Configuring the optimal hardware for AP7+VSTi -ACID Product Family

Subject:Configuring the optimal hardware for AP7+VSTi Posted by: darrena Date:11/24/2008 10:12:19 AM Hey guys: I need some help choosing what kind of PC to get to run AP7 + really beefy VSTi softsynths--best bang for the buck. AP7 runs great by itself on my little 1.3GHz centrino (core2duo) Sony TZ ultralight laptop with 2GB of RAM. It even runs fine with a ton of VST effects (most of them anyway). (Here's my system config if you are interested: Sony VGN-TZ298N, M-Audio Profire 2626 firewire audio interface, Vista SP1 32bit. I have turned off all the visual effect so my UX looks like Windows NT, which is usually what slows Vista PCs down) But when you add in some of the beefier VSTi softsynths and samplers, I'm running into audio glitching (wierd digital cracking, especially on the attack of a MIDI chord to the softsynth) or stuttering (the entire AP7 UX can freeze up for seconds at a time and the audio continues to play but in a stutter-stopping-starting sort of way). So unless someone has a magic fix that I should try, I think it's time to buy a new PC. An I need your help to pick the right configuration. Especially those that know the inner workings of how Acid supports multicore processors. A few options here: 1. Faster dual core or slower quad core? Quad cores are cheap these days. For about the same incremental price increas, I can push the clock speed of dual core up 25% or double the number of cores to 4, for 2x the processing power. Does Acid take FULL advantage of 4 cores? Does it choose how VST/VSTi DLLs utilize the processors? Do certain VSTis not support multiple cores or is that a function of the host (Acid)? Since the VSTis are the issue, I wanted to make sure they are set up to properly take advantage of the cores. 2. 2GB or 4GB of RAM? Even with 5 differnt softsynth engaged (no tracks frozen) and playing and Internet Explorer open as I write this, I'm peaking at about 1.62GB of physical RAM used. What governs the use of RAM and will more benefit me in any way? 3. Vista32 or 64? I'm told that 32bit apps "should run fine" on Vista64. And if the answer is 4GB of RAM, I get access to the full 4GB even with a 32bit app if I'm running vista64. There is a 64bit driver for the profire 2626. Have folks had any issues running AP7 or any of the VSTs they normally use on 64? 4. Anything I forgot?? Thanks in advance.
Subject:RE: Configuring the optimal hardware for AP7+VSTi Reply by: kitekrazee Date:11/24/2008 1:50:48 PM All you need to do is increase the buffer size of your audio. Hopefully M-Audio will improve it's current drivers. If you really want things to run well-avoid Vista.
Subject:RE: Configuring the optimal hardware for AP7+VSTi Reply by: darrena Date:11/24/2008 5:25:08 PM what buffer size would you recommend? i'm at 1024. would still love others to weigh in on the questions about building a new box above...
Subject:RE: Configuring the optimal hardware for AP7+VSTi Reply by: JohnnyRoy Date:11/25/2008 4:46:44 AM I would go for a QuadCore with Vista 64 as long as your audio card has drivers for Vista 64. As you pointed out, Quads give you more processing power and ACID takes advantage of all of your cores. Vista 64 will give you access to more memory and is actually a bit quicker than XP on a Quad with lots of memory due to it's intelligent caching. ~jr

Hey guys:

I need some help choosing what kind of PC to get to run AP7 + really beefy VSTi softsynths--best bang for the buck.

AP7 runs great by itself on my little 1.3GHz centrino (core2duo) Sony TZ ultralight laptop with 2GB of RAM. It even runs fine with a ton of VST effects (most of them anyway).

(Here's my system config if you are interested: Sony VGN-TZ298N, M-Audio Profire 2626 firewire audio interface, Vista SP1 32bit. I have turned off all the visual effect so my UX looks like Windows NT, which is usually what slows Vista PCs down)

But when you add in some of the beefier VSTi softsynths and samplers, I'm running into audio glitching (wierd digital cracking, especially on the attack of a MIDI chord to the softsynth) or stuttering (the entire AP7 UX can freeze up for seconds at a time and the audio continues to play but in a stutter-stopping-starting sort of way).

So unless someone has a magic fix that I should try, I think it's time to buy a new PC. An I need your help to pick the right configuration. Especially those that know the inner workings of how Acid supports multicore processors.

A few options here:

1. Faster dual core or slower quad core?

Quad cores are cheap these days. For about the same incremental price increas, I can push the clock speed of dual core up 25% or double the number of cores to 4, for 2x the processing power.

Does Acid take FULL advantage of 4 cores? Does it choose how VST/VSTi DLLs utilize the processors? Do certain VSTis not support multiple cores or is that a function of the host (Acid)?

Since the VSTis are the issue, I wanted to make sure they are set up to properly take advantage of the cores.

2. 2GB or 4GB of RAM?

Even with 5 differnt softsynth engaged (no tracks frozen) and playing and Internet Explorer open as I write this, I'm peaking at about 1.62GB of physical RAM used.

What governs the use of RAM and will more benefit me in any way?

3. Vista32 or 64?

I'm told that 32bit apps "should run fine" on Vista64. And if the answer is 4GB of RAM, I get access to the full 4GB even with a 32bit app if I'm running vista64. There is a 64bit driver for the profire 2626. Have folks had any issues running AP7 or any of the VSTs they normally use on 64?

4. Anything I forgot??

Thanks in advance.