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  #1  
Old 06-16-2016, 09:04 PM
Girl6 Girl6 is offline
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Default HP Z800 vs HP Envy

Hello,

I am a long-time Mac user making the move to PC. I'm really not into building a PC at this point, and I notice that HP comes recommended.

I was looking at an HP Envy i7 6700 w/16 Gigs of ram (about *899 new, maybe $625 factory refurbished), but I notice many HP Z800 workstations on E-bay also. Which would be best to go with for PT 12.5? Of course the Envy doesn't have firewire for my interface, but has USB 3.0 (not on the Z series). Thanks!

Girl6
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Old 06-16-2016, 09:39 PM
JuanPC JuanPC is offline
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

For Windows the best is 12.3.1
12.4 not recommended.
12.5 is almost the same, refreshed video engine code + Avid cloud collaboration.
12.5.1 not much, some improvements on the avid cloud collaboration.

Windows7 SP1 64-bit Pro or Ultimate is recommended.

Workstation all the way, if they have ECC ram.
Some modifications would be needed, like SSD for C:\ drive.
24GB or more ram recommended.
But not more than 32GB if Not Registered UnBuffered ram.

SSD benchmark.
http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/

Find the fastest CPU you can, a good reference is a CPU that can give over 100 points in single core test in Cinebench R15 Benchmark.
And over 1000 points in all cores test.

There are many brands of pcie USB3.0 add-on cards.
With Chips like Nec / Renesas or
VIA VL800 work fine.
Some can be upgraded with latest drivers, & firmware from station drivers.
But is more advanced.
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Last edited by JuanPC; 06-16-2016 at 09:54 PM.
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Old 06-16-2016, 09:54 PM
Girl6 Girl6 is offline
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

Thank you JuanPC. I thought the workstation was a better idea, even though it is older. It just seems more robust and expandable.
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Old 06-17-2016, 03:33 AM
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Wizzoboy Wizzoboy is offline
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

+1 for the workstation.
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Old 06-22-2016, 03:26 AM
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

To add my 2 cents why not keep your music recording system on Mac and get a smaller, more affordable PC for all the other stuff you need?
From experience Pro Tools still does work better on Macs in general. More reliable, more stable, less picky behavior than with Windows/PC.
For PT12.5.x any i7 Quad Macbook Pro (2014 models with the dual graphic cards best at the moment) still is the best, most reliable solution.
So you could get such a one for the price of a Windows Notebook from the Apple Refurbished store for example.

Just as food for thought.

Anyway the best of success to you.
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Old 06-29-2016, 01:36 AM
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chrisdee chrisdee is offline
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

Quote:
Originally Posted by JuanPC View Post
For Windows the best is 12.3.1
That's my experience as well.
12.3.1 has been the most stable version on Windows for me.
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Old 06-29-2016, 01:56 AM
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

12.4 is working quite well here on Win 7. Don't know why it's "not recommended."
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Old 06-29-2016, 01:55 PM
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feliponk feliponk is offline
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Default Re: HP Z800 vs HP Envy

Hi: I use a Z800 running OSX Mountain Lion and Windows 7 Pro 64.

Both run great so I use the OSX version for ProTools and the Windows 7 for Media Composer.

Regards.
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