I'm getting to a point where my current computer is no longer handling the workload... Originally I was just going to get a new CPU but now I'm considering just buying a brand new machine.

For those who have went through this already and decided to upgrade by byuing an entirely new system, do you guys have any tips/recommendations in terms of how best to transfer all the software and stuff from the old machine onto the new one?

Would I have to reinstall everything or am I better off buying a an external HD and simply dumping everything I have right now on the drive and then copying it over onto the new computer?

Any thoughts or comments appreciated. Thanks!

I upgraded to a Mac pro with 2 quad 3.0 processors two HD and 8G of Ram. I don't have problems like that any more. I highly suggest it. it's also very easy to add a second monitor so you can have your arrange on one and the mixing on the other. kinda pricey but if you want to do it long term, youll have to invest

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Data can be transferred quite easily, however programs will have to the completely reinstalled fresh. You can't just copy the program files over and expect it to work properly. There are registry settings and other things that would need to be transferred properly, so when you get ready to buy that new machine, make sure you find all of your original installation media before you begin the transfer. The one exception will be simple VST's that only require the .DLL in the VSTplugins folder, but those are few and far between.

Clone your old harddrive. It'll save you a lot of time if you use firewire -

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thanks for the comments...

Alekos: what do you mean by "clone your old HD"? I've never heard of that. Currently I have two HDs, one internal and an external USB.

I'm just upgrading the cpu chip in mine to the core quad, only because I'm broke and all I really need is speed.

But if you're going to redo everything, and EVEN IF YOUR NOT, I would ALWAYS 100% absolutely recommend you keep that one external hardrive loaded with EVERYTHING you currently use in your DAW.

All your samples.
I have about 150gb worth of samples (on a 500gb total) and if my harddrive ever went I would be completely and totally fucked.

Think about it, and it DOES happen, more than you prob think. I had a close situation where I lost the mobo, and dc converter and realized WOW if I had lost my data I would cry.
Not to rant but its really important, especially as years pass by you always want a back up drive.

And yeh for your situation I would just transfer all that data to your new computer from the harddrive. And than plan on wasting a good week (well depending on what you actually have in your studio) reinstalling stuff you had before. Don't really know any better ways of doing it.

are there really that many apps ur talking of? most of the vsts dont need install or am i wrong there? so its just the soundcarddriver and the sequencer (s)? the projectfiles and presets and samples u should back up anyway.