New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome!

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Chazdaddy
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2016/03/29 17:38:27 (permalink)

New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome!

 
Hello All- I am about to order the attached parts list to build a new PC for my home music studio. I have been limping along with a very old HP laptop for some time now and I cannot take it anymore. I am currently running Sonar Producer (The X series). I mainly do true audio recording with real instruments (Mic'ed Guitars, Tube Amps, Microphones, Bass, keys, drums, live vocals etc..) but I do use some VST plug- in effects on my tracks (like reverbs, echoes, mixing and mastering plug ins) and sounds via a USB keyboard. I have an external Firewire Audio Interface (Focusrite)and do not do any gaming, so the integrated cards should be OK. I already have keyboard, mouse monitors etc..
 
I am trying to keep this fairly budget friendly having just bought a house and built a new studio, with the potential to upgrade in the future of course. Trying to stay in the 500- 600 USD range.
 
Would consider it a huge favor and honor if you would review my list- any feedback welcome, I am new at this, here is the link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/vfK63C
Thanks!!
#1

14 Replies Related Threads

    ...wicked
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/29 21:24:43 (permalink)
    You'd be surprised how much system resources graphics take. I'd still consider a GPU.
     
     

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    #2
    Chazdaddy
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/29 23:34:25 (permalink)
    Thanks wicked-I will consider, good point.
     
    ChazDaddy
    #3
    mettelus
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/30 08:25:31 (permalink)
    The GPU is something you can also purchase after the fact. I have never run a machine without a dedicated GPU, so not sure what the true overhead is (SONAR is not 3D intensive, and even a GPU doesn't buy much in 2D performance). A dedicated GPU does relieve the CPU of some overhead, since the data is kicked to the GPU instead, but "how much" I am not sure of.

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    #4
    Chazdaddy
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/30 08:52:20 (permalink)
    mettelus- Thanks, I was thinking that a dedicated Graphics card would be a future potential add-on, for the same reasons you mention here, I usually configure my PC to use the most basic graphics available to save resources for audio too (looks a bit boring but I do not care so much as the DAW looks fine). I also plan to add an SSD too at some point.
     
    ChazDaddy
    #5
    Chazdaddy
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/30 14:38:11 (permalink)
    Another question- is the i5 overkill for my needs?
    #6
    SuperG
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/30 23:10:11 (permalink)
    Chazdaddy
    Another question- is the i5 overkill for my needs?



     
    I wouldn't say so, but than I'm running an i7...

    laudem Deo
    #7
    Mesh
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/31 09:20:07 (permalink)
    It might be good to thing to plan for the next 5+ years in using your new build, and get the BEST available parts (quality wise) that are within your budget. 
     
    I also was on a budget and took my time in saving for it as I wanted a DAW that would last me at least 5-7 years (YMMV)......so far, I'm extremely happy I saved up to get the better parts (not necessarily the latest). I also have an i7 (after reading up reviews/benchmarks and on what others in here were using at the time/getting advice from everyone). If you can afford an i7, get it I say.....if not, get the best available i5. 

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    #8
    SuperG
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/31 19:03:14 (permalink)
    Mesh
    It might be good to thing to plan for the next 5+ years in using your new build, and get the BEST available parts (quality wise) that are within your budget. 
     

     
    +1 good advice
     
    Most folks I know keep there PC's for at least 5 years. This new PC I'm using happens to replace my 5yo PC.
     




    laudem Deo
    #9
    ricoskyl
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/31 19:37:09 (permalink)
    I think everyone's advice here is right on.  I upgraded recently to an i7 HP laptop with a touch screen.  The only regret was that I didn't pop for SSD storage.  I will probably add that (outboard), but because I often work away from the studio and I'd like to keep the footprint small, but I could have also added external HD storage and kept the SSD on the main chassis. That might have been a better choice for me.
     
    I know this all doesn't apply directly to your situation, but I hope it helps.  Having spent considerably more on a CTO laptop, I'd be interested in hear what you end up with and how it works out for you.  You probably already know that your $ gets a lot more than it did 5 years ago.  Generally, I support Mesh and SuperG in suggesting that you avoid skimping here; even if you build a strong system today, your needs and uses for it will almost certainly increase so it';s a little like moving backward as technology advances.

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    #10
    SuperG
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/03/31 22:35:48 (permalink)
    ricoskyl
    I think everyone's advice here is right on.  I upgraded recently to an i7 HP laptop with a touch screen.  The only regret was that I didn't pop for SSD storage.  I will probably add that (outboard), but because I often work away from the studio and I'd like to keep the footprint small, but I could have also added external HD storage and kept the SSD on the main chassis. That might have been a better choice for me.
     
    I know this all doesn't apply directly to your situation, but I hope it helps.  Having spent considerably more on a CTO laptop, I'd be interested in hear what you end up with and how it works out for you.  You probably already know that your $ gets a lot more than it did 5 years ago.  Generally, I support Mesh and SuperG in suggesting that you avoid skimping here; even if you build a strong system today, your needs and uses for it will almost certainly increase so it';s a little like moving backward as technology advances.





    Speaking of external HD's, I'm really impressed with the USB-3 Seagate Passports. Compared to USB-2 drives those little suckers are faaasst! They're small enough to fit in your pocket!
     
     

    laudem Deo
    #11
    kevinwal
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/04/01 22:56:26 (permalink)
    I've just gotta get up to speed on the newer generation of hardware. Everything changes so fast. I will echo the other's sentiments about choosing parts. The pain you feel now with stretching the budget a little will be forgotten soon enough, but the awesomeness will go on and on and on.

    Kevin Walsh
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    #12
    elegentdrum
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/04/02 00:19:56 (permalink)
    This is almost a repeat from another thread.
    The OS and programs should be on a Raid-0 SSD array
    Then have two 1TB spinner drives, one for samples, one for Audio.
     
    For a single threaded program (I know Sonar is multi-threaded) The speed of a computer = (Clock/access time) - whatever load the video card dumps on the CPU.
    Since clock speeds are maxed in the 3-5 Ghz range (including overclocked machines) the best improvement is reducing the seek times with Raid-0 solid state drives. But they are still too expensive for the space needed for samples and the actual files. Sonar can be set up to use separate drives for samples and Audio. Just keep the program and OS on the main SSD's
     
    I'm not current on mother boards, but some are better for Audio than others. I would try to find out what PC labs and other manufactures of Audio only computers are using and use that.
     
    That seed, There are cost effective drives out there that may have reliability issues but are cost effective. 12 gigs of ram is enough, and an I5 will be enough to get going. But you should try to get a socket that can be upgraded to an I7 later. At that budget, you are better off getting faster drives and using built in vid cards. do not get a shared memory vid card. You will want all the ram for the software.
     
    If you really don't have the budge for multiple hard drives, there are new hybrid drives with both SS and spinner in the same drive.
     
    post edited by elegentdrum - 2016/04/02 00:47:27
    #13
    ...wicked
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/04/02 20:20:27 (permalink)
    I would also second maybe springing for an i7 CPU. It's not much more (depending on other requirements) and the more future-proofing the better. I'm very impressed by the cost of your build though!

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    ===========

    Intel i7-4790 
    16GB RAM
    ASUS Z97 
    Roland OctaCapture
    Win10/64   

    SONAR Platinum 64-bit    
    billions VSTs, some of which work    
    #14
    Starise
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    Re: New DAW PC Build- feedback requested and very welcome! 2016/04/06 14:39:46 (permalink)
    Several reviews on the cooler master fan say  the fan can be loud. Several here are using the i5 with no worries on smaller projects.
     
    Good idea to add the GPU if later necessary.

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    #15
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