DAW PC Build ~ $2000 CAD

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

My build is intended primarily for DAW use and everything related to music production and sound design. I may do some light video editing here and there, but nothing intensive that requires a GPU (I think). I'll also be working in Unity for audio integration purposes.

I use a lot of intensive orchestral samples, synths, processing on many tracks, so I want to make sure my PC can handle it.

I'm still a little hesitant on the SSD purchase, but I don't think I can go any higher than the 850 Evo. I also have another 1T HDD for the less intensive samples. Does anyone have any experience running their samples, DAW and OS all on one 850 Evo? Also, does anyone have experience with the Asus Prime Z270-A?

CPU: Intel Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($447.85 @ Vuugo)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Asus PRIME Z270-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($209.98 @ DirectCanada)
Memory: G.Skill Aegis 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($274.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 1TB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA G2 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($108.98 @ DirectCanada)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($399.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($12.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1984.76

getochkn · Mar 12, 2017

I would go for a smaller drive for the OS, and then something else for the rest. If you OS crashes and you have to reformat, with everytthing on one drive it's harder to recover. Even a SSD could get saturated I think as well with all thos things running off 1 drive.

I would maybe wait though see how well Ryzen does for DAW work. Most DAW software and plugins in my experience loves multiple cores, so 8 cores and 16 threads might make it a DAW killer.

Supahos · Mar 12, 2017

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD RYZEN 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($409.87 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI B350M GAMING PRO Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($113.00 @ shopRBC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($299.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($316.78 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.98 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.98 @ NCIX)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($399.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1902.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-12 12:41 EDT-0400

Faster but smaller SSD to alleviate some of your concerns. More CPU power. And a bit of a GPU to help with occasional renders for less left keyboard off but I'm confident you can fix that

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

Supahos :

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD RYZEN 7 1700 3.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($409.87 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: MSI B350M GAMING PRO Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($113.00 @ shopRBC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 32GB (2 x 16GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($299.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung 960 Evo 500GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($316.78 @ shopRBC)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.98 @ NCIX)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($88.98 @ NCIX)
Monitor: BenQ GW2765HT 27.0" 2560x1440 60Hz Monitor ($399.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Total: $1902.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-12 12:41 EDT-0400

Faster but smaller SSD to alleviate some of your concerns. More CPU power. And a bit of a GPU to help with occasional renders for less left keyboard off but I'm confident you can fix that

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

Sorry, but what do you mean by "less left keyboard off"?

the nerd 389 · Mar 12, 2017

Clearly, you have an idea of what you need. I would recommend the R5 over the R4 for a new build, as it's easier to maintain.

Regarding noise, I should mention I put together a DAW with a Fractal Design R4 a while back with a Noctua NH-D14. The cooler itself works wonderfully, but the rear case fan was the loudest component on the machine. You'll want to replace it with something quieter. When we did exactly that and tuned the fan profiles, the final build produced 24 dBA at 3 ft under full load. It's performed admirably for almost three years now.

For orchestral pieces, you'll want an audio output with a very large dynamic range. I would suggest the O2/ODAC combo for professional work. It's among the best sources you can get, and manages to avoid the inflated prices of the audiophile realm.

Finally, despite what others have said, DAWs do benefit from exclusively using solid state storage. Hard drives will interfere with critical listening in a professional environment.

Supahos · Mar 12, 2017

I meant I forgot to add it Into the budget. Just pick one you like and rock and roll it

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

the nerd 389 :

Clearly, you have an idea of what you need. I would recommend the R5 over the R4 for a new build, as it's easier to maintain.

Regarding noise, I should mention I put together a DAW with a Fractal Design R4 a while back with a Noctua NH-D14. The cooler itself works wonderfully, but the rear case fan was the loudest component on the machine. You'll want to replace it with something quieter. When we did exactly that and tuned the fan profiles, the final build produced 24 dBA at 3 ft under full load. It's performed admirably for almost three years now.

For orchestral pieces, you'll want an audio output with a very large dynamic range. I would suggest the O2/ODAC combo for professional work. It's among the best sources you can get, and manages to avoid the inflated prices of the audiophile realm.

Finally, despite what others have said, DAWs do benefit from exclusively using solid state storage. Hard drives will interfere with critical listening in a professional environment.

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

Thanks, I added the R5 as several have recommended it.

Was it just the rear fan that you replaced? I've seen recommendations for multiple extra fans. I suppose I'll have to listen and see once I get the case.

Sorry for the noobish question, but I've never heard of the O2/ODAV. What purpose does it serve? I usually mix on my monitors and it looks like it's meant for headphones.

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

Supahos :

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

Thanks! Got it.

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

getochkn :

sonorityscape · Mar 12, 2017

Thanks. I think I'm gonna go for 2 850 evos - 1 250gb for the OS/DAW and 500 for intensive samples.

At this point I think I'm going to go for the 7700k. There are so many conflicting opinions about what's better, but I think since there's no built in graphics on the Ryzen that might in part sway my decision to go with the 7700k.

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