rodreb
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Processor vs RAM question
With all other things being equal, would you benefit more from an i7 with 12 gigs of RAM or an i5 with 24 gigs of RAM for a DAW?
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Kev999
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 03:12:49
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Adding more RAM doesn't speed anything up.
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Kamikaze
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 04:40:09
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☄ Helpfulby mettelus 2018/07/03 10:02:11
Unless you are running some massive sample libraries, 12 GB is probably enough. Is 12 the maximum it can take, as upgrading RAM is easier than CPU, Especially if it's a laptop. I believe i7's run cooler (Anther laptop concern), There are stacks or i5 that run faster than the i7 too, with cores speed and generation to factor in https://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html
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Grem
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 07:38:36
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All things in a DAW are almost never equal! :)
But if it was me I'd go with a faster i7 and the 12gb ram. Is the ram set up as dual channel or quad channel?
Like kamikaze says, unless your running very large sample libraries, cpu power would help in running more plugins during a mix down.
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
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eikelbijter
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 20:05:47
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I've never had a Sonar project that uses more than 2GB of RAM, but I do stay away from huge sample libraries. I do use BFD, Addictive Drums, Garritan Personal Orchestra etc. etc. Mind you, I'm doing tunes with 80 plus tracks, full live drums, percussion, many keys etc. etc.
Also keep in mind that in some form factors i7s are barely any faster than i5s because you run into the thermal dissipation limit with either when pushing hard. Finally, an 8th generation i5 is faster than a 7th generation i7 in the same TDP.
TL/DR: 12GB is MORE than enough, spend your money somewhere else...
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tlw
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 21:20:28
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The i7. Unless its clock speed is way, way lower than the i5.
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gswitz
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 21:30:55
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I7 might run the fan harder than the i5. I7 will process fx faster. Ram doesn't sound like a problem in either case.
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abacab
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/03 22:03:04
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I would go with the fastest clock speed CPU for single threaded performance. 8-12GB RAM should be fine unless you are working with large sample libraries loaded in memory.
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bitflipper
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/04 15:44:10
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☄ Helpfulby abacab 2018/07/06 00:36:17
I just pulled up an enormous, mostly sample-based project that includes multiple monster libraries, just to see what the memory footprint was.
Trilian
Keyscape
Superior Drummer 3
2 instances of Omnisphere
10 instances of Kontakt
Insignificant components: VB3 and 4 instances of Zebra 2
Total RAM usage: 6 GB.
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rodreb
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/04 18:24:59
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Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful information. Now, from what I understand, not all i7's are created equal (core-wise). So, now I guess I need to find out which models to avoid.
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eikelbijter
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/04 19:58:34
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rodreb
Thanks for all the replies! Very helpful information. Now, from what I understand, not all i7's are created equal (core-wise). So, now I guess I need to find out which models to avoid.
Are you looking at a laptop or desktop? R
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rodreb
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/04 21:23:25
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Oh, desktop (Tower)! Sorry, forgot to mention that.
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Shambler
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/05 11:27:00
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i7, you can always upgrade to more RAM later on.
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rodreb
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/05 17:08:30
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I am assuming a six core i7 would be preferable to a 4 core i7, eh?
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abacab
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/06 00:38:37
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More cores are good, but always consider the max clock speed of each core. Some processes may be locked to one core and that thread will be limited to the max CPU clock.
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/09 12:28:44
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Adding unused RAM will not benefit performance in any way.
You need enough for your largest project.
For DAW purposes:
In a perfect scenario, you want more cores *and* high clock-speed.
If it's a choice, you never want to choose more cores at significantly lower clock-speed.
ie: Some folks assume that Xeon CPUs would be best for DAW purposes (because they're more expensive).
If said Xeon has double the cores... at 2GHz slower clock-speed, you're going to take a performance hit.
The new i7 8086k is a fantastic DAW performer; six cores (12 processing threads) running at 5GHz.
With the proper motherboard, you can lock all 6 cores at 5GHz.
With quality cooling, noise certainly isn't a problem.
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rodreb
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/09 17:27:25
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Is the i7 8700 with 12 GB RAM a good choice for a DAW?
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tlw
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/09 20:40:52
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Jim Roseberry
ie: Some folks assume that Xeon CPUs would be best for DAW purposes (because they're more expensive).
If said Xeon has double the cores... at 2GHz slower clock-speed, you're going to take a performance hit.
Out of interest Jim, what do you think of the 8 core 3.2GHz Xeon W used in the standard config iMac Pro compared to i7s with similar or better clock speed?
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/09 21:36:45
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tlw
Jim Roseberry
ie: Some folks assume that Xeon CPUs would be best for DAW purposes (because they're more expensive).
If said Xeon has double the cores... at 2GHz slower clock-speed, you're going to take a performance hit.
Out of interest Jim, what do you think of the 8 core 3.2GHz Xeon W used in the standard config iMac Pro compared to i7s with similar or better clock speed?
The iMac Pro is a slick looking machine. If you're after highest performance, look elsewhere. You never want to go for more cores at significantly slower clock-speed. The 8086k with all six cores locked at 5GHz would absolutely smoke it. We haven't mentioned no option to add *any* internal drives... and the fact that swapping the boot drive means a trip to the Apple Store. That's about a 10-15 minute upgrade on a PC. 
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/09 21:38:35
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☄ Helpfulby mettelus 2018/07/10 13:21:05
rodreb
Is the i7 8700 with 12 GB RAM a good choice for a DAW?
For maximum performance with socket 1151, you want to run the RAM in dual-channel mode. That means 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB (using two matching sticks)
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Grem
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/10 15:15:01
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Jim how are the new Ryzens working out. Any improvement over the first gen?
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
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Jim Roseberry
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/10 16:14:21
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Hi Michael,
Motherboards are a bit flaky...
Significantly lower clock-speed.
FWIW, When you can get an 8086k (6-cores/12 processing threads all locked at 5GHz) for ~$400, that takes a lot of the steam away from AMD's Ryzen.
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abacab
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/10 16:35:07
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Jim Roseberry
FWIW, When you can get an 8086k (6-cores/12 processing threads all locked at 5GHz) for ~$400, that takes a lot of the steam away from AMD's Ryzen.
That reminds me. It's time to start saving for my next build! 
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Grem
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Re: Processor vs RAM question
2018/07/11 03:08:56
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Jim Roseberry
Hi Michael,
Motherboards are a bit flaky...
Significantly lower clock-speed.
FWIW, When you can get an 8086k (6-cores/12 processing threads all locked at 5GHz) for ~$400, that takes a lot of the steam away from AMD's Ryzen.
Thanks Jim. I'll be hitting you up before too long. Yes Abacab that's where I am heading with this!
Grem
Michael Music PC i7 2600K; 64gb Ram; 3 256gb SSD, System, Samples, Audio; 1TB & 2TB Project Storage; 2TB system BkUp; RME FireFace 400; Win 10 Pro 64; CWbBL 64, Home PCAMD FX 6300; 8gb Ram; 256 SSD sys; 2TB audio/samples; Realtek WASAPI; Win 10 Home 64; CWbBL 64 Surface Pro 3Win 10 i7 8gb RAM; CWbBL 64
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