The title is mostly self-explanatory.
I'm trying to build my first serious DAW that would also serve as a gaming platform from time to time.
My workflow consists of using mostly virtual instruments, so there's a lot of large Kontakt or Best Service Engine sample libraries involved (Spitfire, Cinesamples, Orchestral Tools, Vienna etc.), synths (Omnisphere, U-he etc.), but I also do a lot of recording via the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB 2.0 interface, Avid Eleven Rack and guitar sims like Amplitube, Guitar Rig or TH2.
I mostly work within Cubase, Pro Tools and Reason, however I do try out other DAWs occasionally.
As far as the gaming part is concerned, I mostly want to be able to play The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Elite: Dangerous, Star Citizen (when and IF it ever gets released! - might already need an upgrade by that time ^^) and Eve Online.
So far I've managed to come up with something like this (providing prices in my country):
- CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core - 202,85 USD
- GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 4GB - 261,25 USD
- RAM: HyperX Savage 2x4GB 1866MHz DDR3 CL9 - 51,54 USD
- Mobo: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ - 126,69 USD
- HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM - 57,89 USD
- PSU: Fractal Design Tesla R2 650W 80+ Gold Certified ATX - 78,45 USD
- Case: either a Zalman Z1 or a SilentiumPC Gladius M20 Pure Black. - 31,73 USD
I'm seriously considering overclocking both the GPU and CPU - coolers: Noctua NH-D14 or Phanteks PH-TC14PE or maybe a Cooler Master HYPER 212 EVO would be enough? I need the PC to be as silent as possible during recordings.
RAM is going to be expanded to 16/32 gigs in the future.
Maybe I could get a smaller sized SSD for my OS and other software instead of the HDD and expand the capacity with internal HDDs at a later point.
Ideally, I'd wish to squeeze all that into a Fractal Design Define R4/5 or a SilentiumPC PAX M70, but both my budget and patience are limited at this point - I've been postponing this for waaaay more than enough.
I'm leaning towards the AMD because I've read that DAWs are well optimized for 4+ core CPUs, but maybe there's an Intel-based solution (maybe mixed with an AMD GPU?) that would work as well or even better for the same $?
Thanks for reading all this and I'm looking forward to your advice!
I'm trying to build my first serious DAW that would also serve as a gaming platform from time to time.
My workflow consists of using mostly virtual instruments, so there's a lot of large Kontakt or Best Service Engine sample libraries involved (Spitfire, Cinesamples, Orchestral Tools, Vienna etc.), synths (Omnisphere, U-he etc.), but I also do a lot of recording via the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 USB 2.0 interface, Avid Eleven Rack and guitar sims like Amplitube, Guitar Rig or TH2.
I mostly work within Cubase, Pro Tools and Reason, however I do try out other DAWs occasionally.
As far as the gaming part is concerned, I mostly want to be able to play The Witcher 3, Fallout 4, Elite: Dangerous, Star Citizen (when and IF it ever gets released! - might already need an upgrade by that time ^^) and Eve Online.
So far I've managed to come up with something like this (providing prices in my country):
- CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core - 202,85 USD
- GPU: MSI GeForce GTX 960 Gaming 4GB - 261,25 USD
- RAM: HyperX Savage 2x4GB 1866MHz DDR3 CL9 - 51,54 USD
- Mobo: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ - 126,69 USD
- HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM - 57,89 USD
- PSU: Fractal Design Tesla R2 650W 80+ Gold Certified ATX - 78,45 USD
- Case: either a Zalman Z1 or a SilentiumPC Gladius M20 Pure Black. - 31,73 USD
I'm seriously considering overclocking both the GPU and CPU - coolers: Noctua NH-D14 or Phanteks PH-TC14PE or maybe a Cooler Master HYPER 212 EVO would be enough? I need the PC to be as silent as possible during recordings.
RAM is going to be expanded to 16/32 gigs in the future.
Maybe I could get a smaller sized SSD for my OS and other software instead of the HDD and expand the capacity with internal HDDs at a later point.
Ideally, I'd wish to squeeze all that into a Fractal Design Define R4/5 or a SilentiumPC PAX M70, but both my budget and patience are limited at this point - I've been postponing this for waaaay more than enough.
I'm leaning towards the AMD because I've read that DAWs are well optimized for 4+ core CPUs, but maybe there's an Intel-based solution (maybe mixed with an AMD GPU?) that would work as well or even better for the same $?
Thanks for reading all this and I'm looking forward to your advice!
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