[SOLVED] Advice needed: gpu for music pc

[Walk-Man]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a new gpu and need some advice?
Especially, because I do not know how specific values relate to each other.
My GPU right now is a FirePro W4100.
TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/firepro-w4100.c2611

My main goal is a low power consumption and stream processors. But in regards to efficiency, other gpus are interesting as well.
I'm on a AMD cpu, if it gives any help.

These are my current choices:

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 6400 D6 Low Profile
Manufacturer Link: https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/GV-R64D6-4GL/sp#sp
TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-rx-6400.c3813
+ Price
+ Low Profile
+ 53W Power Consumption (/TDP)
+ 2000+ MHz Core Clock
- 64 bit Memory Bus
- 768 Stream Processors
* Question

GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile
Manufacturer Link: https://www.gigabyte.com/Graphics-Card/GV-N4060OC-8GL/sp#sp
TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/gigabyte-rtx-4060-low-profile-oc.b11375
+ Low Profile
+ 128 bit Memory Bus
+ 2000+ MHz Core Clock
+ 3072 Stream Processors
- 115W Power Consumption (/TDP)
- Rather expensive
** Question

AMD Radeon PRO W7500
Manufacturer Link: https://www.amd.com/en/products/professional-graphics/amd-radeon-pro-w7500
TechPowerUp: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/radeon-pro-w7500.c4170
+ 70W Power Consumption (/TBP)
+128 bit Memory Bus
+ 1700 Stream Processors
- 1500-1700 MHz Clock
- Rather expensive
***Question

* Is a 64 bit memory bus really that "bad", when having a clock speed of 2000 MHz in comparison to the AMDs 1500 MHz and 128 bit memory bus?
** What do you think? How much would it be possible to undervolt this gpu. I'd aim for 70-80 W (Like the others)?
*** Opposite of question #1 - Are these clock speeds "bad", when having a 128 bit memory bus?

Either way. I'll have to make a sacrifice.
I'm not really planning on using these for gaming in the first place.
More, for music and media stuff. So, not really gpu demanding (at least for now).
But I want something sound in the long run and a little power, if needed.

Hope, you can help me out here.
Additional proposals are very welcome.

Kind regards and thanks in advance.

 

[Darkbreeze]

Yes, having a very narrow memory bus absolutely affects performance. Significantly in many cases.

What specific applications are you mainly running and what is it that you think requires you to have a graphics card of the caliber any of these are if you are not doing anything graphically intensive or gaming? What is the problem with the card you have now? Is it just getting old or is it not doing what you need it to do anymore and if not, what, exactly, is it that it is not doing well enough for your use case?

What are the rest of your system specifications including the exact model and approximate age of your power supply? Yes, it is absolutely an important factor.

 

[Walk-Man]

Hi Darkbreeze,

thanks for your reply.

Yes, having a very narrow memory bus absolutely affects performance. Significantly in many cases.

What specific applications are you mainly running and what is it that you think requires you to have a graphics card of the caliber any of these are if you are not doing anything graphically intensive or gaming?

I take it, the RX 6400 would do the job, then?
That's good to know.

Nothing so special.
- A digital audio workstation (short: DAW) - REAPER (for now)
- Some (or many) Plugins (digital instruments and FX) that run within and outside the DAW
- Some applications for mixing and controlling an audio interface
- Some use more, some less CPU/ RAM - Depends on the Plugin (i.e.: UVI Falcon or Arturia Pigments are some of the more demanding plugins

Afaik, these require CPU, RAM and some storage (if possible SSD).

I know, I'd be less power consuming by just using the integrated GPU. But that also takes away some RAM.
Preferably using two displays for better overview.
So, the goal is to free some resources for their original purpose. The other option, also might be getting more memory.

What is the problem with the card you have now? Is it just getting old or is it not doing what you need it to do anymore and if not, what, exactly, is it that it is not doing well enough for your use case?

Neither of that. It worked fine through several years (about 10 soon ) and still does.
I'm about to give away my old PC to someone, including the gpu.
It's rather clearing out and "modernise".

There're also talks about GPUs might be used by plugins (due to their calculations) someday.
In theory, it'd take some calculation load from the CPU. But there's still the issue of latency.
Right now, I only know about one company (GPU Audio) that claims to have solved this problem.
They're working on early access gpu based FX plugins with their community.

What are the rest of your system specifications including the exact model and approximate age of your power supply? Yes, it is absolutely an important factor.

Everything is new.
I saved up for a few months and bought/ assembled everything about a month ago.

- ASUS Loki SFX-L 1000W
- ASUS x670E a gaming wifi
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900
- 64GB RAM (DDR5, 6000MHz 30-36-36-76)
- 1TB SSD
- 2TB SSD

TBH: When I first asked for advice over a year ago (other forum), I was given the impression, it'd be better to have some more ressources, then too little.

Kind regards!

 

[Darkbreeze]

If that is the case, then I'd say yes, even the RX 6400 should be totally fine for you. Spend the extra money on better sound equipment/adapter if you don't already have something you plan to move to the new system like custom DAC/soundcard/breakout box, whatever you use.

 

[Corwin65]

Agree with Darkbreeze above.
Spend the money on a good Audio Interface.

 

[Walk-Man]

Hi, guys!

Sorry for the late response.
Okay, then I know, what I've got to do and to work towards to.

Thank you!

 

[Darkbreeze]

Good luck walk man.