PC Build from Scratch. How do the specs look for Reason?

[JamesKerwin]

Hi everyone,

I've spent quite a bit of time looking for a computer that will take a heavy CPU load because my current PC is very underwhelming. The current computer I have poops out on the R8 Benchmark file after a mere 2 seconds. It seems a lot of users get much farther. Anyway, here is a list of components I'm likely to use for a computer build. Maybe you guys would know if I need to upgrade certain parts or if I can save a bit more money on others. Thanks!

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($318.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: SilenX EFZ-92HA3 48.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($16.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth Z87 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($127.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-502WBG ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM (64-bit) ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $801.62

[Olivier]

You can save a lot on that windows oem license by buying it online here : http://www.allkeyshop.com/blog/buy-wind ... re-prices/
As for upgrades. Did you look into going for an older hexacore ? I think an i7 5820 with an X99 motherboard will outperform the 4970. Thats 5 vs 3 cores available for reason.

[Gorgon]

I would definitely go for an 1151 socket instead of 1150, because 1151 is newer. So you can combine that with newer CPU's (Skylake) and DDR4 RAM. It's the only way to go if you plan on building a new PC.

[JamesKerwin]

Thanks guys! I'll consider all this info. Also, I found this http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul15/a ... e-0715.htm Seems to be a fairly recent resource from Sound on Sound about which CPU works best for music production needs. Unfortunately, Reason is not mentioned. But we can get the drift.

[davidhyno]

Why not a ssd hd for operating system and Reason?

[JamesKerwin]

Why not a ssd hd for operating system and Reason?

Not sure, actually. I'm new to this and wanted to find something decent but not go all-out on every component. Is my hard drive fine, or would you strongly encourage an SSD HD?

[Sinistereo]

Why not a ssd hd for operating system and Reason?

Not sure, actually. I'm new to this and wanted to find something decent but not go all-out on every component. Is my hard drive fine, or would you strongly encourage an SSD HD?

No reason not to get one of each. SSDs are pretty cheap these days, and all you need is 256GB (or even 128GB) for the system partition. Boot Windows and install applications to the SSD for maximum speed and performance, then store large files that don't need lightning fast access to the HDD.

My experience with hybrids has been that they are NOT worth the cost.

[Gorgon]

Why not a ssd hd for operating system and Reason?

Not sure, actually. I'm new to this and wanted to find something decent but not go all-out on every component. Is my hard drive fine, or would you strongly encourage an SSD HD?

No reason not to get one of each. SSDs are pretty cheap these days, and all you need is 256GB (or even 128GB) for the system partition. Boot Windows and install applications to the SSD for maximum speed and performance, then store large files that don't need lightning fast access to the HDD.

My experience with hybrids has been that they are NOT worth the cost.

Correct. NEVER use a hybrid. Take a 250Gb SSD for OS and the most critical apps and any other HDD for storage. Works great.

[GRIFTY]

Another vote for ssd, at least to boot. My custom built goes from off to 100% functionality in 39 seconds. It's totally sweet

[Loque]

Yes, SSD for important apps and refills and everything that needs speed. And finaly you do not install every bs, so that keeps your system clean and safe.

[XysteR]

If you can, wait and save up for a 5960X. X99 platform is the way to go.

[Gorgon]

If you can, wait and save up for a 5960X. X99 platform is the way to go.

That's just silly. If you do that, you might as well keep waiting forever for the next platform.

[LABONERECORDINGS]

Have you considered what soundcard you are using? MOTU? E-MU? onboard? This can have also effects on the running of your machine

We've got this setup... http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/intel-i5-3570 ... used-b23nx, mainly because we have this on top...

E-MU 1212 + daughter board (2 slots)
NVIDIA Geforce 650 (2 slots)
MOTU PCI 434
TC Powercore PCIe
UAD-1 PCI
PCIe Firewire card (for external audio hardware)

and we filled our machine in seconds

Using this case too...http://www.silverstonetek.com/raven/pro ... model=RV02

Best part about this case is that the mobo is 90 degrees turned compared to most, which means the heat leaves all the boards together through the top and not the back.... plus pretty damn quiet too even with 3x180mm fans + 1x 120 exhaust pan plus power supply fan, plus a Mackie d8b PC (with silenced fans) running along side it

It's not just the mobo and memory etc, it's the extras that help too.... futureproof your machine as much as you can, we've had ours for around 2 to 3 years and it's having no issues with everything we're throwing at it (3d rendering, multi-daw music productions, artwork designs)

Oh and we're running Hybrids as well, 2x 1Tb (raid 1 mirrored) and even if one trips out the other 'fixes' it pretty quickly - no problems here, Windows 7 x64 up in fast time (will confirm later). Split into 8 logical drives (OS, Programs, Libraries, Projects, Download, plus 3 spares for misc)

Will invest in 2x 1Tb SSDs to clone system over and then see how much better we are.

