Thread: So I'm getting a new computer for the studio and I need some advice!

For CPU, why not get the i5-3570? It's slightly faster, and not much more expensive.
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53570

I think 32GB of RAM is nice, but 16GB may suffice. Remember in those 32-bit days, we had only 2GB (3GB with hack) of accessible RAM, and already large orchestra libraries were possible. Now, 8GB seems to be the comfortable limit. I have never seen anyone need even 16GB. If you are indeed loading in that many VSTs with large libraries, I suspect your CPU may bottleneck first.

For SSD Drive, 120GB will run out pretty fast if you intend to store install your sound libraries there. I'd suggest getting a 240GB SSD for all programs and plugins. Then you can have blazing fast loading speed. Yes it's twice as expensive, but if your projects contain VSTis using samples from large libraries, it would suck to have to wait up to a minute while waiting for the computer to load all those sample libraries from slow HDDs. Also, I believe Samsung is the current leader in value-for-money SSDs.
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

For HDD drive, I think WD Black is the way to go for speed.
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Or you could just get a Quad Core Mac Pro, with an extra internal drive and be done with it.

Originally Posted by MadMax

Or you could just get a Quad Core Mac Pro, with an extra internal drive and be done with it.

I would completely love to get that setup, but unfortunately I can't spend that much :/ I currently use mac right now, but it is only a 2ghz Dual Core with 2GBs.. I'm only allowed 4GBs.

Originally Posted by godchuanz

For CPU, why not get the i5-3570? It's slightly faster, and not much more expensive.
Newegg.com - Intel Core i5-3570 Ivy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637i53570

I think 32GB of RAM is nice, but 16GB may suffice. Remember in those 32-bit days, we had only 2GB (3GB with hack) of accessible RAM, and already large orchestra libraries were possible. Now, 8GB seems to be the comfortable limit. I have never seen anyone need even 16GB. If you are indeed loading in that many VSTs with large libraries, I suspect your CPU may bottleneck first.

For SSD Drive, 120GB will run out pretty fast if you intend to store install your sound libraries there. I'd suggest getting a 240GB SSD for all programs and plugins. Then you can have blazing fast loading speed. Yes it's twice as expensive, but if your projects contain VSTis using samples from large libraries, it would suck to have to wait up to a minute while waiting for the computer to load all those sample libraries from slow HDDs. Also, I believe Samsung is the current leader in value-for-money SSDs.
Newegg.com - SAMSUNG 830 Series MZ-7PC256B/WW 2.5" 256GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

For HDD drive, I think WD Black is the way to go for speed.
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

I will check out that processor.. I did not see it, and as far as the information you gave, I appreciate it very much!

Why not look for a used or refurbed Mac?

Trade or sell your current Mac... it's still probably worth a decent value to at least get you halfway there.

I'm running an older quad core with 12 Gb and it's got plenty of horsepower to do what you want...

Originally Posted by MadMax

Why not look for a used or refurbed Mac?

Trade or sell your current Mac... it's still probably worth a decent value to at least get you halfway there.

I'm running an older quad core with 12 Gb and it's got plenty of horsepower to do what you want...

How much did you pay for your mac? Also, what's your processor speed, hard drive, etc..

Think I paid a tad under $2500, minus the extra drives... added those myself. (it ain't rocket surgery)

Spec'd: 2x 2.66GHz w/12Gb RAM, main drive is 250Gb, drives 2 & 3 are 160Gb each.

Originally Posted by godchuanz

I think 32GB of RAM is nice, but 16GB may suffice. Remember in those 32-bit days, we had only 2GB (3GB with hack) of accessible RAM, and already large orchestra libraries were possible. Now, 8GB seems to be the comfortable limit. I have never seen anyone need even 16GB. If you are indeed loading in that many VSTs with large libraries, I suspect your CPU may bottleneck first.

For SSD Drive, 120GB will run out pretty fast if you intend to store install your sound libraries there.

The point about the ram is quite true. Unless you are doing video post production hollywood style then 8-16gb DDR is plenty.

As to hard drive, on all my remote recording computers I run SSD system drives (64gb). For VST libraries I always recommend a separate hard drive regardless of SSD vs HDD. You do not want samples/instruments bogging down anything.

If you do choose the Mac route-which is a preference of end user and not a requirement-Max has valid points about refurbished units. Make sure your source is Apple approved as an older Mac can be just as abused as anything else. Also, I would still put two extra hard drives in a Mac: 1 for libraries and 1 for audio projects.