vladasyn


I had that same belief to buy from Dell. I have 4 Dell computers. But their specs not so good lately. No Win 8 for business computers yet, everything is behind. What is ADK? Is there a web address, please? I will give Jim a call- I just do not have confidence in it. Build myself- and then be my own tech support? I am not that good.

Vladasyn,
 
Considering you're in the other topic complaining about how poorly Sonar works for you, have you considered just changing your DAW? you're going to spend 1k on a new computer, but I read your contributions on the "It's OVER!" thread and don't think that upgrading your system is really going to do you any good. I wonder why you don't just move to GarageBand or Logic (which you seem to have experience with) or something that "just works" for you and THEN worry about your setup. 
 
EDIT TO NOT SOUND LIKE JERK
 
is your sig up to date? are you using XP on a Pentium 4? that is pretty ancient for software like X2. I suppose a new piece of hardware might help, but one thing to keep in mind is that you're not shopping for a Gaming PC. a high-end end video card is NOT necessary for audio and can add $100 to the cost without any benefit (and they have fans which generate noise). I bought one of the cheapest cards with passive cooling for video on newegg and it works great.  also, fans that come with cases tend to be cheap and loud, and with music that's a no-no. you'd do well to check reviews for fans and cases on newegg or toms hardware or quietPC.

It did come out some what harsh. Obviously I can not afford the mac and I do not want to give up the knowledge I built using PCs. I own iPad and while it is not the same as Mac Pro, the lack of tweakability drives me crazy. Makes me want to open iPad to see what's inside. I do not tweak the registry, but I am so used to troubleshooting PC that I will feel weird without it. And I find it hard to believe that there are no problems on Macs. Also I used Logic on PC. Love that program, but it won't install in later OS.

While I am not a gamer (I use playstation for games), I like gaming PCs because of the lights. Also while high end video card is not needed, good video card would not hurt. It helps with colors and graphics of DAW. Can not deny the fact that there are lots of details and graphics in DAW. Also gaming PCs obsessed with the speed and performance and this is what we share with the gamers. When I hear that PC should be configured for DAW, it makes me want to ask, what does it mean. Yes, you need quiet fans. Fast hard drives, powerful processor, enough memory. So as gaming computers. To me if it can play games, it will do the DAW just fine.

vladasyn


It did come out some what harsh. Obviously I can not afford the mac and I do not want to give up the knowledge I built using PCs. I own iPad and while it is not the same as Mac Pro, the lack of tweakability drives me crazy. Makes me want to open iPad to see what's inside. I do not tweak the registry, but I am so used to troubleshooting PC that I will feel weird without it. And I find it hard to believe that there are no problems on Macs. Also I used Logic on PC. Love that program, but it won't install in later OS.

While I am not a gamer (I use playstation for games), I like gaming PCs because of the lights. Also while high end video card is not needed, good video card would not hurt. It helps with colors and graphics of DAW. Can not deny the fact that there are lots of details and graphics in DAW. Also gaming PCs obsessed with the speed and performance and this is what we share with the gamers. When I hear that PC should be configured for DAW, it makes me want to ask, what does it mean. Yes, you need quiet fans. Fast hard drives, powerful processor, enough memory. So as gaming computers. To me if it can play games, it will do the DAW just fine.

Also while high end video card is not needed, good video card would not hurt. It helps with colors and graphics of DAW. Can not deny the fact that there are lots of details and graphics in DAW.

 
a high-end card is totally unnecessary for audio. even with all the redraws and moving automations and meters pumping, a bargain price video card will work. anything beyond that is a waste of money that can be put towards more RAM or SSDs.
 
and your last statement that a good gaming rig = good DAW rig is really not necessarily true. I went with AMD for my DAW build because I wanted power and multiple cores on a budget. the Veshera I used for my build matches the multi-core and multi-threading performance of a Sandy Bridge at a third of the price.  most of the big name games are not as well coded to handle multiple cores like DAW and Video software are. so you'd do well to not believe that just because a PC is good for gaming that it must be good for audio. Overclocking and big video cards generate a lot of heat. which requires more cooling, which creates noise. if you're fragging aliens with a rail gun, you probably won't notice the fan noise, but if you're trying to record your vocals and you keep hearing the whir of the fans, then you'll be frustrated...but at least the LEDs are pretty.
 
http://raincomputers.com/store/index.php?route=common/home
here is another PC builder to think about.

Jim is the one to buy from. If however you want to build your own machine the first thing you have to do is a lot of research. You need to get the best components you can.

The case is important too. It needs to have good ventilation and I would get one that does not come with a power supply. Low RPM  fans for quiet operation may need to be added.  The power supply is the most neglected component by DAW machine builders. Get one that has a good reputation and offers more power than you think you need. Build your machine around the CPU. Decide on that first than find a motherboard that will be high quality and meet you I/O needs to pair with that CPU. Here you really need to read all reviews you can get your hands on models that interest you. 

Memory is another very important component that you should get in one batch not add on as time goes on. Buy better memory because its timing is very important to a stable DAW. Sticks bought at different times can have different timing even of the same brand and same model. 

Good HDs are a dime a dozen these days so your options here are open. SSDs are still too low in GBs to use just yet but others have adopted them with great success. Get at least 2 HDs for a DAW more is better. One should be for projects and the other for samples for synths . A third can be the system disk. 

You may want to back up your projects so a forth is very useful. Or an external can do that job. 

Once you have all the parts take your time in putting them all together and follow any instructions you have to the letter. Be careful about static too. 

After its all assembled check out all connections carefully to make sure they are properly connected. Make sure all components are seated well. Memory is prone to destruction if not well seated that can destroy the motherboard too. 

If for any reason it wont start quickly and fully shut it down immediately and recheck everything. 

If it starts as it should go to the BIOS and set it up for your system. After all of that install your OS of choice. 

I Build my machines and have done so for many years. But if you don't want the hassle buy one from Jim.  




 

John, thanks a lot for suggestions. I will tell you that I am not ready to build my own. I know enough about the parts but not enough about the wiring.

vladasyn


John, thanks a lot for suggestions. I will tell you that I am not ready to build my own. I know enough about the parts but not enough about the wiring.

The wiring is not that hard. Everything is marked and you can't put the wrong cord in the wrong socket. It just wont fit. Plus all you do is one cord at a time. After, it may look complicated but its not really. 

 

jtwinpcola


Danny,
 
I talked to the owner of ADK once. They build PC's quite often for Universal Audio. According to him they do a bit of "horse trading" with PC's and UA stuff. As I said in my previous post, I built my own as you have, but that's quite a task as I'm sure you know.
 
One thing I would like to state to anyone looking to invest in a new DAW PC, if not building your own. If possible, do yourself a favor and invest in a StudioCat, ADK, or at least some company that does builds specifically for DAW's. Most importantly they will use tried and proven components and do all of the tweaks to make it the best it can be and even load your software, as you said. It may cost a little more but its well worth it. And their support is generally much better as well.
 
By the way, I don't come here very often but I have over the last couple of days. I've noticed that you post some pretty lengthy replies to a lot of posts.
 
Kudos to you bro for being so helpful!
 
JTW 
 
 

+1! Totally agree there. It's really cool to just buy a custom made DAW, plug it in, set up your soundcard and go. Then if you decide to build another system, you have an awesome template to build from as the DAW builder guys test things and know what works. :)
 
Thanks for the kind words JTW. I try to do the best I can. I wish I knew more to help more people, but I'm limited with some of this stuff. I'm more the musician/studio guy. LOL! :) Thanks again.
 
-Danny

Most "off the shelf" computers will do the job OK.  What I really didn't like about the OTS models was the fact that they are loaded with bloatware at the factory, and in the case with the Dells I have used, are set up to be proprietary in nature.... that makes them a PITA to upgrade in any significant manner. Try upgrading the OS for example..... The guy with a thick Bombay accent told me...Oh no sir, you can't do that on that laptop, it will not boot properly. But later told me, there is a work around, if you do this.... 

