Please tweak this quad build - Solved

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
musicroom
Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 2421
  • Joined: 2004/04/26 22:31:02
  • Status: offline
2009/02/05 02:23:54 (permalink)

Please tweak this quad build - Solved

Thanks to everyone - I just ordered a great setup from Jim at Studio Cat. I know it will be purrfect and can't wait to receive shipment.

I highly recommend talking with Jim if you are looking for a new DAW.


Thanks Again,
Dave


_______________________________________________



I have been using a p4 1.8 for a long long time. Freezing tracks more often than not and putting up with high latency. My goal for this upgrade is to stay under $1200 while getting the most value. This is more than likely a daw I will use for the next 3 to 4 years.

Please make any suggestions or tweaks. I would rather build a I7 920 system. I am chomping at the bit to start - and would greatly appreciate your experiences.

I have to admit - RAM choice is a mystery to me.

The system below is currently $1006


Qty. Product Description Savings Total Price
1 COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$54.99

1 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit for System Builders Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 32-bit for System Builders
$109.99

2 Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$139.98

1 CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
$119.99

1 Patriot Extreme Performance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC24G8500ELKR2
$68.99

1 Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$194.99

1 SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q
$25.99

1 ASUS P5Q3 LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
$149.99

1 Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
$5.99

1 ASUS EAH4830/HTDP/512MD3 Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
$94.99

1 Thermaltake CL-P0114 120mm CPU Cooler
$49.99

post edited by musicroom - 2009/02/06 20:31:21

 
Dave
Songs
___________________________________
Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW  I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM /  RME Babyface



 
 
#1

8 Replies Related Threads
    alree
    Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 186
    • Joined: 2007/12/08 12:02:05
    • Location: St. Peters in Kent
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 06:15:19 (permalink)
    You might want to check out the Q8200 processor, the Q6600 is more overclockable but the Q8200 will run cooler and quieter and has a bit more clout at stock speeds.

    #2
    musicroom
    Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2421
    • Joined: 2004/04/26 22:31:02
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 10:45:12 (permalink)
    Thankd - I will read up on that processor. Any thoughts on the video and ram?

     
    Dave
    Songs
    ___________________________________
    Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW  I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM /  RME Babyface



     
     
    #3
    alree
    Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 186
    • Joined: 2007/12/08 12:02:05
    • Location: St. Peters in Kent
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 13:01:46 (permalink)
    I think the the video and ram will be fine. The CPU cooler will need to be hoovered out more often than a stock style cooler as the closer spaced fins collect dust at a quicker rate, but they do
    run quieter and cooler which is whats required.
    I would stick a second drive in there, 80 gigs or so just for the OS and programs - that way you wont have to put your projects and samples on the same drive as the OS.
    post edited by alree - 2009/02/05 13:08:44

    #4
    musicroom
    Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2421
    • Joined: 2004/04/26 22:31:02
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 13:47:01 (permalink)
    The RAM speed was a big question for me. I thought I might oc this setup and just didn't know...

    I have 2 drives listed above...

    I am tempted to buy the I7 by Ibuypower for $979 from newegg. It does have a 650 watt psu but could use more ram, currently at 3gb. Also would need another sata hd. But just adding a harddrive (~$70) - it looks like I would have a fast system for years to come. I just wonder about the noise and that is what keeps me moving toward building my own.

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227123

    I think I have been researching so long I am getting weaker... :)


     
    Dave
    Songs
    ___________________________________
    Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW  I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM /  RME Babyface



     
     
    #5
    shreaded_teddy
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 9
    • Joined: 2006/11/08 04:32:28
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 14:42:35 (permalink)
    if your not gaming on your recording rig the video card is probably over kill, from what i've read as long as your video card has direct x9 and 64mb ram it will run aero. you might consider going with the x64 vista, for audio it's much more efficient. also check out the ssd hard drives http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227373, 150mb/s read, 90mb/s write, and barely any seek time means your project will never bog down when your audio files get fragmented. they are still a little pricey Gb/$ tho.
    post edited by shreaded_teddy - 2009/02/05 14:54:23
    #6
    musicroom
    Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2421
    • Joined: 2004/04/26 22:31:02
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 15:00:28 (permalink)
    I will check those harddrives out. I am glad you think vista 64 is stable for audio. I would really like to go that route - I hear mostly "don't do it". But I also have read on this forum where many people have had success.

