fshkreli,
Cubase is one of the few applications outside the world of rendering that can use all the CPU cores available. And, if you're doing effects processing, employing many tracks, manipulating very large files, you will benefit from a multiple CPU, system that also has server features.
In general, for a very high performance system I would suggest >
CPU > 2X Xeon E5-2687W 8-core > Cubase can use all physical cores, but does not recognize hyperthreading, so in my view, the 2X E5 eight-core is offering more cores than a single 10-core E7. As you might notice with Xeons, the more cores per CPU, there is also usually a reduction in clock speed, so typically the 8-cores are bit faster than the E7's which are are geared to 4 and 8 -CPU systems. You don't mention budget, but a typical single E7 is $3,500 to $4,500 and you can buy a pair of E5-2687W's for about $3,900. If cost is a factor, the lower clock speed 8-core are less expensive.
The E5-2687W is 150W and given the surface area for heat dissipation, liquid cooling is recommended by Intel.
Motherboard > Multiple CPU's, besides the processing power also provide more PCI-e lanes and memory capacity. The best-rated multi-CPU chipset are currently the Intel C602 and C606 - seem to have excellent memory bandwidth (102 GB/s), capacity up to 512GB RAM, and very good benchmark performance. With the E5-2687W, it's important to note which boards support the 150W CPU, most seem to note a 135W limitation. I've seen a number of system on Passmark using both 2X 2687W on these 135W boards with high marks, but for your use which may extend over long periods at full CPU use, find a board with a 150W rating. One board I think works for 150W CPU's in this way and has good features is the Asus Z9PE-D16 (about $480-500)>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131814
This board does very well with the 2687W in Passmark benchmarks. I'm not absolutely thrilled it, with research there may be preferable options from Tyan, Supermicro, Gigabyte, and Intel. I'm always impressed with Intel board quality and layout.
Memory > If you are using a lot of effects processing, multi-tracking, for extreme precision , there will be benefits from ECC RAM. The C602 supports 1600 speed and if you are using multiple plug-ins and large files, I would suggest starting with 64GB. This is actually better described as 2X 32GB as each CPU has it's own RAM and must be symmetrical- same amount and speed for each. Check the motherboard's manufacturer site carefully for board- specific compatible models.
Drives > For the server-like characteristics, I recommend an LSI Logic 9260 or similar PCIe RAID controller with 8 ports. These are extremely fast and can control I think 125 drives. Attach to this a pair of Samsung 840 Pro 512GB SSD's in RAID 0 for OS and applications and follow with 5X 2TB , 3TB, or 4TB 6GB/s drives. Ideally these should be enterprise drives, but there is good performance and reliability from drives like WD Black. Arrange these in a RAID 1 + 0 that will provide RAID 0 performance and RAID 1 mirroring for backup and system restore. Keep a partition on one these drives containing a system image that can restore to the SSD's in case of failure as one drive failure in RAID 0 loses both.
Graphics card / display> The graphics card performance needs to be reasonable as there are always piles of windows open with multiple waveforms to follow and choose editing points. I would suggest a Quadro 2000 or 2000D (= 2X DVI) (2GB) and output to a pair of monitors at least 24"- but 27" is better. Again, it's all those tracks and menus that you don;t want to be constantly shifting around to see tiny controls and switches. If you are working with scoring film, I would suggest a Quadro K4000 and 2X 27" 2560 X 1440 monitors.
Power supply > Seasonic or Corsair 1000W or 1250W
Case > It's very important to have the system be very quiet, yet well cooled. Have a big roomy full tower like Corsair Obsidian 900-plenty of drives space, good air circulation, easy to work on, quiet. The Lian Li aluminum are also good, and I like the LIAN LI PC-D8000
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131814 which is very wide. To this I would also add a front panel fan controller and/ or temperature monitor
Sound Interfaces > You didn't mention the sound interfaces you use, but any dual CPU board is going to have a good supply of slots and of course these have USB and Firewire ports.
This is not a budget system, but with research into the right components and careful configuration, should present very high capabilities, performance, precision, and reliability.
