Hey guys,
I need to upgrade my PC for my mixing hobby. I recently tried to mix a 70+ track monster and playback was a nightmare.
I will use Reaper 64 bits on Windows 8.1.
My standard memory hogs are Alchemy and Komplete; the rest of my plugins seem to behave; my maximum number of tracks will probably be 100.
Here is my current build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i7-4771 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P SE2 54.4 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.44 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.03 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($132.67 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($95.94 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12B FLX 59.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($19.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Fractal Design Newton R3 600W 80+ Platinum Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($156.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer S241HL bmid 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($13.89 @ B&H)
Total: $1368.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-29 18:11 EST-0500)
(I have an external disk for system backups and CrashPlan for data backups).
The problem is that without S&H I'm way above my puny budget: this build goes for around $1'300 in Switzerland, so I need your help reducing the costs without sacrificing too much of the performance.
My main concern is CPU (see example above); that is why I initially selected the i7 4771; I'm not too happy with the consumption, so would the i5 4670T (45W max TDP) also provide me with enough computing power?
RAM I'm not too concerned about - Reaper is very good at managing it and I'm not using a lot of RAM when I record / mix. I can always add the same memory kit to the existing one to go from 8 to 16GB.
Since I have an LGA1550 socket, I have a choice of the Q87, Z87 and H87 MB from Gigabyte (have one now, worked like a charm, why should I change?). I don't need/want overclocking and the Z platform has loads of extra "business" features I don't care for so I chose the H87.
The case and PSU are a bit of a mystery: do I really need something that expensive (including the PSU)? Couldn't an Integra R2 PSU + a Core 3000 USB 3.0 do the tirck? Or even a Sonata bundle (not sure which is the most recent one)?
SSD: I know Samsung from reputation but $140 for a 128GB drive is a lot. How about Sandisk or Kingston? If that's too cheap, how about Toshiba, for example the Q-Series HDTS212EZSTA?
Storage disk I am going for Green because I think I need quiet more than powerful, correct?
Do I really need a cooler if I don't overclock my CPU?
Monitors: there's so much choice! I think I can settle for 24", with good contrast and lighting. Resolution doesn't need to be so high since I can't see too well if it's too small
That's it. You know everything.
Help!
I need to upgrade my PC for my mixing hobby. I recently tried to mix a 70+ track monster and playback was a nightmare.
I will use Reaper 64 bits on Windows 8.1.
My standard memory hogs are Alchemy and Komplete; the rest of my plugins seem to behave; my maximum number of tracks will probably be 100.
Here is my current build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks
CPU: Intel Core i7-4771 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P SE2 54.4 CFM CPU Cooler ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87N Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($104.44 @ Mwave)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.03 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($132.67 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Green 1.5TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($95.94 @ Amazon)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12B FLX 59.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($19.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Fractal Design Newton R3 600W 80+ Platinum Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($156.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer S241HL bmid 60Hz 24.0" Monitor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($13.89 @ B&H)
Total: $1368.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-29 18:11 EST-0500)
(I have an external disk for system backups and CrashPlan for data backups).
The problem is that without S&H I'm way above my puny budget: this build goes for around $1'300 in Switzerland, so I need your help reducing the costs without sacrificing too much of the performance.
My main concern is CPU (see example above); that is why I initially selected the i7 4771; I'm not too happy with the consumption, so would the i5 4670T (45W max TDP) also provide me with enough computing power?
RAM I'm not too concerned about - Reaper is very good at managing it and I'm not using a lot of RAM when I record / mix. I can always add the same memory kit to the existing one to go from 8 to 16GB.
Since I have an LGA1550 socket, I have a choice of the Q87, Z87 and H87 MB from Gigabyte (have one now, worked like a charm, why should I change?). I don't need/want overclocking and the Z platform has loads of extra "business" features I don't care for so I chose the H87.
The case and PSU are a bit of a mystery: do I really need something that expensive (including the PSU)? Couldn't an Integra R2 PSU + a Core 3000 USB 3.0 do the tirck? Or even a Sonata bundle (not sure which is the most recent one)?
SSD: I know Samsung from reputation but $140 for a 128GB drive is a lot. How about Sandisk or Kingston? If that's too cheap, how about Toshiba, for example the Q-Series HDTS212EZSTA?
Storage disk I am going for Green because I think I need quiet more than powerful, correct?
Do I really need a cooler if I don't overclock my CPU?
Monitors: there's so much choice! I think I can settle for 24", with good contrast and lighting. Resolution doesn't need to be so high since I can't see too well if it's too small
That's it. You know everything.
Help!
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