Dell - Studio XPS Desktop with Intel® Core™ i7 Processor for daw

A good off-the-shelf computer (like the Dell you are thinking about) CAN be tweaked to run an audio program like Sonar very well. I am using a modified HP with 2GB of G-Skill RAM and a 3-year old AMD Athlon 64+ processor, and it performs nicely... until I try to use too many soft-synths in a project. It also isn't as quiet as I would like it to be, since it is the same room I use to track open-mic sources. I am looking at replacing it soon.

The advantage(s) of buying a built-for-audio system:

> They choose the best hardware for the purpose
> They use ultra-quiet fans to keep the CPU cool.
> The OS is tweaked and trimmed to a "lean, mean audio-only machine"
> In many instances, sound absorbing lining is installed inside the case
> You won't have the headache of matching an audio/MIDI interface - the right drivers are already loaded and tested

It's really your choice. But if you decide to go the AUDIO PC route, may I add another choice to the list: Sweetwater's Creation Stations. There are several models available, and one of them might fit your budget.
However, if you are planning on the new machine performing multiple duties (internet, gaming, etc), you might do as well with the Dell.

Happy Hunting!

Unfortunately Dell XPS ships with Windoze 7 64 bit.

I'm flailing about with it, tryng to get things working.

dnlfacundo


i know that there are great daw computers from pc audio,rain recording,adk proaudio and more but i searched best buy and this dell computer seems that have just way more ram and top of the line processor.But i dont know there might be a catch and i might have trouble with this.Any users that use this computer please give me some tips

very weak power supply
very slow memory
have to upgrade video
small case
no support (not really)
no support for audio, no software/hardware intergration
no backup/hard drive manager/recovery software (for making your own images after you install all your stuff)
 
920/6gig slow ram/2 x 500G/nvidia 240/upgrade to 2 yr warranty/wireless KB+mouse comes to $1479 @ Dell
 
for $300 more you can get a better product from a daw builder!
with full support for your audio endeavours.

Player



My machine just runs--I don't have any problems that others have, glitches, or pops, "motorboating," or crashes.  My DAW just works, and I just record music! 

So has any off-the-shelf I've ever used!
And... the most I ever spent on one was £500.

I've narrowed down my search to 3 computers. Please, let me know how they rate:
 
1. Music XPC6 revolutionaudio.ca
Operating System
Microsoft Windows XP Pro
CPU
Intel CPU Intel® 45nm Core™ 2 Duo multi-core processor
Chipset North Bridge Intel® G31 Express Chipset | South Bridge ICH7
CPU Speed 3.0 GHz
Front Side Bus 1,333 MHz
L2 Cache 6 MB Cache
Memory
RAM Type DDR2 Dual Channel 800 MHz
RAM Size 2 GB [2 x 1 GB] Matched Pair
RAM Maximum 4 GB **Only 3GB Available to 32 Bit O.S. ( XP Pro or Vista )
Storage
Hard Disk 1 500 GB | SATA II 3.0Gb/s | 7,200 RPM | 32 MB Cache
Hard Disk 2 750 GB | SATA II 3.0Gb/s | 7,200 RPM | 32 MB Cache
Optical Drive 20X DVD±RW DL, SATA 3.0 Gb/s Interface
Ports
USB2.0 8 ports [2 on front, 4 on rear, 2 on MB]
Firewire 1394a (400 MHz) 2 ports [one 6-pin on rear, one mini 4-pin on front] Texas Instrument
LAN 1 RJ-45 jack supports 10Mb/s, 100Mb/s and 1000Mb/s (Gigabit) operation
Wireless LAN none
External Monitor 1 DVI output |1 VGA output (Intel Dual View)
TV none
Modem none
Microphone 1 input
Headphone 1 output
Keyboard PS/2 104 Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Optical Mouse
Expansion
PCI 1 slot
PCI-E x16 1 slot
Video
Graphics Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 (Dual View Technology)
RAM 256 MB
Monitor Support DVI output |15 pin VGA output
Other Specifications
Audio Realtek ALC888, 7.1 Channel HD Surround Sound Audio
Power Supply 250W, 100-240V AC
HPA Recovery Yes
Music Tweak Yes
 
2. Intel® Core™ i7-920 processor(8MB L3 Cache, 2.66GHz)
  Specifications - Processor http://www2.dell.com/ca/en/home/desktops/desktop-studio-xps-9000/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-studio-xps-9000&s=dhs&cs=cadhs1&ref=dthp
 
12GB Tri-Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz - 6 DIMMs (upgraded the RAM to 12GB)
ATI Radeon HD 5450 1GB DDR3
  Specifications - Video Card
1TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
 
3. Purrfect audio Pro studio- how does the price workout shiping north of the border?
 
Too much copy and paste.. these works out to the same price but dell includes monitor which I need since I currently have a mini laptop.
I know these thread seem repetitive to savy CPU guys and sorry...just need to be steered in the right direction.
  
  


 

if i was to buy the highest i5 proccessor and still wasnt enought power could i upgrade to a i7.

dnlfacundo


if i was to buy the highest i5 proccessor and still wasnt enought power could i upgrade to a i7.

just but the 620m to start with... but yes