• Computers
  • Any comments on my Audio Production desktop build parts list?
2017/07/12 13:05:51
MrBansaw
I am thinking of building my own Audio Production PC. Here's the prospective parts list.
Any comments?
 
CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($308.89 @ B&H)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master - Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-Z270-HD3P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($118.49 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair - Vengeance LPX 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($126.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Crucial - MX300 525GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($159.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital - Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.99 @ Best Buy)
Case: Fractal Design - Define R5 (Titanium) ATX Mid Tower Case ($94.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($95.87 @ OutletPC)
Total: $969.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-07-12 08:58 EDT-0400
2017/07/12 15:09:48
SigiZ58
3 comments:
1) You want a silent PC for Audio. So choose your CPU / PC Cooler wise! Also a 3.5 HDD may cause vibrations, think about a 2.5 HDD for low noise! But this could be sometimes too slow for Kontakt Disk Streaming :-)
2) 1 TB is nothing if you have to do with audio
3) I would look that the mainboard has at least 1 PCI Slot! Even you might use external USB/Firewire Devices, you can get very cheap an older RME internal card with PCI (you get drivers for this even for w10 from rme), but not with PCIe :-) (Have this problem current myself pci 100$, pcie not under 450$) With an internal rme card you have all you might need.
 
4) Recommended : A much bigger (at least 4TB 2.5" HDD for Audio) and a second SSD (512GB min) for Libraries, Sample Streaming etc
 
Of course this is my personal opinion :-)
2017/07/12 15:46:38
fireberd
I would look at www.newegg.com or even Amazon for parts.  Many times they beat others, especially Best Buy (I haven't compared any of the prices you have).  
 
The CPU cooler can be an issue.  The $25 cooler you list is not what I would consider for a build of this type (and CPU you selected). I'm using a liquid (closed type) CPU cooler, "Deepcool Captain 120EX".  It is much more $$ but it is "dead quiet" and keeps my i7 6700K around 29 to 30 degrees (C). 
2017/07/12 17:50:27
MrBansaw
Thanks.   But the cooler might be OK since I am not overclocking too much.  Maybe up to 4.7Ghz(?)
2017/07/12 18:03:13
Mesh
MrBansaw
Thanks.   But the cooler might be OK since I am not overclocking too much.  Maybe up to 4.7Ghz(?)


Even if you don't OC at all, it's better to have a good cooler that can easily handle the heat. You'll then have a peace of mind when you start OC'ing it.   
2017/07/12 21:00:52
MrBansaw
Thanks.   I see you have the Focusrite Scarlett.  Can I ask, is this lower latency than an internal Pcie sound card?
I've got a simple Beringher Uphoria and it rund ASIO and I'm not too impressed with its latency..  Are you running ASIO or Focusrite srivers?
2017/07/12 22:28:09
fireberd
The cooler you list is not for over clocking and to be blunt a poor choice period.  I've built many PC's, starting back in the Vista days, and do some PC repair locally.  You want a cooler that will cool and also be quiet for a recording PC.
I had been using liquid coolers and on my last built (my current PC that I built last December) I went with a Noctua cooler because of their reputation.  It didn't work out, was too big for my case and did not cool as well as the liquid coolers.  The Noctua ran around 40 degrees C (idle) and heated up quick under load.  I had used a Deepcool before on a build so I replaced the Noctua with the Deepcool Captain 120EX and the idle temperature dropped by 10 degrees and it does not heat up as fast under load.  That is what you should be looking at instead of the inexpensive cooler you list.  Do not go cheap on a CPU cooler or power supply.
2017/07/13 06:47:04
Grem
fireberd
 
Do not go cheap on a CPU cooler or power supply.




Nope, don't do it. You will regret it.
2017/07/13 13:24:52
Mesh
MrBansaw
Thanks.   I see you have the Focusrite Scarlett.  Can I ask, is this lower latency than an internal Pcie sound card?
I've got a simple Beringher Uphoria and it rund ASIO and I'm not too impressed with its latency..  Are you running ASIO or Focusrite srivers?


I never had any latency issues with my 2i4.....it's an older 1st generation model and Focusrite has discontinued supporting it (although there are some updated beta drivers which work fine for me). I'm not sure if an internal PCIe card will have better latency as I don't have one, but do like the external hardware unit (2i4) which has all the I/O's for my midi/audio needs.
 
I do use it in ASIO mode with the (latest beta) Focusrite drivers.....so, I'm not quite understanding your question?  
 
Check the hardware forums on decent audio interface as all these are important for a DAW.......and it avoids a lot of headaches caused by getting inferior products. It's better to be patient and save up the extra $$ in getting "DAW tested" components. The main thing is you want your DAW to be rock solid and last you a good 5-7 years, where you just have to plug n play.......don't skimp out on the components.
2017/07/13 22:32:34
abacab
I would just add to the priorities:
 
SSD for system drive is a big plus.  Then add as much 7200rpm spinning HDD storage as you need for projects and samples.
 
Don't go cheap on the power supply or CPU cooler and fans.  You want this rig to be as stable and long life as possible.
 
It really is no longer necessary to overclock your system, unless you want to post your video game frame rates on YouTube.  The stock clock rates of current CPUs are quite capable of handling anything a DAW can throw at them, without the need to induce potential timing instabilities or excess heat. 
 
Your audio interface should be a major point of your research, not an afterthought.  There are plenty of excellent USB audio units available now.  The lowest latency units will put you into the ~$500+ club, but there are a few excellent ~$150 interfaces available, such as the previously mentioned Focusrite.
 
It seems for many years now that the trend has been away from internal audio interface cards, with the exception of some specialized high end stuff.  Do some more research on this topic.
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