I'm looking at building a new Win 7 x64 PC and have not investigated the new Intel CPUs too thoroughly yet. This new 'Ivy Bridge' i7 chip looks great for around $300: Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 Series: Core i7 L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB L3 Cache: 8MB But I see it has some type of integrated graphics feature - I am not sure if this is necessary (and maybe not desirable) since this PC is to be dedicated to Sonar X1 and audio (not video editing or gaming). If there is a better i7 choice please let me know. Thanks!

Mouser


I'm looking at building a new Win 7 x64 PC and have not investigated the new Intel CPUs too thoroughly yet. This new 'Ivy Bridge' i7 chip looks great for around $300: Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 Series: Core i7 L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB L3 Cache: 8MB But I see it has some type of integrated graphics feature - I am not sure if this is necessary (and maybe not desirable) since this PC is to be dedicated to Sonar X1 and audio (not video editing or gaming). If there is a better i7 choice please let me know. Thanks!

The onboard graphics is ideal if you are not interested in anything other than basic graphics (i.e. running a DAW). The people who want more graphics power are the ones who will buy a separate graphics card.
The only 3770K i7 chip better spec'd than what you quoted is one at 3.5Ghz (AFAIK).
I have a 3.5Ghz one running at 4.2Ghz (overclocked) and it is a beast .
 
Grum.

I have the second generation i3 with the onboard graphics...It seems to run perfectly for me...the i7 is much more powerful....I just do simple recordings so the i3 is plenty for me. X1 works great with it.

Thanks guys. The basic resolution graphics is probably fine for me, except that I do run two monitors, and I am guessing the onboard won't support that. I was also looking at the 6-core Intel chips, which also have a larger cache, but they get up to 2x the price of this one. Grum - what motherboard are you using? I usually go with a GigaBit or ASUS.

Mouser


I'm looking at building a new Win 7 x64 PC and have not investigated the new Intel CPUs too thoroughly yet. This new 'Ivy Bridge' i7 chip looks great for around $300: Intel Core i7-3770 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.9GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 Series: Core i7 L2 Cache: 4 x 256KB L3 Cache: 8MB But I see it has some type of integrated graphics feature - I am not sure if this is necessary (and maybe not desirable) since this PC is to be dedicated to Sonar X1 and audio (not video editing or gaming). If there is a better i7 choice please let me know. Thanks!

With the 1155 Socket,that was NEW last year,and the highest spec i7 now for 1155, is the 3770k["k" means "unlocked" multiplier for overclocking-easy extra juice,as long as you cool the cpu adequately!]I personally have the previous Generation 2600k and OC it @4.6GHz with a $30 Zalman CNP5SX cooler,and some suggest that for audio,the Sandy is preferable to the Ivy,as it runs a little cooler,and is more easily overclockable/stable,but it all depends!


Ivy is likely to be the LAST upgrade for this socket[somebody said?],and the 2011 Sandy-E/Xeon socket is apparently going to be supported longer,and as there are 4 memory channels[1155 is Dual,the previous 1366 was Triple]it is the power king,with the i7 3820[cheapest i7 2011 socket]out performing an overclocked Sandy,or Ivy FOR AUDIO-plugin counts,stability whilst etc,whereas the i7 3930K/3960X,are the 6 core,Quad channel power houses before Xeon E5-26** series.


This is an Excellent Chart[second graph down] HERE :http://www.adkproaudio.com/benchmarks.cfm
Although it doesn't include Ivy Bridge.


As far as having on board graphics,it does not hurt or hinder the audio/calculation capabilities of such cpu's at all[apparently]and Ivy has HD 4000,where my Sandy is HD 3000[ivy's-4000 on board graphics can support 3 monitors,Sandy's 3000 supports 2]


On my laptop[i7 2630QM Sandy Bridge HD3000] the "on-board" graphics play a role for me,as my Nvidea gt540m GPU causes DPC spikes,with it off,all green[DPC latency Checker-very good check tool,DPC Latency monitor[resplendednce.com] is more informative...low dpc is PARAMOUNT for good Audio.


Many cpu benchmark sites state wild differences sometimes that can VERY often,not be AT ALL relative FOR AUDIO.


Every CPU-Motherboard-Graphics Card-BIOS combo is a delicate balance,and by research,and choosing wisely,it can all go smooth,however,get a component that doesn't like another,and weirdness is the least of it.


I was super lucky[desktop in signature is flawless] but waited and researched,after buying a laptop that while excellent NOW,was a slight handfull at first.


Good Luck!
Bob

The basic resolution graphics is probably fine for me, except that I do run two monitors, and I am guessing the onboard won't support that.

I'm running 2 monitors (specs below)

Bob - that is interesting and I did not realize the Ivy Bridge was 2 or 3 chan memory vs the 4 chan of the Sandy-E. I might look at an i7 3930K instead. If you've heard of a good matching Motherboard for this please let me know. I am curious how the Ivy Bridge chips would stack up on the ADK benchmark tests though, too bad they are not included on there yet. The i7 3930K is still quite a bit more $$.

Mouser


Bob - that is interesting and I did not realize the Ivy Bridge was 2 or 3 chan memory vs the 4 chan of the Sandy-E. I might look at an i7 3930K instead. If you've heard of a good matching Motherboard for this please let me know. I am curious how the Ivy Bridge chips would stack up on the ADK benchmark tests though, too bad they are not included on there yet. The i7 3930K is still quite a bit more $$.

Hey Mouser,Don't forget the 17 3820[no"k"] is socket 2011/X79,and stock it is on par with my overclocked 2600k.


As far as Motherboards for 2011 socket and X79 chipset,there are lots of brands and models,and many have 8 RAM slots,and the cheaper ones[usually] have 4.


I'm not too keen about recommending motherboards,unless its one Iv'e used,but some say Gigabyte tend to work well for audio,and in MY case,that is an understatement,but as far as I've seen,some think the Gigabyte GA-X79-UD3 Motherboard, Socket 2011, Intel X79,or the UD5,but as I have'nt used them myself,keep reseaching.


Cheers
Bob

I'm running the Asus X79 i7 3930K, 8GB Ram, Nvidia GTX550 ti display adapter and it kicks derriere. It shows up as 12 procs in Sonar X1. The latency is...drumroll...  .7ms.

Middleman


I'm running the Asus X79 i7 3930K, 8GB Ram, Nvidia GTX550 ti display adapter and it kicks derriere. It shows up as 12 procs in Sonar X1. The latency is...drumroll...  .7ms.

Hey,there is lots of Different types of latency-"input"[on its own] "output"[on its own] "RTLatency"[Return Trip Latency],Then there's "DPC Latency"-"Deferred Procedure Call" latency[nothing to do with the previous ones]and THAT is measured in "us" not "ms",these are only a handfull of examples,and .7ms on its own means....drumroll...what?


No offense,but I have no idea which/what one you mean?
Bob