Computer upgrade

You should be able to install Sonar Studio 8 on your shiny new computer.  I would install both 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

If you upgrade from Studio 8 to X2 Studio,you wo;; get the option to download it - which is faster than getting the boxed set, and you can download it again, should you ever lose your original download files.

Studio 8 should work with either Windows 7 or Windows 8, HOWEVER, please note that any audio interface you are using needs to have drivers for either Windows 7 Windows 8 in order to function properly in whichever OS version you end up installing on the new computer.  I recommend you do your homework on your audio interface, and if you are not currently using one, I HIGHLY recommend you look into purchasing one for your new computer.

Bob Bone

@ robert e bone - Many thank for replying, my audio interface is an Edirol UA-25, I have checked the Roland website and there are drivers to be downloaded for both windows 7 and 8 and 32 and 64 bit. PresumablyI should download whatever relevant Windows 7 or 8 I will get, but should I download both 32 and 64 bit as well?

@ chuckebaby - Many thanks for replying. I think from what I have researched what you are saying is what I would do. I think putting one together is far the better option for me. When I get around to doing it I there is a really good computer shop where I live who put them together, they are great with after sales too. Will check out your youtube vids and may even have a go myself!

Chuck......You my friend are 'The Man.'   

(even if you do talk a little funny)   


Mike

Portsmouth


@ robert e bone - Many thank for replying, my audio interface is an Edirol UA-25, I have checked the Roland website and there are drivers to be downloaded for both windows 7 and 8 and 32 and 64 bit. PresumablyI should download whatever relevant Windows 7 or 8 I will get, but should I download both 32 and 64 bit as well?

@ chuckebaby - Many thanks for replying. I think from what I have researched what you are saying is what I would do. I think putting one together is far the better option for me. When I get around to doing it I there is a really good computer shop where I live who put them together, they are great with after sales too. Will check out your youtube vids and may even have a go myself!

If you are going to run 64-bit Windows, you have no need for 32-bit audio interface drivers.  


Good luck - post any questions here and we will collectively try to help you through any install/configuration issues.


Bob Bone

^^^ Spammer reported

Chuck delete your post, you have now become the spammer.. admin deleted the spam

these days you can build a nice desktop for around 500-600 dollars, thats including the cost of windows 7.

Obviously I'm a bit biased...   
But even building yourself, $500-$600 bucks is a budget build.
Take $100 for Win7x64, that leaves you $500.
A fast CPU and a quality motherboard will eat $500.    

Question for you....which version of SONAR 8? If it's lower that 8.5 you could have some issues if you used Bundles. There were some changes made by Microsoft in how audio was handled by Windows 7. Since you're jumping from XP to 7 or 8 it's good to know these things.

Jim Roseberry

these days you can build a nice desktop for around 500-600 dollars, thats including the cost of windows 7.

Obviously I'm a bit biased...   
But even building yourself, $500-$600 bucks is a budget build.
Take $100 for Win7x64, that leaves you $500.
A fast CPU and a quality motherboard will eat $500.    

 
you call it a budget build, I call it a 6 core 3.5 ghz AM3/ with 16 gb of ram.
 
your insulated case is going to run you around 80 bucks
a combo AMD 6 core CPU + ASUS Motherboard will run you 120.00
http://www.microcenter.com/site/products/amd_bundles.aspx
the RAM  for 16 gigs is about 130.00 http://www.microcenter.com/product/373498/16GB_DDR3-1333_(PC3-10600)_CL9_SO-DIMM_Laptop_Memory_Kit_(Two_8GB_Memory_Modules)
the Power supply is another 75.00 bucks.
your hard drive is going to run you about 60 bucks for a 500 gb.
I don't think you would agree but a higher upgrade on this offer will get you dual onboard vga/dvi graphics(which ive used and had no problems)
but even an upgrade on an entry level graphics card with dual dvi wont break the bank too much over what im saying here.
im still under 600.easy, fact, im under 500.
anyway, so here we have a 6 core CPU with 16 GB of RAM.
if this doesn't do the job, then im really not sure what we are trying to record here with sonar ?
 
