Need Some New PC Build Help

Want to talk about music hardware or software that doesn't include Reason?
ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

28 Jun 2017

Hi, all. I left my favorite hobby of music making 10 years ago and I got bit by the music bug this week; after seeing Reason finally let us use VST's.

Decided that I want to build a new rig for music, as my old recording rig is 12 years old and run my updated programs like a texas instruments calculator.

I'm using: Ableton 9, Reason 9.5, Native Instruments Komplete 11, FL Studio 12.

I'd like to keep my budget under $1000 and I have the monitor, mouse, keyboard and midi controls that I need.

Thank you in advance for any help you can offer!

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Gorgon
Posts: 1233
Joined: 11 Mar 2016

28 Jun 2017

Couple of simple rules:

- Don't try to save money on a motherboard. Good motherboards are not cheap. Mine are usually around € 100 (and I always buy Asus)
- At least 16Gb of RAM on a new system
- Get an SSD drive for your OS + programs, it's a world of difference
- Faster/newer CPU = better performance, especially with audio processing. Today that's Kaby Lake (or Ryzen, if you're AMD, which I'm not)
- Don't forget your audio interface, don't you need a new one as well?
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ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

28 Jun 2017

I use and Asus mobo for my gaming rig. Didn't even think about using one for production. Would a fast track pro from m-audio still be adequate, as I'm not doing much live recording? It has the ins, outs, phantom power and midi support I need.

My Rokit 8 Gen 1's still work fantastically, so I'm good there.

Primarily, I'm just looking to build the computer first. After it's built, I can work on my accessories and replace any gear that has become obsolete, or severely outdated.

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aeox
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28 Jun 2017

as stated above, 16GB RAM and SSD is important but CPU is the most important.

here is a list of CPU benchmarks: https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

just to get an idea of whats out there, don't pay attention to the prices on that site because they are often outdated/wrong.

use good judgement to find one that is suitable for your price range yet still has good performance.

ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

28 Jun 2017

What about this for a parts list?

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qFyZm8

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($326.49 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - MAXIMUS IX HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($228.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston - FURY 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($189.81 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($174.44 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.79 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG - GH24NSB0B DVD/CD Writer ($19.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.99 @ Adorama)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill - RNX-N150UBE USB 2.0 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($12.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1247.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-28 15:43 EDT-0400

It's over budget, but I'm trying to make sure this will last me a lil longer and not slow down large projects.

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Gorgon
Posts: 1233
Joined: 11 Mar 2016

29 Jun 2017

That looks adequate. The motherboard might be a bit overkill though. But if you have the budget, why the hell not.
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kuhliloach
Posts: 880
Joined: 09 Dec 2015

29 Jun 2017

I just built another Reason system out of an old Dell 8500, with Win 7 (Pro) install. Some notes about this build:

3rd gen Intel CPU
32 GB RAM
C drive is an SSD
D drive is an SSD
Gold rated power supply (upgrade from stock)
Props Balance interface (discontinued)
older AMD graphics card

The system boots from a cold state in about 10 -15 seconds. Reason 9.5 is performing perfectly so far.

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Gorgon
Posts: 1233
Joined: 11 Mar 2016

29 Jun 2017

kuhliloach wrote:
29 Jun 2017
I just built another Reason system out of an old Dell 8500, with Win 7 (Pro) install. Some notes about this build:

3rd gen Intel CPU
Which one?
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ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

29 Jun 2017

Gorgon wrote:
29 Jun 2017
That looks adequate. The motherboard might be a bit overkill though. But if you have the budget, why the hell not.
Would you suggest any changes?

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Gorgon
Posts: 1233
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29 Jun 2017

ZDPhoenix wrote:
29 Jun 2017
Gorgon wrote:
29 Jun 2017
That looks adequate. The motherboard might be a bit overkill though. But if you have the budget, why the hell not.
Would you suggest any changes?
Yeah, get a better WiFi adapter with at least 802.11ac
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ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

29 Jun 2017

Gorgon wrote:
29 Jun 2017
ZDPhoenix wrote:
29 Jun 2017


Would you suggest any changes?
Yeah, get a better WiFi adapter with at least 802.11ac
Cool. I threw it on there since I won't have a line connection in the room my gear will be in.

Thanks!

ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

29 Jun 2017

Another question. :\

I plan on installing only my programs/VSTs on my OS; and using my external for Saving/Recording Projects. What about my Refills, Samples and Existing Loops? Is that better on the external with my projects, or with the program installations?

Was tempted to get the 1TB for my OS if it's better to put projects on your OS drive. If not, I figure the 500 GB should be fine for a OS/Program drive.

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aeox
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Joined: 23 Feb 2017
Location: Oregon

29 Jun 2017

ZDPhoenix wrote:
28 Jun 2017
What about this for a parts list?

https://pcpartpicker.com/list/qFyZm8

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i7-7700K 4.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($326.49 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG - H7 49.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus - MAXIMUS IX HERO ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($228.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston - FURY 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($189.81 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung - 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($174.44 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.79 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG - GH24NSB0B DVD/CD Writer ($19.88 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.99 @ Adorama)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill - RNX-N150UBE USB 2.0 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter ($12.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1247.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-06-28 15:43 EDT-0400

It's over budget, but I'm trying to make sure this will last me a lil longer and not slow down large projects.
shoot, my system cost that much last year WITH a 720 dollar graphics card at the time, and still outperforms that machine.

you can for sure build something equally good for WAY less!

