Better Performance, Fewer Headaches: Why We Build with AMD for Music Production
In the world of PC processors, two names dominate the landscape: Intel and AMD. Both are industry leaders, producing powerful, intricate processors capable of extraordinary performance. But when it comes to building reliable, high-performance systems for music production, we’ve made a deliberate choice: every Sigil Pro Audio PC is powered by AMD Ryzen.
How Intel Lost Its Edge for Audio
For many years, Intel was considered the go-to choice for processors—especially in audio production, where CPU performance is critical. AMD, while admired by enthusiasts, was often seen as the underdog.
That all changed in 2017 with the launch of AMD’s Ryzen processors. With each generation, AMD began closing the performance gap and eventually took the lead with innovative architecture, cooler operation, and better performance per watt. By the time we launched Sigil Pro Audio in 2021, it was clear: AMD’s Ryzen 5000 series offered superior performance and stability for audio work. That’s why we chose AMD then—and continue to do so now.
Intel, meanwhile, ran into delays transitioning to more advanced manufacturing processes. While AMD was building on 7nm transistors, Intel was stuck at 14nm for far longer than anticipated. In trying to stay competitive, Intel introduced hybrid core designs that—while impressive on paper—have proven problematic in real-world audio production.
The Problem with Hybrid Cores
To improve power efficiency and thermals, Intel introduced hybrid architecture with its 12th Gen “Alder Lake” chips. These CPUs mix high-performance “P-cores” with low-power “E-cores.” This approach works well for general computing, but not so much for audio.
Real-time audio processing, such as live playback in a DAW, depends heavily on consistent single-core performance. Tasks are often processed sequentially on the same core, and even a slight misallocation can cause audible dropouts. While Intel’s Thread Director attempts to send critical tasks to the right cores, the complexity of modern operating systems, DAWs, plugins, and drivers means this doesn’t always happen. Misrouted threads can lead to frustrating and unpredictable audio issues.
Why AMD is a Better Fit for Creators
AMD takes a more streamlined approach. All cores are equally capable—there’s no distinction between performance and efficiency. This uniformity means DAWs and plugins aren’t left guessing which core is safe to use. Every process benefits from the same performance headroom.
As a result, AMD systems tend to offer more reliable and consistent performance in music production workflows. We’ve seen far fewer customer reports of audio glitches, system instability, or compatibility issues on our AMD builds. That’s especially important when we offer a three-year warranty—reliability matters.
Are There Any Trade-Offs?
There are always pros and cons. Intel still holds a slight edge in RAM speeds and can sometimes top single-core benchmark charts. They also have tighter control over Thunderbolt™ certification. However, our AMD-based systems use motherboards with Thunderbolt-compatible USB4 ports or certified PCIe expansion cards, making Thunderbolt integration a non-issue for most users.
And what about Pro Tools? It runs great on AMD. We’ve covered this in a dedicated FAQ, but the short answer is: there’s no reason to worry.
Looking Ahead
Technology evolves quickly. If Intel refines its hybrid architecture or DAW developers introduce better thread management for real-time audio, we’ll revisit our approach. We’re always testing and open to new solutions.
But today, and for the foreseeable future, AMD continues to offer the best mix of performance, compatibility, and reliability for music production. That’s why every Sigil Pro Audio system is built with AMD at its core.
