PC upgrade for Cubase Pro 12

[mick.n]

My present system (self build in 2011) is

Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz 3.70 GHz ("Sandy bridge" IIRC)

ATI Radeon HD 5400 Series Graphics

8 GB ram @ 1600MHz
Given the age of this system, would it be worthwhile increasing the ram & the graphics card?

This system has never missed a beat & easily handled every audio project (Cubase)
I am currently running Cubase 6.5, but now there is a sale i can upgrade to Cubase Pro 12 for just over £100.

Would it be worth upgrading this pc or maybe time to build a complete new system?

[The Elf]

I see no reason that kind of spec would struggle with Cubase 12. I'd go Windows 11 while you're at it, just to stretch its life out a bit further into the future.

Boy, are you going to notice a few changes in Cubase!!

[James Perrett]

I'd go Windows 11 while you're at it, just to stretch its life out a bit further into the future.

Is there some secret way to get something that old to run Windows 11?

[The Elf]

I'd go Windows 11 while you're at it, just to stretch its life out a bit further into the future.

Is there some secret way to get something that old to run Windows 11?

It can't be that old. It's an i7. Or am I missing something?

But yes, there is a way. It's a fairly open secret and there are oodles of guides and videos on how to do it.

[James Perrett]

I'd go Windows 11 while you're at it, just to stretch its life out a bit further into the future.

Is there some secret way to get something that old to run Windows 11?

It can't be that old. It's an i7. Or am I missing something?

But yes, there is a way. It's a fairly open secret and there are oodles of guides and videos on how to do it.

It is around 10-11 years old. I'm interested because it is the same generation processor that I use (which has always worked with anything audio/video related that I've tried on it).

[OneWorld]

I kept C6.5 on my system for a long time after going up step by step to the latest version and for some time continued to use C6.5, convincing myself it was quicker.

That was my perception, it was quicker, because I was more familiar with the layout etc. But after being seduced by the extra facilities/functions in the later versions I soon found the later versions just as quick, if not quicker.

The latest version of Cubase should run easily on your system, although I might feel inclined to say 16 gig of RAM would be more realistic. And use SSDs where you can

[S.Crow]

Given the age of this system, would it be worthwhile increasing the ram & the graphics card?

This system has never missed a beat & easily handled every audio project (Cubase)
I am currently running Cubase 6.5, but now there is a sale i can upgrade to Cubase Pro 12 for just over £100.

Would it be worth upgrading this pc or maybe time to build a complete new system?

I can't guess how much more demanding version 12 is over 6.5.
It will also of course depend on your specific workflow.

If you are keen to upgrade to 12 anyway even if it requires a new PC build, then go for it.
Then see how you get on and consider adding more RAM if performance lags noticeably.

8GB does seem tight but if it works for your workflow, then all is good.
Adding another 8GB is inexpensive.
See here for one example:
https://uk.webuy.com/search?categoryIds ... op-240-pin

DAWs and plugins have been getting more graphic intensive, so that could be an issue.
That should be easy to spot and an upgrade not too expensive.

[Matt Houghton]

It can't be that old. It's an i7. Or am I missing something?

i7s have been around for a very long time! Don't know about this one, but there are some i7 motherboards that aren't even compatible with mid/late versions of Windows 10 (I type from bitter experience!). I wouldn't try updating to W11 without checking that both Mobo and CPU are supported.

[OneWorld]

It can't be that old. It's an i7. Or am I missing something?

i7s have been around for a very long time! Don't know about this one, but there are some i7 motherboards that aren't even compatible with mid/late versions of Windows 10 (I type from bitter experience!). I wouldn't try updating to W11 without checking that both Mobo and CPU are supported.

Win11 won't let you update unless the hardware is up to it. Although there are workarounds, lots of them on the internet. How well they work though who knows, and whether updates would work or not I don't know

[jjlonbass]

The Core i7 name was first used for the higher end of the Nehalem range of 45nm processors released at the end of 2008.

John

[FrankRaz]

"It can't be that old. It's an i7. Or am I missing something?"

I don't know about the workarounds but I've got a few old PC's knocking about and Win 11 will not officially install on my 6th gen Skylake i7 or anything earlier.

[The Elf]

"It can't be that old. It's an i7. Or am I missing something?"

I don't know about the workarounds but I've got a few old PC's knocking about and Win 11 will not officially install on my 6th gen Skylake i7 or anything earlier.

As I said previously, there are 'unofficial' ways...

Installing Win 11 isn't a legal requirement. I just suggested it as a way to help extend the life of this PC.

[mick.n]

Thank you for the responses & apologies for my late reply.

I upgraded my Cubase 6.5.5 to 12 Pro. The activation procedure is a bit arcane but managed (somehow) to get it activated.

@Elf, i see what you mean about V12 compared to 6.5!!. I just stared at the project main window for 10 minutes wondering what i had got myself into.

Onwards & upwards.

Thanks again all.