Hi there
I am finally upgrading from Sonar 6 --> X1 [X2], and I would appreciate people's comments on the following PC specification please:
 
Intel i7 3770 Ivy Bridge Quad Core with HT 3.4GHz LGA1155 Processor
Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H motherboard Intel H77 chipset
G.SKILL Ripjaws x 8GB [2x4GB] DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) high perfomance memory
24X SATA internal DVD writer
Western Digital Blue Edition 1TB 3.5" SATA3 internal HDD 7200RPM 32M cache
Leadek Winfast GTX560 1GB GDDR5 graphics card, dual DVI + Mini HDMI, 256Bit, dual fan
 
ALSO, I would like to guage opinion whether I could realistically install the OS and Sonar on my C: drive, but run all my audio from an external USB3.0 drive?
 
thanks in advance
Bob

I'm not familiar with all those brands but it looks like if it all works it will be a pretty powerful system and WELL within the recommended specs range for X1 (which is WAY better than minimum specs). Not sure about the external USB 3 but it is supposed be extremely fast. Still an internal SATA might be preferable for actual project audio and save the external for stuff like samples for VSTs and what not. That seems to be the way most companies recommend the DAW be set up. I might be wrong though and there are obviously many ways to approach this. Cheers.

That looks like a very strong setup. The only thing that you might want to add is an extra internal 1T harddrive if you store a lots of samples or record plenty of audio. Your CPU and 8 Gig RAM is powerful enough to run many instants of VST effects plugins or synths.

musichoo


That looks like a very strong setup. The only thing that you might want to add is an extra internal 1T harddrive if you store a lots of samples or record plenty of audio. Your CPU and 8 Gig RAM is powerful enough to run many instants of VST effects plugins or synths.

Exactly! An extra internal 1TB drive,even if you only use it for back up.


Also a good CPU cooler is always a good idea,as Ivy can run a little hot,even a Zalman CNPS5X [$30 in Oz]made a huge difference for me, compared to a stock intel one.
Cheers
Bob

Intel i7 3770 Ivy Bridge Quad Core with HT 3.4GHz LGA1155 Processor Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H motherboard Intel H77 chipset G.SKILL Ripjaws x 8GB [2x4GB] DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) high perfomance memory 24X SATA internal DVD writer Western Digital Blue Edition 1TB 3.5" SATA3 internal HDD 7200RPM 32M cache Leadek Winfast GTX560 1GB GDDR5 graphics card, dual DVI + Mini HDMI, 256Bit, dual fan   ALSO, I would like to guage opinion whether I could realistically install the OS and Sonar on my C: drive, but run all my audio from an external USB3.0 drive?  

FWIW,
I wouldn't want that Motherboard, the Blue series HD, or that video card (unless you plan to do a decent amount of video editing using Vegas Pro or Premier CS6 (Mercury Engine).  For DAW purposes, that video card is complete overkill... and it's adding noise/heat.  

Thanks so far for your feedback. I take the point about the video card being overkill.....it is part of a package deal, otherwise, I too wouldn't have opted to get that video card.

Jim Roseberry

Intel i7 3770 Ivy Bridge Quad Core with HT 3.4GHz LGA1155 Processor Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H motherboard Intel H77 chipset G.SKILL Ripjaws x 8GB [2x4GB] DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) high perfomance memory 24X SATA internal DVD writer Western Digital Blue Edition 1TB 3.5" SATA3 internal HDD 7200RPM 32M cache Leadek Winfast GTX560 1GB GDDR5 graphics card, dual DVI + Mini HDMI, 256Bit, dual fan   ALSO, I would like to guage opinion whether I could realistically install the OS and Sonar on my C: drive, but run all my audio from an external USB3.0 drive?  

FWIW,
I wouldn't want that Motherboard, the Blue series HD, or that video card (unless you plan to do a decent amount of video editing using Vegas Pro or Premier CS6 (Mercury Engine).  For DAW purposes, that video card is complete overkill... and it's adding noise/heat.  

Jim is the man to listen to CERTAINLY when it comes to building daw computers!


Just wondering about the motherboard,as with my i7 2600k build my Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3[rev.1] has been flawless.


I missed the "Blue" HDD for sure.
Bob

bobguitkillerleft

Jim Roseberry

Intel i7 3770 Ivy Bridge Quad Core with HT 3.4GHz LGA1155 Processor Gigabyte GA-H77M-D3H motherboard Intel H77 chipset G.SKILL Ripjaws x 8GB [2x4GB] DDR3 1600MHz (PC3 12800) high perfomance memory 24X SATA internal DVD writer Western Digital Blue Edition 1TB 3.5" SATA3 internal HDD 7200RPM 32M cache Leadek Winfast GTX560 1GB GDDR5 graphics card, dual DVI + Mini HDMI, 256Bit, dual fan   ALSO, I would like to guage opinion whether I could realistically install the OS and Sonar on my C: drive, but run all my audio from an external USB3.0 drive?  

FWIW,
I wouldn't want that Motherboard, the Blue series HD, or that video card (unless you plan to do a decent amount of video editing using Vegas Pro or Premier CS6 (Mercury Engine).  For DAW purposes, that video card is complete overkill... and it's adding noise/heat.  

Jim is the man to listen to CERTAINLY when it comes to building daw computers!


Just wondering about the motherboard,as with my i7 2600k build my Gigabyte Z68XP-UD3[rev.1] has been flawless.


I missed the "Blue" HDD for sure.
Bob

I missed the "Blue" HDD for sure.

 
I'm not sure exactly what the "Blue" hard drive offers me, to be honest!  Hopefully the m/b will be fine with Sonar X1.
Thanks for your input Bob.

Im guessing Jim "frowned upon" the blue HDD,as its a lightweight/green,oh how do I put it...a wimpy model instead of a Heavy Duty one,also meaning Not As Good,as a WD Caviar Black[the heavy duty performer class HDD].

I hope that's correct.
Bob

There you have it. There's a reason people pay big bucks for custom builds. The hardware is tested and proven and sometimes different hardware handles different programs and gear differently. I wish I had the cash to pay for one but I went for all the seemingly fool proof parts and built my own. Even then I found out that my MOBO didn't want to play well with my old Echo interface so I had to drop more cash on something new. Also getting a custom build means you'll get everything configured properly for a DAW as well as support. My system is great but it took FOREVER to research, acquire parts and assemble/configure. Now I'm still having slight issues that I KNOW could be resolved by a pro just tweaking it out a bit. However things are working well enough so I'm leaving the rig alone for now. Cheers.