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aeox
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29 Jun 2017

also that power supply is EXTREME overkill, you won't be using anywhere near 850W

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aeox
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29 Jun 2017

http://natex.us/enthoo-128kit

16C/32T machine with 128 GB ram, i believe it just needs hard drives and a video card and it's good to go. i could be wrong though.

EDIT: yea it needs more than that but it's cheap stuff like fans for both CPUS and etc.

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aeox
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29 Jun 2017

oh and if you despise used parts, nevermind anything i said above. although, my used parts machine has been running flawlessly for over a year now and i've had it turned on 24/7 basically the entire time.

ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

29 Jun 2017

Thank you for the opinions, Aeox. Something to think about before I pull the trigger, for sure.

What about installing only my programs/VSTs on my OS; and using my external for Saving/Recording Projects. What about my Refills, Samples and Existing Loops? Is that better on the external drive, with my projects, or with the program installations?

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Gorgon
Posts: 1233
Joined: 11 Mar 2016

30 Jun 2017

ZDPhoenix wrote:
29 Jun 2017
Thank you for the opinions, Aeox. Something to think about before I pull the trigger, for sure.

What about installing only my programs/VSTs on my OS; and using my external for Saving/Recording Projects. What about my Refills, Samples and Existing Loops? Is that better on the external drive, with my projects, or with the program installations?
Your refills/samples/etc are not constantly being accessed (like your OS and programs are) so you can put them on an external drive (or a built in conventional drive). If you have the budget, SSD is obviously faster.

And concerning Aeox's opinion, it would be better to interpret if he/she had actually posted some specifications.
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kuhliloach
Posts: 880
Joined: 09 Dec 2015

30 Jun 2017

Yes all important data should NOT be on C. Everything except the programs themselves should be on other drives. The best practice is for the C: drive to be totally replaceable without much hassle or loss of important data.

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Gorgon
Posts: 1233
Joined: 11 Mar 2016

30 Jun 2017

kuhliloach wrote:
30 Jun 2017
Yes all important data should NOT be on C. Everything except the programs themselves should be on other drives. The best practice is for the C: drive to be totally replaceable without much hassle or loss of important data.
That's a good point!
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Carly(Poohbear)
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30 Jun 2017

For storage, M.2 SSD for OS and main programs, then a 2nd SSD drive for other less used programs and most used refills etc. (also comes down to how often you search you refills, I have a set I search a lot and having them on a SSD drive really speeds things up, my less used ones are on basic external HDD)

ZDPhoenix
Posts: 10
Joined: 28 Jun 2017

01 Jul 2017

I put some more thought into it and I realize that Dual 500GB M2's (Samsung 960's) are almost as cheap as getting dual 850's.

I'm thinking M2 #1 for OS/Programs and any "essential storage" and M2 #2 for Most commonly used Samples.

If I somehow go over that much on storage (unlikely for awhile), I could always add an SSD in the far future, or keep my external.

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gak
Posts: 2840
Joined: 05 Feb 2015

02 Jul 2017

Wait for the new i11's, with 64 cores. Nah, I kid!

Sweet spot for cpu seems to be in intel 6 cores, or maybe ryzen, but ryzen still has some kinks to work out with ram and latency.

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gak
Posts: 2840
Joined: 05 Feb 2015

02 Jul 2017

Here's what I mean:

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product. ... -_-Product

You should be able to OC this w/o issue and it's far superior (especially in reason, where hyperthreading isn't really used) to having 4 cores. It's not a bank-breaker to your system specs. Get 16 GB of "decent enough" ram (it doesn't make that much difference) and good to go. You don't need all that gamer shit for your mobo. Just someone decent.

Steedus
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Joined: 31 Aug 2015
Location: Melbourne, AU

26 Jul 2017

Guys I'm torn deciding on a new PC. Basically it's the CPU that's got me stumped. I'm looking at 2 different Dell computers (I'm not interesting in building it myself).

Basically I'm looking at an XPS, and an Alienware Aurora. Essentially most of the main specs are exactly the same, same HDD set up (256GB M.2 + 2TB SATA), same RAM (16GB 2400MHz), same chassis (save for some Alienware plastic bits and LED lights), same graphics card (GTX 1070).

The thing is the XPS is only available with the i7 7700, while I can option the 7700k with liquid cooling on the Alienware.

I currently have an i7 4790, and the specs seem damn near identical to the 7700, so I'm worried I won't really notice any sort of performance increase. But the cost difference to get the 7700k equipped Alienware is in the order of $800 ...

I've read the specs and watched benchmark comparisons, but it doesn't really give much of an insight into real world usage, specifically with Reason/other audio software. Does anyone have any first hand experience with the 7700 and 7700k CPUs?

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