Best plan of attack

Hi Steve,

The Core2Quad is still a decent CPU.
That said, the i7 3770k or 3820 at 4.5GHz are *significantly* more powerful/fast.
In particular, you'll be able to run substantial loads (glitch-free) at the smallest ASIO buffer size (48-samples in your particular case).  You'll be able to run multiple convolution reverbs without bringing the machine to its knees.

If you don't enjoy testing, I'd recommend sitting out Win8x64 for the next 6-12 months.
That's not to say it doesn't work...
But... you're inviting a lot of potential issues with such a new OS.
BIOS updates, core hardware driver updates, firmware and driver updates for audio specific hardware, and updates for the OS itself are all necessary for a rock-solid DAW platform.  Win7 isn't going away anytime soon... so I'd play it safe and use Win7x64.

If you plan on running Vegas 12 Pro:
I'd want 16GB of RAM, a video card that'll (significantly) help with processing/rendering, and I'd want newer/faster/larger HDs.  If you'll be working a lot with video, I'd also want a BDR for longer-term backup of data.

FWIW, Vegas 12 can be a little flakey (crashes more than X2 )... so I'd definitely recommend avoiding Win8 (for the time being).

For backup of the OS drive, I wouldn't want to rely on Windows backup.
IMO, That's a process best done outside the OS.
Both Paragon and True Image allow using a Bootable Disc to create/restore any backup image file.  This is a very clean/lean approach to backup/restore (no scheduling services, etc running in the background).

Yeah I'd like a new one.
Reason for the short amount of RAM is that I'd used XP Vista and 7 32 bit.
I'd purchased and installed another 4 RAM right after I got it.
It barely worked, glitching and freezing and bluescreen etc etc.
Gateway techs came out a few times (I did get the extra warranty) and replaced the MB to no avail. Crucial semnt me more ram sticks .....No good.

Finally a friend said that putting more RAM in a 32 bit machine would make everything hinky.
I bought Windows 7 64 and haven't added more RAM yet.

But as I think a couple hundred bucks for RAM a couple more for more HDs etc I might as well spend a couple grand and have all kinds of updated stuff.

If I can find those old RAM sticks I may stick em in.
But everything else could stand an upodate.

I'm at least waiting a little while, I have a couple projects in the works.

WSS

Geez, Norton? Used to canoe down the Tuscarawas near there years ago. They still "jamming" over in Orrville?

Westside, you can't have a Core 2 "duo quad" chip, it's either a duo (2 core) or quad (4 core). Should be able to tell how many cores from the performance tab display in task manager, although if it's a hyper-threading chip then double the cores may show up, but in any case your chip should be identified in device manager, like E6600 (E = 2 cores) or Q6600 (Q = 4 cores). 

Were you thinking of Windows Recovery? Or Windows Backup? Recovery can make a startup/recovery disc so you can restore your backed up (imaged) system data but there are better alternatives.

Anyway, see the recent Acronis thread started by Fireberd for links to some other utilities.

Ahhhh yes it was the gray matter glitching.
I'd looked at system and remembered incorrectly.
It reads
Intel (R) Core (TM) 2 Quad.
It was the 2 that got me.
Q6600 right?

Well Jim I had Acronis 10 and then 11.
10 worked great and IIRC 11 hung.
I just bought a new external drive, maybe I'll get 13 and give them another shot.

Goddard yes. As a matter of fact Orrville has more small businesses than any other community of it's size, or that's what they say.
Smuckers is the big dog.

I'm originally from Carroll County where the Tuscarawas runs.
And the ill fated Sandy and Beaver canal.

Best
WSS

WSS, Q6600 quad sounds likely, it was a very capable and popular cpu for DAWs in its day, especially the later G0 stepping version, and many here used it (and still do).

You're fortunate in that Jim is so close by.

Unfortunately, I have to avoid Franklin county, as I have a record there.



Oh. wait, I think it might be... my birth certificate...