|
New Computer!!!!
|
View this Thread in Original format
| klahvay |
So I recently was informed by the nice man at geek squad that my 2006 gateway computer is a bit out of touch for Komplete 8. I can't run windows 7 on it without running into a bunch of compatibility issues, so its finally time for an upgrade.
Wondering if you guys have any advice on computer shopping. I don't plan on using this DESKTOP for anything else besides production, which I'll be running FL Studio 10 as well as Komplete 8 and a few other software synths. What works for you guys, what should I avoid, and what features should I look for that will keep me from upgrading again in the next 5 years or so?
Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!! |
|
|
| Looney4Clooney |
do a search for your soundcard and motherboard issues and one that works well across the board. Cross reference that with people in audio forums in general. Find one that works for everyone. Never buy stuff just released, always aim for the middle. tested , and reliable. Don't be a beta tester.
Don't go for performance, go for stability. The rational is that if you just go for performance, well in 5 months, it will perform as well in relation to the new computers as say you just got one that was stable. So there you go. Stability is way more important than benchmarks.
The motherboard and powersupply are the most important. Ram works or it doesn't. Hardrives , just make sure they aren't eco friendly. