Possible Speed Upgrade for DAW

R

Rucker61

Limp Gawd
Joined
May 14, 2009
Messages
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My current DAW is based on Phenom II x3 720, but I want to use it for encoding DVDs/BDs for upload to my NAS. Quiet is key for audio recording, but I can increase the cooling capability for non-recording tasks. My case is an Antec Solo modified for noise reduction, with a 120mm exhaust fan and two 92mm intake fans, plus a fan on the heatsink. I can keep everything cool enough running just the exhaust at 700rpm, but with the fan controller I can crank up all four fans to cool a hotter system.

My questions are: how much faster will videos upload with a faster CPU, and can the faster systems operate cool enough at low workloads to remain silent? I can overclock for ripping and drop down to stock speeds for recording.

Contenders for upgrade:

Just CPU: Phenom II quadcore
i5 750 and new mobo/RAM
i920 and new mobo/RAM

How much performance gain for video encoding would be realized compared to the 720?
 
Thanks for the links. Looks like the 720 is beaten handily by quad cores, but I don't see much difference between the Phenom II quads and the i750. A new quad would definitely be the cheapest route for a speed upgrade, unless there's something I'm missing.
 
BTW, a Xeon X3440 Lynnfield is only 266Mhz slower than an i7 860, yet $40 cheaper: $230 @ the egg. A good alternative to the $200 i5 750 if you need Hyper Threading, which should help with encoding.
 
enginurd said:
BTW, a Xeon X3440 Lynnfield is only 266Mhz slower than an i7 860, yet $40 cheaper: $230 @ the egg. A good alternative to the $200 i5 750 if you need Hyper Threading, which should help with encoding.
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I have access to a Microcenter ;)
 
Ahh, then the $230 860 would be a fine choice, unless you can't spare the $80 extra (750 is $150).
 
Follow up question: since my primary need for a fast CPU is for ripping my DVD collection to my NAS, do the various programs out there (I don't have any yet) take advantage of hyperthreading?
 
If you're making 1:1 rips of BD/DVD, then ripping speed will probably not improve. However, if you are taking that file and encoding it to something like h.264/MPEG/etc. then the extra CPU power is nice.
 
450 said:
If you're making 1:1 rips of BD/DVD, then ripping speed will probably not improve. However, if you are taking that file and encoding it to something like h.264/MPEG/etc. then the extra CPU power is nice.
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Thanks. One more question: will 8GB of RAM give a measurable improvement over 4GB for my use model?
 
450 said:
Depends on what you do. How much RAM is currently being utilized in your DAW?

4GB is still a lot of RAM IMO. (despite it being quite common nowadays)
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I have 4GB, which is plenty for the audio work. Would it be worth it to buy 8GB for video encoding?
 
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450 said:
Yeah, enginurd was right. You should be fine with 4.
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this

also, if just ripping, as has been said, the CPU won't do a whole lot, neither will the RAM
things that can speed that up:
your optical drive's speed (this likely cannot go any faster)
your HD's speed (this is HUGE for sending files back and forth with the NAS and working with big data)
your network speed (you mentioned you want to upload faster, do you have GbE? that would probably be a wise investment if you don't)

as far as video encode/decode, what do you have graphics hardware wise? (it can at least do part of the work)
 
obobski said:
this

also, if just ripping, as has been said, the CPU won't do a whole lot, neither will the RAM
things that can speed that up:
your optical drive's speed (this likely cannot go any faster)
your HD's speed (this is HUGE for sending files back and forth with the NAS and working with big data)
your network speed (you mentioned you want to upload faster, do you have GbE? that would probably be a wise investment if you don't)
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No GbE, but it's doable. I've been looking at that upgrade recently.

as far as video encode/decode, what do you have graphics hardware wise? (it can at least do part of the work)
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It's a barely adequate card, the Sparkle 8400GS fanless GPU. I don't need big power there, as the audio work is 2D and easily handled. I can go bigger, but don't want to overwhelm my cooling solution while recording. Are there more powerful GPUs that can run silently but still provide muscle for encoding? What about two less powerful cards in SLI/Crossfire?
 
