Hi all,
I'm looking at building my first AMD based system. I've always previously had Intel based systems, and built a couple of Intel based systems over the years, but the last PC that I've built was a few years ago based on an Intel i7 2600.
After doing a bit of research, it seems AMD is the way to go (correct me if I'm wrong).
My initial budget is €1300, but I can possibly stretch to €1500 if needed, this is to buy the CPU, Motherboard, Ram, Case, CPU cooler PSU.
I'd like the system to be as quiet as possible, Id also like to have thunderbolt if possible?

So far, I've been thinking about getting this MB: https://www.asrock.com/mb/amd/x570 taichi/
I've also been looking as the Be Quiet 601 PC case and their CPU coolers.

I'd really appreciate any help or suggestions, or known working configurations you guys are using at the moment. I'd also like to hear any of your thought on which model CPU you's would recommend? As I'm unsure which AMD models are the best value for money.

PS: Im also thinking about getting the MOTU M4 (this is for portability, for now) eventfully I'd like to get a Thunderbolt interface. Would the MOTU 4 be compatible with AMD based systems? also is it possible to have low latency with this interface on AMD systems?

Also, I forgot to mention, I'd like to get a fairly minimal AMD GPU, possibly fanless.... what do you's think??


Thanks guys for your time and help

Cheers

 

Last edited: Jun 19, 2021

Imagine you are going with a 5800X, 5900X or 5950X. The Taichi will most likely require an upgrade to the BIOS to work with the 5000 series that have the speed features and PCIe 4.0 lanes.

Some boards to look at that are current:
ASUS ProArt B550-Creator
ASROCK X570 Creator
Gigabyte X570S AERO G

Get a sound dampened workstation case from Fractal or Phanteks, along with a good Noctua Air cooler or, an AIO in the 360mm size. Also go with a Seasonic or Phanteks power supply that has headroom above the peak wattage/amperage draw for all components.

The Artic Freezer II is a favorite for Intel i7 and i9 CPUs. Should handle a 5950X just as well if not better.

Example:
650W total peak power draw - 850W power supply
750W total peak power draw - 1000W power supply.

This will ensure that short spikes will not cause any issues as well as keeping thermals from power under check.

Also. Make certain that you stick with tested memory on the QVL for whichever mother & CPU you choose. AMD PCUs work with memory that follow the JEDEC specification. Anything else is hit & miss.

 

Last edited: Jun 19, 2021

Just moved from a 6 core intel to a 12 core AMD 5900x and I'm really glad I did.....
My build.
Asus ROG Crosshair VIII Dark Hero (AMD AM4) DDR4 X570 Chipset ATX Motherboard
Corsair Vengeance RGB PRO Black 32GB (2x16GB) 3600MHz AMD Ryzen Tuned DDR4 Memory Dual Kit
Samsung 980 Pro 1TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 4.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drive
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X Twelve Core 4.8GHz (Socket AM4) Processor - Retail
My old 1080 graphics (try buying a new graphics card right now)
and a 3TB Firecuda M.2
As for cooling, It was a real toss up between air and radiator, my heart said air but some of the silent ones are a total bitch to get in place and don't fit over your memory so I played safe (total pussy) and went radiator, anyway well pleased with performance.

 

Thanks for your reply/info. I was also looking at the AMD Ryzen 9 5900x, only thing is, it swallows a good chunk of my budget....

 

not the cheapest build I agree :-/, but it's very fast, I was amazed at how little I had to tweak anything, normally I would have to set the power to "always on" with an intel, not so with the AMD. It just runs stock but wow is it fast. Cubase runs like a dream on it, haven't been so pleased with a upgrade in years. Well done AMD..!

 

I'm also interested in audio interface latency, have you had any issues with your set up while using Cubase? I personally will mostly be running Ableton as my DAW.

 

Just out of curiosity, were you using win10 ?, or maybe you had to buy one license ?
I just finished building a ryzen 5000 computer, and I didn't want to waste 150 bucks on a win 10 64 bit license, and I'm going to try to buy one, from an internet keys website...
I told myself, If they key happens to work, with the 120-130 bucks I will have saved, Iwill be able to buy some nice gadget.. like a nice mouse and keyboard.. but if the key doesn't work, I will then buy a legit oem license from a computer store....

BTW, do you guys know a nice keys store , where I can buy a good win 10 key ?

 

I have a relatively cheap Steinberg USB C soundcard, (I don't record much) performance on the old intel board was terrible, I could never get it into low latency mode. On the AMD its really smooth on 96 samples at Input 2.721 msec and Output 3.696

As for the Windows licence I have mine registered on my Microsoft account page so I just deregistered my old copy and put it on the new device, MS asked me if this was a replacement PC, I said yes, end of problem. I have two licences as I use the bits of my last computer to build the house media server, and every 4/5 years I update, my main PC and turn the old one into the new media sever, so my PCs last about 10 years. You can transfer windows licences between PCs its very simple so I simply recycle everything.....