I think the 500 CPU and Motherboard is overkill.
I know we differ in opinions, that's okay. I respect your opinion.
but you have to at minimuim respect mine.
what did you think I was talking about ?
 
I know your in the digital audio building business and this doesn't fair so well with sales on your end.
but truth is a lot of users are moving towards walmart and  best buy off the shelf laptops and desktops. 
your not going to buy something like I have presented here at wallmart or best guy for under 500/600 bucks. 
 
and lets just say you have your copy of windows from the computer that just died, or your hard drive as well.
whats that bring the price down to ?
under 500.00 ?
 
say what you will but ive been using this same model for over a year now, which stared out as a test build for my customers.
and it flys,
does everything I need and at a great rate.
 
a couple years ago I probably wouldn't have believed this,but you know what, after testing it, benchmarking it.
more importantly, testing it with digital audio.
I learned something, I can do a lot on these computers with sonar or any other application and for what difference ?
spending 500.00 for a fast cpu and mobo compared to 200.00 for a almost just as fast cpu and mobo ??
is a 6 core 3.5 ghz w/16 gigs of ram not fast ?  
 
it goes back to the "well those parts aren't as good/not the same quality.
sorry im not seeing it,if I did I would have no problem admitting it. 
I see the problems on this forum as you do as well,I see their specs, I see I7's, I5's..i also see AMD.
if you ask someone who is using an intel (middle of the road) quad core, and ask them if its just way to slow, I don't hear that too much.
 
I will admit this though, if you need a daw that can run over 100 tracks and 40 soft synths,
I think your way is the way to go,its only fair I admit that I haven't had the need for 40 soft synths and 100 + tracks.
 
 
  
  
 

Apart from laptops, I have built every computer that I have owned since 1988.  I am pretty familiar with the parts shopping process.

I know my machines don't fail because my computers don't crash.
To save my time and sanity, I tend to buy very well recognized brand names.  Buying a solid case that will not buzz or rattle is a lot easier when you are spending $100 vs when you are spending $30.  Same with power supplies.  

My point was that while there may be a $30 power supply out there that is quiet and will not fluctuate when the wind blows, but I don't know what it is.  There are lots of quality choices if your budget is $80 or more, but it's more chaff than wheat down at $30.

Taken together, those choices make it very difficult to construct a machine for $500.  I built an i5 based machine for my son last year that was about $700 (without the gamer class video card).  I think an i7 would have taken that to $800.  Again, this machine is whisper quiet and never crashes.

Using the parts picker app, you can get a decent idea of what a complete rig will run you.  I thought it might be useful to someone contemplating building their first machine (like the OP). 

Edit: Just read your reply to Jim
I stopped using AMD processors with my latest round of machines (my i7 replaced a Phenom x4).  I am personally far happier with the Intel products, but the AMD stuff is undeniably less expensive.  For me, it falls into the money for sanity trade off; obviously you have had different results. 

I realize that the point about $80 vs $30 parts does not apply to your $500 build, but I am going to leave them in because I think they are still useful advice to the system builder.  

AndyDavis


Apart from laptops, I have built every computer that I have owned since 1988.  I am pretty familiar with the parts shopping process.

I know my machines don't fail because my computers don't crash.
To save my time and sanity, I tend to buy very well recognized brand names.  Buying a solid case that will not buzz or rattle is a lot easier when you are spending $100 vs when you are spending $30.  Same with power supplies.  

My point was that while there may be a $30 power supply out there that is quiet and will not fluctuate when the wind blows, but I don't know what it is.  There are lots of quality choices if your budget is $80 or more, but it's more chaff than wheat down at $30.

Taken together, those choices make it very difficult to construct a machine for $500.  I built an i5 based machine for my son last year that was about $700 (without the gamer class video card).  I think an i7 would have taken that to $800.  Again, this machine is whisper quiet and never crashes.

Using the parts picker app, you can get a decent idea of what a complete rig will run you.  I thought it might be useful to someone contemplating building their first machine (like the OP). 

Edit: Just read your reply to Jim
I stopped using AMD processors with my latest round of machines (my i7 replaced a Phenom x4).  I am personally far happier with the Intel products, but the AMD stuff is undeniably less expensive.  For me, it falls into the money for sanity trade off; obviously you have had different results. 

