Need CPU usage remedy advice...

I have been working with Dell PC, 4GB RAM for a few years now.
 
I use Sonar 7PE, Drumcore 3, and Reason 4.
 
With my recent purchase of Waves GTR3, when recording with it my CPU usage goes up to 42%. That's one track. If I add another instance to a 2nd track, it goes up to 75% and starts dropping out.
 
It seems this new software is pushing my computer over the edge and I need a solution.
 
I have an external hard drive, if I move all of my recording software to it, would it help?
 
Please suggest away....I need options.... :-)
 
Thanks!

I am actually just going to buy a new computer. It seems I have maxxed out my current one, no more room for additional memory .

Time for a serious upgrade, Sweetwater's 'Creation Station' is my solution...

:-)

murphmusik


I am actually just going to buy a new computer. It seems I have maxxed out my current one, no more room for additional memory .

Time for a serious upgrade, Sweetwater's 'Creation Station' is my solution...

:-)

keep looking! much better options out there

nearly any daw builder but them! (well ok not rain either)

lets see for $1499 with SW you get

a very low performing dual Core i5 processor and onboard video.
as well as a pethetically weak power supply.
(true with all the 3 lowered priced systems)
its not until you get to their top model that there is any decent system

google "pro audio computer"
you will find several who can do better.

one sells the same system for $1200.. (if thats the kinda of system you want)
or for the same $1499
you can get a Quad i5 750 which is nearly 2 times as powerful as the Core i5

ha!! sorry...love the GTR3...not giving it up :-)
 
Dell Dimension
Intel Celeron D
Windows XP Home 2002
SP2

I've already uninstalled lots of the junk and it made very little difference. Any program I should specifically look for? Not sure if it matters at this point..it's a pretty old machine now...

thanks for everyone's help & suggestions...

thanks.....yeah...processor is killing me right now.

Yes i do use softsynths occasionally, and rewire applications (Reason). And Drumcore is now a VSTi, with version 3. I haven't seen too much of a CPU jump with Drumcore. But it does increase a little.
 
$1450 is the absolute ceiling of my budget. I've see a lot that I like in the $1400 range.

I will definitely shoot a note to Waves regarding the 64 bit vs 32.
 

Did Waves say the GTR3 simply won't work in a 64-bit OS, or just that they don't support it? Some VSTs (Proteus VX, for example) simply don't work properly, but many do. If Waves doesn't support it, then you could probably still use it. You just couldn't call them if there was a problem. That said, Windows 7 32-bit will hold you for a few years, and you should be able to get something in your price range, easily.

Of course, the 32-bit version of Windows will still only address about 3.5GB of RAM, but that's not really your problem right now, anyway. The Intel i5 and i7 processors would be good for you--even the "entry-level" ones, though a low-end, hyper-threaded i7 would probably be your best bet. On the other hand, AMD processors aren't quite as powerful as Intel's right now, but they're easily powerful enough and they cost less.

Some people in these forums have found that certain i7 processors cause problems in SONAR because of the way the processor handles the workload. (It can turn unneeded parts off or on and speed them up as necessary, and SONAR--and some VSTis--don't care for that much.) You might want to check into that before making a decision.

LOL i know this is system is commercial and so, but this HP Pavillion p6055d with widescreen monitor was bought for around $800 (Exclude the monitors and it may be around $700). Core 2 Quad Q8200 processor, and it can surely handle Sonar smoothly.

planetearth


Nothing wrong with that. I still think commercial systems are just as good. You'll have to get some of the junkware off of them and tweak them a bit, but as long as you can get done what you need, why spend extra?

Besides, if Erin (the OP) can get a system like yours for $800, she'd have $600 left over to buy copies of GTR3 for you and me BOTH!

How sweet is that?

Very brilliant idea there Steve (And i wish he would really give us a copy! In my dreams? )! And yes it takes a little tweaking or so, i removed all the HP crap so i find this system real nice. The only thing that slows it down is that my DAW is also my internet PC/casual usage PC. I have no other computer left.

True, most HPs are designed for home or business use, but you can retrofit them with quieter fans and sound dampening material for very little money. Larger, quieter fans, a quieter power supply and sound absorption material would add less than $100 to your purchase, I'd bet. Adding them to your computer is quite easy.

Just a thought....