 

just bought one for 9€ from https://best-software.de/

You can compare prices here
https://www.idealo.at/preisvergleich/OffersOfProduct/4803094_-windows-10-pro-microsoft.html

 

I wouldn't do it! I built an amd machine once but I did fare ill with it! Because there is a cpu hog / spike + in many cases the cpu load is 100%! It can be up to just 1 simple software synth! No one found out the fault for me, not even the store and the other manufacturers knew!
On the other hand, here is 1 article about the same: https://helpcenter.steinberg.de/hc/...s-with-AMD-Ryzen-Threadripper-3970X-and-3990X

 

I built my AMD studio PC last spring and it hasn't failed me once.
Always been an Intel fanboy and was hesitating for a long time before making the switch.
Couldn't be happier.

• Asus Prime X570 Pro
  
• Ryzen 3900X
• 128 Gb DDR G.Skill 3600Mhz
• Steinberg UR22 MkII
• Asus Geforce 1070 8Gb
• Win 10 Pro
• Cubase 11 Pro

 

Keep in mind that whether you choose AMD or Intel, the focus should be on performance as a workstation.

If you are not in a hurry, consider pre-ordering a Ryzen 7 5700G and pair it with one of the new B550 boards that have USB 3.2 Gen 2 & Thunderbolt3 or, Thunderbolt 4. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 & Thunderbolt would be my choice.

With ASUS & Gigabyte you have the option of motherboards with on-board Thunderbolt ports or, Thunderbolt Headers to connect a Thunderbolt AIC (add-in-card) that can be moved to another system if needed.

 

Thanks guys for the info. Im now thinking about getting either the 3900x or 5800x CPU, have any of yous got this in your setup? what are your thoughts on it? is there a better alternative for the roughly same money?

Also thinking about this MB: Asus Prime B550-Plus, any thoughts?

thanks again

 

Last edited: Jun 21, 2021

For a regular B550 board you, should consider the Gigabyte B550 AORUS PRO V2 (rev. 1.0). Especially to pair with the 5800X.
The ASUS Prime is an okay match for the 3600X, 3700X or, 5600X.

 

Thanks for the info. What would your preference be for either of these 3900x or 5800x CPUs?

 

do not buy cheap win licenses, there are ongoing investigations against oem license resellers and their customers e.g. in germany: https://www.golem.de/news/windows-u...serioeser-microsoft-lizenzen-2103-154691.html

"thousands of cases because of shady microsoft licenses"

just do that, take care to get the original at mydigitallife, there are many malware infected copys out there

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2021

AMD Ryzen 9 5950X or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X
Gigabyte B550 VISION D (two certificated thunderbolt ports)
G.Skill Trident Z Neo DDR4 3600Mhz 32GB (Memory optimized for AMD)
You also need a graphic card..........no internal graphic on those CPU's

By the way I prefer Intel especially when it comes to thunderbolt.

 

OK first - I am always telling ppl on this forum to use properly licensed SW for pro work to the point some find me OCD about it. Second, I just understand "some" German so I may be a bit off here, but:

well, I think that there are thousands of such licenses sold in a minute, so that is not really a huge number. Also, M$ is BS about this from the beginning. They said it will be free to upgrade for a year i think, and then you are done! Fast forward nowadays not only you can still upgrade from Win 7, but the last W10 versions are made (by design) in a way the SW accepts old Win7 keys directly.

I can confirm this as I build 2 PCs this year and had my old W7 Pro licenses lying around from my old comps. I was about to buy a new W10 pro, but tried to enter the W7 ancient key in my W10.. and they are "digitally signed" or whatever. I am under the impression these resellers send kids around scrapyards to collect the licenses from old machines or smth. I'm sure there is also a great deal of lic linked to stolen credit cards or money loundering and that is something completely different.

Here is an example what happens if you check it with M$.
Brian: "I just got this shiny new BMW for a grand and a friend said I should check if it's stolen and shit.."
MS supp: "Hi Brian, is the car working as supposed?"
Brian: "Yeaaa.. but you know, just want to check if it's legit.. Do you want the license plate nr.?"
MS supp: "That won't be necessary, Brian.. it's OK."

Do they (M$) seem super concerned to you? FFS, it's a fucking bloated spyware, LOL..

 

but why bother? just use kms and be fine forever....

there was a big case with lizengo, a major german reseller. why take the risk when you can have it for free without risk? you are basically paying for a non legit key giving the company your ID and when microsoft fucks them you could be next.

the keys themselfs are all "real" otherwise you couldn't activate them, therefore there is no concern for the MS employee on the tel. if you tell him you bought a PC used like in the video.

But when MS sues some big reseller and they get the costumer data it's easy to just sue the consumers too.

If you just use kmspico none of that can happen...

 

Last edited: Jun 22, 2021