Should I upgrade CPU or just Ram?

[Boy]

Hi, I got  D274 full version, but it will start sound cracking if I use more than 3 mics. My CPU is I7-4790K,  16GB ddr3 ram, SSD is Kingston A400  (500MB/S read, 450MB/s write). Do you guy know what is the cause of cracking sound issue? Is my CPU too weak or just the ram not enough? 

[Ben]

@Boy said:

Hi, I got  D274 full version, but it will start sound cracking if I use more than 3 mics. My CPU is I7-4790K,  16GB ddr3 ram, SSD is Kingston A400  (500MB/S read, 450MB/s write). Do you guy know what is the cause of cracking sound issue? Is my CPU too weak or just the ram not enough?

Hi there!

This CPU is quite old, so I would highly recommend to upgrade it to a recent one.
Modern CPUs no longer support DDR3, so you would also have to upgrade to DDR4 or DDR5. I would recommend to get at least 32GB when working with virtual instruments.

Of course, I can't guarantee that this will solve your performance problem since there are also other factors to consider, like your audio interface and the drivers.

Best, Ben

[Rafa Ferreira]

I would say yes. In the end, is a matter of a balance between latency and at which number of voices you start to hear cracks & pops. I have a 11900KF and in my latest setup my cracks & pops start at 1700 voices with 512 buffer and at 2200-2400 voices with a 1024 buffer (higher latency),

I would suggest also going for 32 GB RAM.

[Boy]

@Boy said:

Hi, I got  D274 full version, but it will start sound cracking if I use more than 3 mics. My CPU is I7-4790K,  16GB ddr3 ram, SSD is Kingston A400  (500MB/S read, 450MB/s write). Do you guy know what is the cause of cracking sound issue? Is my CPU too weak or just the ram not enough?

Hi there!

This CPU is quite old, so I would highly recommend to upgrade it to a recent one.
Modern CPUs no longer support DDR3, so you would also have to upgrade to DDR4 or DDR5. I would recommend to get at least 32GB when working with virtual instruments.

Of course, I can't guarantee that this will solve your performance problem since there are also other factors to consider, like your audio interface and the drivers.

Best, Ben

Is quite painful (big investment) for me if want to upgrade the new CPU, I have to upgrade the mother board and ram too because the compatibility. Thank you Ben.

[Boy]

@Rafa Ferreira said:

I would say yes. In the end, is a matter of a balance between latency and at which number of voices you start to hear cracks & pops. I have a 11900KF and in my latest setup my cracks & pops start at 1700 voices with 512 buffer and at 2200-2400 voices with a 1024 buffer (higher latency),

I would suggest also going for 32 GB RAM.

I see you got a good CPU and 64GB RAM but still got pops issue. Wondering how many mics you use?

[Rafa Ferreira]

I use all of them. 2200 voices is quite a lot, going over 1700 is more like a stress test than anything else. But my SSD is only delivering 625 MB/s, that might be the bottleneck in my case, since my CPU load hardly ever goes beyond 60%.

[Boy]

@Rafa Ferreira said:

I use all of them. 2200 voices is quite a lot, going over 1700 is more like a stress test than anything else. But my SSD is only delivering 625 MB/s, that might be the bottleneck in my case, since my CPU load hardly ever goes beyond 60%.

Very useful info. Thanks Rafa.