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Oioi guys, I'm thinking of getting a new laptop for production/DJn and wondered if anybody could throw me a bit of advice. I know what I'm looking for in terms of most of the hardware spec, but I'm a bit out of the loop with these new generation of processors. Basically my question is, is there any point in getting an i7 over an i5 if I intend to run FL studios with a shit ton of vsts, but I won't be doing any recording/video editing etc. Will a nice i5 do the job? Previously I was running an ancient Intel Core 2 Duo T7100 and it still did the job until I was right near the end of a track and had vst's and effects all over the shop.

(Additionally, any one have an experience with windows 8 and DAW's, drivers, etc? Seems it might be safer to stick with 7?)

Cheers in advance

Find out if your Daw and VSTs support Hyperthreading/up to 8 core multithreading. If so get the i7 as they will run better, if not get the i5

I'm doing just fine with i3.

Overclocked i5 2500k

cheers for the responses so far.

Stick with Windows 7 for production.

Electric_Head wrote:Stick with Windows 7 for production.

agree.

i use the latest version of microxp which is windows xp tweaked to f**k. really works well for loading way more plugins & more stable in my case. also i own windows xp legitimately so don't give lectures incase anyone doesnt see microxp as being legit, it's always been the best OS for me so therefore i use it.

I've used windows xp performance edition which is essentially what you have mentioned.
It was quick, no doubt.
I still prefer Win7 with my current pc.
It just works better with current gen processors imo.

win8 i7. cruising. no issues

cheers for the responses guys, anyone else rocking an i5 and running FL studio and cares to comment on it?

Just had a look at the resource monitor while running some project files on FL 11 and I can confirm it makes use on all 8 "cores" of my i7 (4 real and 4 virtual) so if you have the money the i7 beats the i5 in your case

laptops with i5/i7 processors are usually dual-core and lower clocked than the desktop versions

IMO spend as much as you can possibly afford on your CPU, but don't forget an SSD!

Soulstep wrote:laptops with i5/i7 processors are usually dual-core and lower clocked than the desktop versions

Actually, this is only true for ultrabooks and anything with a U after the processor name.
You can always check the intel ark website to see exactly what features your chip has.

In desktops (and non "u" chip laptops) the i7 hyperthreading will give you about a 40 to 50 percent increase in audio processing power from a quad core i5 at th same speed.

Check this link to find out out chips compare to each other in audio aplications.
http://www.scanproaudio.info/?p=2290

cheers boss, was looking for something like this

You'll probably be happy with either, I have an i7 ivy bridge in both my desktop and laptop, windows 7 and 8 on them respectively. Ableton and traktor runs smooth as butter on both for anything. Just go with what your budget allows, obviously the i7 will be a bit stronger.

Brothulhu wrote:Find out if your Daw and VSTs support Hyperthreading/up to 8 core multithreading. If so get the i7 as they will run better, if not get the i5

I don't agree with this. This would mean buying a computer for today's standards - when an I7 will support it, and support better, more modern plugins + future ones.

Go an I7, more power, and provides more CPU power for longer (laptops rarely allow you to upgrade the CPU).

subfect wrote:

Brothulhu wrote:Find out if your Daw and VSTs support Hyperthreading/up to 8 core multithreading. If so get the i7 as they will run better, if not get the i5

I don't agree with this. This would mean buying a computer for today's standards - when an I7 will support it, and support better, more modern plugins + future ones.

Go an I7, more power, and provides more CPU power for longer (laptops rarely allow you to upgrade the CPU).

If he is on a budget how is it going to help him if his DAW doesn't support it? Also future proofing doesn't exist so don't bother. An i7 has no more power than an i5 if your DAW can't use the virtual cores and the thign about it lasting longer is complete bull shit

Using i5 laptop with windows 7 and FL Studio, and recently been hitting 99% cpu reformatted windows, and still get the same.