PC for DSD1024 48 that will handle all filters? Fanless preferred

Audio Gear Talk HQ Player
82

I’d say stay with 14900K or 14900KF, best is 14900KS if available, others wont do for max performance.

However in quick click through in all setups there, I see RAM is a bottleneck. While @Leonid_Bachevich mentions the high speed memory issues, I think in this thread we discussed that ultimately “true latency” is representative parameter not only the memory chip speed alone. So if memory can be selected i would tweak…

Sinc-L if that is a goal is doable @1024 with HQPlayer Embedded Version on Ubuntu, it just works. I cant say about Win11 plus HQP desktop…

83

I’m running embedded on Dietpi. I have tried DDR5-6400 with CL26 still hiccups with sinc-L and latest modulator.

84

Ok, it seems like maybe the best bet is for me to go to my local computer shop and have something custom built. This is what I’m thinking:

Processor: Intel Core 14900KS

Memory: I’m looking at the G Skill Trident series (24GBx2). I don’t know what the latency numbers mean, though. For the F5-9600 it’s 46-58-58-153 and for the F5-8800 it’s 42-55-55-140. Is lower or higher better? Or is it better to go with a different series at 64GB?

Graphics: RTX 5090
Which 5090 is recommended? There are a huge range of prices between brands of the GPUs

I’ll have the shop build everything around it based on power and cooling requirements

85

You are still limited to the Z790 chipset and 14900k mcu. I tested ADATA 9200 and couldn’t get it to work stable at any frequency above 8400.

86

The cheapest one, for HQPlayer they will deliver the same, almost.

87

I would like to know memory speed and timings

88

Are there any Z790 motherboards that can use memory modules over 6400? I can’t seem to figure that out.

89

Just forget sinc-L on a CPU, or in general. sinc-long is more flexible and more CPU friendly. Less so on GPU though. Either way, the power-quality ratio is very poor.

90

@George_Dierna

Yes, if you can afford and your case is 2ch listening, CPU 14900KS would be the best, 14900K is not far off and is also very good.

Here’s is the hardware for my HQPlayer server. @Leonid_Bachevich , you asked about my RAM, here are the details:

  1. Motherboard: MSI PRO Z790-A MAX Wifi (Z790,S1700,ATX,DDR5, LGA 1700, Intel Z790, ATX)
  2. CPU: Intel Core i9-14900KS (LGA 1700, 3.20 GHz, 24 -Core)
  3. RAM: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 (2 x 48GB, 6800 MHz, DDR5 RAM, DIMM) Exact model: F5-6800J3446F48GX2-RS5K => “Speed” 6800 , CAS latency (CL): 34 => True Latency 10 ns
    Note, I used to have the following RAM (Sinc-L was working just fine, but with swap file): G.Skill Trident Z5 RGB (2 x 16GB, 6800 MHz, DDR5 RAM, DIMM) : CL 34, model : F5-6800J3445G16GX2-TZ5RS → this was a great RAM, but obviously limited at 32GB
  4. GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Ventus 3X OC - write or wrong I try to have MB+GPU from the same manufacturer in hope to minimize compatibility glitches. For HQPlayer use case as @Leonid_Bachevich advised, take the cheapest one in the family. I don’t think 4090 are sourced anymore, and prices can be ridiculous, if you afford 5090 - it is THE BEST CHOICE, in my opinion !
  5. CPU Cooling: Arctic Liquid Freezer II - 360
  6. SSD: Samsung 980
  7. PSU: Corsair HX1500i
  8. Case: Fractal Define 7 Black Solid (ATX, mATX, Mini-ITX, E-ATX), for the case cooling I have changed stock fans to Fractal Aspect 14 PWM, but this may not be needed really.

