Please recommend the best CPU for upcoming HH3 user audio PC build

[mattmarantz]

I am a musician and one of the things I do is play the EWI which is a windsynth breath-sensitive MIDI controller. I used to mainly use analog synths as soundsources, but slowly I have gravitated more towards software to the point that I'm basically always in software mode now.

My computer is a 2010 Macbook Pro 2.6ghz dual core machine. It does ok at 128 samples i/o buffer with most simple .vst tasks, but I have to lower the performance level of some of the synths I use and I can't layer very many synths at once to create multi-patches without getting the infamous nasty crackles & pops as the CPU in this humble but faithful machine tries to keep up with what I'm asking it to do.

I use a lot of Native Instruments Reaktor 6, FM8, Kontakt, a lot of Dune 2 (a real CPU hog), Dexed, TAL U-NO-LX, and sometimes Omnisphere.

Reaktor 6 is especially tough on CPU (it is a single-core .vst), and Dune 2 also has to be watered down in terms of polyphony, unison voice counts, & modulation resolution in order to get it to work on my machine.

My DAW is Usine Hollyhock 3 which makes great usage of multicore processors. Reaktor 6, on the other hand, needs very fast single core speed. My computer, on the other hand, doesn't really have either.

I want to build a dedicated music supercomputer with a CPU that can really slay all my .vst problems, but I'm not certain of the best one to select.

Right now, my idea is to build around the new Intel 8700k that's coming out, delid, and overclock it as fast as possible. It will have 6 cores and 12 threads and if I can keep it cool enough, all 6 cores will clock in at over 4.0ghz according to the rumored specs.

I am also aware that there is Ryzen 1800X which has 8 cores and is darned fast, too.

What do you recommend?

This is an example of some of the kind of stuff I'm trying to do on the computer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbkDQguV-OE

That chords patch is watered down. The original version sounds much fatter than that, but I had to reduce the thickness of the tone via unison voice count reduction to get it to play with my laptop.

Looking for some better informed advice than my limited knowledge can reach!

Thanks.

[woodslanding]

well, my advice is 18 months old.... but I have a 5775c that I love for this purpose. I had to fit it in a small space on a mini-atx board with only 1 full pcie slot, but the built in graphics are great, so I didn't need a video card, and I plugged an m.2 drive into the pcie slot with an adaptor. This means the ssd bypasses the bridge and connects straight to the processor, for pulling samples at 3x SATAIII speeds. (I guess this architecture disappeared on later MOBOs, but I imagine newer processors/boards are nevertheless faster.) It has a large L2 cache, which is supposed to be good for audio. It's a low power processor, so not too hot.

Interesting that this processor has held its value, though!

I typically run 5 instances of kontakt, 5 instances of Reaktor5 (prism, polyplex, the finger, etc), an instance of SynthMaster, and instance of Massive, and 3 instances of Guitar Rig at 40-45% load. I'm running at 128 blocksize, but I also have a huge amount of HH gui running. If you are just hosting the plugs, you might be able to run at 64. I can actually, but the occasional crackle makes it not worthwhile.

I'd check on VI-control forum. That's where all the guys maxing out their processors for audio hang out. Good luck, and let us know what you build and how it works out. Check out the lowdown on Ryzen there--I guess low latency was bad in early iterations, but improving last I checked....

[mattmarantz]

well, my advice is 18 months old.... but I have a 5775c that I love for this purpose. I had to fit it in a small space on a mini-atx board with only 1 full pcie slot, but the built in graphics are great, so I didn't need a video card, and I plugged an m.2 drive into the pcie slot with an adaptor. This means the ssd bypasses the bridge and connects straight to the processor, for pulling samples at 3x SATAIII speeds. (I guess this architecture disappeared on later MOBOs, but I imagine newer processors/boards are nevertheless faster.) It has a large L2 cache, which is supposed to be good for audio. It's a low power processor, so not too hot.

Interesting that this processor has held its value, though!

I typically run 5 instances of kontakt, 5 instances of Reaktor5 (prism, polyplex, the finger, etc), an instance of SynthMaster, and instance of Massive, and 3 instances of Guitar Rig at 40-45% load. I'm running at 128 blocksize, but I also have a huge amount of HH gui running. If you are just hosting the plugs, you might be able to run at 64. I can actually, but the occasional crackle makes it not worthwhile.

