PC specs recommended for optimal recording process

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JQProductions

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Hey Guys,
As of now I'm running Cubase 5 through my Lenovo laptop (6gb ram, dual core processor). Of course I realize
this is not the ideal machine of choice for recording, but hey, it's all I have at the moment. I am however looking to
build a PC tower and I'm just wondering what you guys would recommend regarding the specifications I should look into.
I do a lot of full band recordings at home, and frankly the computer I have now just can't take it. I have to compromise
many creative elements in order for the thing to run without glitching the program. I'm not a Mac guy, so don't try to
convince me otherwise ;) Thanks guys!
 
Still running Cubase 5? Man, an i3 will suffice and 4 GB of RAM will do you good. How many VSTs do you use?
 
Yeah, planning on upgrading to 7 soon. BUT, I've got quite a bit, and I think that's part of the problem.
Once I get up to 8 or 9 tracks the computer just gives out. It's very annoying when I'm working on something important.
 
8 to 9 tracks dry or with lots of VSTs? Also, what is the dual core processor you mentioned?
 
Yeah, I usually have guitar modulator software, reverbs, drum samplers, that soft of thing. And it's an Intel Duo Core
 
Well, a e8600 will greatly outperform an e3605 Core Duo. In any case, a second generation i3 will outperform the best Core Duo. What's your budget?
 
I don't know the exact answer - if there is one - but I have a Xeon processor, Win 7, 16GB RAM and am running up to 40 tracks with multiple VSTs on them, and some of these tracks are VSTi drums, synths etc..

The most I've ever seen the system usage get to is 5%, normally it's about 2 or 3%... so you probably don't need to go quite that far... I wouldn't have gone that far myself except I have a cousin who works for HP who got me a 50% discount.....

All depends upon your budget, really.:D
 
Thanks for the advice guys! I'm willing to spend around $1200 on the tower itself. Do you think that's reasonable?
 
Absolutely! In fact, you can get a computer with an i7 for that. It'll last you a good while.
 
For that money, you can probably get a fairly nice i5 or i7, and 8-16GB RAM. and I'd recommend 2 or 3 hard drives. That gives you a good range.
I personally use a 2nd gen i5, 8GB RAM and 3 1TB hard drives. My CPU and RAM do plenty fine for what I do. For a plugin-heavy song, I reckon they could still be quite comfortable, but the i7 and 16GB RAM are always options for even more, and especially for futureproofing. The drives though, are very important. They probbaly make the most difference for me. Having different drives for different functions will do a lot for you. I'd certainly point you to search these forums about why, if you're interested.
 
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