KVR Audio

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:38 pm

You can see the specs here: http://ark.intel.com/de/products/37150/ ... -Intel-QPI It has 4 cores, and 4 threads.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:39 pm

chk071 wrote:
Kalamata Kid wrote:Hello,

I added up all the components and the total for my current music computer was $1529. I built it 5 years ago. I did not count the hours I put into research to write the specs. Lucky for me it worked and passed all the tests.

I really need more help in deciding to get a new faster computer as I will certainly be uprating to the free Windows 10 in the next year. This will be a good time to upgrade or not-to-upgrade to a new computer. Hope it will be good for the next 6 or more years.

If I keep my current computer I will likely keep it till Windows 11? Now I am tending towards getting a new faster computer but the question is how much faster will it be? If it is only twice as fast I may not bother with the upgrade.
My advice: Don't plan for the future. If you feel like you need a faster computer because you feel like your audio apps or plugins don't run fast enough, get a new one. But don't expect Windows 8 or 10 to be more or a CPU hog than Windows 7. They aren't, rather the contrary. Both Windows 8 and 10 are optimized to work well with touch devices too, and those aren't usually as powerful as your desktop comp, thus they won't take many system ressources.

Not sure why you advise not to plan for the future.

Glad that confirmed to me that Windows 10 may actually demand less of the processor.
I will definitely move up to Windows 10 in part due to the additional multi-touch implementation. If I do not upgrade my music machine now my plan is to consider upgrading when Windows 11 is released. Another 5 to 6 years?

Well I certainly can save a bit of money by not investing in a new computer.
Need to make a decision soon.

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:45 pm

Kalamata Kid wrote: Not sure why you advise not to plan for the future.

Well, you'll barely be able to plan for it anyway IMO. Microsoft announced that Windows 10 is probably the last Windows version for a long time now, and they rather update the OS, and do a app, music, video and what not based store business model. And there's really no end to see to the always quicker progressing hardware development either. You machine seemed to have been quite a high end computer when you bought it, so it should be ok for most stuff still. Of course i don't know what you do exactly with it, if you're dependant on high processing power with running lots of plugins at the same time and stuff like that, you might want to upgrade to something faster. I'd rather wait and see though, as i said, Windows 10 should be more modest than Windows 7 in terms of system ressources, and if you buy a new computer, it'd come with a OS anyway, unless you don't want that. But Windows 10 will be tied to the computer you have Windows 7 running on anyway. After you clicked on the upgrade thingie in the taskbar, and Windows 10 is released, it'd be tied to the hardware you ran Windows 7 on as far as i read. So you can't install it on another computer, and run it there, like it was the case with Windows 7 and 8.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:35 pm

chk071 wrote:
Kalamata Kid wrote: Not sure why you advise not to plan for the future.
Well, you'll barely be able to plan for it anyway IMO. Microsoft announced that Windows 10 is probably the last Windows version for a long time now, and they rather update the OS, and do a app, music, video and what not based store business model. And there's really no end to see to the always quicker progressing hardware development either. You machine seemed to have been quite a high end computer when you bought it, so it should be ok for most stuff still. Of course i don't know what you do exactly with it, if you're dependant on high processing power with running lots of plugins at the same time and stuff like that, you might want to upgrade to something faster. I'd rather wait and see though, as i said, Windows 10 should be more modest than Windows 7 in terms of system ressources, and if you buy a new computer, it'd come with a OS anyway, unless you don't want that. But Windows 10 will be tied to the computer you have Windows 7 running on anyway. After you clicked on the upgrade thingie in the taskbar, and Windows 10 is released, it'd be tied to the hardware you ran Windows 7 on as far as i read. So you can't install it on another computer, and run it there, like it was the case with Windows 7 and 8.

Currently
MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 - REV 2 http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product ... 0-%20ov#ov
Supports new generation Intel 32nm 6-core processors but not 8 cores.
So upgrading the processor will not gain me much. Correct?

Re W10:
I can first contact Microsoft to allow me to move the Windows 7 to my new computer. Afterwards the new W7 computer to W10. Is this a good plan?

chk071 · Post by **chk071** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:42 pm

No need to contact them. Just install Windows 7 on your new computer, use the serial from your current computer, activate it online, and it's activated for the new computer.

You can then upgrade it to Windows 10. Of course, the Windows 7 on your old computer will stop working then when you go online, because they do a validity check of your key online. Well, not stop working, but it'll prompt you to enter a valid key, because it's activated on your new computer then.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:55 pm

Kalamata Kid wrote:My current machine has an Intel Core i7-950 which has 4 cores.
in the performance chart it shows 8 cores. Is this hyperthreading?

