Latency Problem when Recording!

hi guys, Im just new to this Forum, And im pretty newto sound recording, so if i sound stupid, take it easy on me! :-p

Basically the reason for me joining up was to ask you lot a few questions about my setup.

Here it is:


Localisation: United Kingdom
Processor

Type: Intel Pentium D 820

Multi-Core Technology: Dual-Core

64-bit Computing: Yes

Installed Qty: 1

Max Supported Qty: 1

Processor Main Features: Intel Extended Memory 64 Technology, Intel Execute Disable Bit
Cache Memory

Type: L2 Cache
Mainboard

Chipset Type: ATI Radeon Xpress 200 (RC410)
RAM

Installed Size: 1 GB / 2 GB (max)

Technology: DDR II SDRAM

Memory Speed: 400 MHz

Memory Specification Compliance: PC2-3200

Form Factor: DIMM 240-pin

Configuration Features: 2 x 512 MB
Storage Controller

Type: 1 x Serial ATA - integrated
Storage Controller (2nd)

Type: 1 x IDE - integrated
Storage

Hard Drive: 1 x 250 GB - standard - Serial ATA-150
Optical Storage



Monitor Type: None
Graphics Controller

Type: PCI Express x16 - plug-in card

Graphics Processor / Vendor: ATI Radeon X1300
Audio Output

Type: Sound card - integrated

Sound Output Mode: 5.1 channel surround

Compliant Standards: AC '97

Speaker(s): 2 x right / left channel
Networking

Networking: Network adapter - integrated

Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Expansion / Connectivity

Expansion Bays Total (Free):

* 2 ( 1 ) x internal - 3.5" x 1/3H
* Front accessible - 5.25" x 1/2H
* Front accessible - 3.5" x 1/3H

Expansion Slots Total (Free):

* 2 ( 0 ) x memory - DIMM 240-pin
* 1 ( 0 ) x processor - LGA775 Socket
* 2 ( 1 ) x PCI
* 1 ( 1 ) x PCI Express x1
* 1 ( 1 ) x PCI Express x16

Interfaces:
Miscellaneous

Compliant Standards: CE, NEMKO
Power

Device Type: Power supply


Now for some reason when I record i Have serious issues with latency. Now i used to have an old computer, with no graphics card, 256mb ram, and an athlon processor (literally about 5 years old) and when i recorded on that with guitar tracks 2 it sounded perfectly fine, with no latency at all! Perfect! So i went and bought myself this bad boy of a pc, mainly for other things other than recording, but when i try to record there is half a second gap between what i played into it, and what it plays back to me - resulting in 2 recorded tracks being out of sync!

now surely after getting this pc, i dont need to upgrade the soundcard. Its integrated, but what i record is fairly simple stuff and im in no way pushing the boundaries!

any ideas what i could be doing wrong? or anything i could change?


thanks for your help boys!


fraser.

I'm wondering what you mean by latency.
Are you listening to one track while playing a new one and finding that the new one is playing a bit later when you play both of them back?
--Larry

thanks for the replies, when i mean latency i mean that for example, i use a track for drums that iv sequenced. I play that with the metronome and its perfectly in time. I then record from my guitar preamp direct to the line in one my pc. I play along with the drums, and as i play it sounds in time. Now when i go back to listen to it, the part Iv just played is fractionally late!

Now Iv read about and i understand i need to use ASIO drivers instead of MME - that would reduce the latency to a point where its not noticeable. I know my sound is using MME. I have no idea how to change it! And i also wonder whether a change of soundcard would be worth it -as the actual tone i get from my setup is sounding really good, just impossible to use due to this lag!


Thanks for all your help again guys!