Advice on build for Music Production & Video Editing - budget around £2,500

B

Boydie

Member
Hi all
I started specing up a build - but got totally lost in options (I didn't even know whether to go for Intel or AMD!), so I thought I would ask here

In order of priority...

I want a pro-audio PC to record audio with low latency using my Focusrite Clarett 4PRE (so the quieter the better with regard fan noise - but I am not sure water cooled is worth the hassle??) and produce music - potentially with lots of tracks (often over 30)

I will be using Studio One as my main DAW - and will be running lots of Virtual instruments, effects and sound libraries

I would also like the PC to be a very capable video editor - so I am not sure if I need an all singing all dancing video card??

Any recommendations as a starting point so that I can do build and then ask about any tweaks if necessary

Thanks in advance

Paul
 
B

Boydie

Member
Sorry for the double post - but I had a crack at a spec
Anything over/under spec for what I need - or any recommendations for tweaks?
I got a warning that my selected power supply was more than I need (850 - but it said I only needed 750 - but I presume leaving some headroom for future expansion would be a good idea??)

I went for 1 big 10GB storage drive - would I be better with 2 smaller drives?? (e.g. 2 x 6GB)

What do you think?

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 24-Core Processor i9-14900K (Up to 6.0GHz) 36MB Cache
Motherboard
GIGABYTE Z790 D DDR4 (LGA1700, DDR4, PCIe 5.0)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR4 3200Mhz (2 x 32GB)
Graphics Card
12GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 4070 - HDMI, DP, LHR
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti / RX 7700 XT AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st Storage Drive
10TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 256MB CACHE
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS® GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
PCS FrostFlow 200 Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 2,400Mbps/5GHz, 300Mbps/2.4GHz PCI-E CARD + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
2 PORT (2 x TYPE A) USB 3.1 PCI-E CARD + STANDARD USB PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
Norton 360 inc. Game Optimizer - Free 90 Day License
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Warranty
3 Year Gold Warranty (2 Year Collect & Return, 2 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,630.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/intel-z690-pc/yDyjUe8PTX/
 
D

David689

Gold Level Poster
I think people may want to know what monitor you intend to use it with.
Also, I think you will probably be advised against Norton antivirus.
I'm afraid I'm not knowlegeable enough to advise you further.
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
Budget would be the main consideration. What is your ceiling on the spend? I've gone for a quick stab at it below. Note that I've omitted the large storage drive.... what would it be for? Cloud storage would be recommended for keeping files safe nowadays.

AIO is definitely the way to go for silence, especially with the silent case.

Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12 Core CPU (4.0GHz-5.4GHz/76MB CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X670E-A GAMING WIFI (AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 32GB) AMD
Graphics Card
16GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 4070 Ti SUPER - HDMI, DP, LHR
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti / RX 7700 XT AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1000W RMx SERIES™ - MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR iCUE H115i ELITE CAPELLIX XT RGB High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,582.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/QVqjR2E8Pj/
 
B

Boydie

Member
@Scott
Thank you sooooooooooooo much for your input and apologies for the delay in replying - I have been reading guides etc.

Just a few follow up questions....
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12 Core CPU (4.0GHz-5.4GHz/76MB CACHE/AM5)
Click to expand...

I had thought INTEL would would have been a better option - but from reading some recent posts by @SpyderTracks it appears I have fallen for the Intel marketing!!!
So if AMD is the way to go - would it be worth stretching to a 7900X or higher?

Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 32GB) AMD
Click to expand...

Would it be worth upgrading to 128GB RAM if I am running lots of virtual instruments and plugins?

I appreciate both of these are budget dependent - but it there any "stretches" you would recommend on processor and RAM for my use?

My only other area of confusion was:
AIO is definitely the way to go for silence, especially with the silent case.
Click to expand...
Is this "water cooling"?? - I couldn't see options to add this on the configurator? - is it included in the case choice or something I need to add??

Thank you for your help so far - I am now so out of touch with this tech I really appreciate the guidance on such a significant investment 👍👏
 
SpyderTracks

SpyderTracks

We love you Ukraine
Boydie said:
Would it be worth upgrading to 128GB RAM if I am running lots of virtual instruments and plugins?
Click to expand...
How many channels are you using roughly?

How many plugins do you use per channel roughly at the high side?

For most people 32Gb would be ample.

For those doing live orchestra's with 128 channels and plugins, they may require 64Gb

I've literally never heard of anyone requiring over 64Gb

RAM isn't something that you add more and it improves performance, it's only used if the program you're using requires that much.

I'd be amazed if you needed over 64Gb.
 
T

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Boydie said:
My only other area of confusion was:

Is this "water cooling"?? - I couldn't see options to add this on the configurator? - is it included in the case choice or something I need to add??
Click to expand...
No, it's a non-conductive liquid in a self-contained, sealed, closed loop system comprising of radiator, pump and fans (aka AIO or All-In-One).
2024-06-24_13-11-47.jpeg



A 'water cooling' system (open loop) is usually more complex with multiple pumps, any number of cooling plates (for CPU, GPU, M.2, etc.) reservoirs for the liquid, radiator, connected via tubing, and you have to top-up/maintain regularly.
2024-06-24_13-10-44.jpeg
 
B

Boydie

Member
@SpyderTracks
Thank you - that is reassuring to know! - I would have probably gone well over the required specs without your advice (and would also have gone for an Intel chip!!! 👍)
I can easily go over 100 tracks, each with plugins and it sounds like 64GB will be ample

@TonyCarter
Ah - I was actually put off water cooling due to the "hassle" of pumps, plates, different components and ongoing maintentane

This "AIO" sounds PHENOMENAL and I had never heard of it!!!

