Production Computer

[midnghtraver]

So my friend is buying a desktop because his laptop isn't as suitable for production work.

He will be running FL, Ableton (live), but native instruments plugins, etc...

I'm not asking you to do the research for us, but if you know of good PC's for production, suggestions would be appreciated.

That, or tell me what kind of rig you have and your experience with it ?.?

*Budget: < 1000

[m0de]

Re: Production Computer

is your friend, or yourself able to build said computer if its ordered not pre-built?

[midnghtraver]

Re: Production Computer

He can build it but I don't think he wants to.

I also added his budget into the op.

[StoneMcKnuckle]

Re: Production Computer

i have:
i5-750 2.67ghz
12gb ram
integrated soundcard (ugh, I know, but I just can't afford one)
not an ssd.

the cpu is lacking for FL in my opinion, but a newer model i5 should be enough and is pretty cheap nowadays. i'd go for the 3570k.

I stacked on 8gb of ram at first, even though FL9 is 32-bit many vst's like to hog ram on their own anyway. huge difference from when I ran 4gb, so I upped it to 12 but that didn't make much difference. 8 should be enough.

ssd is definitely recommended if you're gonna run kontakt. wish I had one 'cause the #1 reason I'm not writing as much as I used to is because it takes ~5 minutes to load every project. it's definitely on my list of things to buy. samsung 840 pro is pretty much the best ssd around afaik. regular samsung 840 is cheap and decent if you don't want to spend too much. the intel ones are good as well, but reviewers have warned about irregular behavior in those drives so the samsung is probably the best bet.

i'd give sound card advice but i really don't know enough about them :I

also definitely assemble it yourself. i dunno about america, but in sweden you pay at least 30% extra just for the assembly and you always end up with tacked-on useless shit that just drive the price up even further.

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: Production Computer

def. get a sound interface. I use Komplete Audio 6 over USB2.0 as recommended and its beautiful, pretty much no latency or underuns ever

otherwise go for an i7 i have i7-3770 and can whole-heartedly recommend it. Also I'm sure 8gb RAM will be more than sufficient.

[StoneMcKnuckle]

Re: Production Computer

he probably can't afford an i7 when his budget's $1000 and the price/performance ratio for that cpu is pretty dumpy as well. if you've got cash to spare it's the better alternative, but otherwise the i5 is more than sufficient for fl.

[Coolboyrulez0]

Re: Production Computer

i got my whole rig for less than 750€ that i just listed (win8 64bit, i7-3770 @ 3.4ghz, gtx 650, 8gb ram) minus the sound interface ofc

which is 989.315394 USD just gotta look for deals. [note that I am in Germany and cannot comment on deals in USA / Sweden etc.]

i personally like buying deal pcs with already powerful processors and a good mobo (and pref. a really shitty graphics card) and then buying the parts i want to upgrade,
instead of just plain building it from scratch OR buying a pre-made one. (with bloatware and/or overpriced for what you are getting like SMCK said)
If you cannot actively monitor deals, just buy the parts straight up.

ps: i'd also recommend the 3770K over what I have if your buddy is into overclocking and if it fits in the budget. (it should)