Rucker61 said:
No GbE, but it's doable. I've been looking at that upgrade recently.
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bluntly: its a waste of your time and money to upgrade your computer trying to improve transfer speeds if your network is crap
get GbE, period.


It's a barely adequate card, the Sparkle 8400GS fanless GPU. I don't need big power there, as the audio work is 2D and easily handled. I can go bigger, but don't want to overwhelm my cooling solution while recording. Are there more powerful GPUs that can run silently but still provide muscle for encoding? What about two less powerful cards in SLI/Crossfire?
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get that SLI/CF nonsense OUT, it doesn't mean a damn thing for video decoding or encoding, and stop acting like you can't have a decent graphics card in this system just because it touches audio

get something that actually does DXVA (the cutoff for GF8 is the 8500GT), like the GTS 250, 9500/9600GT, GT220/240, 8600/8800GT, 9800GT, or any of the ATi/AMD equivs

it'll handle decoding around the house (which you did mention as a need)

as far as encoding, I've seen various datasheets from both nVidia and AMD presented at conferences and lectures, yet I cannot seem to find an actual software tool that'll run video ENcoding on either piece of hardware, except the very expensive Quadro CX (and it doesn't have any special featureset over any other Quadro or GeForce to allow it to encode/decode video)
 
obobski said:
(talking about the 8500GS in my system)

get that SLI/CF nonsense OUT, it doesn't mean a damn thing for video decoding or encoding, and stop acting like you can't have a decent graphics card in this system just because it touches audio

get something that actually does DXVA (the cutoff for GF8 is the 8500GT), like the GTS 250, 9500/9600GT, GT220/240, 8600/8800GT, 9800GT, or any of the ATi/AMD equivs

it'll handle decoding around the house (which you did mention as a need)

QUOTE]

I'm perfectly willing to upgrade, but I cannot take a noise hit. The PC is dead silent with just the one 700rpm exhaust fan running, and since this is a recording PC, any noise that gets introduced to a recording is just there. I'd rather take a performance hit for the video work.

That said, which of the above reference cards come in a silent version, or with a very, very quiet fan? i guess real fan control would work too, as some of the research has shown that you can't change fan speeds on some of them.
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Rucker61 said:
I'm perfectly willing to upgrade, but I cannot take a noise hit. The PC is dead silent with just the one 700rpm exhaust fan running, and since this is a recording PC, any noise that gets introduced to a recording is just there. I'd rather take a performance hit for the video work.

That said, which of the above reference cards come in a silent version, or with a very, very quiet fan? i guess real fan control would work too, as some of the research has shown that you can't change fan speeds on some of them.
Click to expand...

acoustic noise in the room will not be introduced to a digital recording, and if you're mic'ing in the same room as your recording equipment with no isolation, well, theres a lot of things you could/should do to improve that (I won't get into *that* can of worms though)

furthermore, ever heard of passive cooling?

honestly, you come here asking for help, yet you're unwilling to take any advice given, and have some counter argument to anything presented:

- you want to encode/decode video faster, yet are unwilling to upgrade your graphics adapter or processor "because it might be too loud"

- you want to transfer data faster to/from your NAS, yet won't upgrade the network itself and instead just want to buy RAM

- you want to have a quiet computer, yet won't invest in passive cooling, noise proofing, or any other noise control methods

if you're gonna throw out typical starfish arguments "all I need is more RAM i just need RAM give me RAM because RAM makes everything better just give me RAM" then go ahead and buy some RAM, but it won't change a thing for your system

http://www.silentpcreview.com/
learn it, live it, love it

eat your heart out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125282
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125273
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125274

make some changes:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122326
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124332
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127243
 
obobski said:
acoustic noise in the room will not be introduced to a digital recording, and if you're mic'ing in the same room as your recording equipment with no isolation, well, theres a lot of things you could/should do to improve that (I won't get into *that* can of worms though)
Click to expand...

