New CPU for Protools M Powered

[whtaznboi829]

Hey everyone,

I have Protools M powered and the M-Audio Profire 610 running on an Intel E8400 Processor (3.0Ghz O.C. 3.6Ghz).

I was wondering if it's worth getting an i7 for a Protools rig. I'm not sure if the software is optimized for such processors and what not.

My goal for the upgrade is to get my computer to run more smoothly with more plug-ins.

Thanks,
Sam

Mobo: EVGA 780i SLI FTW
CPU: Intel E8400 (3.0Ghz O.C. to 3.6Ghz)
HDD: 2x WD Caviar Black Sata
Graphics: 2x EVGA GTX260
PSU: Corsair 850W
OS: Windows 7 Pro x64
Protools M Powered
M-Audio ProFire 610

[justus1900]

Originally Posted by whtaznboi829

I was wondering if it's worth getting an i7 for a Protools rig.

One Word? "YES" I had a iMac with Dual 2 Core 2.16 Ghz CPU and I could crash that CPU with very little tracking and Mixing and I could never the lower the Sample Rate below 512 and that was only for a few tracks and maybe one Plug-In. I now have a i7 Chip and I can do so much more now up the 48 Tracks w/26 Plug-Ins and Automation with no problems. I would do it get the i7 CPU Chip Computer IM sure you will love how much more power you have and how smooth your system will run.

[soundmaster]

check out the LE windows forum and go to "best i7 builds" and

[Dism]

Originally Posted by justus1900

One Word? "YES" I had a iMac with Dual 2 Core 2.16 Ghz CPU and I could crash that CPU with very little tracking and Mixing and I could never the lower the Sample Rate below 512 and that was only for a few tracks and maybe one Plug-In. I now have a i7 Chip and I can do so much more now up the 48 Tracks w/26 Plug-Ins and Automation with no problems. I would do it get the i7 CPU Chip Computer IM sure you will love how much more power you have and how smooth your system will run.

I dunno why you were having such problems with the iMac... cuz my 2.2 GHz Macbook Pro still kills 50+ track sessions no problem. Biggest session is nearly 80 tracks and 100 plugs. 2 1/2 year old laptop.

Though... an i7 would certainly be sweet.

[whtaznboi829]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the reply~ I'm also wondering how much a Core 2 Quad oh lets say a Q9550 would have an effect on performance compared to my current CPU which is an E8400.

In your opinion would the upgrade to a Quad core be worth it?

Thanks,
Sam

[WillieB]

it matters....... what's your workflow like? For example, if you run a limited amount of VI before you're at a point that you're comfortable with recording audio then, less processor and memory is probably ok. If you do a great deal of your composition in midi/VI environment before recording audio then i7 with gobs of memory would probably be better. I've got an i7 running right now here beside me that's auto-looping on an orchestra composition (mostly), there are at least 7 diff VI running and over 50 midi tracks chock full (too busy really) with several effects and automation running too. CPU core load has spiked once at 30% but is averaging between 15%-20%. That's using a stock i7 920 processor.

Please old wise PT gurus....chime in if I've said something stupid here.

[whtaznboi829]

For the most part, I have about 4-6 VI tracks running before recording audio. My current build has an E8400 processor with 6GB of RAM. It's fine when I record couple tracks of audio, but the problem occurs when I start adding in plug ins to the track. At this point, the program becomes laggy and what not. The reason why I ask about the Q9550 is so that I don't have to get a whole new set of hardware like Mobo, DDR3 RAM and what not.

Thanks,
Sam

[soundmaster]

it´s worth a try. Performance will definatly be better but I´m not shure about your mobo/ chipset.
Something to read :-O click it´s the Quad-thread