Few important caveats on this box:

  • This is not overclocked CPU PC, I only use available XMP profile for memory.
  • I run headless Ubuntu Server 24.04.xx with latest packages and latest nVidia driver and a stock Ubuntu kernel, no funny stuff…
  • I use NAA architecture, i.e. this box is only a processing brain, this may be important in the cases where every single %% of CPU headroom is important, NAA is connected to the DAC in listening area
  • Note: this box is loud - i.e. you would not put it in the listening area. In my use case it is happy in utility room. The goal of the set-up was ultimate $$ vs SQ performance, it is designed to be away from listening area.

@George_Dierna
on your question re motherboard. There are few z7900 MB’s that can push the limits of possibilities in memory speeds, if you wish so, but some are really for enthusiasts and overclockers. I stick to MSI PRO motherboards, as my use case is SERVER, and I opt for ultimate stability. In MSI line-up there are z790 MB’s who can take 7000+ speeds if you with, some may be at very questionable price. ASUS is another big one, @Leonid_Bachevich mentions ASUS Apex Encore - this is probably the most potent and powerful motherboard over there, it may require some skills to tweak.

Once again, if it helps, I may check some combos for you i.e. source vs filters modulators to say if this works on my box… no probs..

And last comment here - Win11 performance on the same hardware may be quite different from headless linux server setup, really quite different. Some members however demonstrate phenomenal results with Win11 and overclocking, but this is completely different story… meaning it would require an extra time and skills to get a stable runs.

PS: One more thing, just in case, if you ever think of 2 GPU set up, MSI PRO is not the best MB for this, it will unfortunately cap 2nd PCI port, due to it’s design limitations, I did not check the ASUS family for that matter, there’s a parallel discussion happening here in “embedded” thread, for 2Ch scenarios, if you can afford top of the line nVidia GPU’s no need to have two ones, for multichannel may be absolutely different story…

91

Thank you @IgorSki

I’m thinking this all could work using the RTX 5090. I will only be using it for 2 channel and remotely locating it is no issue.

I’m using a Holo Red as a NAA, but I know nothing about programming/Linux/Ubuntu. The machine would just be to run HQPlayer, though. HQPlayer desktop is easier to use for me. Is there a big learning curve to doing it the other way if I’m starting with zero knowledge?

I found a custom builder online and this is the configuration I came up with:

Chipset:Intel Z790.
Processor.:Intel® Core™ i9-14900KS 3.2 - 6.2GHz 24 Cores
Graphics card type:NVIDIA® GeForce®
Graphics card.:NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5090 32GB
GPU mount.:Horizontal Mount
Motherboard.:MSI PRO Z790-P WIFI
Power supply.:1000W GOLD
DDR5 DIMM memory.:48GB DDR5 7200MHz G.SKILL Trident Z5 RGB Silver (2X 24GB)
Operating system drive.:1TB SAMSUNG 9100 PRO NVME SSD GEN 5
Storage drive: No
Expansion & Networking.:ASUS XG-C100C 10G Network Adapter
Cooling type:Closed loop water.
Closed loop AIO water cooling.:CPU AIO 240MM Water Cooler
Thermal compound.:Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut: CPU & GPU
Overclocking.:GPU Overclock to Max Stability, CPU Overclock to Max Stability
Operating system.:Windows 11 Professional
Operating system options.:USB Windows Recovery
Warranty.:LIFETIME Parts & Labor Limited Warranty

Do I need a storage drive if all my music is on my NAS?
Is Windows 11 Pro a better choice than Home?
Any advantages to having the motherboard vertical instead of horizontal? They game me the option.

92

Gigabyte has the Aorus Pro X Wi-Fi 7 that supports up to 8266 memory. Good luck finding the chips they say are compatible.

The lan chip is odd though. It’s a Realtek® 5GbE LAN chip…

Another thing to note, the 16x slot shares bandwidth with the cpu slot near the cpu so if a drive is put there the PCIE only runs 8x.

93

If only use case is HQPlayer Embedded Server, I would not say the learning curve is steep. It would fill a bit awkward probably to operate with out graphic interface. But the server set up is really an easy task and you will get community help for sure. Then you don’t really need to touch the box anymore. You will connect to it remotely from PC or a tablet or even the phone.

