Old 11-29-2013, 03:42 PM   #1
vinnie2k
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Default New Reaper DAW

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! :-)
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Last edited by vinnie2k; 11-29-2013 at 04:14 PM.
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Old 11-29-2013, 06:41 PM   #2
rmm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinnie2k View Post
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! :-)
You need tripple channel ddr memory meaning 6 pieces of ram may be 6x 2GB and the 840pro or the new samsung evo that is the priority that makes the speed.
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Old 11-29-2013, 06:45 PM   #3
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PC3-24800 is actual speed that is DDR3-3100 that is off course not 100% requiered but the quicker it gets the better.
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Old 11-29-2013, 06:47 PM   #4
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yes you need a cooler
if you want a fanless cooled system you must look into intel atom, intel pentium J2850 and intel Avoton C2750.
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Old 11-29-2013, 08:23 PM   #5
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Not to totally deviate from your original configuration, but here is just some food for thought. I bought this system back in January:
http://www.tekserve.com/store/macs/m...b-5400rpm.html
$899 (US)
Upgraded the memory myself with something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-CT2C8G...2+mac+mini+ram
I paid around $90 for whatever I bought at B&H
Added this external DVD/Bluray drive: http://www.amazon.com/LG-Portable-Bl...l+bluray+drive
$65
And pulled the audio and sample drives out of my old machine and put them into USB3 enclosures for $35 each.
Lastly, Windows 7 64 Pro for $100
That's $1224

I personally went this route as I wanted the option to run either Mac or Windows. Stuck with Windows, and this thing performs incredibly well. I had a project with 150+ tracks with SEVERAL instances of Massive, Reaktor, Guitar Rig, Battery along with BFD2, Stylus RMX and many insert FX. Plus was scoring to video. Almost no glitches whatsoever. This thing runs like a beast. And its semi-portable for what its worth. Don't let the built-in graphics fool you. I'm running a 24" Samsung monitor AND a Sony 32" flat screen TV as dual monitors, each at 1920x1080.
Best part is, I could've just bought the base unit and started working immediately while upgraded slowly as I got the money.
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Old 12-01-2013, 11:42 AM   #6
vinnie2k
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My current config is now this one:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($200.94 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($46.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-HD4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.95 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec P280 ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Noctua NF-S12B FLX 59.2 CFM 120mm Fan ($19.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.98 @ OutletPC)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit - OEM (64-bit) ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Asus VE247H 23.6" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Keyboard: Logitech MK120 Wired Slim Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($13.89 @ B&H)
Total: $934.65
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-01 13:41 EST-0500)

I'll get back to your comments when I have more time :-)
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:34 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chriscomfort View Post
Not to totally deviate from your original configuration, but here is just some food for thought.
Interesting, I would have never thought of that, buying a Mac for its hardware and install Windows on it.

For some unknown reason I feel less comfortable not having it built myself, go figure :-) But definitely a good idea, thanks.
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:31 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmm View Post
yes you need a cooler
Why? Could you please explain your reasoning?
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:57 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by vinnie2k View Post
Why? Could you please explain your reasoning?
the cpu produces heat and that heat must be diverted otherwise the cpu will stop working the big fat i7 cpu makes roundabout 130Watt of heat, a intel atom 13 Watt
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:30 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmm View Post
PC3-24800 is actual speed that is DDR3-3100 that is off course not 100% requiered but the quicker it gets the better.
I don't think my current issues are due to low RAM - from what I can, it's more due to the low computing power.
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:29 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rmm View Post
You need tripple channel ddr memory meaning 6 pieces of ram may be 6x 2GB and the 840pro or the new samsung evo that is the priority that makes the speed.
Triple channel DDR? Doesn't this depend on the type of motherboard? Why would I need 6 pieces of RAM instead of one? I don't understand :-(
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Old 12-03-2013, 12:55 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vinnie2k View Post
Triple channel DDR? Doesn't this depend on the type of motherboard? Why would I need 6 pieces of RAM instead of one? I don't understand :-(
one piece of ram does 5000MB/s 6 do 30000
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