Basically. You have 8 threads.

Get 8 "real" cores?

Yes, which is 16 threads.

How much faster will it be?

79% faster is what I've seen quoted.

Multi-cores really matters?
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 6&t=427935

Yes. It will help with your graphic work, as well.

Eric, Can you be more specific. Intel or AMD and what part number.

Intel Core i7-5960X. Alternately, you can get an Intel Core i7-5820K now and then upgrade later when the 5960X goes down in price.

What happened a to Moore's Law
How overall processing power for computers will double every two years.
So during the last five years the processor should be more than 4 times faster.

Didn't happen.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 9:58 pm

Kalamata Kid wrote:Supports new generation Intel 32nm 6-core processors but not 8 cores.
So upgrading the processor will not gain me much. Correct?

It will be a massive increase, especially for your graphics work.

shroom81 · Post by **shroom81** » Thu Jun 18, 2015 10:10 pm

If you want to speed up graphic rendering, have a look at Nvidia with as many Cuda chips you can afford. Oh and a 8 core cpu will also be nice to rendering time

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 12:57 am

I was leaning towards not upgrading to a new computer until I read the latest posts.

“79% faster is what I've seen quoted.” going from an 8 thread processor to a 16 thread seems significant but not enough for me to upgrade. But then again the 79% may in reality give me a bigger boost then the written percentage.

Question:
Is the multi-touch sensitivity part of the GPU? Does it require a special GPU?

As for Photoshop I understand is to get a faster processor than spend money on a GPU.

For Music especially for me that uses audio samples RAM is importnant. Is the type of RAM important?

I am trying to see if an 8 core processor will work on the MOTHERBOARD: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 - REV 2. Edit: Checked some more and 6 cores is the limit.

So as it stands right now I am still undecided. Perhaps only a partial upgrade: the processor using the current motherboard and a new GPU may do it.

Please help me decide.

Uncle E · Post by **Uncle E** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 4:02 am

Kalamata Kid wrote:Perhaps only a partial upgrade: the processor using the current motherboard and a new GPU may do it.

That would do it. It'll blow you away. I say upgrade the processor first and then see if you need the GPU.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 5:57 am

Uncle E wrote:
Kalamata Kid wrote:Perhaps only a partial upgrade: the processor using the current motherboard and a new GPU may do it.
That would do it. It'll blow you away. I say upgrade the processor first and then see if you need the GPU.

Ok let’s consider a partial upgrade rather than an all new i7 8 core computer. I can still keep the hard drives from my current computer.

Is there a way to confirm that the Intel Core i7-5820K (6 cores) will work fine with the GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 - REV 2 motherboard?

This will all be done after the release of Windows 10.

Will I need new processor fan?

Will the current ram be ok?
CORSAIR XMS3 12GB (6 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)

I should update the BIOS.

Check if the following hardware if have W10 drivers.
Presonus Firebox
iConnectMIDI2+
MOTU Midi Express 128 – May not need a driver?
Shuttle Pro 2
Brother MFC 6800 copier/printer
Memorex external 16x double Layer DVD/CD burner

Yes wait to see if a new faster GPU is necessary.

What else should I be concerned about on this Partial Upgrade?

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:15 pm

I have excluded the totally new i7 8 core computer as it costs over $1000 and by the time it is assembled it will cost over my budget. Unfortunately my current motherboard is not compatible with this processor.

So what remains is to do nothing to the current computer. Upgrade to Windows 10 when released. Somewhere down the line perhaps update the GPU. Very economical and willow allow me to invest in more plugins and a multi-touch monitor.

The slightly more probable scenario is to do what Eric suggested and upgrade to the Intel Core i7-5820K (6 cores). Somewhere down the line perhaps update the GPU. This partial upgrade will cost under $400 but I am cautiously awaiting a few responses form the above post to see what additional expenses may be expected.

I still feel a bit unsure what speed gains I will get using Photoshop CS6 or CC and my DAW and plugins if I choose to adopt the Partial upgrade.

Is there a third option?

UltimateOutsider · Post by **UltimateOutsider** » Fri Jun 19, 2015 11:37 pm

Kalamata Kid wrote:Ok let’s consider a partial upgrade rather than an all new i7 8 core computer. I can still keep the hard drives from my current computer.

