Need to Get New Windows Computer - what spec would you recommend to run Waveform 11?

[21tones]

My very old music computer packed up some time ago and I haven't done recording for a while.
I was running Waveform 11. Not sure whether I need to update it. See below.
I am looking to get a refurb desktop machine dedicated to music but don't want to spend a fortune.
I can't find any guideline specs re CPU, RAM etc to run Waveform.
It would be Windows 11, using an SSL2 audio interface.
I mainly do recording of guitars and bass and vocals, plus Jamstix drum software, and some VST instruments/effects for other sounds e.g. keyboards, saxophone and (rarely) strings.
I rarely go beyond 24 tracks in a song.
My old computer didn't have it, but I guess a SSD to load software on to is necessary.
Is it best to record tracks to a separate drive? Does that need to be a SSD?
My approach to recording is pretty basic - think 1970s recording techniques for rock bands.
My technical understanding of computers is limited but I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thanks and best wishes for 2026

[pough]

I would imagine anything you can buy today will run Waveform okay, considering the far less powerful computers that ran it in the past. Most of the common things apply - more RAM is better (8 workable, 16 preferred) and multiple HDs is better than a single to separate do from save, but a single drive totally works.

I don't think that newer versions of Waveform use a lot more resources than older ones. It's mostly the plugins that eat CPU.

If you're willing to put some time into archiving the projects that you're not currently working on, put money into CPU and RAM and cheap out on internal HDs. Archive to external disks. That's my advice that I am totally not taking, myself.

[21tones]

Pough - thanks for the very honest advice! I appreciate it.
Best Wishes

[Watchful]

Have to agree. When people say what computer should they get for music, they're really asking, "what's the bare minimum?" I think given music applications' incredible resource demands, the answer can only be, "what's the most you can possibly afford?" Then get that. Even a feature-light DAW and a couple of plugins can eat up gigabytes of storage and tons of RAM if you push it hard enough.

You really can't overbuy when it comes to music. If you do, your computer last 2-5 more years than the next person's. Eventually you will push it to its limit; whether that's tomorrow or in 5 years is up to your budget.

[dysjoint]

Always 'the best you can afford', within reason. I did that 3 years ago which landed me at 12th Gen Intel i9, 32 GB ram, 2 x 1tb 980 pro ssds. 1 for OS, 1 for libraries and projects. That was overkill then, still is, but should keep up with things for a few more years yet. Things have changed with SSD drives. A quality external SSD plugged into a fast USB port is faster than my old built in main HDD drive. By a long way. Good connectivity on you motherboard is still important. Some Windows 11 tweaks are still very beneficial, even on good hardware.

[Peter Widdicombe]

I used to get by with 4G ram, but knew it really wasn't enough. Projects with sampled libraries took ages to load, and occasionally would hiccup, for example, if I was playing a piano patch and reached up an octave or so - or specific notes not played would have to get refreshed.

With 16 Gig in the new machine, I haven't encountered this at all. But I rarely run more than 12 tracks. Run a dozen pure audio tracks (no heavy VST) and 8 Gig MIGHT be enough - for now !

[21tones]

Thanks Watchful, dysjoint and Peter for your responses. I guess it is what I had anticipated. Spend as much as you can afford!

[Peter Widdicombe]

Several ways of looking at it. What is the lifespan of the computer going to be? How much of a cost differential goes into future-proofing?

If $800 will more than do you for 5-8 years, and to get significantly better will be $1600; you might be better off buying the $800 now and another $800 plus inflation at that time (which will presumably get the advantages of technology available at that time - and technology tends to give more bang for the buck). Just make sure you don't get something NOW that you'll regret skimping on in the short term.

I just paid "marginally" more for a replacement laptop that had been OK, but couldn't run the latest versions of Waveform, or allow me to send gov't taxes.... For that money, it's about 4 times the speed and 4 times the memory and runs better (particularly loading VST's that are relatively huge now, with sample packs). I could have got a "gaming spec" laptop for about 3 times the money, which would have been overkill; and still be obsolete in 8 years or so and need replacing.

YMMV. Do make sure you can add MORE memory if needed mid-term.

[21tones]

Peter - yes I will ensure that there is scope to upgrade RAM. I am less clear about how much difference different generations of CPU would make, but I have noticed a thread in the computer forum that might explain that. Ultimately though, the budget will dictate!
Thanks for your helpful responses

[VariKusBrainZ]

I just got a core ultra 7 laptop and its powerful beyond my wildest hopes. I can throw anything at it. Ableton stops coping before the CPU does. With a Thunderbolt PCIE dock Im able to continue using my 25 year old RME Multiface which I assumed would have to be put out to pasture. Better latancy than I had on my now ancient i7 desktop

Im happy beyond what Id hoped for

[bk]

I haven't looked, but with Microsoft's forced migration to Win 11, I would bet there are a TON of decent Win 10 machines on the market. (sorry, just realized you said you want Win 11. That will be a somewhat newer machine) The catch would be that you probably need to keep it off the net.

Yes, SSD, at least for boot drive. Mechanical drives will be fast enough for audio tracks. Samplers that read direct from disk will perform better from SSD.
RAM
8 Gig: possibly enough
16 Gig: probably enough
32 G: definitely enough

If you're running only one drive, get as big as you can. Even if running multiple drives, get at least 1 TB for the OS drive. I built my current computer a couple years ago, and went with a 512 GB system drive. At the time I was mostly using VST2 plugs, and had them all installed on drive D. Since VST3s all want to install to your system drive, I am rapidly running out of C: space.

[21tones]

VarikusBrainZ !!! thanks for the response. Good to know.
bk - helpful points. Its so long since I have done music I don't think I have ever used VST3 plugins. Crucial to know they need to go on the system drive. I will probably end up getting a mechanical drive to put the audio tracks on to save money if you think it will be fast enough and not cause recording glitches.
Thanks

[21tones]

Another couple of questions if I may. Do Intel or AMD chips tend to work better with Waveform, or are they equally good?
Is there any particular spec of Graphics Card that is needed for music these days? If it is only to display the graphics rather than deal with intense processing like in photographic software then maybe not?
Thanks again