Is an i3 powerful enough for LITE DAW work?

Author
vintagevibe
Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 2446
  • Joined: 2003/12/15 21:45:06
  • Location: Atlanta, Ga
  • Status: offline
2016/03/09 15:30:56 (permalink)

Is an i3 powerful enough for LITE DAW work?

I need laptop for teaching and don't want to spend much. I'll be doing (max) 3-5 VI tracks (ST3, Addictive Drums, Sibelius Sounds) and sometimes 3-5 audio tracks. Anyone tried this on an i3? I found an HP i3 with everything I need for $400. Any i3 experience?
#1

3 Replies Related Threads

    Sir William
    Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 166
    • Joined: 2015/01/15 02:56:50
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is an i3 powerful enough for LITE DAW work? 2016/03/09 16:52:54 (permalink)
    I find my i3 is OK for quite a bit more than I expected. 8 vsti, and 32 midi tracks runs with few problems. Only time I have trouble is when I am using plenty of Kontakt, Ad2 and other multi out is with my RAM filling up.

    Sonar - Platinum (always up to date)
    PC - Dell XPS 13 7th Gen Intel i7, 500GB SSD, 16GB RAM, 2 x 27" HD monitors, connected via a D3100 DOCKING STATION.
    OS - Windows 10 x64
    Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Yamaha MG12XU

    Rack FX - TC Helicon Voiceworks Plus, TC Electronics M300
    MIDI - M AUDIO Keystation PRO 88, Focusrite Scarlett 8i6, Roland UM-ONE Mk 2, Yamaha MU100R
     
    Microphones - sE X1, AT 2035, Neumann TLM102
    Monitors - Yamaha NS7, ATH-M50 'Phones
    #2
    vintagevibe
    Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2446
    • Joined: 2003/12/15 21:45:06
    • Location: Atlanta, Ga
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is an i3 powerful enough for LITE DAW work? 2016/03/09 22:30:43 (permalink)
    Sir William
    I find my i3 is OK for quite a bit more than I expected. 8 vsti, and 32 midi tracks runs with few problems. Only time I have trouble is when I am using plenty of Kontakt, Ad2 and other multi out is with my RAM filling up.



     
    Thanks.  Great to know.
    #3
    patm300e
    Max Output Level: -74 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 845
    • Joined: 2007/09/28 09:14:18
    • Location: USA - Maryland
    • Status: offline
    Re: Is an i3 powerful enough for LITE DAW work? 2016/03/10 07:04:48 (permalink)
    I am using an I3 right now and having no issues.  I don't do a lot of MIDI though.  Note that I have been able to open run and edit this Cakewalk "demo" without any issues, glitching, etc. 
    https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013323/SONAR-X3-Demo-Javier-Colon-Jimmy-Landry-These-Arms
    In fact my CPU meter stays well below 30% on all (4) cores.  Since it is a Hyper threaded Dual Core it acts like a quad core.  My Hard Drive is closer to maxing out.
     
    I do have 16 GB RAM running 64-bit Windows 7 (Can't use Windows 10 because of my old Presonus interface!)
     
     

    SPLAT on a Home built i3 16 GB RAM 64-bit Windows 10 Home Premium 120GB SSD (OS) 2TB Data Drive.  Behringer XR-18 USB 2.0 Interface. FaderPort control.
    #4
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1