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Might Have To Move DAW From Desktop To Laptop

DaddyO

DaddyO

Senior Member
I am having some problems with the desktop PC I built in 2014 that has worked fine until recently. These problems aside I have to prepare for the possibility of moving my DAW work to my laptop. This possibility presents raises some immediate questions.

First, I have multiple SSD's, so I would have to move them to a powered multi-bay external enclosure. Recommendations for something that is a quality piece of hardware are appreciated. I hate to invest in junk that just quits working.

Second, would it be best to invest in some sort of docking station? Again I don't want junk hardware. Recommendations?

Third, how do people deal with the lesser power supply in a laptop? Do things work okay for DAW?
Click to read more...
 
The problem is hardware related, and while the needed fix may be minimal, it's also possible it could also turn out to be more expensive to fix than I can afford. So before I embark on that, I want to know what my real options are. I know a number of people use laptops for DAW work, but I'm not familiar with how they make that work.

I'm heading into surgery early next week, so I'm going to wait a couple of weeks before really tackling the desktop. That gives me an interim period to evaluate the possiblities of my laptop.
 
I use a laptop at times. It used to be my primary DAW computer until I built a desktop. Big problems are with the limited RAM more than anything. I use USB 3.0 enclosures for my SSDs and a powered 10 port hub to plug everything into. I've tried most brands of hubs. No real consistency in which work well and which don't. I rarely have issues with bad ports, more with the power staying on. But I figure that is because I use this setup when I travel so it gets taken apart and put back together a lot.

Sabrent makes good enclosures. I like the tool-less ones.
 
Finally getting back to things after surgery. If necessary I am willing to replace the MOBO and CPU on my desktop. Bought a Noctua small form factor CPU fan to see if I can avoid the need.

Meanwhile, I'm running a parallel course trying to see how well my laptop can do in case I have to go with it instead. I will need a USB 3.0 SSD enclosure for my SSD's, and since my laptop only has one USB port I will need to run it through a USB 3.0 hub, which I alread have (7 ports). Is this powered Sabrent 4-Bay SSD Enclosure suitable for DAW speeds through the powered hub listed below?

Amazon product ASIN B07H11KXCL
Amazon product ASIN B00FR795WA
 
On the desktop front I'd love to see comments regarding the following choices to upgrade my PC:

Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
Asus - PRIME Z390-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

This will cost me a bit over $600 in parts, and maybe $100-plus to have someone make the parts changes.
 
DaddyO said:
On the desktop front I'd love to see comments regarding the following choices to upgrade my PC:

Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
Asus - PRIME Z390-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

This will cost me a bit over $600 in parts, and maybe $100-plus to have someone make the parts changes.
Click to expand...

I would take this option.
 
I'm increasingly leaning that direction. There are some special life circumstances that could result in me losing any space for my desktop. I won't go into them here, but apart from that it makes obvious sense to spend $750 and have a computer that should stand up for the next four or five years.

I am particularly interested in comments on my choice of CPU and MOBO. I've tried to save a bit by going with the i5 to replace my current i7. My current MOBO is an ASUS Z-97 Pro.
 
DaddyO said:
On the desktop front I'd love to see comments regarding the following choices to upgrade my PC:

Intel - Core i5-9600K 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
Asus - PRIME Z390-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard
Corsair - Vengeance LPX 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory

This will cost me a bit over $600 in parts, and maybe $100-plus to have someone make the parts changes.
Click to expand...

Edited to add:

FYI, I use VSTi only, mostly VSL but occasionally Cinematic Strings 2, orchestral work only.
 
DaddyO said:
I'm increasingly leaning that direction. There are some special life circumstances that could result in me losing any space for my desktop. I won't go into them here, but apart from that it makes obvious sense to spend $750 and have a computer that should stand up for the next four or five years.

I am particularly interested in comments on my choice of CPU and MOBO. I've tried to save a bit by going with the i5 to replace my current i7. My current MOBO is an ASUS Z-97 Pro.
Click to expand...

