New DAW build for Sonar 8.5 x64 and Win 7 x64 - work in progress

I just put together a new DAW build for Sonar 8.5 x64 and I'll be updating the forum with how it goes. My main DAW is a rock-solid Win XP SP3 machine and I can't afford any downtime so I decided I'd go with a new build as I work out the kinks and *finally* transition to x64. Once I have migrated projects over to this machine (assuming it works for me) then I'll gut the other DAW and bring that into the x64 world too.

So far, I've built this new DAW based on an ASUS P6T motherboard, Core i7 920 and 12GB RAM. Your basic, run-of-the-mill i7 configuration that will no doubt be obsolete in a few years. :) Right now I'm just testing with Vista x64, but will install Win 7 x64 in a few days when it is officially released. This is my guinea pig for x64, and hopefully this attempt at a transition to x64 will finally stick. :)

First impression: Easiest build I've done in years. Ridiculously easy and smooth so far, so I decided what the hell, I'm going to overclock this baby too. It's not my main DAW (which I do not overclock) so no real risk right now. I had read so many stories of how easy the i7 is to overclock, and *OH-MY* I have been stunned at how true that is. A good power supply, a good heatsink, good airflow, and you have easy-cheesy overclocking in minutes.

I'm not a hardcore overclocker (I would like this DAW to reliably assist me in my work), but with no effort I am now running the sweet little i7 920 at 3.2 GHz. This is a pathetically low overclock in comparison to what this can handle, but more than enough to make me feel like I have a Ferrari purring under my sweaty DAW fingers. So far, it has easily passed memtest and prime95 testing with very acceptable temperatures.

I am just stunned at how powerful this thing is. My main DAW is a very decent dual Xeon (8 core), but I think this may actually trump that, once you calculate in the higher clock speed, increased memory bandwidth, supposed optimizations of Sonar 8.5 for i7, etc.

The biggest impression I have is yet another profound confirmation that we're in a new era, folks. This i7 920 CPU cost me a mere $200 at Microcenter. Think about that. This generation of chips/OS/DAW software (i.e. Sonar x64) is the GREAT EQUALIZER, folks. There are no more excuses. It's just you and your talent and skill. :)

I'm in awe of its potential... particularly at the affordable price point. Can't wait to fire up some of my big projects and the Sonar/DAW benchmarks once I've got Win 7 on here.

I'll post again as I continue my transition and get this up and running with Sonar 8.5 x64 and Win 7 x64.

Good times, my friends, good times.

LOL! How did I know you'd respond quickly, my friend. :)

Yeah, I took the plunge. Couldn't wait, as I'm dying over here with RAM limitations on XP. This *better* work this time. :) Plus, you made me realize how good the new BitBridge is, I'd be an idiot not to benefit from that. If the new Sonar x64 goes half as well as this build has gone so far, I'll be very happy.

I'll definitely post again as soon as I have Sonar and Win 7 up and running.

eratu

You will love the i7 there is no way I would ever buy another chip. You can run all your stuff at 2.66Ghz and you will not even hit 50% CPU Usage. I had mine at 3.9GHz it was hard to tell the difference from 2.66Ghz to 3.9Ghz in Sonar 8.3. Every other app I can tell the difference. We use a lot of high end Xeon’s at work and my system overclocked smoke Dual Xeons at 3.2Ghz. its been the best purchase and im sure it would be yours too.
 
 
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Jose7822


Don't worry, it'll be a good experience.  I can almost guarantee it.

You'll be pleased with Birbridge 2.0's performance and RAM capabilities.  I know I am :-)

Sadly, I have already maxed out my system's RAM with the current project I'm working on.  The first time I maxed it out was with a dummy project, just to see how far I could go but I didn't think I was gonna get there so fast :-P.  The thing I've noticed though is that Vista handles RAM limits MUCH better than XP.  I remember XP would cry if I got close to the RAM limit and only let me load about 2.6GB of RAM (with the /3GB switch that is).  Vista64, on the other hand, tells me it's using over 1.3GB of RAM when the system is iddle, yet I'm able to climb a little over 7GB without it breaking a sweat.  All four cores are reading about the same CPU usage of about 30% with 18 instances of EWQLSO at 256 buffers (it was somewhere around there). 