I am micing in the same room, and with my current PC, I'm not picking up any noise. It's only because I sold the power machine that I need more power in this system.

furthermore, ever heard of passive cooling?
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Yes, my current card is passive, the Mugen on the CPU is passive, the only fan that runs during recording. I'm a big fan of passive cooling.

honestly, you come here asking for help, yet you're unwilling to take any advice given, and have some counter argument to anything presented:
Click to expand...

Perhaps my responses are not clear. I just want to make sure that I understand everything that's being presented, as this is all new to me.

- you want to encode/decode video faster, yet are unwilling to upgrade your graphics adapter or processor "because it might be too loud"
Click to expand...

I don't remember saying 'no' to either of those; I've already decided to go from AMD 720 to i750, and I've been scouring PC forums, Newegg and Microcenter sites for GPU ideas.

- you want to transfer data faster to/from your NAS, yet won't upgrade the network itself and instead just want to buy RAM
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Again, I don't remember saying 'no' to a new network. I spent an equal amount of time as the prior search looking for network ideas, including the networking forum on this site. I'll have more questions in that forum, as I don't want to overbuy my ISP download, and if I can confirm that my NAS has a gigabit connection I'll likely be getting a gigabit switch to connect the PC and NAS.

For the RAM question, it derives from ignorance. I've primarily been a gamer. "Real" computing is not a core compentency by any means. I seriously appreciate the knowledge and patience here.

- you want to have a quiet computer, yet won't invest in passive cooling, noise proofing, or any other noise control methods
Click to expand...

I'm not sure where you getting your information here, but I'm made a concerted effort to make a silent PC. Thus:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=55183&highlight=

I used a careful selection of silent parts and installed them in a case known for its silence. I modded the case extensively, including the use of limp mass vinyl commonly used as sound isolation material in recording studios. This certainly met myaudio needs, but the needs have changed.

if you're gonna throw out typical starfish arguments "all I need is more RAM i just need RAM give me RAM because RAM makes everything better just give me RAM" then go ahead and buy some RAM, but it won't change a thing for your system
Click to expand...

I will need some RAM, as I'm going from DDR2 to DDR3. I will take the advice that 4GB is plenty.

http://www.silentpcreview.com/
learn it, live it, love it
Click to expand...

Living it, loving it since August.

eat your heart out:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125282
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125273
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125274
Click to expand...

Thanks for the links. How does the HIS iSilence 4670 compare to the 9800GT?

make some changes:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833122326
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124332
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127243
Click to expand...

Given that I'm my main bandwidth increase needs appear to be between my PC and NAS, do I need a new router or will a new gigabit switch suffice?
 
Rucker61 said:
Again, I don't remember saying 'no' to a new network. I spent an equal amount of time as the prior search looking for network ideas, including the networking forum on this site. I'll have more questions in that forum, as I don't want to overbuy my ISP download, and if I can confirm that my NAS has a gigabit connection I'll likely be getting a gigabit switch to connect the PC and NAS.
Click to expand...

Well what NAS do you have?

Rucker61 said:
Thanks for the links. How does the HIS iSilence 4670 compare to the 9800GT?
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The 9800GT is significantly faster than the HD 4670.

Rucker61 said:
Given that I'm my main bandwidth increase needs appear to be between my PC and NAS, do I need a new router or will a new gigabit switch suffice?
Click to expand...

A new gigabit switch would suffice for now.
 
there are a number of more powerful PSUs that classify as silent, or nearly silent, look at Corsair and Seasonic (SPCR loves them, I can't really hear my HX 520/SPCR Edition P180, for reference)

and yeah, 9800GT is faster than 4670, in gaming, although for video encode/decode (again, I'm murky on encoding, I've seen it presented at conferences (not sure how much of this I can actually say or not...never saw an NDA, but you never know with some of these people) but can't seem to find a thing in the consumer space), you wont notice a lot of difference, for what you're doing, the 9600GT or the 4670 will be just fine (and if that works with your existing PSU, thats money saved :))
 
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