Which RAM for Cakewalk Sonar X2 DAW?

[Arfur Schrunkunpecker]

Hi guys,

I'll be putting together a PC soon based on the Z77 platform and 3770K.
My priority with this build is to get the best out of Sonar X2 ( Digital Audio Workstation) so I can play around and make some music.

I don't expect to overclock.

I'll be getting 32gigs of RAM.

Q. Should I go with higher RAM or is 1600 OK?

What do you recommend please and why?

Much appreciated.

Arfur

 

[Feronix]

I seriously doubt that you're going to need 32GB unless you want to use RamDISK or if it's a serious business work station (in which case it's weird that you didn't go Socket 2011). Imo, 16GBs will probably be enough.

1600MHz is usually recommended cause it's cheap and most things above 1866 won't do much in gaming. For editing, however, faster speeds do matter and personally I'd be looking at a 2133MHz kit or 2400 if it's not much more expensive. Try to keep it at 1.5Volt though.

The CAS Latency should be as low as possible. With RAM speeds that high, you'll probably end up with CL10 or CL11. Maybe 9 if you get a 1.65Volt kit. 11 is fine in most cases though, as long as it's not more than that it shouldn't be a problem (and I've never seen 12 or above).

Offtopic: Any reason you're going for a dead socket (1155/ z77)?

 

[Arfur Schrunkunpecker]

Thanks Feronix.

I'm going with the 1155 as I've had an unopened Z77X-UP7 sitting on my bedroom floor for about 5 months or so. I had planned to build it some months ago, but other bills etc. have taken priority since, so I haven't bought the other components like CPU, RAM, new GPU etc. I'm picking up a 3770K soon before they disappear.

I'll be coming from an i7-930, so it shouldn't be too bad. I did a similar thing before and got in a bit late when I stepped up to 1366.

For my own needs I didn't think the 4770K would be much better (even though it's cheaper to buy here), plus if I do overclock in the scorching summers here, it would probably run hotter.

If we step aside from needing the latest or the best, there isn't always too much in it, maybe from a daily computing standpoint.

Anyway, thanks for the RAM info. I'm never sure how and when RAM speeds actually benefit. I do love Bad Company 2 from time to time, but a video card upgrade is needed in that area.

If I definitely knew that higher RAM will help with something specific, I'd go for it.

Thanks a lot. I'll keep shopping around. It also needs to fit underneath the NH-D14 too.

All the best.