Anyways, I can't imagine how mucjh more you'll be able to squeeze out of this new machine you have built.  Amazing times indeed my friend :-)

Now you're making me nervous that 12GB RAM isn't enough! :) If those 4GB DIMMs weren't so expensive right now, I'd have gone for more.... but I guess I need to see how it goes with 12 before I start complaining. :)

BTW, why aren't you using Kontakt 3.5 or 4? I assume you're using the old x86 player with BB... is there a reason? I imagine you'd get much more out of your machine if you moved to Kontakt x64 which would allow you to bypass BB, etc... and consolidating some of those instances could theoretically reduce RAM usage. Correct me if you're already doing that, or using the PLAY version.

gt2004


eratu

You will love the i7 there is no way I would ever buy another chip. You can run all your stuff at 2.66Ghz and you will not even hit 50% CPU Usage. I had mine at 3.9GHz it was hard to tell the difference from 2.66Ghz to 3.9Ghz in Sonar 8.3. Every other app I can tell the difference. We use a lot of high end Xeon’s at work and my system overclocked smoke Dual Xeons at 3.2Ghz. its been the best purchase and im sure it would be yours too.
 
 
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Good to hear! I think this will work out very well. :) Just for fun, I'll keep it slightly overclocked since there's something special to me about running at 3GHz or higher. Consider me sentimental. ;) Plus, these i7 920 CPUs just BEG to be overclocked. As for using 50% or more CPU, I have some ideas how I plan on trying to do that. Running at ultra-low latency is one of them. Can't wait to see the load I can get with my Lynx card and 32 or 64 buffers. :)

eratu:
I meant that only 2 of my 32 bit plugins wont work with BitBridge 2 and require jBridge. They are Superior Drummer 2.2 and Jamstix 2.
So I have 100% 32 bit compatability with SONAR 8.5.1

Komplete 6 works native x64 except REAKTOR 5 which is 32 bit and works with bitbridge.
All IKMultimedia work with bitbridge this includes all Amplitube and Ampeg models, Sample Tank2.5xl, Miroslav, Sonic Synth, ARC, T-RACKS 3, CSR Reverb.
Line 6 POD Farm works with all model packs
All my other plugs and VSTis are native 64 bit

I'm having a really good experience now. It just all works. The problem with sup Drummer 2.2 not working with bitbridge was a big issue but solved (workaround)with jBridge even though I resent having to spend the extra money but in the grand scheme its AUD$25 when I've already spent thousands on hardware and software.

Yeah, I know.

But the Win7 + Core i7 system just keeps calling my name every time I hear it mentioned in the forum :-P

What can I do?  I have GAS!

Jose7822


Yeah, I know.

But the Win7 + Core i7 system just keeps calling my name every time I hear it mentioned in the forum :-P

What can I do?  I have GAS!

Repeat after me: "Get thee behind me, Paul Otellini! I will not succumb to temptation, Bill Gates!" ;)

How can you ask me to repeat that when you're going to pick up Win 7 at 10 am on Thursday to install it on your brand new Core i7 machine?  Not fair :-( 

I hate you!.........no I don't :-P

I'll be here waiting for the good news bro.  All I wanna hear from you is, "I'm here to stay".  Then I'll say, "welcome back my friend".

Trust me, I won't.  But I have to resist for now.

I'm seriously thinking about selling one of my guitars.  I don't use it anymore so might as well :-P

Don't worry, It'll come to papa ;-)

I wouldnt even worry about overclocking anymore.
The biggest speed improvement youll see is getting an Intel SSD for your OS drive.

Last week I bought a similar rig, to outfit my V Studio 700

Win7 was available as OEM at the shop.    I only dropped 6 gB of ram though.

Anyway, SPE 8.5 is humming along brilliantly on this thing.    Virtual Instruments/high track counts that crushed my old machine, don't phase this setup in the least.   Enjoy.

A1MixMan


eratu,
 
I have the same exact setup, motherboard and cpu and ram. I'll be right behind you in line at 10 am my friend. Can't wait.
 
Brent

Great! If I can squeeze the time, I'll be reporting back here on Thursday.... or at least by the weekend with my initial results. :) Would love to know how it goes for you.

What is the aud.ini tweak???  And does it help on 32 bit XP systems?
THANKS,
AB
 
 
Jose7822


Nice dude!

So you did it huh?  I'm really happy for you my friend.  Hopefully I'll join you with a Windows 7 and Core i7 machine sometime early next year (crossed fingers).  Just remember to use the AUD.INI tweak to get even more CPU leveling on your current CPU (it actually applies to Quad Core and higher CPU's).  Please do keep us updated on how this new machine works for you.


Take care my friend!

Jose7822
This is great news.  Did you find a significant improvement with 32 bit XP?
THANKS,
AB

The tweak is meant for Quad Core or higher CPU's.  Just do the following:

• Go to Options::Audio::Advanced Tab and click on the "Edit Config File" button to open the AUD.INI file.
• Under the [Wave] section, find the following entry: ThreadSchedulingModel=1
• Change the variable to "2" so that it reads: ThreadSchedulingModel=2
• Save the changes and close Notepad.
• Click the "Reload Config Settings" button and re-start Sonar.

HTH