Your current CPU still rocks but I assume its your motherboard is the issue. You left out what the problem is. A used 1150 socket is expensive. I'd shop for a cheaper board.
 
The i7-4790K served me quite well in the five years since I built my desktop.

My current pursuit has two contingency options because the CPU recently started shutting down suddenly and repeatedly with overheating errors. A repair shop got the same errors, and eventually it would not boot at all. The first contingency option is to live with the limits of my laptop, which is not ideal. The second is upgrading my PC.

To me at least, whether it is the CPU or the motherboard, it makes little sense to spend $250 on used hardware that is less future proof. It makes more sense to spend $700 to replace both with current models so I will be set for the next five years.

I am a single-PC-at-a-time user.
 
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DaddyO said:
The i7-4790K served me quite well in the five years since I built my desktop.

My current pursuit has two contingency options because the CPU recently started shutting down suddenly and repeatedly with overheating errors. A repair shop got the same errors, and eventually it would not boot at all. The first contingency option is to live with the limits of my laptop, which is not ideal. The second is upgrading my PC.

To me at least, whether it is the CPU or the motherboard, it makes little sense to spend $250 on used hardware that is less future proof. It makes more sense to spend $700 to replace both with current models so I will be set for the next five years.

I am a single-PC-at-a-time user.
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Bummer. CPUs last longer than anything. I hate laptops. I'd go with a lower priced motherboard.
 
My biggest beef with laptops is that on the tin it may look powerful i5, i7 etc... but as soon as you going to actually use the resources the little board needs to be cooled badly, which laptop board can't do well without sounding like a jet.
 
kitekrazy said:
I'd go with a lower priced motherboard.
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I need more SATA connections (6, due to multiple SSD's) than most cheaper MOBO's, and I have a comfort zone with ASUS. I do thank you for your suggestion, though.
 
Hasici said:
My biggest beef with laptops is that on the tin it may look powerful i5, i7 etc... but as soon as you going to actually use the resources the little board needs to be cooled badly, which laptop board can't do well without sounding like a jet.
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Definitely.

My hand tremors (see earlier post) have settled down some. If I go this route, I'm toying with the idea of trying first to make the changes myself. Obviously that's better and cheaper, I just don't know any more if I can pull it off.
 
DaddyO said:
I need more SATA connections (6, due to multiple SSD's) than most cheaper MOBO's, and I have a comfort zone with ASUS. I do thank you for your suggestion, though.
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I haven't come across a motherboard yet that has less than 6 SATA ports.
 
USB hub wise I have been using the Anker 10 Port (7 USB3 ports, plus 3 PowerIQ charging ports) for quite a while. It's an externally powerd hub. I use it with a Focusrite Scarlett 616 2nd gen soundcard, iLok, eLicenser, plus three external drives. I also use the PowerIQ ports to charge my iPhone and iPad, plus a powerbank.
I haven't experienced any problem with it.
 
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For what it's worth - my Razerblade 15 with an 8750h and 1 m.2 Sata SSD is running the same sessions about 15% better than my 3930k desktop with 10 sata 3 ssds. Good temps, no thermal throttling, build quality and design 9/10. Comes with thunderbolt 3, you want this for a good SSD hub, but to be honest if you upgrade a 2tb PCIe ssd, you should be fine unless you have massive sessions.

Bought off Amazon so I could add 3 year warranty. Newegg also offers this.
 
rudi said:
USB hub wise I have been using the Anker 10 Port (7 USB3 ports, plus 3 PowerIQ charging ports) for quite a while. It's an externally powerd hub. I use it with a Focusrite Scarlett 616 2nd gen soundcard, iLok, eLicenser, plus three external drives. I also use the PowerIQ ports to charge my iPhone and iPad, plus a powerbank.
I haven't experienced any problem with it.

You can check some of the reviews on Amazon:
https://xxx (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker%C2%AE-PowerIQ-Charging-Samsung-Motorola/dp/B00VE4UJD4/ref=sr_1_14?keywords=usb+hub&qid=1558881853&s=electronics&sr=1-14)
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Your link goes goes to a porn site.
 
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