[XysteR]

If you can, wait and save up for a 5960X. X99 platform is the way to go.

That's just silly. If you do that, you might as well keep waiting forever for the next platform.

Not at all - It's wise. The next platform will be a lot more money. The 5960X cpu is a couple of years old now and getting cheaper and cheaper over time. At the moment I believe it to be the perfect 'bang for buck' CPU for Reason.

A friend of mine said he wished he'd took my advice and waited to save more for a 5960X on X99. Impatience meant he bought a 4790k and he's already regretting it. So much so, he's now saving the extra, and is not too far away from selling on his Z97 and 4790k.

Having Reason running 7 cores is a world of difference over 3 cores.

[LABONERECORDINGS]

Having Reason running 7 cores is a world of difference over 3 cores.

May have to look into this too, we just have to keep out soundcards running though (PCI cards) - we know there's the option for PCIe to PCI converters which may be beneficial, our system is holding up pretty well though. But it is food for thought (we can't octo-core on our board unfortunately as far as we know)

[Exowildebeest]

If you can, wait and save up for a 5960X. X99 platform is the way to go.

That's just silly. If you do that, you might as well keep waiting forever for the next platform.

Not at all - It's wise. The next platform will be a lot more money. The 5960X cpu is a couple of years old now and getting cheaper and cheaper over time. At the moment I believe it to be the perfect 'bang for buck' CPU for Reason.

A friend of mine said he wished he'd took my advice and waited to save more for a 5960X on X99. Impatience meant he bought a 4790k and he's already regretting it. So much so, he's now saving the extra, and is not too far away from selling on his Z97 and 4790k.

Having Reason running 7 cores is a world of difference over 3 cores.

The 5960X is still 1000€+ and Intel is about to introduce the new i7 6xxx Broadwell-E range and around that price point there'll be the 6900K. Also X99.

[Gorgon]

A friend of mine said he wished he'd took my advice and waited to save more for a 5960X on X99. Impatience meant he bought a 4790k and he's already regretting it. So much so, he's now saving the extra, and is not too far away from selling on his Z97 and 4790k.

And why exactly is he regretting it?

[XysteR]

If you can, wait and save up for a 5960X. X99 platform is the way to go.

That's just silly. If you do that, you might as well keep waiting forever for the next platform.

Not at all - It's wise. The next platform will be a lot more money. The 5960X cpu is a couple of years old now and getting cheaper and cheaper over time. At the moment I believe it to be the perfect 'bang for buck' CPU for Reason.

A friend of mine said he wished he'd took my advice and waited to save more for a 5960X on X99. Impatience meant he bought a 4790k and he's already regretting it. So much so, he's now saving the extra, and is not too far away from selling on his Z97 and 4790k.

Having Reason running 7 cores is a world of difference over 3 cores.

The 5960X is still 1000€+ and Intel is about to introduce the new i7 6xxx Broadwell-E range and around that price point there'll be the 6900K. Also X99.

5960X £500-600 if you dig deep, a friend bought one second hand for £520 sterling. The Broadwell-E release will only drive the price down further, I very much doubt a 6900k Broadwell-E 3.2Ghz octacore CPU will be in the same price point. They say the 6900k will be $1100 on launch, but us in the EU (as usual) will be shafted and pay way more. And as for the 10 core 6950X - We'll be paying an arm and a leg for that. The 5960X is good bang for the buck at the minute. It'll be even better when the Broadwell-E stuff comes out.

A friend of mine said he wished he'd took my advice and waited to save more for a 5960X on X99. Impatience meant he bought a 4790k and he's already regretting it. So much so, he's now saving the extra, and is not too far away from selling on his Z97 and 4790k.

And why exactly is he regretting it?

Because he's getting 'computer too slow' way too often - he's tired of bouncing to audio just to reel back some DSP. Doesn't like it at all when he wants to make changes to tracks he's bounced to audio etc. It's slowing his workflow.

