CPU Recommendation for Audio Recording/Prod

[tonyeezy]

I'm going to be putting together a computer for my brother who currently has an Ivy Bridge laptop which really just isn't getting it done anymore.

 

The main purpose of his machine is to use a program called Pro Tools to record audio in using an Avid MBox. He also uses plugins with the program (I don't know which ones).

 

I don't know too much about audio recording myself and he isn't a computer guy so I'd just would really like to know if he would receive a big boost in performance using an i7 versus an i5 processor.

 

I plan on going with the 6600K for him (or the new Kaby Lake depending on when he builds it), but just wanted to see if the i7 would be worth it just in case.

[ARikozuM]

What programs in particular?

[The Flying Sloth]

6 minutes ago, tonyeezy said:

I'm going to be putting together a computer for my brother who currently has an Ivy Bridge laptop which really just isn't getting it done anymore.

 

The main purpose of his machine is to use a program called Pro Tools to record audio in using an Avid MBox. He also uses plugins with the program (I don't know which ones).

 

I don't know too much about audio recording myself and he isn't a computer guy so I'd just would really like to know if he would receive a big boost in performance using an i7 versus an i5 processor.

 

I plan on going with the 6600K for him (or the new Kaby Lake depending on when he builds it), but just wanted to see if the i7 would be worth it just in case.

I have been in the recording/mixing business for a while now and have purpose built multiple PC's for recording. I mainly use FL12 directors edition but have previously dabbled in Pro Tools.

One of my main windows based recording/editing rigs (now my backup) has only a C2D 7400 as the CPU and I have to say it hasn't let me down before.

Honestly, very little CPU power is required for editing.
Doesn't mean I'm saying not to go for the I7
Just jeep in mind that it won't make much of a difference.
 

[tonyeezy]

3 minutes ago, ARikozuM said:

What programs in particular?

http://www.avid.com/pro-tools

 

1 minute ago, The Flying Sloth said:

I have been in the recording/mixing business for a while now and have purpose built multiple PC's for recording. I mainly use FL12 directors edition but have previously dabbled in Pro Tools.

One of my main windows based recording/editing rigs (now my backup) has only a C2D 7400 as the CPU and I have to say it hasn't let me down before.

Honestly, very little CPU power is required for editing.
Doesn't mean I'm saying not to go for the I7
Just jeep in mind that it won't make much of a difference.
 

Okay excellent thank you. I imagined that it wouldn't require too much CPU power but I've never dabbled in the field before. I don't really do much on my own PC aside from some programming, CSGO and general tasks but my 2500k can handle everything I throw at it.

 

While his laptop is a bit aged now and slow (and laptops generally don't have as much CPU power as a desktop counterpart would) he tells me his program crashes with too many plugins or he has issues recording. Just wanted to confirm how much more power/speed would be needed.

[The Flying Sloth]

1 minute ago, tonyeezy said:

http://www.avid.com/pro-tools

 

Okay excellent thank you. I imagined that it wouldn't require too much CPU power but I've never dabbled in the field before. I don't really do much on my own PC aside from some programming, CSGO and general tasks but my 2500k can handle everything I throw at it.

 

While his laptop is a bit aged now and slow (and laptops generally don't have as much CPU power as a desktop counterpart would) he tells me his program crashes with too many plugins or he has issues recording. Just wanted to confirm how much more power/speed would be needed.

What CPU has he got?

Really that's more likely to be a HDD or RAM limited issue
My recording rigs all have a minimum of 8GB ram (main rig has 40)
 

[ARikozuM]

From the website:

Spoiler

Windows:

• Intel® PC with Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate 64-bit Editions), Windows 8/8.1 (Standard and Pro 64-bit Editions), and Windows 10 (Home, Pro, and Enterprise 64-bit Editions)
• Intel® Xeon® processor
• 8GB RAM (16GB or more recommended)
• Internet connection for installation
• 15GB disk space for installation
• USB-port for iLok 2 authorization
• PCIe slot for HDX or HD Native card (incl. one power connection on motherboard) or ASIO-supported audio device
• Supports 64-bit AAX plug-ins in Pro Tools

It looks like you can get good performance with a 1231 v3.