I'd check on VI-control forum. That's where all the guys maxing out their processors for audio hang out. Good luck, and let us know what you build and how it works out. Check out the lowdown on Ryzen there--I guess low latency was bad in early iterations, but improving last I checked....

Thanks very much for your input and shared info! This is exactly the kind of help I was looking for. I will look into all that!

Cheers,
Matt

[lytz1]

I will switch soon from Mac to a AMD Threadripper System build around a1950X Chip on an ASUS ROG Zenith Extreme MB with a Corsair Watercooling System. (16 core/32 thread @4ghz OC, 44PCIe lanes, Chip costs 1000USD)

It's the best you can get right now besides building a way overpriced Intel i9 system with the new Core i9-7980XE Chip. (18 core, 36 Threads @4,4Ghz OC, Chip costs 2000USD)

Also you want a high perf. GPU Card like the Geforce GTX 1080i.

I always had both PC and MAC systems but the Mac was always my Audio Workstation.
Times have changed however. New PCs just are just killing even the new MacPros in BOTH price and performance, so it's time for me to change now for sure.

Best,
tL.

(EDIT: I saw this thread at the original time, but the new chips from both AMD and Intel weren't out at that time so I waited for the Benchmarks and Geek reviews. Hope you didn't bite already into a new system because prices for eveything are likely to shift very soon now.)

[mattmarantz]

I will switch soon from Mac to a AMD Threadripper System build around a1950X Chip on an ASUS ROG Zenith Extreme MB with a Corsair Watercooling System. (16 core/32 thread @4ghz OC, 44PCIe lanes, Chip costs 1000USD)

It's the best you can get right now besides building a way overpriced Intel i9 system with the new Core i9-7980XE Chip. (18 core, 36 Threads @4,4Ghz OC, Chip costs 2000USD)

Also you want a high perf. GPU Card like the Geforce GTX 1080i.

I always had both PC and MAC systems but the Mac was always my Audio Workstation.
Times have changed however. New PCs just are just killing even the new MacPros in BOTH price and performance, so it's time for me to change now for sure.

Best,
tL.

(EDIT: I saw this thread at the original time, but the new chips from both AMD and Intel weren't out at that time so I waited for the Benchmarks and Geek reviews. Hope you didn't bite already into a new system because prices for eveything are likely to shift very soon now.)

Hi Litz1,

Thanks a lot for the info. I was looking at building around an Intel 8700k. The 8700k is quite a bit cheaper than the $1000 Threadripper 1950X but functions with 6 cores/12threads at 3.8ghz base clock but it's unlocked so I'm thinking it'll do more than 4ghz unless I get really unlucky in the silicon lottery.

Your chip appears to have almost 3 times are meany cores and threads though. I was not aware of this chip before.

It is not unlocked/overclockable is it?

For .vst performance you generally want spead over cores right? I think the 8700k in single core mode will do 5ghz. when all 6 cores are running I think it will still do more than 4ghz.

Do you think I should ditch my idea and go with the 1950x, though?

I was indeed going to go Samsung 960 Pro m.2 nvme for the SSD drive as you mentioned.

Thanks,
Matt

[sephult]

[sup][/sup]Hello, I use a 6 core 3.8 i7.
Make sure you have adequate cooling and a highly capable motherboard such as an EVGA.
For cooling you can go water, but I do prefer convection.
I had spec'd my heatsink and cpu fans for about 6 months before I decided.
I decided to use a promeglahelm (monster heatsink), with two silent 120mm Noctua fans.
I used a full coolermaster Haf for the huge fans. I learned from previous rack experience to avoid small chassis if not full watercooling and isolated. The general rule, the bigger the fan, the quieter it is.

So I run quite amazing with this setup at around 4.x GHz, DDR4 OC @3000, GTX980, and a GTX750ti.
I have been super happy and I can run a ridiculous amount of plugins without hesitation. 23fx23 runs a similar, but slightly higer CPU, with I think 8*16 cores/threads.

So remember too...you can find MB stock...that have lifetime buys. some are just serial lots that had alterations, or a defect. however most cases they are the same. I had an EVGA x58 for like 5 to 6 years that still ran competitively, the MB went out, EVGA had no stock so gave me the top of the line X99 Classified!

