and own both platforms these days(PC & Mac).

Shane

[atticmike]

Originally Posted by Shan

You'll find many of your answers in the i7 builds thread. The gents are usually quick to respond. Quite a few of us use and own both platforms these days(PC & Mac).

Shane

thanks a bunch, already submitted :)

[chrismeraz]

I have a 3rd generation i3 processor (5 years old) and I can run 24 tracks at 24/96 with minimum latency and a couple of low-powered plugins on each track so... I can't imagine you would need an 8-core or dual processor PC at all. Really.

[weezul]

Originally Posted by chrismeraz

I have a 3rd generation i3 processor (5 years old) and I can run 24 tracks at 24/96 with minimum latency and a couple of low-powered plugins on each track so... I can't imagine you would need an 8-core or dual processor PC at all. Really.

agreed. I'm still on a i7 2600 (hackintosh, macOS sierra) but my PCIe RayDAT really makes light work of I/O at low latencies, even with plugins. I can even track with my full vocal chain at 64 buffer and never had a latency complaint from a vocalist.

[albee1952]

Given the above comments, remember this: DO NOT buy an i3 or any other "budget" processor. An i7 quad core is the dead minimum you want. If you skimp, you will outgrow your new system way too soon and waste money. Build it right the first time and it will serve you for many years(no offense to any i3 users, just good advice) Now for my 2 cents worth, minimum specs:
i7 quad core(more is better, running a 6 core here and sometimes wish for more power)
16GB of RAM(running 32GB here and just ordered a matching 32GB kit)
650 watt power supply(if I were building today, I would go 750)
nVidia graphics(this is one place where you CAN go cheap unless you plan on working with video)
Samsung 840/850 series SSD for system drive(if money is tight, spinners are fine for samples and sessions. WD Caviar Black are a great value)
If noise matters, get a case that is made to be quiet.
Last suggestion if you can afford it, a 3-4 slot SATA drive cage(that fits into the large bays of most PC cases). This makes drive swaps easy(and a $12 adapter case allows the SSD to slide in). Once your build is up and running, clone your system drive to a spare drive(even a spinner) or at the very least, save a drive image once you are happy with the rig for a few weeks(and image again BEFORE any new install or update, in case somethings goes sour)