For this build, do you have more granularity on memory? The manufacturer code or at least CL, this is to check real memory speed. And ideally memory should be in QVL (compatibility) list. Important to check that it is an Intel XMP and not AMD type of chip.

MSI PRO comes with 2,5G Ethernet, enough for the job.

This is probably most “sensitive” point here - what if they made mistake, what if it’s not stable? If this is not your next door shop, it can be problematic. Equally we don’t know what is overclocking for max stability… may be only XMP profile, who knows. I would be picky about this. But I equally very well understand “turn key” package is attractive, and it is comfortable indeed.

Personally I store music outside HQP Server (in my current set up my library is on ROCK, you can say same concept as NAS)

If I am not mistaken 11 Pro would come with remote desktop, may be only useful feature for this use case. But I’m sure there are remote desktop solutions that can be installed on Home.

this is most likely related to the PC case here, MSI Pro has a solid PCI for GPU, no need to experiment with vertical set up.

Interesting to know what type of a cooler. Brand makes a difference on 14900KS, especially on overclocked one.

94

I looked up the memory and it showed the true latency to be 10ms.

I think my best bet would be to take the specs I’m looking for to my local shop. They’ve been in business for a long time and at least I know everything will work together.

I’ll seriously consider running it as a linux/Ubuntu machine. It’s just going to be sitting on the network. If there’s a way I can access HQPlayer running on it via an ipad/iphone to change filters that would be great.

95

HQPlayer Client is available for iPad. But there are alternatives made by other people as well.

96

Great, thanks.

One more question. Is there any reason to upgrade my network switches from 1GB to 2.5GB?

97

Not for most normal audio uses. Unless you are doing heavy multichannel or multi-room use cases.

98

yes, probably it’s the best choice, to have a “next corner” warranty is always better.

For the hardware set up, you may consider installing two SSD (NVMe’s), Samsung 990 Pro are probably the best ones. I have exactly this set–up for my home office PC: Win11 Pro + Ubuntu on two separate SSD’s. And if you only need an OS + HQPlayer, don’t go more than 1TB (I think it is difficult to get less then 1TB, if you see these Samsung’s at 512GB - will do perfectly and you save some bucks…)

Very Important: HQPlayer Desktop and HQPlayer Embedded are two different licenses - they are not transferable. So if you currently are using HQPlayer Desktop for Embedded you will need to purchase the new license.

In other words… if you have Desktop License, you are comfortable with Win11, and you want to move quick with your “power server” project - your “next corner” shop is the best bet for steady and ready made PC that will keep you running right away! (Linux can come later, no problem, and Ubuntu is free for personal use!)

Jussi already commented, for 2Ch listening start with what you have, and see if you need to adjust. Normally is enough.

Yes, this is the whole idea ! On ipad HQPlayer Client and default Web page works like a charm. iPad/iPhone there are control tools that work on both. I use iPad to manage “my kitchen”, it has all Roon, Spotify, HQPlayer, all i need. Same as iPhone (with exception to “Client” - iphone is too small screen for that).

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@George_Dierna

PS: If you are comfortable putting your server in the closet or maintenance room, another way to save some $$ on the build is to avoid all this RGB stuff, since you will not need it. And for PC case you would not need a transparent side plate either. For example - AIO cooler with out RGB and OLED screen + memory sticks with out RGB + fans with out RGB + GPU with out RGB + aestetically modest but efficient PC Tower case - may boil together to some nice saving. But this is not mandatory… just a food for thought. In the same way if you want your PC on your desk, and you want it white and shiny, it may be fun to source the parts but will be expensive !

100

Thank you, this is very useful!

101

The latest OSX update broke the 48k mode. Before that, this setting worked fine: Poly-Sinc Gauss Long - AHM7EC8B -DSD1024 / Mac Mini M4 base model. Now 48k music hangs after a few seconds. :confused: I also have the latest HQPlayer installed.