[tonyeezy]

2 hours ago, The Flying Sloth said:

What CPU has he got?

Really that's more likely to be a HDD or RAM limited issue
My recording rigs all have a minimum of 8GB ram (main rig has 40)
 

His current computer has an Intel i5 3337U, 4GB RAM, and a 500GB HDD.

 

Here it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231074

2 hours ago, ARikozuM said:

From the website:

  Reveal hidden contents

Windows:

• Intel® PC with Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate 64-bit Editions), Windows 8/8.1 (Standard and Pro 64-bit Editions), and Windows 10 (Home, Pro, and Enterprise 64-bit Editions)
• Intel® Xeon® processor
• 8GB RAM (16GB or more recommended)
• Internet connection for installation
• 15GB disk space for installation
• USB-port for iLok 2 authorization
• PCIe slot for HDX or HD Native card (incl. one power connection on motherboard) or ASIO-supported audio device
• Supports 64-bit AAX plug-ins in Pro Tools

It looks like you can get good performance with a 1231 v3.

Yeah I saw they recommended a Xeon for Pro Tools "HD". I really can't see why though tbh. Would that Xeon really perform better than say a 6600k?

[ARikozuM]

2 minutes ago, tonyeezy said:

His current computer has an Intel i5 3337U, 4GB RAM, and a 500GB HDD.

 

Here it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231074

Yeah I saw they recommended a Xeon for Pro Tools "HD". I really can't see why though tbh. Would that Xeon really perform better than say a 6600k?

Instruction sets.

[DunePilot]

Most recording applications benefit from more threads, but as always it's always a how much are you willing to spend answer. He shouldn't have any issue using any of the top i5 or i7 from the last few generations. If money wasn't an issue I'd say a 6800k would the best option but he could get by with much less. Where the extra cores and ram really can make a difference is when you bounce a finished project which isn't going to be a big concern since that is something you only do after 99% of the work is done.  Sometimes it can be of help when running a metric ton of plugins and modulation to be sure there are no hitches or hickups while tracking even still half the time you'll probably be using 5% of cpu power and ram only maxing out your system when you bounce.

 

Tell him to add another SSD and make a hackintosh and try Logic X, Pro Tools is garbage.

[The Flying Sloth]

35 minutes ago, DunePilot said:

Most recording applications benefit from more threads, but as always it's always a how much are you willing to spend answer. He shouldn't have any issue using any of the top i5 or i7 from the last few generations. If money wasn't an issue I'd say a 6800k would the best option but he could get by with much less. Where the extra cores and ram really can make a difference is when you bounce a finished project which isn't going to be a big concern since that is something you only do after 99% of the work is done.  Sometimes it can be of help when running a metric ton of plugins and modulation to be sure there are no hitches or hickups while tracking even still half the time you'll probably be using 5% of cpu power and ram only maxing out your system when you bounce.

 

Tell him to add another SSD and make a hackintosh and try Logic X, Pro Tools is garbage.

Preach

As much as I love FL, I hope I can get my old hackintosh back up just for Logic

 

 

53 minutes ago, tonyeezy said:

His current computer has an Intel i5 3337U, 4GB RAM, and a 500GB HDD.

 

Here it is: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834231074

Yeah I saw they recommended a Xeon for Pro Tools "HD". I really can't see why though tbh. Would that Xeon really perform better than say a 6600k?

