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-- Looking for the ultimate PC Setup!
Looking for the ultimate PC Setup!
Heya all..
Well..I'm in the market for a new PC..strictly for production purposes. My old setup was a Core Duo processor with just 512 RAM..and was used for all kinds of stuff.
I'm now looking into getting a high end CPU to suit my production needs, and was wondering what's the best money can buy...but I'm sticking to Microsoft..not Apple..cuz they're pretty pricey here.
Right..I'm looking for a PC with the following:
1)Enough uumph to support DAWs like Abelton,Nuendo and all bundled plugins plus bought ones (Nexus...etc)
2)Includes a "worthy" sound card to give out ample output..I wanna feel the sound coming out! A list of cards would be nice..I don't want just one card to choose from as I don't know the availibilty here.
3)Is there a possible way to have a switch that directly switches between two CPUs on one LCD, since I already have one monitor and two CPUs, and I need to work with both.
That pretty much sums it up..would really appreciate the help!
Thanks!
Cheers
DJ Resemo
1/ im running core2duo E6700 with Cubase 4, does me fine, infact ive never had cpu over 50%. All the cool kids have quads now
2/ totally depends on your setup, i had a Motu Traveler with tons of ins and outs as my last card. Now i have an M-Audio Lightbridge with only ADAT and S/PDIF outs. Like i say depends on your needs
3/ unsure of what you mean here
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Ry Thomas 1/ im running core2duo E6700 with Cubase 4, does me fine, infact ive never had cpu over 50%. All the cool kids have quads now 2/ totally depends on your setup, i had a Motu Traveler with tons of ins and outs as my last card. Now i have an M-Audio Lightbridge with only ADAT and S/PDIF outs. Like i say depends on your needs 3/ unsure of what you mean here |
Regarding point 3:
Argh. Your abuse of terms is killin me, Smalls!
If what you mean is having one monitor control multiple computers, then say computer.. not cpu. If that's the case(one monitor, two computers), then you need a KVM switch. Easy to get, hit up Newegg and search it.
Regarding point 1:
As for system specs, any modern DAW will work on any crappy prior-generation computer. Getting the best of the best of the best is simply not important, unless you're using a truckload processor hog VSTs or DSP's. Most the time if you've got something taking up crazy system resources, that means that A) somethings wrong with it, B) you're doin somethin wrong, or C) you oughta sample it, or D) save it for later (like reverb). Problem solved!
I built my current audio PC with a Shuttle bare-bones loadout, and a Q6600 quad. It's overkill, money that was better spent elsewhere. That kinda processor power just isn't really necessary most the time, esp. for dance music. You said your current/prior pc is a core duo, whats wrong with your old PC, aside from low ram? Where are you having problems?
This is just a guess, but I'll bet you'll see a performance increase by wiping your HD and re-installing your OS, optimizing it, and avoiding/removing bloatware & malware. Years of tech support taught me that usually it's not the hardware's fault if a system is slow/bogged down. It's the software.
Regarding point 2:
This does not seriously affect volume output. You can get ample sound output you can feel from potentially the very first computer you ever had. If you want volume, then what you want isn't a sound card. You need powered active monitor speakers. This is most important thing in your setup that will affect sound quality and volume.
Regardless, at some point you'll also need a good 'sound card,' so look into Audio Interfaces. IMO, external is the way to go. Stay cheap, you do not need the more expensive ones. Pick up a copy of somethin like Sound On Sound magazine, Future Music, Electronic Musician, Computer Music, etc, and look for audio interface reviews or comparisons. I know one of em has a recurring comparison chart that's useful for things like this, and reference monitors, and midi controllers, etc. Very, very useful overview.
From what you've said, I get the impression that the best way to get an improvement in your audio production setup wouldn't be with a new computer. You'll see the most improvement by buying good powered nearfield monitors, a lower priced audio interface, and a fresh OS install. Perhaps on a new hard drive, if you're using a 5400 rpm.
Maybe you need a new PC, I dunno, but just make sure you get good powered, speakers first. And not the kind you find @ computer stores, but the kind you find at audio stores for at least $300 per pair.
For number 3 what MOK said, you need a KVM switch.
As for the CPU, I'm running a E6400 in my production box and really never have any issues. Personally I would go for the E8500. I have one in my other machine and its fast and pretty cheap too.
Massive thx for the lenghty reply MOK...and Magnus!
Righto..yea..one monitor and two "computers"..lol..will look up the KVM switch.
You're prolly right about 90 percent of what u said..but the thing about sound cards..I think they make quite a difference in recording and exporting output..especially with the advanced DSP algorithms running on them.
I'm already using the techniques u said..but the thing is..with something like Nexus for example..it hogs up the CPU big time when putting in just 5 channels or so...it prolly depends on the software I'm using...but I'm guessing with more cache and more rams...it'll be smoother.
I already mix down my tunes with my technics RD1200...but yea..I'm planning on buying out some neat Yahama HS50s..but they'll cost me more than a new CPU (computer 
)
Again..thanks for the replies guys
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