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  #6921  
Old 11-15-2021, 09:06 AM
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fiddlecat fiddlecat is offline
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Many thanks! Just the kind of info/reality-check I need to get started.

Once I get down to an exact proposed system I'll check in again here before giving NewEgg my credit card numbers...
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  #6922  
Old 11-17-2021, 06:49 AM
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGS View Post
K vs KF? My K has integrated graphics, but I use a dedicated NVidea GPU instead. I could've saved a few bucks with KF, but opted for K (as a backup). https://www.intel.com/content/www/us...057824/graphic

Your build will likely be a power monster that should future-proof you for a good while!

I am curious about one thing with these builds, which is the performance when using PT to play VI's with external MIDI controller. In my ancient of days current system, there's a lot of VI's such as Omnisphere or Falcon, where I can't set the buffer below 256k ever when trying to play the VI, and usually 512k. That sometimes (often actually) creates noticeable delay issues when playing. So, with the builds you're all discussing, what buffer settings are you able to use when playing VI's controlled externally? 32? 64? Just curious how they perform.



Also, do you ever get the "You've run out CPU power" alert with these set ups?



Thanks.
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  #6923  
Old 11-17-2021, 07:19 AM
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

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Originally Posted by DonaldM View Post
... what buffer settings are you able to use when playing VI's controlled externally?

... do you ever get the "You've run out CPU power" alert
64

No
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  #6924  
Old 11-17-2021, 07:36 AM
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

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Originally Posted by EGS View Post
64

No

Thanks, Gary. One more question. In looking at the CPU chip at Newegg it says 3.4Ghz. But you said you're system is running at 5.1GHz. Is there a different CPU chip model? I don't understand the difference.



Also, it appears that the RAM chips you specified are all currently "out of stock!" Oh joy!
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  #6925  
Old 11-17-2021, 10:08 AM
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

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Originally Posted by DonaldM View Post
Thanks, Gary. One more question. In looking at the CPU chip at Newegg it says 3.4Ghz. But you said you're system is running at 5.1GHz. Is there a different CPU chip model? I don't understand the difference.



Also, it appears that the RAM chips you specified are all currently "out of stock!" Oh joy!
Yeah, CPU clock rate is confusing.

To run @ buffer 64, a fast CPU helps. The CPU clock is set in bios, and it's actually pretty simple. Manufacturer specs list "base" clock and "boost" clock. Turbo boost is generally not advised for Pro Tools since throttling up or down might adversely affect performance. Disable it in bios. While my particular CPU model claims "boost up to 5.3GHz", I decided to go conservative with a constant (turbo boost off) all-core clock of 5.1. I think the Intel published 5.3 number is marketing hype designed to sell chips to gamers; I'm not a gamer & only want stability. There's a LOT of crazy gamer over-clocker tricks out there (beware), but I found simple/conservative/solid bios settings called "Strategy #2: Traditional Approach" here: https://skatterbencher.com/2021/04/0...d-to-5500-mhz/ I'm no expert on bios, so I simply typed-in these settings like a cookbook, and it worked perfectly! Conservative/safe operating temps, too! By the way, I use air cooling (not liquid) with low-RPM fans and a fan-less titanium PSU; it all runs really quiet.

When I pushed "buy" for my build in June 2021 (before 12th gen was available), I went with 11th gen/Z590/DDR4-3600. Intel 9th gen was pretty darn good ... 10th & 11th gen refined/matured that chip technology further ... 12th gen is brand new tech, but it's awesome. I think right now for Pro Tools, you can't go wrong with 10th gen i7/i9 Z490, 11th gen i7/i9 Z590, or 12th gen i5(!)/i7/i9 Z690. These chips provide tons of CPU headroom. (Note: AMD Ryzen & Apple M1 are decent chips too, but I have no personal experience with them for Pro Tools.)

Ram: depends on your CPU/MB. If you go 12th gen/Z690, you might as well get DDR5.
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  #6926  
Old 11-17-2021, 10:50 AM
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DonaldM DonaldM is offline
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGS View Post
Yeah, CPU clock rate is confusing.

To run @ buffer 64, a fast CPU helps. The CPU clock is set in bios, and it's actually pretty simple. Manufacturer specs list "base" clock and "boost" clock. Turbo boost is generally not advised for Pro Tools since throttling up or down might adversely affect performance. Disable it in bios. While my particular CPU model claims "boost up to 5.3GHz", I decided to go conservative with a constant (turbo boost off) all-core clock of 5.1. I think the Intel published 5.3 number is marketing hype designed to sell chips to gamers; I'm not a gamer & only want stability. There's a LOT of crazy gamer over-clocker tricks out there (beware), but I found simple/conservative/solid bios settings called "Strategy #2: Traditional Approach" here: https://skatterbencher.com/2021/04/0...d-to-5500-mhz/ I'm no expert on bios, so I simply typed-in these settings like a cookbook, and it worked perfectly! Conservative/safe operating temps, too! By the way, I use air cooling (not liquid) with low-RPM fans and a fan-less titanium PSU; it all runs really quiet.

