Build for midi music production

[haveri]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to get a new build for music production, mainly with heavy sample libraries.
I'm going for X99 and DDR4 for the option to add 32gb RAM later.
This build cost in my country about 1800$ :

1. Intel core i7 5820k
2. CPU FAN: Noctua NH-U12S cooler
3. Motherboard: MSI X99SLI Plus LGA2011-3
4. RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws-4 4x8GB DDR4 2400Mhz
5. Grapihc Card: MSI GT620 1GB DDR3 DX11 VGA DVI HDMI
6. SSD Drive: Intel 530 Series ssdsc2bww120a401 120Gb SSD sata III

7. SeaSonic 620W Active Pfc Modular 80+ Bronze M12I EVO PSU
8. Crosair Caribde 300R Windowed Compact PC no PSU

I'm really not sure about this mobo, since many users report porblem. What do you think about this mobo compared to Gigabyte X99 UD4 ? There is also the ASUS X99-A but it's significally more expensive

Thanks in advance!

 

[tsnor]

Can you post what software you will use for music production?

Can you describe how you will listen to the output (assume it's not the MB sound chip) ?

How large are the sample libraries apt to get ? Will 128GB work?

Are you comfortable with your backup strategy ?

 

[haveri]

You're right

I will be using Cubase 8 Pro
The sound card I will be using is RME Babyface (via usb2)

I forgot to mention I already have a Western digital black 3T hard drive I'm gonna instrall on the new pc. The samples are about 200gb. they inclue:
1. Spitfire mural strings
2. Spitfire sable
3. Berlin woodwinds
4. Cinesample core/pro
5. Cinesamples percussion
6. More smaller libraries such as piano libraries
7. Ominsphere, Stylus RMX...

I'm comfortable with my backup strategy for now

Thanks

 

[tsnor]

I could not find information stating if you are better off with 6 slower cores hyperthreaded ( Intel core i7 5820k @ 3.3 stock) vs. (i7-4790K @ 4ghz stock) 4 faster cores hyperthreaded. Given the latency concerns with midi, I suspect the higher clock speed i7-4790K gives a better result, but do *not* have any data to show that. I'd send a note to Steinberg support and ask them. (earlier cubase versions needed you to turn off hyperthreading to get higher thread speed to avoid crackle, that requirement seems to have gone away before 7.5, but there are still many recommendations around power management that make it likely that low latency depends on fast thread speed.)

One review gave advice to consider dual display or a large display. "...Steinberg added a new Rack Zone to the Project Window that can display both Rack and Track Instruments, along with the Media Bay. (Both are still available as separate windows allowing you to place them on different monitors.) ..." http://www.askaudiomag.com/articles/review-steinberg-cubase-8-pro-and-artist-version

Assume from the HSF that you plan OC'ing if you are not able to reach the latency you want. Seems a good idea. Nice cooler.

The backup question was around using 2 spinning disks in Raid 1 to hold samples and back up the SSD. If you are comfortable with backup then raid 1 is not necessary. 3TB black WD is nice drive. (WD 1TB black is just a renamed blue drive, very disappointing. 3TB black drive still good.).

SSD performance scales with size of device until around 240GB, I'd get at least a 240/256 for the performance benefit vs. 120. the larger size is nice too. The intel 530 is based on the SandForce SF-2281 controller which in turn gets it's performance from lossless compression. I have no idea how well samples compress, so would be tempted to go the the intel 730 drive (intel controller based no compression) if you want to stay intel or to a Samsung 850 w/V-NAND or some other SSD that does not use compression. I use a 480GB intel 730 in my desktop, it's a high wattage, low read latency drive with some enterprise data protection characteristics. 240GB intel 730 is $120 at newegg. (its *not* a good drive for laptops, but fine for server).

RME babyface. wow, sweet.

 

[haveri]

Hey tsnor,
I read in some forums that the slower 6 cores will still be better than the 4790k, but actually I have to go for this newer generation just because the x99 mobos support 64gb RAM, which I might need

Thanks a lot for your help
The RME babyface rocks 🙂 not cheap though

 

[tsnor]

Glad you have data on 4790 vs. 5820... guessing at performance results is not really that helpful. A lot of software starts tripping over itself at 12 threads. Bet you also wanted the i7-5820k's ddr4 and much higher memory bandwidth.

Sounds like you are set. Pleasure talking to you. GL.