$1000-$1500 - Help me build a new DAW

Edit : looks like font/formatting doesn't help. Try copying to notepad..

I'm using courier font. Hopefully the formatting stays. 


I'm no expert, having built some business PCs in the past, including my current DAW. 

These are mostly components I use, built early this year. You may update to your need. Most prices taken from neweggs, I'm not from U.S. Please verify prices, it may have some error.


intel i7-2600k          300.00 
intel board DP67BG      185.00 (with TI firewire/network)
kingston HyperX 4GBx2    40.00 (with room to grow for another 4GBx2) 
 *EDIT : PC 1600 memory, recommended over 1333
DVD writer               20.00
PSU many types, avr      80.00
Additional fans 3x6/=    18.00 (add more if required)
Samsung spinpoint 1TB   150.00 (add a 2nd drive if budget allows)
 *not green type
Video adapter, fan-less  60.00 approx
 * not for games,  make sure it's slot is compatible with your mb
 * geforce 210/radeon 5450 good match for intel board DP67BG
keyboard/mouse           30.00 approx 
 * logitech wireless, if you like
Computer casing         100.00 approx, without psu
27" LCD monitor         300.00 
 *may want to consider 2nd monitor, make sure video adapter
 supports. 210 and 5450 do supports 2x monitors.



A fast hard disk makes a big different, Samsung Spinpoint is recommended (search the forum) ..comes with F2, F3 models.. F4? check the latest, but do not use green / eco types. I've made a mistake with an eco drive, that sleeps when not used, causing dropouts. Problem solved after I've got the spinpoint.

I've set a specific target previously for the DAW.. it's tempting to get the next 'up' item, but that soon throws off my budget.

> Rosewill PCIE FireWire 1394a

This one don't seems having Texas inst. chipset, better find one that does.


The SDD at 128GB may not be enough as a main drive to hold the OS and your programs.

FW card with TI.. (I've never used these cards before, just the google results)
PCI interface (the ASRock X79 EXTREME4-M, seems has one)


http://www.inta-audio.com/music-pc-systems-c192/pc-accessories-c197/inta-audio-3-port-firewire-card-texas-instruments-chipset-1394a-ti-chipset-p2036



For PIC-e interface

http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Profile-PCI-Express-Chipset-SD-PEX30009/dp/B002S53IG8

The ASRock has built-in graphic adapter ?

So can I use this RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Pro...x?Item=N82E16820231497

With this MOBO?  http://www.newegg.com/Pro...x?Item=N82E16813131790

The RAM says it's Quad Channel but the MOBO says it allows Dual Channel.  I'm not entirely familiar with this specific configuratoin.

After checking out some info.. I need to make a correction.

> If you are opting for LGA 1155, why don't you go with LGA 2011 instead, since it's more recent. 


Actually, I was thinking of the LGA 1155 chipset, H67 / P67 (older) vs Z68 (newer). All supports i7 2600(k) and 2700k.


LGA 2011 is not the same as 1155, it's more to replace LGA 1366 :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_2011


Although it's the current top, it is also too expensive, it's not what I meant. I'm still thinking of i7 2600(k)/2700k.

I don't have the specs handy for my custom build...... however, the build was based on the Intel i5 750 chip, 4 gb of memory, 2 internal HDD, and XPpro OS, 750w power, dual output video, new case, ......

I reused an old flat screen monitor, the mouse and keyboard from another old computer to save a few bucks. The build cost me about $800 in parts. I run 32 bit apps and am quite content with the performance specs. 

I have not been able to choke this sucker.  I also do not do projects with dozens of synth tracks either. 

The choice for me was the board you're considering, or the P8P67Pro: I bought the latter because it was $60 less at the time. The main advantage of the Z68 over the P67 is it allows using a solid state drive as a cache, which might increase bandwidth; it's good board that pro builders are using.