DAWs, sample libraries, and plugins used in Music Production nowadays require a lot of processing power. With a slow CPU, you’ll suffer from glitches, bad latency, and poor performance. While building a PC for music production, choosing a high-performance CPU is the most essential thing to consider. In this post, you’ll find the best CPU for music production in 2022 in terms of performance and value for money.
Best CPU for Music Production in 2022:
Best Performance CPU:
Intel Core i9-12900K
At the time of this writing, Intel Core i9-12900K (Amazon) is the best CPU for music production you can find in 2022. It is capable of reaching speeds of up to 5.2 GHz. Bear in mind that those peak speeds consume a lot of extra power.
The 12900K is a 16-core CPU that features 8 Performance Cores and 8 Efficient Cores. Although it’s a 16-core CPU, it only offers 24 Threads, not 32.
One thing to keep in mind with this CPU is the additional cost you’ll be spending on the Z690 platform. With Z690, You’ll enjoy the benefits of PCIe 5.0, DDR5 RAM, Thunderbolt 4 Ports, and more M.2 Slots. But DDR5 doesn’t provide that much improvement over DDR4 and it costs a lot more.
You may choose a Z690 motherboard with DDR4. Unfortunately, none of the Z690 “DDR4” motherboards come with built-in Thunderbolt 4 ports. For that, you’ll need to buy a Thunderbolt 4 AIC. In that case, make sure your motherboard comes with a Thunderbolt Header.
For blazing fast performance and lowest latencies, the Intel i9-Core 12900K is the best CPU for music production in 2022. It also comes with an integrated GPU that will save you a lot of money for now. When the GPU prices will come down, you can purchase a dedicated GPU.
Best Value for Money CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 5950X
Before, Intel Core i9-12900K, AMD Ryzen 9 5950X had the crown for the best CPU for music production. It is also a 16-core CPU and offers a higher thread count (32) than 12900K (24). The 5950X might not achieve the same peak frequencies as the 12900K, it offers almost similar performance in music production. Under sustained multitasking workloads, the 5950X performs even better, and that too on lower TDP. What makes the deal even sweeter is the discounted price you’ll get for Ryzen 9 5950X which makes it the best value for money CPU for music production in 2022.
Unfortunately, Ryzen 9 5950X doesn’t come with an integrated GPU. So if you’re building a new PC, you’ll have to shell out extra cash for a dedicated GPU. If you already own a GPU and don’t want to pay the premium for DDR5, look no further than 5950X.
If you’re looking for the best SSD for Music Production in 2022, check out this article:
