BretB
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Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
So I have built this new DAW computer and it seems to be fine just using the onboard graphics without any card. Am I missing something not using a dedicated graphics card? Is my CPU having to work extra hard due to this?
Antec P183 case w/Nexus 630w PS
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Sonar X1d Producer Expanded
I just completed an 83 track/16 bus project with no glitches and at low latency. The CPU monitor shows 10-20% at max.
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slartabartfast
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/03 22:53:06
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Gigabyte GA-Z77X Surprisingly vague in the specifications page about exactly how the on board graphics works. The "overview" page says it is Intel, so presumably on the CPU/GPU, but it is big on saying you can switch to an PCIe graphics card. A graphics card would have its own memory, and presumably the on board is using some of your system memory that is otherwise unavailable to your programs, but with 16 gig overall, and the limited demands for video from Sonar that is probably not going to be a major concern. See if it works. If not, you can buy a low end PCIe graphics card and disable the on board.
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syntheticpop
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/05 19:10:03
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If you are spending all that money building a system for a DAW - I would recommend spending a little extra for a dedicated video card. Using on board video will use your system memory and the CPU. A dedicated video card has its own CPU. Now if you are buying a laptop with on board video, there's not much that you can do but for a desktop, a dedicated fanless video card should make an improvement.
post edited by syntheticpop - 2012/07/05 19:15:33
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BretB
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/06 17:38:40
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They can be bought for fairly cheap. It works great now but will likely spring for one just to offload some processing as you suggest. Thanks.
Sonar Platinum - A&H ZED R16 - KRK VXT4's - Yamaha DTXpress IV & Gretsch Catalina Maple kits "Music is what feelings sound like" https://soundcloud.com/bret575b
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slartabartfast
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/06 21:14:03
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elsongs
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/06 21:26:57
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I would recommend a separate graphics card with a decent amount of memory...but no need to go all the way to get a gaming card. I got my current graphics card for like $20 on Craigslist from a gamer who wanted to upgrade to one of those heavy duty graphics cards. Tip: Talk to your gamer friends (or sons of your friends). They might have their old graphics card sitting in an antistatic bag that's more than what you need for DAW use. They might even just give it away to you.
post edited by elsongs - 2012/07/06 21:36:17
Elson Trinidad Los Angeles, CA, USA Web: www.elsongs.com Twitter: twitter.com/elsongs DAWs: Cakewalk by Bandlab, Cakewalk Sonar Platinum x64, Propellerhead Reason 9, Presonus Studio One v3 OS: Windows 10 Professional CPU: Intel i7 3820 3.6MHz MB: ASRock X79 Xtreme4 RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 Audio: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Generation MIDI: MOTU Microlite & Novation Impulse 61
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fireberd
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/07 06:59:59
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I'm using the built in Intel HD4000 graphics in my new build - i7 3770. I don't play games and Sonar X1 is working OK. I did the first recording session with the new system this past Thursday and no problems.
My Windows experience graphics are 6.6 (both parameters). In my old system I had an ATI Radeon HD4850 and it was 5.9. I tried an NVIDIA GTS450 OC and it was 5.8.
"GCSG Productions" Franklin D-10 Pedal Steel Guitar (primary instrument). Nashville Telecaster, Bass, etc. ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero M/B, i7 6700K CPU, 16GB Ram, SSD and conventional hard drives, Win 10 Pro and Win 10 Pro Insider Pre-Release Sonar Platinum/CbB. MOTU 896MK3 Hybrid, Tranzport, X-Touch, JBL LSR308 Monitors, Ozone 5, Studio One 4.1 ISRC Registered Member of Nashville based R.O.P.E. Assn.
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Kev999
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/07 08:20:58
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elsongs
I would recommend a separate graphics card with a decent amount of memory...
I disagree. I have 4 monitors hooked up to 2 128MB graphics cards, i.e. 64MB per monitor and everything runs smoothly. The computer is only used for audio though (and Sonar in particular). If I was doing video too, then this would certainly be insufficient.
SonarPlatinum∞(22.11.0.111)|Mixbus32C(4.3.19)|DigitalPerformer(9.5.1)|Reaper(5.77)FractalDesign:DefineR5|i7-6850k@4.1GHz|16GB@2666MHz-DDR4|MSI:GamingProCarbonX99a|Matrox:M9148(x2)|UAD2solo(6.5.2)|W7Ult-x64-SP1
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Having fun at work lately
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elsongs
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/09 06:20:42
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Kev999
elsongs
I would recommend a separate graphics card with a decent amount of memory...
I disagree. I have 4 monitors hooked up to 2 128MB graphics cards, i.e. 64MB per monitor and everything runs smoothly. The computer is only used for audio though (and Sonar in particular). If I was doing video too, then this would certainly be insufficient.
Uh, why are you disagreeing? You just validated what I said. 128MB qualifies as "decent."
Elson Trinidad Los Angeles, CA, USA Web: www.elsongs.com Twitter: twitter.com/elsongs DAWs: Cakewalk by Bandlab, Cakewalk Sonar Platinum x64, Propellerhead Reason 9, Presonus Studio One v3 OS: Windows 10 Professional CPU: Intel i7 3820 3.6MHz MB: ASRock X79 Xtreme4 RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 Audio: Focusrite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Generation MIDI: MOTU Microlite & Novation Impulse 61
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Kev999
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Re:Graphics card for DAW - Does it matter?
2012/07/09 07:58:02
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elsongs
Kev999
elsongs
I would recommend a separate graphics card with a decent amount of memory...
I disagree. I have 4 monitors hooked up to 2 128MB graphics cards, i.e. 64MB per monitor and everything runs smoothly. The computer is only used for audio though (and Sonar in particular). If I was doing video too, then this would certainly be insufficient.
Uh, why are you disagreeing? You just validated what I said. 128MB qualifies as "decent."
My cards are a few years old. 128MB would be considered low by today's standards. Currently even the cheapest ones have 512MB as a minimum and 1GB is more typical.
SonarPlatinum∞(22.11.0.111)|Mixbus32C(4.3.19)|DigitalPerformer(9.5.1)|Reaper(5.77)FractalDesign:DefineR5|i7-6850k@4.1GHz|16GB@2666MHz-DDR4|MSI:GamingProCarbonX99a|Matrox:M9148(x2)|UAD2solo(6.5.2)|W7Ult-x64-SP1
Audient:iD22+ASP800|KRK:VXT6|+various-outboard-gear|+guitars&basses, etc.
Having fun at work lately
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