Is there a way to confirm that the Intel Core i7-5820K (6 cores) will work fine with the GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 - REV 2 motherboard?

No, your motherboard uses a retired socket and outdated RAM. New CPU generations have different socket and physical RAM requirements which means that in order to upgrade to a recent processor, you usually have to replace your mobo and RAM as well.

My old DAW PC is actually pretty similar to yours. It has an i7-950 and the Gigabyte EX58-UD5. I just spent the past week building a brand new computer to replace my old box.(At this moment, the specs link in my sig still points to the old system. Haven't done a write-up on the new one yet.)

The new PC has the 6-core Intel Core i7-5930k with an Asus X99-A/USB3.1 board. I just finished doing benchmarks a couple hours ago and the new system is nearly three times as powerful than my 950-based box. (As in, can run 3 times as many plugins or play 3 times as many notes of polyphony without any audio glitches, at BIOS defaults with no overclocking tweaks.) The total build cost me around $2K USD, although I only had to pay cost for the CPU and the SSDs... so the true retail price of all the parts is probably over $2500... but like you I'm building this system to last me another 5 years just like my first box did.

EDIT: The parts you'll definitely be able to salvage are your SATA devices and your graphics card. It's possible that you could use your power supply too, but there's a chance that modern ATX boards have more pins on the connectors than your power supply has.

Kalamata Kid · Post by **Kalamata Kid** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 12:34 am

UltimateOutsider wrote:
Kalamata Kid wrote:Ok let’s consider a partial upgrade rather than an all new i7 8 core computer. I can still keep the hard drives from my current computer.

Is there a way to confirm that the Intel Core i7-5820K (6 cores) will work fine with the GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58 - REV 2 motherboard?
No, your motherboard uses a retired socket and outdated RAM. New CPU generations have different socket and physical RAM requirements which means that in order to upgrade to a recent processor, you usually have to replace your mobo and RAM as well.

My old DAW PC is actually pretty similar to yours. It has an i7-950 and the Gigabyte EX58-UD5. I just spent the past week building a brand new computer to replace my old box.(At this moment, the specs link in my sig still points to the old system. Haven't done a write-up on the new one yet.)

The new PC has the 6-core Intel Core i7-5930k with an Asus X99-A/USB3.1 board. I just finished doing benchmarks a couple hours ago and the new system is nearly three times as powerful than my 950-based box. (As in, can run 3 times as many plugins or play 3 times as many notes of polyphony without any audio glitches, at BIOS defaults with no overclocking tweaks.) The total build cost me around $2K USD, although I only had to pay cost for the CPU and the SSDs... so the true retail price of all the parts is probably over $2500... but like you I'm building this system to last me another 5 years just like my first box did.

EDIT: The parts you'll definitely be able to salvage are your SATA devices and your graphics card. It's possible that you could use your power supply too, but there's a chance that modern ATX boards have more pins on the connectors than your power supply has.

Wow, glad you responded. It would be great f I get close to your performance with my partial upgrade.

I looked at the GA-X58A-UD3R (rev. 2.0) specs
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product ... 49&dl=1#ov
and it seem that the Intel Core i7-5820K and i7-5930K should work. But maybe not?
supports
•Supports the newest Intel Core i 7 processors in socket LGA1366 with QPI 6.4 GT/s
•Supports new generation Intel 32nm 6-core processors

Even though I built my current computer I have very little knowledge about this matters so additional help will be greatly appreciated.

UltimateOutsider · Post by **UltimateOutsider** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 1:12 am

Kalamata Kid wrote:Wow, glad you responded. It would be great f I get close to your performance with my partial upgrade.

I looked at the GA-X58A-UD3R (rev. 2.0) specs
http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product ... 49&dl=1#ov
and it seem that the Intel Core i7-5820K and i7-5930K should work. But maybe not?
supports
•Supports the newest Intel Core i 7 processors in socket LGA1366 with QPI 6.4 GT/s
•Supports new generation Intel 32nm 6-core processors

Even though I built my current computer I have very little knowledge about this matters so additional help will be greatly appreciated.

No, the new Intel processors use socket LGA2011-v3 whereas your processor and motherboard have the LGA1366 socket. You wouldn't physically be able to seat a new processor onto your board. Also, your processor/socket are meant for the X58 chipset (deprecated) that your board uses, whereas LGA2011-v3 boards have either the X79 or X99 chipsets, which are compatible with today's processors.

Upgrade processor, get new computer or do nothing?