First thing to fix,
at least 8gb ram. (16 preferable)
Either a top-end I5 or an I7 (if we're staying with current-gen)
Get at least a WD Black (if not SSD)

I am somewhat partial to old server grade gear (just for the cost) but if you've got the money go for it
 

[tonyeezy]

On 10/21/2016 at 0:49 AM, The Flying Sloth said:

Preach

As much as I love FL, I hope I can get my old hackintosh back up just for Logic

 

 

First thing to fix,
at least 8gb ram. (16 preferable)
Either a top-end I5 or an I7 (if we're staying with current-gen)
Get at least a WD Black (if not SSD)

I am somewhat partial to old server grade gear (just for the cost) but if you've got the money go for it
 

 

On 10/21/2016 at 0:10 AM, DunePilot said:

Most recording applications benefit from more threads, but as always it's always a how much are you willing to spend answer. He shouldn't have any issue using any of the top i5 or i7 from the last few generations. If money wasn't an issue I'd say a 6800k would the best option but he could get by with much less. Where the extra cores and ram really can make a difference is when you bounce a finished project which isn't going to be a big concern since that is something you only do after 99% of the work is done.  Sometimes it can be of help when running a metric ton of plugins and modulation to be sure there are no hitches or hickups while tracking even still half the time you'll probably be using 5% of cpu power and ram only maxing out your system when you bounce.

 

Tell him to add another SSD and make a hackintosh and try Logic X, Pro Tools is garbage.

Thank you guys. I was curious if the program he was using is any good or not, but then again I literally have no clue myself haha. I will bring this up to him especially with the other SSD using it to dual boot both operating systems.

 

He already has a case and PSU and for about $630-650 I have picked out a 6600K, 16GB DDR4, 500GB SSD, Mobo, CPU cooler.

 

I'm betting from what you have all said that should run everything he does on a daily basis quite well. I could spend more but he isn't really into tech like I am and clearly got by on his laptop which runs absolutely awful for as long as he did lol.

[DunePilot]

11 minutes ago, tonyeezy said:

 

Thank you guys. I was curious if the program he was using is any good or not, but then again I literally have no clue myself haha. I will bring this up to him especially with the other SSD using it to dual boot both operating systems.

 

He already has a case and PSU and for about $630-650 I have picked out a 6600K, 16GB DDR4, 500GB SSD, Mobo, CPU cooler.

 

I'm betting from what you have all said that should run everything he does on a daily basis quite well. I could spend more but he isn't really into tech like I am and clearly got by on his laptop which runs absolutely awful for as long as he did lol.

If that fits his budget then that sounds good. I'd go with a Samsung EVO for the SSD and definitely look into the second SSD with Mac OS on there for Logic, I literally can't use anything else and I'm a huge gamer nerd but when it comes to music I just can't use anything but Logic, whats that saying, once you go Mac you never go back?

 

For Hackintosh stuff you'll want to direct your knowledge gathering and questions to https://www.tonymacx86.com/

 

[The Flying Sloth]

17 hours ago, DunePilot said:

 once you go Mac you never go back?

Correction

"Once you go Mac you never go back, until you realize how poor compatibility, gaming performance and value for money are (If you buy prebuilt)"

(that being said I freaking love Logic, just the rest of it is pretty bad)

[DunePilot]

36 minutes ago, The Flying Sloth said:

Correction

"Once you go Mac you never go back, until you realize how poor compatibility, gaming performance and value for money are (If you buy prebuilt)"

(that being said I freaking love Logic, just the rest of it is pretty bad)

Oh yeah, lol I mean only from a music production (and maybe video, Final Cut is pretty dang good too) standpoint. Make is terrible bang for the buck even though they do make beautiful and clean one fits all products you can usually build something more powerful for about half the cost and if you are a gamer then nothing beats Windows 10.

[tonyeezy]

20 hours ago, DunePilot said:

If that fits his budget then that sounds good. I'd go with a Samsung EVO for the SSD and definitely look into the second SSD with Mac OS on there for Logic, I literally can't use anything else and I'm a huge gamer nerd but when it comes to music I just can't use anything but Logic, whats that saying, once you go Mac you never go back?

 

For Hackintosh stuff you'll want to direct your knowledge gathering and questions to https://www.tonymacx86.com/

 

Yeah I have a Samsung EVO myself for my machine and that is what I had picked for his. I've actually had my PC running OSX before using tonymac's website as well.

 

Thank you all for the help