Regardless..doesn't matter how you go, just research, know your wants and needs in the computer...do not be frugal...be wise to keep budget..but...make sure to realize slightly over budget will probably end up the smartest way to go.

Hope this helps some as well.

-s

[lytz1]

Hi Litz1,

Thanks a lot for the info. I was looking at building around an Intel 8700k. The 8700k is quite a bit cheaper than the $1000 Threadripper 1950X but functions with 6 cores/12threads at 3.8ghz base clock but it's unlocked so I'm thinking it'll do more than 4ghz unless I get really unlucky in the silicon lottery.

Your chip appears to have almost 3 times are meany cores and threads though. I was not aware of this chip before.

It is not unlocked/overclockable is it?

For .vst performance you generally want spead over cores right? I think the 8700k in single core mode will do 5ghz. when all 6 cores are running I think it will still do more than 4ghz.

Do you think I should ditch my idea and go with the 1950x, though?

I was indeed going to go Samsung 960 Pro m.2 nvme for the SSD drive as you mentioned.

Thanks,
Matt

The new AMD Chips *are* overclockable. They just came out in mid-August.
Because you can OC is why I will go with a water (or liquid-) cooling based system and an OC dedicated MB.
I also think that with multithread enabled apps more cores = infinitely better. (Because usually one track/rack can be assigned to an individual core.) So it depends if you have a few tracks with heavy processing (=better with higher clock-speed and less cores) or a lot of tracks with average to maybe high processing (=better with good clockspeed and as much cores as possible)

Now I am still running a 12-core 2012 MacPro as my main audio-rig here so my performance jump will be quite significant.
But the 8700K is a very good chip and a system build around it is certainly powerful as well... I am done with Intel though....

Best,
tL.

[lytz1]

...doesn't matter how you go, just research, know your wants and needs in the computer...do not be frugal...be wise to keep budget..but...make sure to realize slightly over budget will probably end up the smartest way to go.

Hope this helps some as well.

-s

Indeed. Research and custom build is the superior way to eveything else for sure.

[mattmarantz]

[sup][/sup]Hello, I use a 6 core 3.8 i7.
Make sure you have adequate cooling and a highly capable motherboard such as an EVGA.
For cooling you can go water, but I do prefer convection.
I had spec'd my heatsink and cpu fans for about 6 months before I decided.
I decided to use a promeglahelm (monster heatsink), with two silent 120mm Noctua fans.
I used a full coolermaster Haf for the huge fans. I learned from previous rack experience to avoid small chassis if not full watercooling and isolated. The general rule, the bigger the fan, the quieter it is.

So I run quite amazing with this setup at around 4.x GHz, DDR4 OC @3000, GTX980, and a GTX750ti.
I have been super happy and I can run a ridiculous amount of plugins without hesitation. 23fx23 runs a similar, but slightly higer CPU, with I think 8*16 cores/threads.

So remember too...you can find MB stock...that have lifetime buys. some are just serial lots that had alterations, or a defect. however most cases they are the same. I had an EVGA x58 for like 5 to 6 years that still ran competitively, the MB went out, EVGA had no stock so gave me the top of the line X99 Classified!

Regardless..doesn't matter how you go, just research, know your wants and needs in the computer...do not be frugal...be wise to keep budget..but...make sure to realize slightly over budget will probably end up the smartest way to go.

Hope this helps some as well.

-s

Thank you for this information! Very helpful indeed. I was looking at the Asrock MB's and did not know EVGA made MB's. That's great about lifetime buys. I will look into them! It is good to know that you run a 6 core ~4ghz machine. That is what I will be looking at building with the 8700k which has 6 cores and can overclock to ~+4ghz.

Cheers.

[mattmarantz]

Hi Litz1,

Thanks a lot for the info. I was looking at building around an Intel 8700k. The 8700k is quite a bit cheaper than the $1000 Threadripper 1950X but functions with 6 cores/12threads at 3.8ghz base clock but it's unlocked so I'm thinking it'll do more than 4ghz unless I get really unlucky in the silicon lottery.

Your chip appears to have almost 3 times are meany cores and threads though. I was not aware of this chip before.

It is not unlocked/overclockable is it?

For .vst performance you generally want spead over cores right? I think the 8700k in single core mode will do 5ghz. when all 6 cores are running I think it will still do more than 4ghz.

Do you think I should ditch my idea and go with the 1950x, though?