Follows is a system I worked out for recently for scientific research and has similarities to your proposed system except for more video display emphasis>
BambiBoom CalcuCannon Simumcadamathica Supermodeler WalletScream III ™?™©®©$_ REV 7.5.13
The following configuration was done in consideration of the best cost /performance basis suitable for high calculation density requirements > Mathematical, Astrophysical, vector analysis, particle, fluid, gas flow, and thermal simulation, statistical analysis, molecular biology, static and dynamic structural, 2D/ 3D CAD modeling, graphic design, rendering, architecture, industrial design, financial analysis. >
1. (2) Intel Xeon E5-2687W Sandy Bridge-EP 3.1GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) 20MB L3 Cache LGA 2011 150W 8-Core Server Processor > $3,868. ($1,934 each) On the Passmark CPU benchmark chart, this processor is the No.2 rated, score = 21491. In the top 100 systems on Passmark Performance test, this CPU is used in the 6th highest performing system.
2. (2) Noctua NH-U12S 120x120x25 ( NF-F12 PWM) SSO2-Bearing ( Self-stabilizing oil-pressure bearing ) CPU Cooler > $140 ($70 each)
3. INTEL S2600COESSI EEB Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 DDR3 1600 > $580 (Newegg). (Supports up to 512GB DDR3 ECC UDIMM/LV) (see links above for information)
4. ASUS Z9PE-D16 SSI EEB Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 DDR3 1600 > $480 (See links above for information)
5. SUPERMICRO MBD-X9DAi-O Extended ATX Server Motherboard Dual LGA 2011 DDR3 > $490
a. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
b. http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/xeon/c60...
c. 16GB ECC registered 1600 compatible memory > http://www.supermicro.com/support/resources/memory/disp...
i. A 16GB Samsung module from the compatible list > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... ($180 each X4= $770 for 64GB, 8X= $1,440 for 128GB)
6. 128GB (8 X 16GB) DDR3- 1600 ECC RAM for Intel S2600COESSI EEB > About $1,200 (compatibility to be researched)
7. 128GB (8 X 16GB) SAMSUNG M393B2G70BH0-CK0 1X 16GB for ASUS Z9PE-D16 > 128GB= $1,160 ($145 each, Server Direct)
8. NVIDIA Quadro K5000 4GB 256-bit PCI Express 2.0 x 16 HDCP Ready Workstation video card > $1,800.
9. SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD512BW 2.5" 512GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) > $520
10. (3) Western Digital WD Black WD2002FAEX 2TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM $480 ($160 each) (RAID 5) (Active files, backup, system image)
11. SeaSonic X-1250 1250W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Full Modular Active PFC Power Supply > $254.99
12. LIAN LI PC-D8000 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case $331.99
13. ASUS DVD Burner 24X DVDDRW-24B3ST/BLK/G/AS > $28.
14. NZXT Sentry-2 5.25" Touch Screen Fan Controller > $28.
15. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (Full Version) - OEM $140
_______________________________
TOTAL = Configuration A > Intel S2600COE / Quadro K600 about >
$7,125 (depending on RAM cost) OR Intel S2600COE / Quadro K2000 about >
$7,460 (depending on RAM cost) OR Configuration B with ASUS Z9PE-D16/ Quadro K2000 > about $
7,250
__________________________________________
After all that, there can be some economy by buying a used Dell Precision T7600 or HP z820 with the dual E5-2687W's >
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dell-Precision-T7600-Dual-2X-Eight-Core-E5-2687W-8GB-RAM-Quadro-/141027040327?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item20d5dddc47
-Which is a Precision T7600 for about $4,200. There is only 8GB RAM, one 500GB HD, and a dog's dinner Quadro NVS, but has the CPU's and the PERC H310 RAID controller- very good. A good basis that also saves the parts research, ordering, assembly, configuration, and troubleshooting of building. After upgrades, this kind of system would save that time / fuss and still cost $1,500 -$2,000 less for similar performance and very high reliability. Out of curiosity, I went through the configuration menus and a new HP z820 with the specification in the list above (2X 2687W, 128GB RAM, K5000, etc) is quoted on their site as
$17,137.00,
http://h71016.www7.hp.com/dstore/MiddleFrame.asp?page=config&ProductLineId=534&FamilyId=3551&BaseID=38347&jumpid=re_r11662_store%2FsmProdCat%2FWorkstations%2FConfigurable-+HP+Z820+Workstation
> So, building or buying used may be slightly cheaper,...
Cheers,
BambiBoom
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