Hi,

I've been saving up my money to purchase a system upgrade, but I'm not really sure which CPU to get, the main purpose for my machine will be running softsynths, and I don't know which CPU performs best and has the best value.
I'm also looking for a new mainboard etc.
Thanks in advance.

Greetz ,
Marcel

Hello Friesland !

You could choose the new 64bit AMD's that can beat Intel Pentium CPU's without problems.
Sufficient memory (DDR FSB 333 or faster.
At the time I purchased NI-B4, Native advised an Intel CPU but no problems were found while using AMD's.

I just upgraded to AMD Athlon 2800+ & MSI KT4V with 512 Mb DDR....... loopt prima !

Roel

Roel,

I'm not really sure if thats useful right now, Windows XP doesn't support 64-bits CPU's yet as far as I know, but if the Athlon 64 is much faster than the Athlon XP (in 32-bit mode), I think it would be an option, but the prices are high, but then again if its worth the money I'll probably buy one.
How about the Athlon 64 3000 "Newcastle", at least I can afford that one, the Clawhammers (Athlon 64 3200) are way to expensive... .
Thanx,

Greetz ,
Marcel

Wazza, almost any CPU 2GHZ or better will do for running softsynths. If you plan on using softsynths like Kontakt, GigaStudio, etc., a CPU of this size will do very well. However, these softsynths stream the samples from the hard drive as you play the notes. As a result, it is important to have 2 hard drives (applications, samples) which run at 7200 rpm and have a cache of 8mb. A good soundcard with the appropriate drivers are important as well, e.g., ASIO, GSIF, WDM, etc.

As an overall generalization, I prefer using Intel based ASUS motherboards and Intel Processors. There appears to be less problems with music software. AMD and VIA chipsets have improved so they may be a viable alternative.

I would agree that the Athlon64 is over the top for your requirements. Even though you can never have too much CPU power for softsynths you would be paying way too much money for the chip / motherboard / memory as there is always a premium price charged for the latest components.

Regarding AMD or Intel - AMD usually more bangs per buck BUT there remain some software packages (usually specialist) which insist on Intel processors. I dont think this will be an issue for you but it may be best to check the small print of your preferred softsynths carefully.

Intel claim that "Hyperthreading" in their newer processors improves performance. This can be true IF the software being run has been written to take advantage of this feature; all benchmarks Ive seen so far show the reverse to be the case for un-optimized applications; i.e. the PC is a little quicker with Hyperthreading turned off!

In your shoes I would be looking for the fastest AMD processor I could afford, with 512M of memory, using a fast front-side bus.

I bought a 2.6Ghz P4c (800mhz), and it's running now at 3.4Ghz stable. I use it alot for mpeg encoding, so P4 is far better for me than a AMD. For General use or Gaming, get the fastest AMD you can. For Autocad, Photshop, Audio and Video Pentium 4 is the better choise.

"I use it a lot for mpeg encoding, so P4 is far better for me than a AMD."

Interesting statement. Why is this the case?

The last music computer I built has a AMD athlon 1.2, 1Gb pc133 ram, 40Gig 7200 RPM Hard drive. All these componets are at a very good price now. I use an Audigy 2 sound card. I run NI's B4 and DX7. Never drops a note and latency is not an issue. I use WIN98se so I don't Have the 2000 and XP problems. This computer is used only for music programs nothing else.
Just the way I see it, Smokey

Thanx for your replies,

I think the remaining decision is whether its gonna be an Intel inside or an AMD inside .
I have read tests where the Pentium 4 scored better in the audio area, and the Athlon had the upper end in gaming.
Although when compared, the Intels cost a lot more than the AMD's, so is it worth it?

Smokey,
How much softsynths do you run at the same time, if you just use 1 or 2, my old 1 GHZ Athlon can do that too, but when running 5 or 6 and making whole sequences based on softsynths its another story.
B4 and FM7 run smoothly on my machine too, but when using synths like the Edirols and playing huge sequences with them, I hear cracking and dropouts.
And I don't think its the soundcard, I think an Audigy 2 ZS is good enough for that, but the CPU just can't take it.

Greetz ,
Marcel

I just upgraded my studio machine last week to a dell dimension 4600 P4 2.8 GHz, it came with a 40GB 7200Rpm drive and 512MB RAM. I paid $450 for it. Then I bought another gig of RAM and installed my dedicated audio drive. Excellent machine for studio work, very quiet, I have my old P3 800mhz Micron sitting next to it and the fan on that thing is really loud.

Anyway, I run Sonar 3.1 with a bunch of soft synths and it works like a charm, no problems so far. At this price I might get another one for mastering projects. Keep an eye on www.slickdeals.net, dell has been offering their HT P4 based server for less than $400. This is a great machine to built your DAW on.