I was indeed going to go Samsung 960 Pro m.2 nvme for the SSD drive as you mentioned.

Thanks,
Matt

The new AMD Chips *are* overclockable. They just came out in mid-August.
Because you can OC is why I will go with a water (or liquid-) cooling based system and an OC dedicated MB.
I also think that with multithread enabled apps more cores = infinitely better. (Because usually one track/rack can be assigned to an individual core.) So it depends if you have a few tracks with heavy processing (=better with higher clock-speed and less cores) or a lot of tracks with average to maybe high processing (=better with good clockspeed and as much cores as possible)

Now I am still running a 12-core 2012 MacPro as my main audio-rig here so my performance jump will be quite significant.
But the 8700K is a very good chip and a system build around it is certainly powerful as well... I am done with Intel though....

Best,
tL.

Ahhhh wow. Ok. Now I have to do more research! I thought I was done, ha. It looks like it'll be a tough call whether or not to go with the new AMD chips or the 8700k. It might come down to price for me. 8700k projected price is ~$380 USD. Might be tough for me to get the scratch together to buy the new AMD chip at ~$1,000 USD unless I like win the lottery or something haha. The main point of my custom build will definitely be music making, but I am also hoping to game on it as well. Not ashamed to admit this. So I will probably blow 800 on the 1080ti GPU. It will be tough for me to skimp on the GPU in favor of the AMD CPU. Gotta think it over pretty hard. Thanks for the info, again!

[sephult]

I haven't been much of an AMD fan for many years, although I know they are making some great strides.
When it comes to solid, long-lasting computers, if you will notice...I don't generally see major corporate entities relying on AMD processors.
It might just be some behind-the-scenes deal with Intel, but regardless in conjunction with my several computers over many years...I have worked with over 300+ computers, which were all Intel-Based. In every case I do not I think I had seen more than a few have problems, and typically it was just hard drives, power supplies, etc...

I had done something similar in the Intel arena about 18 years ago...I purchased a badass Dual Xeon motherboard. Unfortunately the processors were each $500 a piece. I do have to say that the computer lasted for quite some time....actually to tell you the truth...the motherboard (Tyan) was went out on me. I bought a new (not the same) motherboard and the computer is actually still here and can run (if I put it back together).

So if you are looking for longevity in a computer, I would say the following:
1. Fans - Purchase good fans, these will be the first whiners in your computer....the first thing that drives you nuts and picks up in your recordings, the first indication that things will slowly go wrong...haha

2. Power Supply - Buy a hefty, over-rated and efficient power supply. Obviously follow recommendation 1, and make sure there are high quality fans in it as well.

3. Motherboards - If you follow the top two recommendations, I promise you the motherboard will be the fail-point. In every case in the last 15 years...I have always seen and ran into motherboards as being a culprit. This possibly could be to non-hefty surge supression and voltage control. Spec this carefully as you will find small differences that when integrated you will wish you had...like when SATA 2 was out, you buy the cheaper motherboard that did not have SATA 3....then quickly you wish you had this. Do not skim on your motherboard....buy your technology here. Processors and Ram are fantastic....but hey....they are completely dependent on you Motherboard....don't let it bottleneck your performance, don't let it bottleneck your expansion and features, don't let it be a quick fail-point. Research, invest, and have faith in the company you want to work with. That's why I chose EVGA. I have been extremely happy, they have been awesome to me so far.

4. RAM - Well, it's true....the more the better...you have dual channel and tri-channel...just learn what you are getting. Know your expansion, know what your motherboard can handle and give yourself some room.

5. GPU - Hollyhock, yes buy a badass GPU. Can't say enough. You have an awesome CPU/RAM/MB - well pisses you off when you turn the physics engine on and the ball skips around...haha. So I do have to tell you if you can afford....4K is pretty awesome...things are little, but OMG there is soo much room. I use a 50" that is pretty close and it is definitely great to work with if you adjust. Insane amount of racks that you can display at once. I'll have to take a screenshot one day.

