Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade

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noldar12
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2008/02/01 20:37:18 (permalink)

Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade

I have recently upgraded to EWQLSO Platinum and am thinking about different ways to upgrade my computer setup.

1) I do have a Dell Athlon 2x3600 that I could turn into a slave and split Platinum between my main DAW (purchased from ADK) and the Dell (both 32 bit). This has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and avoids dealing with 64 bit headaches (the drawback is that it is not really optimal for 64 bit EWQLSO Play once that is released).

2) I could do nothing for now, wait for EWQLSO Platinum Play to be released, and turn my existing DAW into a 64 bit machine with 8 gigs ram, upgrade the processor, replace the soundcard, and also possibly upgrade from Sonar 6PE to Sonar 7PE. Is it bette to risk taxing the one machine, or to spread things out more evenly over two?

3) I could eventually purchase a second DAW from a DAW maker (64 bit) for use with samples (least likely option). Due to cost limitations, this would have to be a lower end machine to start with. Any 64 bit machine also raises the "which soundcard?" issue.

Any thoughts, suggestions or recommendations regarding which route would be best?

Thanks.

Jim
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    finrod
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    RE: Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade 2008/02/01 21:34:11 (permalink)
    You might want to see if your motherboard supports the new Phenom quad core processors first....

    Some of my tunes... http://home.mysoul.com.au/bengibbs/
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    noldar12
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    RE: Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade 2008/02/01 21:47:11 (permalink)
    finrod, the motherboard for the main DAW is an Asus P5W DH Deluxe, socket 775, which I believe will support the Core 2 Quad Q6600. The system is a little over a year old.
    post edited by noldar12 - 2008/02/02 04:10:36

    Jim
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    finrod
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    RE: Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade 2008/02/02 01:39:19 (permalink)
    Hmmmm.... when you said an Athlon 2x 3600 I assumed you meant that your system has an AMD Athlon X2 processor. Usually these are socket AM2. However, if its a socket 775 motherboard, then you have an intel processor. If it is not much more than a year old I would probably upgrade to the Q6600 if the motherboard supports it. I think your current processor is likely to be 64 bit anyhow, although it might not say explicitly. But to run in full 64-bit mode you need a 64bit OS such as Vista. Windows XP is 32 bit.

    Some of my tunes... http://home.mysoul.com.au/bengibbs/
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    noldar12
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    RE: Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade 2008/02/02 04:02:26 (permalink)
    finrod, sorry for not being clearer. I am talking about two different computers here. The main DAW is an Intel core2 duo chip that could be upgraded to a Q6600 (though not the most recent quads.

    The Dell computer that I am thinking about upgrading and using as a slave is an AMD Athlon X2 3600 that I am currently using for generic stuff. The Dell is old enough that quad core would not be possible. One of the issues I am weighing heavily is whether at this point going to a 64 bit o/s on the main DAW would be worth the headaches as an alternative to upgrading and using the Dell computer as a slave. If I go the slave route, I would be staying with a 32 bit o/s on both machines at this point.

    Hope this clarifies things.

    Jim
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    Lanceindastudio
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    RE: Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade 2008/02/02 04:13:36 (permalink)
    finrod, they have 64 bit xp windows too man.

    I would recommend 64 bit xp over vista at this point.

    Yes if your board will take Q6600, its the one to get, but get one with G0 stepping(lower wattage required so cooler running... ala better )

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    noldar12
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    RE: Advice Needed for DAW Computer Upgrade 2008/02/02 15:09:08 (permalink)
    Thanks for the responses. The question I am still wrestling with is which of the two options is the better choice. Is it better to upgarde the Dell and stay 32 bit, using the Dell as a slave, or to stay with a one computer setup and upgreade the main DAW to 64 bit?

    Jim
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