Does anyone know how I add it to the build on the configurator - or is it something I have to get separately? - and if so, do I need to get a specific one to match my case?
 
B

Boydie

Member
Perfecto! @TonyCarter - and I noticed that @Scott had already added to the recommended spec 👏👏👏👍

Looks like I am nearly good to go...
...final question - now that I am happy I don't need to upgrader the RAM or add a separate AIO cooling system...would anyone recommend increasing the processor for my needs - or are the potential gains too negligible??
 
T

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
The 7900 is only about 5% slower, but is much more efficient/cooler than the 7900X (65W TDP vs 170W TDP), so not worth it in my opinion.

If more performance is required then the 7950X is the next step up really...but it's also a lot more money...and takes you back to that 170W TDP.
 
B

Boydie

Member
Thanks @TonyCarter - that is great info

depending on build times, I will be "pulling the trigger" before or straight after my holiday in mid-July

My last PCS laptop (Vortex Laptop) has lasted for 14 years and performed flawlessly (which is why I have come back to PCS for the next one :) ) - Is there anything else on the spec that @Scott kindly put together that anyone would suggest as an upgrade (i.e. another £200 - £300) to ensure this one lasts for a good few years or make it more suitable for future upgrades....or has @Scott nailed it??


Case
FRACTAL DEFINE 7 BLACK QUIET MID-TOWER CASE
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12 Core CPU (4.0GHz-5.4GHz/76MB CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® ROG STRIX X670E-A GAMING WIFI (AM5, DDR5, PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 6E)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB DDR5 5600MHz (2 x 32GB) AMD
Graphics Card
16GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 4070 Ti SUPER - HDMI, DP, LHR
Graphics Card Support Bracket
NONE (BRACKET INCLUDED AS STANDARD ON 4070 Ti / RX 7700 XT AND ABOVE)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
512GB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 4700MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SOLIDIGM P41+ GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 4125MB/sR, 3325MB/sW)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1000W RMx SERIES™ - MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR iCUE H115i ELITE CAPELLIX XT RGB High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 4 to 6 working days
Price: £2,582.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/QVqjR2E8Pj/
 
T

TonyCarter

VALUED CONTRIBUTOR
Well, if you're happy to spend a few more £££, then the only further recommendation I'd have is to go for the newer ATX3 spec PSU (RM1200x Shift)...which should give you plenty of headroom for any future GPU upgrade, and makes cabling a little easier as the sockets are on the side instead of the back.

No point in any aesthetic stuff, as you won't see it anyway.
 
B

Boydie

Member
AMAZING - thank you so much @TonyCarter
I am deffo not interested in the aesthetic stuff and will turn any RGB stuff off - I intend to hide the PC under my desk

Thank you sooooooooooooooo much for spending your time giving me such detailed guidance 👍👏👍👏
 
Scott

Scott

Behold The Ford Mondeo
Moderator
You could add a third drive. They are always handy for proper work horses. Having different channels for your storage is good.

In a professional use case I would want:

1st drive -OS and Programs. Not used otherwise
2nd drive - main tool utilisation, in this case instruments and fast loading assets.
3rd drive - cache and fast storage. 500gb is more than enough for cache. It doesn't need to be the fastest either. I would probably have 1-2tb of decent storage with a fast ish M2 but not premium.
 
B

Boydie

Member
Thanks @Scott - that is a great shout about a 3rd hard drive - as you know, I had originally wanted a storage drive

I am a little confused by the whole M2 thing though - and after a bit of research it seems like these are a different type of SSD - is it "better" than a SSD?

I have also read elsewhere that having the OS and Programs on separate drives is a good way to go? - e.g. Windows could be re-installed without worrying about anything else?

Is this a legit concern or a "hangover" from mechanical HDD with slower speeds?

I have never had to reinstall windows - so I am not sure if this is actually a legitimate concern - or would even work!?!?

In your list - would you put the OS and Programs in different partitions - or just treat it as a single "C Drive" for the OS and Programs?
 
Last edited:
P

Paul1964

Silver Level Poster
Boydie said:
Thanks @Scott - that is a great shout about a 3rd hard drive - as you know, I had originally wanted a storage drive

I am a little confused by the whole M2 thing though - and after a bit of research it seems like these are a different type of SSD - is it "better" than a SSD?

I have also read elsewhere that having the OS and Programs on separate drives is a good way to go? - e.g. Windows could be re-installed without worrying about anything else?

Is this a legit concern or a "hangover" from mechanical HDD with slower speeds?

I have never had to reinstall windows - so I am not sure if this is actually a legitimate concern - or would even work!?!?

In your list - would you put the OS and Programs in different partitions - or just treat it as a single "C Drive" for the OS and Programs?
Click to expand...
I would go with what Scott has advised.

M.2 is the connector type - and supports the faster communication technology - nVME. They are about the size of a stick of chewing gum with the connector on the end.

Older SSDs use the same SATA connector as HDDs. Though the data transfer rate is nominally the same, in practice the are much faster which is why you can breath new life into an old PC by replacing the HDD with an SSD.

M.2 nVME drives are still technically SSDs but are 10 to 20 times faster than SATA SSDs and HDDs.

Here's everything you wanted to know (and didn't want to know) about SSDs:
 
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