Build a powerful music workstation (hackintosh) better than the new mac pro ?

[thelastbencher]

Hi,

I want to build a music workstation which is more powerful than the new Mac Pro. I dont need a very expensive video card, as I wont use it for any video editing. However, my problem is portability. I have to carry my CPU and screen to different studios every 3 - 4 days. Thats where the Mac Pro scores in design (The cylindrical case). Can we get similar cases in the market ?

Someone I know suggested this -

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2lGy6

Its not complete. But I would love if you guys can help me with the best configuration.

I need a CPU that is

1. Very Powerful

2. Easily Portable

3. Very Sturdy to bear the wear n tear of the road.


Thanks a lot. Really appreciate your help.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

for the cabinet you can also choose this:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/silverstone-case-sstlc13beusb30

 

[manofchalk]

Before we can help, we need to know what your budget is. Without that we dont have much to go on.

 

[thelastbencher]

Thanks siddharthmukul007. Will it help safegaurd my CPU from the wear n tear better than BitFenix ?

manofchalk - My budget would be $ 2000 - $ 2500, without the monitor. Thanks.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

well.....silverstone, surely knows how to make cabinets....you should be fine

 

[Transmaniacon]

Here is what I would go with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($110.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($122.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU200B Mini ITX Tower Case ($163.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1581.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-17 09:12 EST-0500)

This gives you a small form factor system in a sturdy, easily transportable case. I would assume you will be using the optical output or USB to connect your audio equipment, you also have the option of bitstream audio over HDMI from the GPU. If you wanted to go with LGA2011, you would need to go with mATX for a small option, but then the system becomes harder to transport. For music production, I think you would reach the point of diminishing returns upgrading from this i7-4770K.

 

[thelastbencher]

well.....silverstone, surely knows how to make cabinets....you should be fine

Here is what I would go with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($110.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($122.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU200B Mini ITX Tower Case ($163.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1581.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-17 09:12 EST-0500)

This gives you a small form factor system in a sturdy, easily transportable case. I would assume you will be using the optical output or USB to connect your audio equipment, you also have the option of bitstream audio over HDMI from the GPU. If you wanted to go with LGA2011, you would need to go with mATX for a small option, but then the system becomes harder to transport. For music production, I think you would reach the point of diminishing returns upgrading from this i7-4770K.

Thanks a lot. However, I want to future proof my computer, so was looking for i7 4930k 6 core processor and 32 GB Ram...

Also, If I have an internal HDD...the chances of it crashing, during transportation would be more, right ? I once traveled 10 kms in my car, with my old desktop and the hard drive crashed. Was thinking of 512 SSD, as its safer while traveling. What do u think ?

I wud connect my sound card via a firewire port and connect my midi controller via USB.

 

[Transmaniacon]

Well you can't get the LGA2011 chipset in mITX, so you would have to go with mATX meaning a significantly larger case. What exactly are you doing during "music production"? If it is just using a mixer to record yourself/instruments, you aren't going to see a benefit from a faster CPU. People who need the 6-core CPUs are doing a lot of video editing and rendering complex scenes in CAD. And you don't need 32GB of RAM. Unless you do a lot of VM work or again, have programs that can utilize huge amounts of RAM, it is a waste.

Regarding the HDD, I have transported my computer many times and never had an issue with a HDD failing. There might have been a different issue there... That said, if you want to stick with SSDs, I would go with a 120GB for your OS and apps, and then another 240 or so for storage. Just keep in mind your SSD shouldn't exceed 60% capacity for it to operate optimally, so plan accordingly.

 

[CharlesEdward]

Here is what I would go with:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($319.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L12 37.8 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z87N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($110.49 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($122.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($104.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($249.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Lian-Li PC-TU200B Mini ITX Tower Case ($163.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($131.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1581.32
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-12-17 09:12 EST-0500)

This gives you a small form factor system in a sturdy, easily transportable case. I would assume you will be using the optical output or USB to connect your audio equipment, you also have the option of bitstream audio over HDMI from the GPU. If you wanted to go with LGA2011, you would need to go with mATX for a small option, but then the system becomes harder to transport. For music production, I think you would reach the point of diminishing returns upgrading from this i7-4770K.

Kudos on this build, I don't think there would be a better option for the budget.