Feb 12, 2007 06:00 pm I've got Sonar 4 and it's got multi-threading capability, so I can only assume 5 does as well
Dual Core, does it really help
Posted on Feb 12, 2007 05:16 pm
PhilC
PC Warrior
Member Since: Dec 28, 2005
I've read a few posts here advising that people purchase a dual core machine for home recording if possible. As I understand it, dual core only really has a significant impact IF THE SOFTWARE YOU ARE USING IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.
I use Sonar 5. Although it does have support for 64 bit architecture, I don't see anything in the documentation covering dual core processor compatibility.
Does anyone here know definitively whether Sonar is designed to taka advantage of dual core or not?
AND
What benefits if any would I really see if it does or does not. For example can I run more plugins or run them faster or something.
Thanks to all in advance!
Phil
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Feb 12, 2007 06:00 pm I've got Sonar 4 and it's got multi-threading capability, so I can only assume 5 does as well
Feb 12, 2007 06:38 pm While I'm not sure of the correct answer, I'll throw out a finding on the Reaper board:
A guy posted up his files of a trial run of only reaper and it's included plugins.
He's running a duo core and has the song playing nice. On my AMD64 3500, it chokes unless I start turning of a few effects.
He's got 11 tracks, with 1 - 4 effects on each, some of them EQ, some comp, some reverb (IR), and 1 chorus.
So if you're planning on running EQ on each channel, comp on most, reverbs on some, chorus on some, then the duo would certainly be advantageous.
Feb 12, 2007 10:59 pm I found this article... sounds pretty relative to your question .
www.digifreq.com/digifreq/article.asp?ID=53
I'm currently in the process of building a 64x2 compy... still picking out parts .
Feb 15, 2007 05:35 pm I recently upgraded from a 1.5ghz Pentium 4 to a 2.6ghz 64x2 and I was frankly astounded at the difference. Just the file loading time alone blew me away. I've also got 2 gigs of RAM in it, and I've yet to have any kind of drop-outs, regardless of the ridiculous amount of plugs I might be running.
I'm no comp expert, but I'm a big fan of dual core for sure.
Feb 15, 2007 06:42 pm Good to know JF ! I started to run into problems(dropouts) with my current configuration, at about 12-15 tracks... probably due to my plugin use . Fine for learning the software a bit, and to get the ball rolling, but sometimes it's just shy of what I need to get the song done properly, and that can be really frustrating . So...
I'm going with this processor:
www.zakpc.com/product_inf...roducts_id=4696
This mainboard:
www.zakpc.com/product_inf...roducts_id=4704
One of these for RAM(to start):
www.zakpc.com/product_inf...roducts_id=4775
HD:
www.zakpc.com/product_inf...roducts_id=4719
And I'm picking up a 256MBPCIEx video card used from a pal on the cheap .
I'm hoping to have it together and running software by the end of this weekend .
Feb 15, 2007 08:12 pm Enjoy that!
Dude, I couldn't build a computer if I had a gun to my head, I'm that stupid about them. I know the processor I have is a AMD 5000+, but I couldn't tell you exactly what that means in the real world, other than it's FAST.
Looks like you're HD is just like mine, too.
Amazing how little these parts all cost by themselves. I just bought an HD box that was already loaded. (also loaded with a bunch of crap I didn't want, too, which I probably paid extra for)
From the price list you're showing, you'll get the same core comp at 1/4 of the price I paid, so well done!
Feb 15, 2007 08:26 pm AMD 5000+ dual core... yeah, I'd say that puppy SMOKES !
Have you ever run into the brick-wall of your processors resorces durring an intense mix ?
Feb 16, 2007 02:46 pm Indeed, since Conroe they have also dropped in price dramatically.
Both AMD and Intel with their X2 5000+ and E6400 (similar performance) are around $225-250 now!!! That's good processing for the price.
Here's a great link for comparing performance on many different apps. Games, mp3 and DVD encoding, price/performance ratios. Good info if shopping.
www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html
I am currently running a HT processor on my studio rig (fake dual core) and it performs well at 3.2Ghz. But my mobo will take the Pentium D line and I am thinking of taking the plunge, just waiting on the right price.
I firmly believe that Dual Core will help quite a bit even if your software is not written for it. For the simple reason of load balancing all the OS crap going on and all the effects you are running.
We know CPU has a huge affect on our effects, and with the performance increase I've seen in apps on my wife's new PC (of which none are written natively for dual core) I think it's safe to say we would see the same benefit when recording. This test was using a 1.86Ghz E6300 to run 1) virus scan while 2) burning a DVD and 3) playing a game (Oblivion)and it pulled it off better than I ever imagined, my P4 would not even dream of that.
My $0.02
Feb 16, 2007 05:08 pm Hue wrote:
"Have you ever run into the brick-wall of your processors resorces durring an intense mix ?"
Nope, not yet. I'm using Sonar 4, and I don't even know if it's written to take advantage of dual-core. I've yet to have a drop out, and I've yet to see the CPU meter go over 35%. (It wasn't uncommon for my old P4 to get up to the 85% level before going crazy, not running as many plugs as I've gotten used to running now!)
I'm sure you'll be more than pleased, man!
Feb 16, 2007 05:25 pm Awesome !
Callin' for the parts today .
Feb 16, 2007 05:45 pm Dangit, I'm sitting on an E6400 (a gift), and am super procrastinating on building a machine around it, but this thread just gets me salivating for what I could do with it. I just don't want to invest all the money and time... but the results could be cool...gahhh!
Feb 16, 2007 05:54 pm I remember a few years back Noize2u has a K6/2 450 CPU (or something like that) when it was the shiznit...and it sat around unbuilt until CPU's got around 1 gHz.
Bahahahah.
Feb 16, 2007 10:05 pm price/performance, core 2 duo is the way to go. You'll smoke all but the fastest single core previous generation processors, and overall computing will be faster.
Feb 16, 2007 10:48 pm Noize ? Procrastinate ? I don't believe it ! : p
Well, Zaks had everything in stock . I love this country ! MB, CPU, RAM, HD, PDIEvideo card(slightly used), tax, and build, out the door for $525US+lunch for compy guy . If I wanted anything 'much' faster the price would've went up substantially... mainly on the CPU tip . Hopefully this will keep us from running into the dreaded DAW brick-wall-of-BS for a while .
If all goes well, I should have this puppy up and running nothing but audio progs by tommorrow night . My first 'dedicated' DAW ! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT !!!
Feb 17, 2007 09:30 pm YA, and it ended up being the boyz game box for awhile as I ended up with the P III to toy with untill the higher AMD chips came out. I will however wait till the prices go way down on CPU till I go out and buy something new again though.
Feb 17, 2007 11:44 pm Done and done .
I won't have time to test things properly until later this week, but all seems functioning smoothly .
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