When I pushed "buy" for my build in June 2021 (before 12th gen was available), I went with 11th gen/Z590/DDR4-3600. Intel 9th gen was pretty darn good ... 10th & 11th gen refined/matured that chip technology further ... 12th gen is brand new tech, but it's awesome. I think right now for Pro Tools, you can't go wrong with 10th gen i7/i9 Z490, 11th gen i7/i9 Z590, or 12th gen i5(!)/i7/i9 Z690. These chips provide tons of CPU headroom. (Note: AMD Ryzen & Apple M1 are decent chips too, but I have no personal experience with them for Pro Tools.)

Ram: depends on your CPU/MB. If you go 12th gen/Z690, you might as well get DDR5.

Gary - Thank you so much for all this info. This really helps me!
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  #6927  
Old 11-17-2021, 11:32 PM
Skwaidu Skwaidu is offline
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Win 11 build:

i9-12900K
MSI PRO Z690-A DDR4 (due to DDR5 prices/availability, and having 2x hopefully HDX-capable PCIe slots)
Noctua NH-D15 CPU Cooler
Kingston Fury Beast 64GB DDR4 3200MHz/CL16
Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 (OS)
Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2TB M.2 PCIe 3.0 (Main audio)
Corsair HX1000 1000W PSU

I already had/ migrated these:

Fractal Designs Define R6 case
2x WD Black 6TB
GPU (a few options, possibly the Mac flashed GTX780 from my MP to start with)

PT confirmed to be working (so "untested"?) and the power is massive, but HDX testing to commence. Fingers crossed...
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Windows 11 22H2, Intel i9-14900K, MSI PRO Z690-A D4, 64 GB DDR4 4000MHz/CL18, Corsair HX1000, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0, 5TB M.2 PCIe 3.0, 2TB QVO, 2x6TB WD Black, Noctua NH-D15, Fractal Design Define R6 + RTX4070 - PT Ultimate 2023.9

Used to be/ Spare/ DAPS: Mac Pro 4,1 upgraded to 5,1 3,46Ghz 12 Core, 96GB RAM, OS SSD and Sata3 Audio SSD, macOS Mojave, PT Ultimate 2021.10, DAPS 3.7.1

HDX2, MTRX Studio & DAD MOM, HD I/O 16x16, Apogee AD/DA 16X/X-HD and ICON D-Command ES.

Last edited by Skwaidu; 11-18-2021 at 08:49 AM. Reason: Typo in the mobo spec
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  #6928  
Old 11-18-2021, 07:34 AM
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Quote:
Originally Posted by Skwaidu View Post
... i9-12900K
MSI PRO Z290-A ...
12th gen CPUs are socket LGA1700, so you'll need a Z690 MB.
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  #6929  
Old 11-18-2021, 08:49 AM
Skwaidu Skwaidu is offline
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGS View Post
12th gen CPUs are socket LGA1700, so you'll need a Z690 MB.
And that was a typo, fixed.
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Windows 11 22H2, Intel i9-14900K, MSI PRO Z690-A D4, 64 GB DDR4 4000MHz/CL18, Corsair HX1000, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0, 5TB M.2 PCIe 3.0, 2TB QVO, 2x6TB WD Black, Noctua NH-D15, Fractal Design Define R6 + RTX4070 - PT Ultimate 2023.9

Used to be/ Spare/ DAPS: Mac Pro 4,1 upgraded to 5,1 3,46Ghz 12 Core, 96GB RAM, OS SSD and Sata3 Audio SSD, macOS Mojave, PT Ultimate 2021.10, DAPS 3.7.1

HDX2, MTRX Studio & DAD MOM, HD I/O 16x16, Apogee AD/DA 16X/X-HD and ICON D-Command ES.
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  #6930  
Old 11-18-2021, 08:51 AM
Skwaidu Skwaidu is offline
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Default Re: i7 Builds - Specs and Results

Preliminary results: HDX2 recognized. I didn't yet have time to try with the DSP mixer and using the 2nd card digilink as well, as I had suspicions about that slot (MSI are unclear if that slot 4 is PCIe 3.0 x4 or x1, even though the seller page stated x4...)
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Windows 11 22H2, Intel i9-14900K, MSI PRO Z690-A D4, 64 GB DDR4 4000MHz/CL18, Corsair HX1000, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0, 5TB M.2 PCIe 3.0, 2TB QVO, 2x6TB WD Black, Noctua NH-D15, Fractal Design Define R6 + RTX4070 - PT Ultimate 2023.9

Used to be/ Spare/ DAPS: Mac Pro 4,1 upgraded to 5,1 3,46Ghz 12 Core, 96GB RAM, OS SSD and Sata3 Audio SSD, macOS Mojave, PT Ultimate 2021.10, DAPS 3.7.1

HDX2, MTRX Studio & DAD MOM, HD I/O 16x16, Apogee AD/DA 16X/X-HD and ICON D-Command ES.
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