AMD for audio DAWs - or Intel?

[KenkefSam]

Hi folks

A question about Digital Audio Workstations and CPUs.

I'm about to overhaul my ancient Samplitude-based DAW. I'll be getting a new PC to host Samplitude X7 Suite. I've heard that AMD processors have some issues when running DAWs - or vice-versa. Is this a thing? What in particular? Should I go w/ an Intel processor?

Many thanks,

KKS.

 

[TrojanWhore]

I think there were some issues reported with first generation Ryzen (needing to run interfaces at higher than optimal latency etc.), but I don't think that's still an issue with current generation stuff.
I only mess around occasionally with audio stuff (Reason and Cakewalk mainly) and certainly no huge projects, but I've not noticed any issues with my 3xxx and 5xxx Ryzen chips, I think I had some niggles with my R7 1700 but that could've just been something I had set up wrong, I didn't have it for long while in a place where I could record.

There are others on here who do a lot more with audio than me and will be able to advise better. On the Intel side, the current (12th) gen chips are very good and depending on your budget/needs may be a better fit anyway....

Some questions:
- What's your budget?
- Is Samplitude the only music software you'll be using?
- Do you want to use the PC for anything else (gaming/video production/virtualization)?

 

[Vulture]

I dind't work with DAW for many years, but Intel ADL could be problematic because of e-cores which adds latency, and DAW are sensitive to it. AMD with Zen 2 and up doesn't have problems anymore, only first generation were little problematic.

 

[ShortWarning]

I'm use pro tools with my Ryzen 3700x. Never had any problems.

Had an intel rMBP before which I always ran into problems with, crashes/running out of CPU etc. Not really sure this was an intel problem as such, I've always had problems with pro tools and MACs..

The 5900/5950 would be absolutely beastly for DAW work.

 

[KenkefSam]

Many thanks for the replies people; helps a lot.

TrojanWhore, my budget is £12 -1400. The computer will be solely for music production, although I might do a little bit of video editing occasionally... but very basic stuff, if I do. Yes, Samplitude is basically all I'll be using, apart from a few plug-ins and virtual instruments, of course.

 

[Bencher]

Asking in this forum will get you some very biased answers. Check some actual benchmarks

KVR Forum: DAWbench - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

KVR Audio Forum - DAWbench - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

www.kvraudio.com

In higher bit buffer even an i5 matches the 5950x. Of course the i9 is in a league of its own

And here is a forum with pro users. They all recommend alderlake, but check for yourself

KVR Forum: New Intel CPUs and DAW performance - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

KVR Audio Forum - New Intel CPUs and DAW performance - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

www.kvraudio.com

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Asking in this forum will get you some very biased answers. Check some actual benchmarks

KVR Forum: DAWbench - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

KVR Audio Forum - DAWbench - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

www.kvraudio.com

In higher bit buffer even an i5 matches the 5950x. Of course the i9 is in a league of its own

And here is a forum with pro users. They all recommend alderlake, but check for yourself

KVR Forum: New Intel CPUs and DAW performance - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

KVR Audio Forum - New Intel CPUs and DAW performance - Computer Setup and System Configuration Forum

www.kvraudio.com

The benchmark was run by a competitor store,but if you read their testing they used DDR5. With DDR4 as shown in the benchmarks performance drops quite a bit,so I am not sure ADL can actually beat Zen3 if the OP does not want to use ADL with DDR5 so it definitely needs ADL with DDR5.

Also as DAW software is latency sensitive and the Ryzen 7 5800X3D is a contender too:

Which AMD CPU for DAW PC - 5800X, 5900X, 5800X3D ?

The results from DawBench Vi vs German computer magazine (May 19th 202) are quite contradicting. Anyone care to comment on that? Cause the difference...

audiosex.pro

Spoiler

Apple M1 Ultra>5800X3D(mostly)>ADL DDR5>Zen3

If you look at the benchmark table,the obvious choices would be a Ryzen 7 5800X3D or an ADL Core i7/Core i9 dependent on the software the OP uses.

 

[Journey]

Should I go w/ an Intel processor?

You should be looking at a 12700K with some DDR5-5600 (minimum) for DAW work on a £1200-1400 budget.

Quick build below, with a focus on cool and quiet, all black build. I have not added a GPU as you have not stated if you'll be playing any games etc. If just for audio and video work then an RTX 3060 Ti FE version at £369 would be a good middle ground, but to be honest you can use an RTX 3050, or even cheap RTX 2060 and there won't be mega differences. Two separate very fast NVMe SSD's, a frankly silly PSU but it is a good unit, solid motherboard and AIO cooler.

CPU: Intel Core i7-12700K 3.6 GHz 12-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 240 56.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
Motherboard: MSI PRO Z690-A ATX LGA1700 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-5600 CL36 Memory
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Storage: Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2-2280 NVME Solid State Drive
Case: NZXT H510 Flow ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Fractal Design Ion+ 2 Platinum 760 W 80+ Platinum Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
Total: ~£1230

 

[KenkefSam]

Thanks, Bencher, Cat-The-Fifth, and Journey. Really appreciate all the advice and the time you took. Looking at all the links now.

KKS.

 

[cu3ed]

Honestly..You wont tell the different in the real work from either, the ONLY place I can think of a slight different is depending.
Also depends a little if doing different recordings or electro work, what DAW you are using ( again pretty much all teh same but different work flows etc), and what VSTs you might be using.
You really dont need THAT big a rig for home studio hobby stuff.