New music production/gaming PC

[garamo]

Define R7 case
i9-9900K
H115i cooler
2070 Super
32GB Ram (3000MHz)
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe
1TB Samsung 860 QVO 2.5" SSD
CORSAIR 750W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS

Very impressed with the quality of the build, cable management and everything seems excellent. I should point out the shoddy GPU cabling is mine In hindsight I should have rolled the cable going back to the PSU under the one that goes down but I was excited and just whacked it in without thinking that through. Maybe I'll tidy it up one day when I add or change something but it's not like it has windows.

Already had mention of going with an AMD processor but couldn't seem to get the RAM I would need for that build to avoid latency issues right now and I have concerns with music production related compatibility issues (which may well be resolved now or soon in the future) but I know the i9 will be rock solid for what I'm doing and perfectly capable (because my 5930k still is).

Pictures below although no flashy lights or anything for me so you'll have to squint to even see my discreet black box.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Define R7 case
i9-9900K
H115i cooler
2070 Super
32GB Ram (3000MHz)
1TB SAMSUNG 970 EVO PLUS M.2, PCIe NVMe
1TB Samsung 860 QVO 2.5" SSD
CORSAIR 750W TXm SERIES™ SEMI-MODULAR 80 PLUS

Very impressed with the quality of the build, cable management and everything seems excellent. I should point out the shoddy GPU cabling is mine In hindsight I should have rolled the cable going back to the PSU under the one that goes down but I was excited and just whacked it in without thinking that through. Maybe I'll tidy it up one day when I add or change something but it's not like it has windows.

Already had mention of going with an AMD processor but couldn't seem to get the RAM I would need for that build to avoid latency issues right now and I have concerns with music production related compatibility issues (which may well be resolved now or soon in the future) but I know the i9 will be rock solid for what I'm doing and perfectly capable (because my 5930k still is).

Pictures below although no flashy lights or anything for me so you'll have to squint to even see my discreet black box.

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OMG, I'm drooling over your setup generally.

For anyone else reading, there aren't any latency issues with Ryzen anymore, it's generally advised to pair with either 3600MHz or 3200MHz RAM for best performance though. Totally understand your hesitancy with Ryzen though, but it does seem that all issues were addressed a while ago for audio performance.

What keyboard is that, is that a Komplete Kontrol S61?

I have the SRH1840's as well as the 1540's, and recently treated myself to some Hifiman Sundara's as was desperate to try out a decent pair of Planars, they're pretty fantastic!

And what monitors are those?

Just a lovely setup!

 

[Scott]

Really happy that PCS have started mounting the radiator on the front of the case. They didn't do that previously

 

[garamo]

OMG, I'm drooling over your setup generally.

For anyone else reading, there aren't any latency issues with Ryzen anymore, it's generally advised to pair with either 3600MHz or 3200MHz RAM for best performance though. Totally understand your hesitancy with Ryzen though, but it does seem that all issues were addressed a while ago for audio performance.

What keyboard is that, is that a Komplete Kontrol S61?

I have the SRH1840's as well as the 1540's, and recently treated myself to some Hifiman Sundara's as was desperate to try out a decent pair of Planars, they're pretty fantastic!

And what monitors are those?

Just a lovely setup!

Cheers, I have been giving it some love over Lockdown for sure. The SRH1840's are fantastic aren't they, such a balanced clear sound. My only gripe is that I have a shaved head and after long periods having the two narrow bars rest on it they dig in on top a touch. Not too much bother but I'd love to replace that part. My picture was a little dark, the monitors are Adam A7X's which I absolutely love. It's an S61 MK2 keyboard yes and the hardware Synth which is also quite hard to see is a Novation Peak. Also have my Rift S just out of shot behind the Peak.

 

[garamo]

Really happy that PCS have started mounting the radiator on the front of the case. They didn't do that previously

Yes that was a nice surprise as my previous system had it on the top. I prefer it this way.

 

[SpyderTracks]

The SRH1840's are fantastic aren't they, such a balanced clear sound. My only gripe is that I have a shaved head and after long periods having the two narrow bars rest on it they dig in on top a touch. Not too much bother but I'd love to replace that part

Yeah, incredible headphones for production, just perfectly accurate. The SRH1540's are just as good but with a slightly reduced soundstage and as you'd expect, a larger punch at the lower end, but really hit the sweetspot for Hifi stuff.

My picture was a little dark, the monitors are Adam A7X's which I absolutely love. It's an S61 MK2 keyboard yes and the hardware Synth which is also quite hard to see is a Novation Peak. Also have my Rift S just out of shot behind the Peak.

I've got the Mk 1 S49, absolutely incredible keyboards. The Mk 2 is quite a major step up although the Mk 1 is plenty for my needs. I bought mine with Komplete Ultimate 10 quite a while ago now, but it's all still treating me better than i deserve! Big fan of NI.

That's just a fantastic setup, everything in it is top notch and now computer to suit! Really really nice.

 

[garamo]

Yeah, incredible headphones for production, just perfectly accurate. The SRH1540's are just as good but with a slightly reduced soundstage and as you'd expect, a larger punch at the lower end, but really hit the sweetspot for Hifi stuff.


I've got the Mk 1 S49, absolutely incredible keyboards. The Mk 2 is quite a major step up although the Mk 1 is plenty for my needs. I bought mine with Komplete Ultimate 10 quite a while ago now, but it's all still treating me better than i deserve! Big fan of NI.

That's just a fantastic setup, everything in it is top notch and now computer to suit! Really really nice.

