Need help building a computer dedicated to running Pro Tools 12

[chedda27]

Hi, it's been a long time since I have designed a computer, and am looking to lean on this community for advice (THANK YOU ALL). I am in need of building a machine capable of running Pro Tools 12, this would require a CPU (looking at the i7-7700K), power, case, SSD for OS (have multiple WD Blue 500GB for storing the files), 16 GB Ram (if possible), and Windows 10. Using the intel 630 Graphics should suffice as long as there is an HDMI out, and there is no need for an audio card (this is handled by external hardware), also hopeful for a very quiet computer case. Looking at a $600-700 build price. Thank you for any help you can provide.

 

[Hellfire13]

Pro Tools 12 System Requirements... http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Compatibility/Pro-Tools-12-System-Requirements

Something like this should be good enough...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.78 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370 HD3 (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($167.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair - SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $677.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-22 16:29 EST-0500

 

[chedda27]

Thank you, Hellfire, for your prompt and thorough response.
I don't believe Windows 10 is a part of this setup. Do you know if this can be found for a discount anywhere?

Pro Tools 12 System Requirements... http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/Compatibility/Pro-Tools-12-System-Requirements

Something like this should be good enough...

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel - Core i5-8400 2.8GHz 6-Core Processor ($199.78 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte - Z370 HD3 (rev. 1.0) ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: ADATA - XPG GAMMIX D10 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2666 Memory ($167.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($139.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair - SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $677.63
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-22 16:29 EST-0500

 

[Scottray]

For quiet cases, look at Cosaair quiet 400Q - http://www.corsair.com/en-us/carbide-series-quiet-400q-compact-mid-tower-case-cc-9011100-ww or Coolmaster Silencio 452 - http://www.coolermaster.com/case/mid-tower/silencio452/. You'll need to add a little to your budget to get the sound deadening features.

I have a Silencio 352 on my desk. It's almost silent in use. The only time I hear noise is when the fans spin up at boot or when coming out of sleep mode.

 

[mjslakeridge]

Not that there aren't experts in building computers on Tom's Hardware, ProTools is very picky when it comes to hardware and configuration. Check out the Avid forum and have a look at the first sticky on this link. Start from the end, not the beginning since the thread is so long"

http://duc.avid.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93&order=desc

 

[The Paladin]

you know the pro tools web site clearly indicates supported computers list , and the HP Z840 is a reccomended system.
I am not sure at all the i5-8400 is up to the task to be honest

I mean the HPZ840 contains Intel® Xeon E5-2650 v4 contains 12 cores, the I5 contains 6 cores.
I am just saying its doesn't seem likely a equal power pc your offering here.
So the budget of 6-700$ seems like half the money is needed for a hardware supported to handle this software .


here is what I suggest,. 1920x ripper, and gt 1030, (x399 boards don't comes with video card)

The motherboard needs 2 EPS connections so psu recommended list reference : http://www.faceofit.com/reviews/best-power-supply-psu-amd-threadripper-1950x-1920-1900-cpus/

so I suggest for a complete system that will last you more than 1-2 years

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Threadripper 1920X 3.5GHz 12-Core Processor ($674.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua - NH-U9 TR4-SP3 78.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.90 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - X399 SLI PLUS ATX TR4 Motherboard ($309.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital - Blue 250GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($78.11 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte - GeForce GT 1030 2GB Silent Low Profile Video Card ($78.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks - Enthoo Pro M Tempered Glass (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($90.80 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA - SuperNOVA G2 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($157.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft - Windows 10 Pro OEM 64-bit ($138.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1779.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-01-22 19:16 EST-0500

 

[Hellfire13]

A lot of websites sell fake licenses, so be aware of them. Use it free for now and purchase a license from Microsoft down the line, as it wont affect performance... https://www.howtogeek.com/244678/you-dont-need-a-product-key-to-install-and-use-windows-10/

 

[chedda27]

Not that there aren't experts in building computers on Tom's Hardware, ProTools is very picky when it comes to hardware and configuration. Check out the Avid forum and have a look at the first sticky on this link. Start from the end, not the beginning since the thread is so long"

http://duc.avid.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93&order=desc

Thank you for this. While the other suggestions here were extremely helpful, I believe this was the best option, as the people who build in those forums actually put the computer through real-time testing with the Pro Tools software. Again, thanks to all who submitted.

 

[mjslakeridge]

You are welcome! You will need to do a bunch of system optimizations listed in the "Additional Resources" section at the top of the link I provided. There are quite a few professional audio engineers on that forum that have been using ProTools since it was first released.

 

[stegozomba]

Hi All

I am considering moving over from Mac to PC. I need to build a PC for running Pro Tools 12. I would like to purchase the components and assemble myself. Firstly, is this foolish and dangerous? Or is this a task that someone with average computer competence can achieve?

Secondly, my budget is about $1500. Could anyone recommend a build? Preferably one that has been tried and tested. There are some thorough replies in this thread, but a lot might have changed since then.

Many thanks