When it comes to music production, having a powerful, quiet and reliable computer is essential. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, having a machine that can handle the demands of music production software is crucial.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the best PC builds for music production in 2024, considering factors such as CPU performance, storage capacity, and overall value to help you find the perfect build for your needs.
You will also have the advantage of upgrading at a later stage, once your music production requirements increase (more storage for projects, more RAM to open plug-ins simultaneously, etc).
First, let’s define what we mean by a music production PC build. A PC build refers to the process of selecting and assembling the individual components that make up a computer. If you don’t feel comfortable assembling a computer yourself, it might be better to opt for a pre-built solution.
If you choose to build your music production PC, you will need to learn how to assemble the motherboard, processor (CPU), graphics card (GPU), RAM, storage (hard drive or SSD), power supply and case.
Besides the computer “box” with all the components inside, you will also need an operating system (like Windows), your DAW software of choice and peripherals like a keyboard/mouse, monitor screen and a set of headphones and/or speakers.
By building your PC, you have the flexibility to choose the specific components that best suit your needs and budget. If you need something portable, you might opt for a laptop instead.
Now, let’s dive into some options for the best PC builds for music production.
Budget Music Production PC Build
This PC build is for those on a tight budget, however it still has the performance you need for entry-level audio projects. The key is to prioritize the components that are most important for this task, such as the CPU and storage.
For the CPU, we recommend the Intel Core i5 Core 12400F. Although it was released back in 2022, it’s a quad-core processor that offers solid performance in any DAW, and it’s reasonably priced at just over $100.
For storage, a solid-state drive (SSD) is a must. An SSD is much faster than a traditional hard drive, which means faster load times for your music production software. We recommend a Samsung 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, which should be fast and sufficient in size for most projects.
For the rest of the components, you can save some money by opting for more budget-friendly options. For example, you can choose a motherboard with fewer features, or go with a cheaper case and power supply (although we don’t suggest skimping on this). For this build, we have gone with a ASRock B660M motherboard, Corsair 4000D case and Thermaltake 600W PSU
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-12400F 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor | $111.99 |
| Motherboard | ASRock B660M Pro RS | $89.99 |
| Memory | Corsair Vengeance LPX 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory | $37.99 |
| Storage | Samsung 970 Evo Plus 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive | $101.00 |
| Case | Corsair 4000D Airflow ATX Mid Tower Case | $104.99 |
| Power Supply | Thermaltake Toughpower GX2 600 W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply | $59.99 |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $505.95 | |
Mid-Range Music Production PC Build
If you have a bit more room in your budget, you can assemble a PC that offers even better performance for music production.
For the CPU, we recommend the 14th generation Intel Core i7-14700K. This 20-core processor offers much faster performance than the Intel i5 range, and it’s still reasonably priced just below $400. Since the processor doesn’t come with a cooler, we’ve added a be quiet! Dark Rock Elite Air CPU Cooler to the list.
For storage, we recommend a Samsung 2TB NVMe SSD that is currently on special. This Gen4 drive will give you plenty of space for your music production projects, and the faster load times will be a big help when you’re working on complex projects.
For the rest of the components, you can choose mid-range options that offer good value for money. For example, you can choose a motherboard with a few extra features, or go with a case and power supply that offer better airflow and cable management.
We have chosen a respectable MSI PRO Z790-A MAX WiFi which includes all the latest bells-and-whistles like DDR5 RAM support, on-board WiFi 7, HDMI and DisplayPort output, support for 4x M2 drives and more.
For this build, we’ve paired it with 32GB DDR5 RAM from Corsair. Although it comes at a premium, it will be more future-proof down the line.
High-End Music Production PC Build
For music producers prioritizing top-tier performance and equipped with a generous budget, assembling a powerful PC setup is paramount to achieving seamless workflow and exceptional results.
Our top recommendation is the Intel Core i9-14900K 24-Core Processor, clocked at 6 GHz. This powerhouse processor is currently priced at $548.00 on Amazon (down from $649.99), offering unparalleled speed and efficiency perfectly suited for demanding music production software.
For storage, we suggest the Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB NVMe SSD. With blazing-fast PCIe 4.0 speeds, it ensures ample space for projects and swift load times, crucial for handling complex music production tasks. Additional storage options can be easily expanded both internationally and externally with ease.
Opt for high-end components to complement your setup. Consider the ASRock Z790 Taichi Lite motherboard for its robust feature set, and the Fractal Design Meshify 2 XL case designed for superior airflow and efficient cable management. This build includes the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III CPU cooler for effective heat dissipation.
The RAM has been bumped up to 64 GB of G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB DDR5-6000 RAM for smooth multitasking. While DDR5 currently carries a premium, it’s more future proof. A reliable Corsair RM1000e 1000W 80+ Gold Certified power supply has been added for stable performance under heavy loads.
| Type | Item | Price |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i9-14900K 6 GHz 24-Core Processor | $548.00 |
| CPU Cooler | ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 56.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler | $116.99 |
| Motherboard | ASRock Z790 Taichi Lite EATX LGA1700 Motherboard | $341.99 |
| Memory | G.Skill Trident Z5 Neo RGB 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory | $209.99 |
| Storage | Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive | $179.00 |
| Video Card | Not needed | |
| Case | Fractal Design Meshify 2 XL Black ATX | $185.00 |
| Power Supply | Corsair RM1000e (2023) 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply | $159.99 |
| Prices include shipping, taxes, rebates, and discounts | ||
| Total | $1713.93 | |