Nice, I need to get some good hifi headphones really for general listening too. That will have to wait for now though after this expense. To be fair I do like these for most general listening anyway.

Yes I love the keyboard! Great to play and just being able to flick between all the NI tools at your disposal is incredible. I'm a big fan of less time with a keyboard and mouse when doing music so it really suits me. I got mine with Komplete 11 and got a great deal on it in the sales with the full symphony series too. NI are really doing great things.

Thank you! Will be keeping me happy while I'm on furlough that's for sure.

 

[garamo]

Just thought I'd update as I've had this a couple of weeks. System is running flawlessly, great performance for music production and also gaming at 1440p and on a Rift S headset. Temps seem reasonable too.

Overall very quiet system, there was a slightly irritating noise I heard on a busy music project when it was a very hot day, not loud as such but if I'm monitoring at low volume or recording it's a slight irritation. Doesn't quite sound like fan noise though as it's not consistent enough. Could it be pump noise on the cooler, do these work harder when the processor is hotter or is it just the fans? Not something I noticed with my old water cooled solution.

Can't say I've noticed a big speed boost using the NVMe drive really. Boot speeds just similar to my old desktop and my laptop with traditional SSD's. No noticeable difference in DAW. Of course I've done no side by side testing so it might be a bit faster but it's not noticeable for me. Not put games on it so can't comment on that.

On one of the front panel usb ports it doesn't recognise some devices which is strange. No idea what that is about but my game controller gets picked up in it so not too fussed. Less usb ports than my old X-99 mobo which I hadn't really thought about but I'll just have to get a hub. Can't plug all my devices in at once with what's available. In fact I have a hub but need to get a new bigger power extension cable as I have no more sockets spare in the room 😂

Really very happy with the system and the price paid. I've had 5 desktops and a laptop from PC specialist over the years and they have all been fantastic. Other than the X-99 build which seems to have a faulty motherboard (five and a half years old and no fault of PCS of course) they are all still in use with various friends and family members too. Think I replaced a PSU in the oldest one and they had various GPU upgrades and what not. I have rarely contacted PCS technical over the years but when I have they were quick in replying and very helpful.

 

[SpyderTracks]

Doesn't quite sound like fan noise though as it's not consistent enough. Could it be pump noise on the cooler, do these work harder when the processor is hotter or is it just the fans? Not something I noticed with my old water cooled solution.

Yes, the pump has an impellor that will rotate quicker to circulate the coolant quicker based on temps, it could have been that.

You can control the pump speeds in iCue if you have that installed, if you don't highly recommend installing it.

It's also the case that often a new AIO will be a bit noisy for a little while while it embebs in properly. You may find that now it's worked at the higher rate, when it does in the future, it's highly possible it won't be as noisy.

On one of the front panel usb ports it doesn't recognise some devices which is strange. No idea what that is about but my game controller gets picked up in it so not too fussed. Less usb ports than my old X-99 mobo which I hadn't really thought about but I'll just have to get a hub. Can't plug all my devices in at once with what's available. In fact I have a hub but need to get a new bigger power extension cable as I have no more sockets spare in the room

Rather than a hub, given your uses, I may suggest a PCIe card as they're more reliable and introduce less issues. Depending on how many ports you require and what version of USB, something like this:

USB 3.0 Cards - USB 3.0 Port Expansion Cards | SCAN UK

Welcome to our USB 3.0 Cards - USB 3.0 Port Expansion Cards page. Here you will find leading brands such as Dynamode, StarTech.com.

www.scan.co.uk

If you do, Startech are a good brand, have used them for years and they seem to be a good hybrid of home/professional quality.

 

[garamo]

Cool, thank you! I'll take a look at iCue. I'll just keep an eye on it when the weather gets hotter too, see if it happens again. Perhaps it won't be an issue going forwards anyway if they need to embed properly as you say.

My thinking on the hub was just connecting things like mouse, keyboard, monitor as they are less critical. Might be worth looking at a PCIe solution though as no doubt I'll want to add new devices in the future! Cheers, I'll take a look at that option too.

"Edit* wow just clicked the link, they are cheap as chips anyway. Will definitely go with the four port one of these then, thanks.

 

[Scott]

If you plug in your monitor to USB it can often be a hub for the keyboard and mouse, just in case that wasn't something you had thought of. The monitors often have pass through.

 

[garamo]

If you plug in your monitor to USB it can often be a hub for the keyboard and mouse, just in case that wasn't something you had thought of. The monitors often have pass through.

Thank you, already in use though for backlight LEDs and cable to charge keyboard ☹️

 

[garamo]

I had to come in and post to say, even as a non-musician, that room and set-up is just.....just....I really have no words to describe it

Thank you! Changing it all around and making some upgrades has been my little project over lockdown and I'm really happy with it now. 😁

 

[Phillip]

Cool, thank you! I'll take a look at iCue. I'll just keep an eye on it when the weather gets hotter too, see if it happens again. Perhaps it won't be an issue going forwards anyway if they need to embed properly as you say.

My thinking on the hub was just connecting things like mouse, keyboard, monitor as they are less critical. Might be worth looking at a PCIe solution though as no doubt I'll want to add new devices in the future! Cheers, I'll take a look at that option too.

"Edit* wow just clicked the link, they are cheap as chips anyway. Will definitely go with the four port one of these then, thanks.

From what I can remember about corsair pumps is that you have very little control of the pump spee. If I remember you Off, quiet, balance and full