6. Audio Interface - Obviously invest totally in a great interface...you probably already have. Note I have been doing some research and have found issues with the Intel USB 2/3 controller...some manufacturers have written their code unknowingly right through an Intel known-bug (that Intel says they don't care about). I had this with an Allen and Heath QU-32...although I did find the workaround to turn off XHCI in the motherboard....helped a ton of people....but there again many were screwed...they did not purchase an OC and Advanced motherboard (or using pre-built, laptops, or ewwww MAC!). So they were out of luck because so far I have found no way to disable their XHCI. Motherboard Again! I am not saying anything bad about USB connected audio interfaces, actually Focusrite has been fantastic...I never expected their scarletts to be as great as they are. Over the years too I have been in contact and in several instances they have created Beta drivers/software just for me to test to release. Was awesome having a company do this. (Sensomusic is the best at this literally, but I had great experience with Focusrite). I am a huge RME fan, I miss my Hammerfall DSP PCI (no more PCI on MB, makes me sad). I haven't invested in a PCIe which I should. I always recommend RME. I do have to say besides the BS with the Intel stuff...once I got the Allen and Heath QU-32 running I am ecstatic so far. Awesome having 32 simultaneous channels I/O. Well just be saavy in your research...there are a lot of amazing interfaces nowadays...keep in mind though not every system is made equally...some will be finicky.


-Ok, do not know much else more to tell you......research....I've had 3 built studio computers in 18 years, two faults were motherboards, no other defects. I am still running with the 3rd. The other two...well I could resurrect them and they would probably still be closely competitive or faster in many things to today's pre-built computers and laptops.

Oh...one more thing...I am thinking about this outboard protection....I am thinking about getting a heavy APC power backup, surge, voltage control. Although not needed...I am really thinking all of my other computers motherboards would have probably still been alive today if I had a good one. Invest in your investment.

-s

[x.iso]

5. GPU - Hollyhock, yes buy a badass GPU. Can't say enough. You have an awesome CPU/RAM/MB - well pisses you off when you turn the physics engine on and the ball skips around...haha. So I do have to tell you if you can afford....4K is pretty awesome...things are little, but OMG there is soo much room. I use a 50" that is pretty close and it is definitely great to work with if you adjust. Insane amount of racks that you can display at once. I'll have to take a screenshot one day.

Could you please elaborate on that one? From what I've seen Hollyhock3 does not utilize GPU at all, at least not discrete one. Am I missing something or is there a special list of GPU's that are supported?

[sephult]

x.iso
I was more referring to HH/HH2 days...because yes there was a difference. Also back then we fought a lot of Nvidia driver problems, D2D/GDI switching, and all the while Senso was improving graphic performance.

I have one of my machines with Intel HD3500, and my other is GTX980 and GTX750ti.

I will see what I can do to help figure and test. I am not for sure the underlying graphics code/performance. Obviously D2D is most likely the way to go for hardware acceleration again.

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/librar ... 2d_and_gdi

Regardless- Resolution does allow many visible racks..


-s

[sephult]

I'm looking at DxWnd thinking might be some things to play around with here.
You can hook and modify the api settings, but I haven't really had time to sit and mess with much yet.
DxWnd

-s

[mattmarantz]

I haven't been much of an AMD fan for many years, although I know they are making some great strides.
When it comes to solid, long-lasting computers, if you will notice...I don't generally see major corporate entities relying on AMD processors.
It might just be some behind-the-scenes deal with Intel, but regardless in conjunction with my several computers over many years...I have worked with over 300+ computers, which were all Intel-Based. In every case I do not I think I had seen more than a few have problems, and typically it was just hard drives, power supplies, etc...

I had done something similar in the Intel arena about 18 years ago...I purchased a badass Dual Xeon motherboard. Unfortunately the processors were each $500 a piece. I do have to say that the computer lasted for quite some time....actually to tell you the truth...the motherboard (Tyan) was went out on me. I bought a new (not the same) motherboard and the computer is actually still here and can run (if I put it back together).

So if you are looking for longevity in a computer, I would say the following:
1. Fans - Purchase good fans, these will be the first whiners in your computer....the first thing that drives you nuts and picks up in your recordings, the first indication that things will slowly go wrong...haha

2. Power Supply - Buy a hefty, over-rated and efficient power supply. Obviously follow recommendation 1, and make sure there are high quality fans in it as well.