    Do you have a video card you recommend. I do want to run dual monitors.


    Thanks,
    Dave

     
    Dave
    Songs
    ___________________________________
    Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW  I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM /  RME Babyface



     
     
    #7
    thesages
    Max Output Level: -90 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 4
    • Joined: 2009/02/03 18:44:38
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/05 23:36:09 (permalink)
    I've custom built many PC's for studio use. And I have some good tips for you.

    1) Overclock the CPU, I personally use a Q6600 overclocked to 4.0GHz and it helps immensly, especially for processing multiple effects in real time.
    2) Sonar will use multiple cores to obtain enhanced performance depending on what the program is currently doing.
    In addition, the multitrack engine will begin utilizing multiple cores when the ASIO buffer size is 1024 samples or greater.
    Smaller buffer sizes however suffer as the audio buffers come faster than they can be cached and delivered to the different processing threads.
    So, real-time, low latency recording with effects on won't see a dramatic improvement, but for editing, mixing, and restoration, where a miniscule
    buffer size is not as mandatory, you should definitely see improvements.
    3) Get the fastest memory (2000MHz) you can afford to buy as that is the number one cause for poor overclocking results.
    4) Forget about any 7200RPM drive. Splurge and get a WD Velociraptor 300GB. I use 2 of them in RAID 0 and they toss 100MB+ files around like butter.
    5) Also forget about Vista or Windows 7. XP SP3 still outperforms in speed and reliablity.
    6) It's also important to have a very good power supply and CPU cooler with quiet fans.
    #8
    musicroom
    Max Output Level: -51 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2421
    • Joined: 2004/04/26 22:31:02
    • Status: offline
    RE: Please tweak this quad build 2009/02/06 02:08:43 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: thesages

    I've custom built many PC's for studio use. And I have some good tips for you.

    1) Overclock the CPU, I personally use a Q6600 overclocked to 4.0GHz and it helps immensly, especially for processing multiple effects in real time.
    2) Sonar will use multiple cores to obtain enhanced performance depending on what the program is currently doing.
    In addition, the multitrack engine will begin utilizing multiple cores when the ASIO buffer size is 1024 samples or greater.
    Smaller buffer sizes however suffer as the audio buffers come faster than they can be cached and delivered to the different processing threads.
    So, real-time, low latency recording with effects on won't see a dramatic improvement, but for editing, mixing, and restoration, where a miniscule
    buffer size is not as mandatory, you should definitely see improvements.
    3) Get the fastest memory (2000MHz) you can afford to buy as that is the number one cause for poor overclocking results.
    4) Forget about any 7200RPM drive. Splurge and get a WD Velociraptor 300GB. I use 2 of them in RAID 0 and they toss 100MB+ files around like butter.
    5) Also forget about Vista or Windows 7. XP SP3 still outperforms in speed and reliablity.
    6) It's also important to have a very good power supply and CPU cooler with quiet fans.




    Thank you for your post. The last machine I built was around win98. So it has been a while for a build. I bought an off the shelf box I am using now.

    Do you have a setup you would recommend? I would love to review one from someone more up to date with this stuff than I am.


    Dave

     
    Dave
    Songs
    ___________________________________
    Desktop: Platinum / RME Multiface II / Purrfect Audio DAW  I7-3770 / 16 GB RAM / Win 10 Pro / Remote Laptop i7 6500U / 12GB RAM /  RME Babyface



     
     
    #9
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1