CPU & RAM

[Choikdoi]

These 2 components are the ones I can't decide on for a new build.

I've previously bought from Scan and PC Specialist and was very happy with them. So, I've been looking at them again this time, but along with one other company, Inside Tech.

I contacted sales support for all 3 and Scan and PC Specialist are saying that an i9 and DDR5 would only be of benefit for me, even if using it solely for music Production. However, the other company, Inside Tech, says there would be no benefit for that purpose with either of them. They recommended saving money on both components by going for an i7 and DDR4.

Has anyone here got an i9, or DDR5, or both, as an upgrade from the previous generations of either component, and realised there wasn't a noticeable improvement for music production?

[uOpt]

DDR4? That's harsh. Why would anyone recommend that in 2025?

Don't get me wrong, my 5950x with 128 GB ECC DDR4 is a great computer. But it is 2 generations behind.

[Choikdoi]

DDR4? That's harsh. Why would anyone recommend that in 2025?

I mean, I was all set to just go for DDR5 before I spoke to them. But, why would they advise it, if it leads to them earning less money on the sale?

Don't get me wrong, my 5950x with 128 GB ECC DDR4 is a great computer. But it is 2 generations behind.

Are you still on DDR4 then? You haven't upgraded yet to experience how much of a difference the DDR5 makes?

[uOpt]

DDR4? That's harsh. Why would anyone recommend that in 2025?

I mean, I was all set to just go for DDR5 before I spoke to them. But, why would they advise it, if it leads to them earning less money on the sale?

Don't get me wrong, my 5950x with 128 GB ECC DDR4 is a great computer. But it is 2 generations behind.

Are you still on DDR4 then? You haven't upgraded yet to experience how much of a difference the DDR5 makes?

I use Windows PCs only for gaming. My music is on Mac and I have a M4 mini. I also have big iron Linux machines.

I use AMD processors so I can't compare DDR4 and DDR5 with the same CPU. I know that a 7950x is about 20% faster than my 5950x. How much of that is the processor and how much DDR4 vs DDR5 I can't say.

A switch to DDR5 would be very expensive for me because of the 128 GB ECC UDIMMs.

DDR4 still has good computers. I am just surprised that a shop recommends things 2 generations behind. Can't speculate about the reasons except they might have stock of the old platforms. If they give it to you for a good price that might be a deal.

[Choikdoi]

I use Windows PCs only for gaming. My music is on Mac and I have a M4 mini. I also have big iron Linux machines.

I use AMD processors so I can't compare DDR4 and DDR5 with the same CPU. I know that a 7950x is about 20% faster than my 5950x. How much of that is the processor and how much DDR4 vs DDR5 I can't say.

A switch to DDR5 would be very expensive for me because of the 128 GB ECC UDIMMs.

DDR4 still has good computers. I am just surprised that a shop recommends things 2 generations behind. Can't speculate about the reasons except they might have stock of the old platforms. If they give it to you for a good price that might be a deal.

Ahh, I see. I have zero experience with AMD or Mac.

The price difference is about £75 more for the DDR5. So, it's really not that bad of a bump. It just feels like it, as they didn't suggest that it would just be a trade-off, they actually said I would get no benefit from it at all, for music production purposes. I was just hoping someone on here who does have DDR5 and previously had DDR4, could confirm or deny that.

[uOpt]

Ahh, I see. I have zero experience with AMD or Mac.

The price difference is about £75 more for the DDR5. So, it's really not that bad of a bump. It just feels like it, as they didn't suggest that it would just be a trade-off, they actually said I would get no benefit from it at all, for music production purposes. I was just hoping someone on here who does have DDR5 and previously had DDR4, could confirm or deny that.

Again, it is hard to compare DDR4 and DDR5 directly since the only platform that did both with the same processors was some rare socket 1700 boards.

Generally faster RAM has little impact on music applications (as well as most other consumer applications).

[Choikdoi]

Generally faster RAM has little impact on music applications (as well as most other consumer applications).

Thanks, good to know! Score one for following their advice then and either saving some money in that area, or just using it to increase the amount of RAM instead.

[BertKoor]

2 gens ago is how much time?

When I was still chasing latest & greatest, I'd often buy things "new" 6 months ago. Prices had dropped considerably, performance still close to newest while I'd expected to use it for 3 to 5 years. Great compromise if you ask me.

[Choikdoi]

2 gens ago is how much time?

4 and a half years ago, I think? That's just from a Google search. So, not quite 6 months. But, I can imagine I probably will still go that route.

[mjolnir]

wouldn't sample bank use have some effect on RAM, or visa versa? or am i just tripping?

[Choikdoi]

wouldn't sample bank use have some effect on RAM, or visa versa? or am i just tripping?

I think that's more about the size of the RAM, rather than the speed / generation. But, I may be tripping too.

[uOpt]

wouldn't sample bank use have some effect on RAM, or visa versa? or am i just tripping?

I think that's more about the size of the RAM, rather than the speed / generation. But, I may be tripping too.

As said elsewhere, there is a very noticeable gap in testing when it comes to computer performance for samplers. At this time we don't have numbers for fast and slow SSDs, for amount of RAM versus preload, no data for RAM bandwidth. A lot of people say you need fast SSD and lots of RAM, but it is unlikely that both are required.

We need to bait some youtuber into running such tests.

[Choikdoi]

Tech support at Scan is insisting that DDR5 will make a noticeable (up to 20%) difference. And now they're encouraging me to consider the CPU as a more important factor than the RAM and to ditch my plan to go for Intel, because apparently AMD works better for some DAWs, including FL Studio, which is mine. I almost felt ready to purchase at the beginning of the day. But, back to square one now!

[Pictus]

Tech support at Scan is insisting that DDR5 will make a noticeable (up to 20%) difference. And now they're encouraging me to consider the CPU as a more important factor than the RAM and to ditch my plan to go for Intel, because apparently AMD works better for some DAWs, including FL Studio, which is mine. I almost felt ready to purchase at the beginning of the day. But, back to square one now!

Intel or AMD, check at
viewtopic.php?p=9039987#p9039987
Who is better? Well, it is application/usage dependent.
Also check
viewtopic.php?p=9046824#p9046824

[uOpt]

Scan seems to the thinking right. I just miss them being a bit more specific in how and where AMDs are better for "some" (which ones?) DAWs.

Might be the efficiency cores that they don't like but as is there is no way to know.