which case do you recommend? i can only go till 39,7cm height and picked this one so fare (replacing its coolers with 3 Noctua ones). what you think? which one you have?
https://www.chieftec.eu/products-detail/de/589/GM-30B-TG-OP
which case did you get? (to have it silent?)
You do have to be very careful with this. I had an i9/ASUS x299 system where I tried to add more memory and it wouldn’t boot with old + new (old was fine, new was fine, just not both). It’s very important to check the Qualified Vendor List for the motherboard and get exactly the model number that’s listed. It can be difficult to get that a few years later, so I think it’s better to buy a bit more RAM than you need initially.
This seems to be quite common nowadays, I even see the recommendation to not mix and match modules of the same type and manufacturer on your own. I.e. if you want to get for example 2x16 GB, then do not buy two separate 16 GB modules but buy a 2x16 GB kit.
Also, when expanding RAM, basically - as you did - replace what you have, don’t extend it.
Which might still make sense as for example 64 GB of high end RAM today will most likely be cheaper in 2 years.
Fractal design 7 xl
I do absolutely agree. I have just dropped my beloved RME Hammerfall Multiface (mark I) which I bought many, many years ago, just because my new computer is a mini PC so I cannot use the PCI card of the RME. But it is still working and sounding amazingly well, after so many years.
You’re absolutely right. I always plan my machines for few months and start with choosing the motherboard. Then I look for the QVL to pick the best possible add-ons.
What I meant is that RAM prices goes down over time and it’s very easy to replace them. If someone is short on budget then the best route is to pick solid MB, CPU and PSU, and a case if ones need new. As almost all modern CPUs have integrated graphics it’s valid to buy dedicated card later and/or replace the RAM. I don’t remember exact dates and prices, but my previous rig started with 2x8 3600 MHz for the price ~90 euros, and two years later I replaced them with 2x16 3600 MHz for the same price.
unfortunatley RAM prices go through the roof at the moment
I think the point was more that for example a specific module that is state of the art today, say a DDR5 6400MHz Corsair Vengeance, will probably be cheaper in a couple of years as there will be a new state of the art then.
Maybe not what you’re looking for if you’re trying to keep things sandwich-sized, but most devices like this will work in a Thunderbolt/USB4 external PCIe enclosure. (If PCIe, not PCI)
Pete
Hi Pete, thanks for your message.
Yes, I knew about these enclosures, but they are really expensive, so I just bought a new soundcard. Anyway, maybe some day If I feel like spending some money, I will try one of these, it would be fantastic to see my RME working again (for now, I am really enjoying the quality of a new Focusrite).
All best.
The Core Ultra series does not have the degradation issues that plagued previous generations. Even the previous generations are perfectly safe as long as the BIOS is upgraded to a version new enough that it completely fixes the issue.
I went with the Intel 285k myself even though I generally prefer AMD. I did go with an AMD GPU on this new system instead of Nvidia.
The Intel does have a superior single-core speed which is a factor when you’re doing work that is limited to that one core.
You’d have to go with the 9950X3D if you want DAW performance that is at least somewhat competitive with the 285k.
Just FWIW, I’ve found the following Cubase-specific benchmark very useful when comparing machines:
How To Benchmark Cubase? Tom & Dom Make a Test to Measure Performance
It doesn’t. I have a 5950x and can max out Asio-guard completely to the point of drop-outs but only see 25% cpu utilisation. The main advantage of the newer CPUs (for Cubendo on Windows) seems to be the higher IPCC meaning you can lower your buffer size and it’ll be able to keep up. FWIW I run an RME card and can track happily at a 32 buffer so long as the project isn’t too busy.
For years, I have used pretty much all Fractal Design cases. I don’t recall what model numbers, but they have all been good – at least the higher-end models. I can’t speak for the budget models. The ones with sound dampening material in the panels are the most “boring” to look at, BUT they are the quietest IMO. I don’t know if they even make those any more TBH. Anyway, Fractal has been a reliable choice for me.
I also have used a “be quiet!” case on another build, when I couldn’t get the model of Fractal case I wanted, and it is pretty good. They also have a sound dampening model, or at least they did. I have no idea on current models.
I also use pretty much all Noctua fans. I might have a couple of other premium brands here and there across many machines, which are also good, but Noctua has been the most trustworthy and consistently quiet for me. Noctua makes variations of their fans with different noise profiles too. So you can really fine tune your noise with Noctua.
I also use the big Noctua CPU air coolers. I can’t recall the model I now prefer, but it’s the big one. I believe it is the NH-D15. It can be a pain in the neck to install IMO, but it handles both Intel and AMD chips really well. I have hammered it under burn-in testing on both platforms in at least three DAW builds (maybe four), and I have used other models of Noctua coolers for years without a single issue. So I trust Noctua.
Quick bonus tip – if you get the “big” Noctua CPU cooler and you use it on AMD, make sure you check on the CPU offset mounting option. I don’t know if that’s still a thing with the latest revision of the big Noctua cooler, but just double-check to play it safe. The downside of the offset mounting option is that it makes the clearance between the CPU cooler and the graphics card kind of tight. I mention that because while it ultimately did fit just fine, I found myself quite cramped. Be prepared for some scratched up knuckles when you install. Other than that, I’m a huge “fan” of Noctua. (See what I did there? 
)
Good luck!
EDIT: Okay, I see they have the NH-D15 G2 widely available now… I do NOT have the “G2” version. I have been happy with the “old” version, which is still available. That’s the version you need to check for the “offset” mounting for AMD FYI. BTW I also have it in the “chromax black” variation for one of the builds, which is neat. For my next build (who knows when that will be), I will likely get whatever the latest best “big” cooler Noctua makes at the time. They have earned my trust.
I used a Fracal Design Define 7 XL case and Noctua NH-D15 G2 fan in my latest build (an Intel Ultra 285k DAW) and am very happy with them and would recommend them too.
What I see is that my CPU is loaded no more than 8% while tracking and even the most busy core is not too busy so I don’t think that spending extra 250 euros for better CPU would be reasonable. I assume that 9800X will be loaded in this scenario ~20% making it a better choice for this workflow.
And how does the price compare to the 265k? The 265k probably outperforms that CPU too, it isn’t that much slower than the 285k.
Well, here’s the thing. My Intel machine with 32 GB of RAM is now 10 years old, and yes, I’ve been wanting to buy a new one for the past two years. However, my creativity is only slightly “hindered” on that machine, since pretty much everything still runs. After testing 80 tracks of presets and plugins in a project, I realize it’s probably better to stop searching for the perfect sound. You get the point. All these new possibilities might actually be more trouble than they’re worth. Stability is key for me, so I’m also looking for a perfect backup system. And we don’t live in the Mac world—which I don’t want anyway, because I love Windows.
But yeah: if my C: Samsung SSD should collapse I would be in trouble. Not due to backups just for the work flow…but honestly not sure if that ever happens. CrystalDiskInfo says all fine;) knock on wood
here’s an example from a friend regarding ram prices…..
the price of the DDR5 96GB Corsair I got a year ago for $350 is now $1,200.
M