I realize that the point about $80 vs $30 parts does not apply to your $500 build, but I am going to leave them in because I think they are still useful advice to the system builder.  

im sorry, maybe I just took your post and jims post the wrong way,
I was offering the OP a free copy of my book, im not trying to make any money here.
I have helped more than a few people on this forum in threads and especially private messages with computer builds (maybe too much)
 
I kind of took offense to both of your posts a very little bit, as a dig, when I shouldn't have.
 
im sorry, you too Jim.
Jim was right when he said, its like buying a sports car compared to a car in the budget region.
 
im also sorry to hear if you had problems with your phenom crashing, I cant say I've had the same problems.
I do know more than a few people though who are happy building their own DAW's in the 500-600 region.
http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=2807523
 
this thread above has quite a few people ive given the book to and who agree.
and more than one opinion about AMD, like this post.
 
im glad your both happy with your builds as I am mine.
im not very big, im only building on my best months about 6 computers for customers.
actually that was my record. but on an average 3-5.
 
I get people from all walks, surfers, producers, small company's.
 
beside the crashes, you do notice a big difference in you I7 compared to your old phenom? 
im only curious because i didn't see as much as a price difference would sway me.
i have a nice intel i7 3.4, i paid almost 300 for it, but i find the price cant compete with the phenom.
its like that age old war between Polaris and ski doo  bud light or coors light, well that last one was a bad example.
I guess that's where I was going with all this. trust me, i am aware of intel and its superior quality.
again, I think Jim put it best.
and let me make something clear, ive never ever had a bad thing to say about studio katz or jim.
to the contrary, ive recommended him many times to folks looking for high end quality.
even got in a tiff with someone else about a month ago when i recommended jim and someone else recommended ADk. 
im just throwing it out there because I want to you to know that.
your a gentleman, a professional and a nice guy Jim.
i just didn't agree you and you didn't agree with me that's all. that happens all the time.
atleast we can be decent about it.
 
 
 
 

Think nothing of it.  I'm sorry that you construed my post as a dig, it certainly wasn't meant that way.  Truth is, I am now so solidly Intel, that I didn't even consider that you could save a few bucks by going AMD.

As far as my experience with Intel vs AMD goes: I didn't have crashes, but the performance never seemed to be as good as I expected.  My machines are not dedicated DAWs: I noodle with music, 3D graphics, photography, games, and lots of software development including heavy use of virtualized machines.

The CPU benchmarks indicated that in the areas of my interest, Intel CPUs were far outperforming their AMD counterparts.  And my experience since building the new box is that the machine is much smoother.  I realize that this statement is infuriatingly like those made by people that get the mac religion, but I really can't be a whole lot more specific.  

Of course, CPU utilization dropped for my projects, but this was also replacing an aging CPU with a new i7, you had better notice something.

AndyDavis


BTW - I liked your videos.  

You might consider doing an 'advanced topics' video on case ventilation.  

A big increase in my build happiness came when I learned how to make sure that my cases were always positively pressurized.  Nowadays, I pretty much run a 200cm intake fan through a dust filter on the front and the inside stays pristine.

that's a great idea, there is actually a section that explains that in the book.
I use true quiet:
http://dawfreak.wordpress.com/2012/01/01/antectruequiet-120-and-140-mm-fans/
 
they have the Silicone Grommets which really cuts down on vibration.
really easy to install, now to reinstall ? not sure about that, the way the grommet is stretched and feed in to the hole.
 
thanks again.
 

AndyDavis


BTW - I liked your videos.  

You might consider doing an 'advanced topics' video on case ventilation.  

A big increase in my build happiness came when I learned how to make sure that my cases were always positively pressurized.  Nowadays, I pretty much run a 200cm intake fan through a dust filter on the front and the inside stays pristine.

You've got a 6 and a half foot fan running????????

AndyDavis


Truth is, I am now so solidly Intel, that I didn't even consider that you could save a few bucks by going AMD.

 

Working at Intel, I say Thank You for your support!