----------

Personally i'd stick with an existing system, save up more money and make use of the 'bounce in place' feature of R9. Then when Broadwell-E comes out be prepared to snap up a cheap 5960X.

Yes nobody wants to wait forever. But in this instance it's about cores, not just an i7. Even the 6 core 5820k suggested earlier would be better than a 4790k. Oh and going ahead with a 4790k on Z97 - he'll be screwed to upgrade to 6 or 8 core. If he wanted to he'd have to sell the mainboard/cpu and ram. Which is a complete waste of money.

So an X99 with minimum 5820k or ideally 5960X is the wiser way to go.

Some CPU performance scores for comparison:

CPU DAWBench

5960X @ 4.1Ghz eight cores, 7 in Reason

32 (Buffer Setting) Score: 274
64 (Buffer Setting) Score: 294
128 (Buffer Setting) Score: 312
256 (Buffer Setting) Score: 316

5820k @ 4.2Ghz six cores, 5 in Reason

32 (Buffer Setting) Score: 200
64 (Buffer Setting) Score: 216
128 (Buffer Setting) Score: 229
256 (Buffer Setting) Score: 238

4790k @ 4.4Ghz four cores, 3 in Reason

32 (Buffer Setting) Score: 140
64 (Buffer Setting) Score: 149
128 (Buffer Setting) Score: 157
256 (Buffer Setting) Score: 164

[LABONERECORDINGS]

Still no mention of soundcard, whether using onboard mobo or a dedicated soundcard for ASIO (which we know helps performance)

What soundcard does the OP have or is looking to invest in?

[Gorgon]

Because he's getting 'computer too slow' way too often - he's tired of bouncing to audio just to reel back some DSP. Doesn't like it at all when he wants to make changes to tracks he's bounced to audio etc. It's slowing his workflow.

This doesn't say anything without some background information about what he's doing and what the rest of his configuration is.

[XysteR]

Because he's getting 'computer too slow' way too often - he's tired of bouncing to audio just to reel back some DSP. Doesn't like it at all when he wants to make changes to tracks he's bounced to audio etc. It's slowing his workflow.

This doesn't say anything without some background information about what he's doing and what the rest of his configuration is.

The rest of his config is a Scarlett 2i2 and an m-audio keyboard controller, that's about it. There are no problems with his computer as such - No malware or driver issues. Fresh fully updated Windows 7 64 installation. It's just his CPU spits it's dummy out when tracks get complex. He uses a lot of layered sounds with CPU hungry synths and effects. When I last looked, his DSP meter looked quite normal for the amount going on. It's not a technical issue, it's just that the CPU ain't cutting the mustard for the amount going on.

[gak]

Late to the party.

Even if you have to STEAL to get it, make sure you are SSD.

You'll thank me later (in spades)

[Olivier]

<snip>

Some CPU performance scores for comparison:

CPU DAWBench

5960X @ 4.1Ghz eight cores, 7 in Reason

32 (Buffer Setting) Score: 274
64 (Buffer Setting) Score: 294
128 (Buffer Setting) Score: 312
256 (Buffer Setting) Score: 316

5820k @ 4.2Ghz six cores, 5 in Reason

32 (Buffer Setting) Score: 200
64 (Buffer Setting) Score: 216
128 (Buffer Setting) Score: 229
256 (Buffer Setting) Score: 238

4790k @ 4.4Ghz four cores, 3 in Reason

32 (Buffer Setting) Score: 140
64 (Buffer Setting) Score: 149
128 (Buffer Setting) Score: 157
256 (Buffer Setting) Score: 164

I would like to add that the speeds for the 5820 and 5960 are OC's where the 4790 is in its default ranges. I don't know how these cpu's compare in oc-ability or if OP is even interested in oc'ing. I know some people just don't want that. I run my 5930 stable at speeds over 4.5Ghz.

And as mentioned above me, SSD

[moofi]

At least here in Germany a 5960X lists at 1149 Euros while the i7-6900K is already available at the exact same price, so I´d go for a 6900K in that case.

[Gorgon]

I just put together a new platform for the next 4/5 years. I used an Asus Z170-K motherboard, i5 6400 (cheap but fast) CPU, 16 Gb Hyper-X RAM, and I'm all good to go. The motherboard has plenty of features such as PCI slots (for my TI firewire card) and USB 3.1 and in a year or so I'll drop in a better processor. Yay.

Isn't it pretty?