mulab with intel i3

[pquenin]

Hello, I'm still looking for a new computer, but I have less and less money, so I'm now looking for a PC with Intel I3 processor.
How many tracks with only Mulab's internal synths and fx can I expect on such a PC ?
If you have an I3 processor, can you tell me ?
For the others, please do not answer me...

Do you know if there is a big difference in performance with the new I3 Ivy bridge processors, compared to the Sandy bridge ones ?

Thanks

[AndreasD]

I have no idea what cpu you are using today.
Anyway, my personal opinion is just to go ahead.
Todays cpus are much more powerfull than 5 years back.
You will most likely gain in processing power.

[MuTools]

How many tracks with only Mulab's internal synths and fx can I expect on such a PC ?

That's difficult to predict as it depends on many aspects, both inside MuLab (for example the complexity of the used MUX patches) and outside MuLab (i.e. your system software setup).

Generally: Try to get as much CPU power as possible for a defined budget. The amount of RAM is important too, especially for Windows and if you're using big sample libraries.

[pquenin]

thanks for the replies, my desktop PC is 8 years old, with a Pentium 4 processor and 512 Mo of RAM.
I don't like big sample libraries (but I use Sampletank 2 sometimes).

I have also used a laptop with an Intel Core Duo processor and there was not a big difference, and maybe I3 is just a new name for the Core Duo ?

I know Mulab does not support multicore processors, maybe I can wait until the next version ?

[sl23]

I recently upgraded from an Acer 5920 w/ Intel Core2 Duo and 3GB Ram to an Acer s3 w/ Core i5 and 4GB Ram and see little difference in the last few months performance wise across a range of apps. In fact it actually seems worse! So avoid it like the plague! I have very little installed either so can't see that being the cause of the lack of performance. According to Rainmeter's stat's the CPU doesn't max out though, unlike the 5920.

[pquenin]

I recently upgraded from an Acer 5920 w/ Intel Core2 Duo and 3GB Ram to an Acer s3 w/ Core i5 and 4GB Ram and see little difference in the last few months performance wise across a range of apps. In fact it actually seems worse! So avoid it like the plague! I have very little installed either so can't see that being the cause of the lack of performance. According to Rainmeter's stat's the CPU doesn't max out though, unlike the 5920.

Thanks, good to know...

[MuTools]

I know Mulab does not support multicore processors, maybe I can wait until the next version ?

Yes normally MuLab 5 will have multi-core support. Things look good, though it still needs extra testing and finalization. M5 is planned to be (pre)released before the end of the year

[sl23]

Whoop whoop!

[pquenin]

I have some other questions if I buy a new PC :

My old PC (windows XP) have a M-Audio Audiophile soundcard, with an asio drivers, and all is fine.

If I change for a new PC with Windows 8 (and certainly a laptop or an all-in-one PC), I will have to stay with the internal sound card, so what latency will I have ? Is Asio4all OK with Windows 8, and will I have a decent latency ?
Must I buy an external USB card ?

Windows 8 is 64 bits, and most of my favourite plugins are 32 bits, will I loose them forever ?

[sl23]

From my limited experience ASIO4ALL works fine, never had a problem. I looked forward to MuLab64bit but when it arrived I was disappointed to find it doesn't support 32bit plugins! Though this can be remedied by using JBridge, I don't want to install another app and would rather carry on using MuLab32bit. Hopefully this will be somehow sorted but I won't hold my breath!

[MuTools]

From my limited experience ASIO4ALL works fine, never had a problem. I looked forward to MuLab64bit but when it arrived I was disappointed to find it doesn't support 32bit plugins! Though this can be remedied by using JBridge, I don't want to install another app and would rather carry on using MuLab32bit. Hopefully this will be somehow sorted but I won't hold my breath!

The 32 bit <-> 64 bit problem is a operating system problem, not a MuLab problem. Luckily there is a good solution called jBridge. From what i heard it works better that some other built-in bridges.

[sl23]

Thanks Jo, I'd rather stick with MuLab32 than buy and install another program. I realise it's an OS problem but wondered if you may find a solution yourself, as did the JBridge dev, or incorporate JBridge into MuLab somehow? No idea what, just thought you may have had plans for it somehow? I take it from your reply that you're not going to bother though?

[Nielzie]

Yes normally MuLab 5 will have multi-core support. Things look good, though it still needs extra testing and finalization. M5 is planned to be (pre)released before the end of the year