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Old 02-24-2020, 11:28 PM   #1
imagegod
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Default HP Z Workstation for Reaper Orchestra: Tips/Warnings etc.?

Hey all:

I'm thinking of purchasing a HP Z Workstation for Reaper Orchestration (hopefully with mostly Spitfire/OT Libraries).

https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-z8...able-z3z16av-1

Any tips/warnings/ideas/random thoughts, etc.?

Many thanks!
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Old 02-25-2020, 09:18 AM   #2
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Depends on CPU you choose. There are two things important:
thread speed, important for synthesis
and combined total speed, obvious

The Processors listed as options have quite a low single thread speed, which is quite common in the modern Xeon range.
So, even if the combined multithread speed is quite high, this could lead to inefficiency in a DAW and rendering less performace than expected. I run a Xeon in the studio and I can see it there. It comes alive when there are many many processes running, but stil a VST can crackle, which it does not on an old i5.
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Old 02-25-2020, 11:29 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nana View Post
Depends on CPU you choose. There are two things important:
thread speed, important for synthesis
and combined total speed, obvious

The Processors listed as options have quite a low single thread speed, which is quite common in the modern Xeon range.
So, even if the combined multithread speed is quite high, this could lead to inefficiency in a DAW and rendering less performace than expected. I run a Xeon in the studio and I can see it there. It comes alive when there are many many processes running, but stil a VST can crackle, which it does not on an old i5.
Cool to have your experience posted here ! Can you advise your 1 or 2 preferred CPU choices at this time ?
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Old 02-25-2020, 02:30 PM   #4
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Hard to tell, because the available options develop quickly.

This for reference:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html

And then compare with:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

And for the Xeon:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/multi_cpu.html

And, obviously, budget. Keep it sensible and, more important, cool. The more power consumption, the more heat has to be dissipated and the more noise you get. A liquid cooling system can help a lot if properly built.

Oh, yes, a single thread rating of at least 1800 is good, more is better.

If I look at their base config of the HP Z and look here for the CPU, remember they show the power for two CPU:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php...230&cpuCount=2
WHAT is wrong there?

Last edited by Nana; 02-25-2020 at 02:57 PM.
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Old 02-25-2020, 03:25 PM   #5
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I recommend building a DAW PC from scratch and choosing the best components fit for the purpose.
As said, a liquid cooling needs to be properly built, or it can be worse than air cooling, if there is a cheap pump or fans on the radiator. I've built my Xeon E5 completely fanless, but with liquid cooling, because it heats also the studio in winter (I live up in the mountain area). Otherwise I'd keep the machine outside the studio in a dedicated room.
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Old 02-25-2020, 03:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nana View Post
I recommend building a DAW PC from scratch and choosing the best components fit for the purpose.
As said, a liquid cooling needs to be properly built, or it can be worse than air cooling, if there is a cheap pump or fans on the radiator. I've built my Xeon E5 completely fanless, but with liquid cooling, because it heats also the studio in winter (I live up in the mountain area). Otherwise I'd keep the machine outside the studio in a dedicated room.
Thank-you for useful references ! Staggering to consider advances since last build of (3) Desktop PC(s). Buyers like OP are soooo exposed to major costs for far less than optimum performance.

My personal Update plans are now blown away and serious rethink in order.

Regards
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Old 02-25-2020, 07:22 PM   #7
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I think the best bang ratio is now with AMD Ryzen 9 3950X.
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php...+Ryzen+9+3950X

with a nice X570 mobo, 64GB, fanless graphics, cooling and power supply, 2x 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD (high endurance), a nice cutom case

less than 2800 Euros.

Super BANG!
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Old 02-25-2020, 07:51 PM   #8
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That's what I'm talkin' about !!
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Old 02-25-2020, 08:13 PM   #9
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Thanks all...unfortunately I cannot build my own computer. I'm disabled (like an autistic savant: Good at music, not so good at other stuff).

Any other thoughts/comments on the HP Z workstation relative to Reaper orchestral work?

Many thanks!
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Old 02-26-2020, 10:04 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imagegod View Post
Thanks all...unfortunately I cannot build my own computer. I'm disabled (like an autistic savant: Good at music, not so good at other stuff).

Any other thoughts/comments on the HP Z workstation relative to Reaper orchestral work?

Many thanks!
There should be suppliers that build the computer for you (for free or little fee). It also gives an advantage as if any of the parts don't work, they change it before it arrives to you.

But also there are companies who build music computers. I never tried one myself, but a friend of mine got a laptop from such company and the latency was ridiculously low (he's a guitar player). My guess is probably they setup the bios, pick best hardware for lowest latency or whatever to give a better performance.
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Old 02-28-2020, 04:23 PM   #11
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A nice new DAW build detailed here: https://forum.cockos.com/showpost.ph...5&postcount=83
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Old 02-28-2020, 06:46 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imagegod View Post
Hey all:

I'm thinking of purchasing a HP Z Workstation for Reaper Orchestration (hopefully with mostly Spitfire/OT Libraries).

https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-z8...able-z3z16av-1

Any tips/warnings/ideas/random thoughts, etc.?

Many thanks!
If you're going to spend that kind of money, I really recommend talking to PC Audiolabs. They build customized PCs and laptops that are optimized for professional audio, especially for heavy users.
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Old 02-28-2020, 09:41 PM   #13
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Thanks all...this should help!
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Old 02-28-2020, 10:20 PM   #14
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In short, this looks like way, way too much money for what would most likely be a sub-par machine for DAW-based music production. For instance, 8GB of memory is not nearly enough if you are working with orchestral libraries such as Spitfire or OT. 32GB or 64GB should be the minimum at this price point.

One can build a killer machine these days for half what this starts at. If you cannot build one yourself, and since you have this kind of cash to spend, I agree with the advice to consult with one of the companies that specialize in audio PC builds. You'll get a much better machine at equal or quite possibly less cost.
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Old 02-29-2020, 12:21 AM   #15
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Cool...good idea...thanks!

Can anyone recommend ADK Pro Audio?
https://www.adkproaudio.com/

How about PCAudiolabs?
https://pcaudiolabs.com/

Thanks again!
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Old 02-29-2020, 04:56 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by imagegod View Post
Cool...good idea...thanks!

Can anyone recommend ADK Pro Audio?
https://www.adkproaudio.com/

How about PCAudiolabs?
https://pcaudiolabs.com/

Thanks again!
I can recommend PC Audiolabs ... they custom built a laptop back in 2009, and it's still running today (after many upgrades and repairs).

When they say "lifetime support", they really mean it ... to this day I can call them if something isn't right with my laptop, though they can't really help anymore since parts etc. are no longer available. The internal battery died years ago, the CMOS battery is also dead, but it's still running.

If I had a lot of money I'd go back to them and had them custom build me the most powerful laptop, and the most powerful desktop that money can buy.
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Old 03-02-2020, 04:37 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by peter5992 View Post
I can recommend PC Audiolabs ... they custom built a laptop back in 2009, and it's still running today (after many upgrades and repairs).

When they say "lifetime support", they really mean it ... to this day I can call them if something isn't right with my laptop, though they can't really help anymore since parts etc. are no longer available. The internal battery died years ago, the CMOS battery is also dead, but it's still running.

If I had a lot of money I'd go back to them and had them custom build me the most powerful laptop, and the most powerful desktop that money can buy.
Cool...I appreciate that. Many thanks!
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