I'm configuring a new computer for my studio, and trying to figure out if a couple processor/RAM upgrades are worth it. Looking for advice...
Config page:
http://www.adkproaudio.com/systems/viewsystem.cfm?recordid=134Processor options:
-Core i3 530 2.93ghz 4MB cache Dual Core w/ HT
-Core i3 540 3.06ghz 4MB cache Dual Core w/ HT (+$20)
-Core i5 650 3.2ghz 4MB cache Dual Core w/ HT & Turbo (+$67)
-Core i5 660 3.33ghz 4MB cache Dual Core w/ HT & Turbo (+$86)
-Core i5 750 2.66ghz Quad 8MB cache 2.5GT/S DMI (+$94)
-Core i5 670 3.46ghz 4MB cache Dual Core w/ HT & Turbo (+$181)
RAM options - there are 2 slots for RAM, so I could put any combination of these chips in:
-Mushkin - 2gig DDR3 1333 1.5v 9-9-9-24
-Mushkin - 2gig DDR3 1600 1.65v 8-8-8-24 (+$7)
-Mushkin - 4gig (2x2gig) DDR3 1333 9-9-9-24 (+$73)
-Mushkin - 4gig (2x2gig) DDR3 1600 1.65v 8-8-8-24 (+$93)
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So there's a couple no-brainer upgrades I think (the $7 RAM upgrade for both slots, and the $20 processor upgrade). What I am wondering is how much I would gain by blowing out the processer/RAM. We're talking ~ a $300 difference between base model & pimp'd to the max, so not peanuts. The computer is going to be used exclusively for audio/video, using up to 30-40 tracks per project, many of which will be running VSTi's & effects.