3. Motherboards - If you follow the top two recommendations, I promise you the motherboard will be the fail-point. In every case in the last 15 years...I have always seen and ran into motherboards as being a culprit. This possibly could be to non-hefty surge supression and voltage control. Spec this carefully as you will find small differences that when integrated you will wish you had...like when SATA 2 was out, you buy the cheaper motherboard that did not have SATA 3....then quickly you wish you had this. Do not skim on your motherboard....buy your technology here. Processors and Ram are fantastic....but hey....they are completely dependent on you Motherboard....don't let it bottleneck your performance, don't let it bottleneck your expansion and features, don't let it be a quick fail-point. Research, invest, and have faith in the company you want to work with. That's why I chose EVGA. I have been extremely happy, they have been awesome to me so far.

4. RAM - Well, it's true....the more the better...you have dual channel and tri-channel...just learn what you are getting. Know your expansion, know what your motherboard can handle and give yourself some room.

5. GPU - Hollyhock, yes buy a badass GPU. Can't say enough. You have an awesome CPU/RAM/MB - well pisses you off when you turn the physics engine on and the ball skips around...haha. So I do have to tell you if you can afford....4K is pretty awesome...things are little, but OMG there is soo much room. I use a 50" that is pretty close and it is definitely great to work with if you adjust. Insane amount of racks that you can display at once. I'll have to take a screenshot one day.

6. Audio Interface - Obviously invest totally in a great interface...you probably already have. Note I have been doing some research and have found issues with the Intel USB 2/3 controller...some manufacturers have written their code unknowingly right through an Intel known-bug (that Intel says they don't care about). I had this with an Allen and Heath QU-32...although I did find the workaround to turn off XHCI in the motherboard....helped a ton of people....but there again many were screwed...they did not purchase an OC and Advanced motherboard (or using pre-built, laptops, or ewwww MAC!). So they were out of luck because so far I have found no way to disable their XHCI. Motherboard Again! I am not saying anything bad about USB connected audio interfaces, actually Focusrite has been fantastic...I never expected their scarletts to be as great as they are. Over the years too I have been in contact and in several instances they have created Beta drivers/software just for me to test to release. Was awesome having a company do this. (Sensomusic is the best at this literally, but I had great experience with Focusrite). I am a huge RME fan, I miss my Hammerfall DSP PCI (no more PCI on MB, makes me sad). I haven't invested in a PCIe which I should. I always recommend RME. I do have to say besides the BS with the Intel stuff...once I got the Allen and Heath QU-32 running I am ecstatic so far. Awesome having 32 simultaneous channels I/O. Well just be saavy in your research...there are a lot of amazing interfaces nowadays...keep in mind though not every system is made equally...some will be finicky.


-Ok, do not know much else more to tell you......research....I've had 3 built studio computers in 18 years, two faults were motherboards, no other defects. I am still running with the 3rd. The other two...well I could resurrect them and they would probably still be closely competitive or faster in many things to today's pre-built computers and laptops.

Oh...one more thing...I am thinking about this outboard protection....I am thinking about getting a heavy APC power backup, surge, voltage control. Although not needed...I am really thinking all of my other computers motherboards would have probably still been alive today if I had a good one. Invest in your investment.

-s

Man, what a slew of great information. Thank you! I will use this as a reference. I was indeed looking at EVGA gear for this build, both the motherboard and the GPU. Intel 8700k will be the CPU, that I've decided upon.

My interface for live gigs is a Dangerous Music Source. It sounds amazing, and is simply a DAC with limited features. So it's pretty simple. It just sounds really good, which is why I use it. They have an Xmos driver which is supposed to be up to date and running smoothly with Windows 10.

For recording, I'll continue to use my Mac. It's not that I want to, necessarily, but my interface is a 1st gen Universal Audio Apollo Firewire. My Mac has Firewire but the modern PC itx motherboards don't have that feature.

I am planning a mini-itx build which will be pretty easily portable. It has to be portable since I mainly play live, it can't be a tower, so I need an itx motherboard. Unfortunately, that means I won't have access to Firewire. Mini itx mobos don't seem to have enough slots to add both a GPU and a firewire expansion card. So I'm stuck on the Mac if I want to record audio for the time being. Asrock Fatal1ty itx boards have TB3, and the Apollo I have is upgradeable to Thunderbolt, so maybe I will go that route someday. For now though, they have not announced a Fatal1ty Asrock mini itx motherboard that will be 8-th Gen Intel compataible, so I will probably go EVGA motherboard out of the gate.

[tekel]

Any luck with UAD interface?

I got an Apollo 8 thunderbolt, and Usine does *not* like it at all.