I've found more cores is more robust for plug-ins etc. but my needs are modest. I typically only use 3 or 4 plugins on a track, and one or two on the master buss. maybe a couple virtual instruments.
the whole point of a 64 bit operating system is to make more ram directly addressable by the cpu and programs.
for me and my projects 16 gb works on most of my machines. I primarily run Arturia and ableton or Reaper, though I still run Sony or Magix Acid and soundforge and cooleditpro. all run well on an i-5 with 16gb of ram.
I've never had any latency problems and use USB 2 interfaces for guitar.

I really like the Roland GS-10, circa 2006 or so. its a swiss army knife for guitarist who record.
download the manual and look it over

https://www.boss.info/us/products/gs-10/

out of production for nearly 2 decades at this point. still works well. built like a tank. I liked it so much I bought 4 of them.

https://en.audiofanzine.com/electric-guitar-multi-effects/boss/gs-10/

available used wherever better guitarist shop...

its a midi interface, a usb interface, an amp simulator, filled with Boss fx pedals, if you can't make your guitar sound good with this, you should take up accordion. Also has speakers for room friendly practice levels, and a headphone jack if you need to play in silence. That baby's made out of steel. not plastic, it will outlive you...

 

regarding the I-7 cpu, please notice this is not the software manufacturer's specification, this a 3rd party site.
the difference between a typical i-7 and an i-5 is not that much - a few percent

you can use this site to compare cpu's for price vs performance by comparing your tenative cpu to the others
https://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i7-12700K-vs-Intel-Core-i5-13600K/4119vs4134

also here's a probably biased overview.
https://www.pcmag.com/news/which-cpu-should-you-buy-intel-core-i5-vs-i7

 

Compared to AMD processors similar range/performance Intel chips runs hotter. It has been like this from perpetuity....!
Intel still has no answer to how AMD and especially Apple M series Processors packs so much punch and runs ICE-COOL in their comparison..

Also the K series processors are built for overclocking so it has higher power limit and hence heats more. This is nothing new......and not of a problem technically. The chips are designed to run like this. Once it reaches its TJ-Max it will automatically downclock.
It's a simple rule more the No. of cores, more heat is generated though other factors like power limit plays an important aspect too.

Everyone who uses Intel K series chips accepts this fact and it has been like this ever since and will be for you too....

So unless you are into heavy overclocking for average users under normal conditions its not much of a problem. Just slap a good cooler/AIO and you will be just fine...
The newest Meteor Lake processors have improved a bit though...


Yes, you will need to apply thermal paste between the processor and the cooler surface to act as a conducting medium, so as to improve heat conduction and dissipation. Otherwise heat from your Processor will not dissipate effectively....
You don't want to explode your PC right....

 

Last edited: Mar 7, 2024

So do you instead preferre AMD over Intel for budget audio and video editing? Gaming is secondary too me. I have been trying to research pros and cons, is Amd unstable with audio interface drivers, etc.?
I can't afford i7 or higher Gpu but rtx4060 (I've read reviews that it is not so great), but I was hoping it would be enough for simple videos.

 

Personally I prefer Intel cpu's but that doesn't preclude that all AMD CPU's are unusable. If you want this build to have some staying power you might want to increase the budget a bit...You'll have to give in to the fact that THE most expensive parts of your build will be the CPU and GPU. Secondary in the expense category will be overall Storage (all combined SSD's, NvME, HDD's that you intend to put into the build) then RAM, then system board, case, etc - in that order. GPU wise the Nvidia RTX 4070 is probably your greatest value. For video anything much beyond a RTX 4070 and you're just spending more $$$ (unless you have an unlimited budget). An Nvidia RTX 4070 will run you about $714 right now. You were (if I remember correctly) tapping on the i9 13xxxk cpus or the i7's ?... The Intel Core i7-13700K will run you about $369 right now. Good solid 16 core cpu. You'll also need to decide on the amount of RAM you want to throw on this build. For video AND audio my recommendation would be to set an absolute minimum of 32Gb. If you can pony up the $$ for more RAM, you should. The types and amounts of RAM (max) will be dictated by the system board you get. Check out pcpartpicker - it will give you all the needed specs to put together the entire build and list prices of each piece so you can fit it to your budget.

 

Last edited: Mar 10, 2024

Thanks, first I was going for i5 13400f, then started researching i513600K, but found numorues complaints about running hot. Am I really losing much if I go for F versions? I am not a fan of liquid coolers either if I nees to use them for K versions.
I would go for 32gb of ram.
What about Intel changing sockets, is it worth buying 1700 or am I buying a dead platform? I won't be able to upgrade in a few years and have to buy a new pc? Or just new mobo and cpu? It's a bit confusing to me.

 

The Intel F series doesn't have iGPU

Pros of Intel's iGPU:

• Enhanced performance for video editing tasks, especially with H.264 and H.265 codecs.
• Live playback and editing with mirrorless camera codecs perform exceptionally well.

So choose a K or non K CPU over F-series CPU. The 25$ premium will pay you over.

You can run a 13600k CPU with a good quality aircooler just fine. Below are two articles I am mentioning....

.
A very good article from a reputed Canadian tech website.

Another detailed review from a one of the top Tech website. (I would say even better than Tom's Hardware)
https://www.techpowerup.com/review/intel-core-i5-13600k/

If you are hesitant I suggest you to go for 14600k if available and affordable. It runs a bit cooler in comparison. Another option is to choose a non K chip like Intel 14500 or 14600. You can't overclock them (you don't need to). They also have lower power limit of 65w, with max turbo power 154w and hence runs cooler and also carries the iGPU Intel UHD770.

That part is a bit true. But technology is always such. It changes rapidly. Even what is latest today will become out-dated in couple of years. You can wait for Intel Arrow lake due to arrive later this year. But remember they will be pricey and will become outdated in two years when Intel will launch its new CPU and new platform. So the cycle goes on.

Considering what you are doing at present you are not likely to outperform the 13600k/14600k for at least 5 years minimum. If you can, that would mean you are doing heavy professional level work. At that point it would be worth considering to make some investments/adjustments if necessary.

DDR5 memory will remain relevant for at least 5-7 years. Rest of the components like PSU, PC Cabinet, SSD can be easily reused. So yes for upgrading in near future you can just swap your CPU and MOBO and use the rest of the parts as most of them will remain fairly relevant.

 

you loose integrated graphics

you can restrict its performance in BIOS, so it can run either slower, with some cores or hyperthreading disabled, or with voltage offsets set lower (while observing stability) - all such ways can lower temps

 

many people were injured in the CPU Wars..

 

If you have that much of a budget. Get an AMD Ryzen 9 5900x. Intel has nothing close to it in that price range. I have it in my PC, and trust me, it handles everything I throw at it with ease.