Hi guys, haven't been around in a bit and could use some advice.

My old 32 bit machine's mb went and I would like to venture into the 64 bit realm and finally run 8gb of ram. Few questions.


1. Will 32 bit plugins such as waves and Powercore Fierwire plugs work on a 64bit machine?

2. Will these plugs work with x2?

3. Any advice on graphics cards or what processor to get would be appreciated.

Maybe there is a thread that already addresses this, sorry if I'm beating a dead horse.

koikane
Hi guys, haven't been around in a bit and could use some advice.

My old 32 bit machine's mb went and I would like to venture into the 64 bit realm and finally run 8gb of ram. Few questions.


1. Will 32 bit plugins such as waves and Powercore Fierwire plugs work on a 64bit machine?

2. Will these plugs work with x2?

3. Any advice on graphics cards or what processor to get would be appreciated.

Maybe there is a thread that already addresses this, sorry if I'm beating a dead horse.

A) 32 Bit Plugins will work in both 32 and 64 bit DAWS.  You need to be running a 64 bit OS (Win 7 or 8 recommended) if you 
     plan on running the 64 bit version of X2.  You CAN still install a 32 bit OS with Win 7 or 8...
B) 32 Bit Plugins work in X2 using X2's built in BitBridge OR you can get a program called J-Bridge (about $20)  
     If you are only going to use 64 bit plugs..no worries...and really, BitBridge does a pretty decent job for free.
     There are some 32 bit plugs that will give you headaches with BitBridge.

C) I recommend a Quad Core processor or more...if you can afford it.  An i7 or AMD FX or A8 or higher, so you have some
     "future room".  The A8 has graphics on the CPU....it's called an APU...and it's decent for being onboard....obviously not GREAT,
     but will do the job.  If you do need a Graphics card...get the best you can afford...don't skimp.

As ALWAYS, more POWERFUL is usually MORE GOODER....so get the BEST your budget can handle...and if you can..
swing for 16 gig of RAM...and at least a 1TB HD....you won't regret it...

Most 32 bit plugs will run in X2 using either the included Bit-Bridge or the 3rd party J-Bridge.
Also most plugs now come in 64 bit and usually come with the plug-in where you choose which version to install when installing.
 
As far as GPU's, I'm still wondering that somewhat myself. 
Altho the built in graphics on my 3770k CPU seems to be handling my 2 monitors just fine.
I just finished building the DAW shown below in my signature a few months ago.
There are a few threads in the 'Computer' section of these forums if you want to get some ideas of what you're looking for.
 
One of our regular posters, chuckebaby, has a good video run through on how to build a DAW and for a reasonable cost as well.
It's due to his inspiration that I attempted and succeeded in my first try building a PC.
 
Let me find the link.
 
Mike
 
 

Heres the videos. 10 short ones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFZ7ZrsTl3g
 
Mike
 

Thanks, all the info is great, much appreciated. I will have to watch the vids

Ok, here's a good one, will the hard drives from my 32 bit machine be readable in a 64 bit?
 

koikane
Ok, here's a good one, will the hard drives from my 32 bit machine be readable in a 64 bit?

 
Of course they will, but you'll probably want to get new drives anyway.

I have 2, 500 gb black caviars, should I just sell them or incorporate them?  Also, I notice many of the new drives say 5400, is that standard or is 7200 still the standard.

Personally, I'd sell them - you can get a 7200 rpm 1 TB for 89$, $99 for 2 TB, $149 for 3TB, etc.. If anything, that's one less drive drawing power.
 
The popularity of 5400 rpm drives these days has to do with the popularity of 'casual' PC's - the ones your Mom, Grandpa, and the toddlers use... These aren't necessarily power users so the smaller current draw of the 5400 rpm drives becomes an advantage there.

Avoid 5400rpm drives for audio use, they're too slow. You need 7200rpm or better. Preferabely SATA3, and even better good SATA 3 SSDs, at least for the system drive. SSDs make things generally much "snappier".
 
For the processor I'd say go for an Intel i7 Ivybridge rather than an AMD anything. AMD might be cheaper, but that's their only advantage. No need to go to the bleeding edge/most expensive/latest model with cpus though, that might add some power (which you'll almost certainly never need) but also just adds cost and means more heat to get rid of, which means more fan noise.
 
Go for at least 16GB of RAM rather than 8 if you can afford it, especially if you use loads of samples or synths that are sample-based.
 
Make sure your chosen motherboard has USB2 sockets as well as USB3  - loads of audio-related hardware doesn't get on with USB3 (even though the sockets are meant to be backwards-compatible).