Simply put.... they don't want to sell upgrade able computers, they want to sell you NEW computers every other year.    

I used a Dell lappy for 3 years before I decided to move to a tower.  When I started looking, I decided to get a custom DAW but the pricing was a bit high for what I was wanting. 

So, I dug in and started researching MOBOs, processors, power supplies, and all the other things I was needing. I decided to build my own. I saved about 50% of the cost of a similar custom built by doing it this way. I'm a complete non-tech sort of guy.... so it was a bit intimidating BUT, the parts all had a 100% refund policy so with that in mind I spent the money and started the build. 

Now.... 3 years later.... I do not regret it for one minute. I had a few issues with the OS install.... I was not using the proper disk order....duhhh. Once that was sorted, the computer came online in royal fashion.  I keep it off line with no firewall and no AV software and yeah... no bloatware on the drives. 

Simpy a lean mean recording machine...

vladasyn


Bob, you are very helpful, thank you.

Computer I am looking at (on sell) is http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Fang_III_-_Rattler/  Fang III Rattle. This is if I go with 4 cores Intell 3770K Ive Bridge. 

Questions: How many cores would make Sonar Happy? Do I need the 6 core processor? (I know, I do not, but I want to- not that I can affort to have it- lol.)

If I go with 6 cores, I would go with http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/CyberPower_Black_Pearl/ 

Intel® Core™ i7-3970X Extreme Edition Six-Core 3.50 GHz 15MB Intel Smart Cache would be great, but I have read reviews and heard that it consumes a lot of power with little benefit. And it is still Sandy Bridge- older technology. Also it brings the bill up to 2k.

I am planning on 2 SSD of 240 GB Intel 520 Series SATA-III 6.0Gb/s - 550 MB/s Read & 520 MB/s Write. I would like 3 drives but there is no option for 3 drives.

What I do not understand is why they offer DDR3/2133MHz Quad Channel Memory. According to Intell, current processors support up to 1600 Mhz, so is there any point to pay for 1866 or 2133 Mhz?

I know nothing about motherboards. One question- do I need support for the Thunderbolt?

Thanks.

I reviewed the detailed specs for this particular computer, from your link above.  I took each of the listed components and priced them, and their price is pretty close to what the components would cost separately, which is good.


In the configuration you are purchasing, you will get 2 x 4 GB strips of memory, for a total of 8 GB.  The motherboard has 4 memory slots that each support an 8 GB strip, for a total of 32 supported GB memory.  I would suggest you negotiate with them for a 16 GB memory configuration, having 2 x 8 GB strips instead, which would double your memory for only about $20-$30 difference in cost.  More importantly, it is a better positioning, as you could later add another 2 x 8 GB strips, totaling 32 GB of memory, without having to end up with those 2 original 4 GB strips sort of left over.  (I hope that made sense).


I do not yet have great faith in durability of solid-state drives.  I have had 2 computers that had primary drives that were solid-state, and both drives failed WAY prematurely - matter of months, rather than the years I was expecting.  I had spent $850 on a 512 GB drive a year ago, and it failed within 6 months.  I would maybe consider saving your money for now on those.  I use the regular SATA 3 drives now - Seagate - and have zero performance issues from them.  They are not as fast as the SSD-type, but are quite reliable and still plenty fast enough for what I am asking of them.  


The company in the link you posted has some sort of 3-year limited warranty.  I would look at the fine print of that prior to purchase.  In addition, where is this place, in relation to where you live?  You have to consider downtime if you have to ship your computer back and forth to get warranty work done, not to mention the shipping costs.


I would suggest you factor this in, as well: cutting edge sometimes cuts.

Overall, the computer you are looking at there is OK.  Again, consider altering the memory configuration - and don't let them charge you an arm and a leg to switch from the 2 x 4 GB strips to 2 x 8 GB strips.  There is really only a $20-$30 difference were you to make that switch on your own.

I hope that helps, 

Bob Bone

Oh, and no you do not need 6 cores.  That i7 you are eyeballing is plenty fast.

Bob Bone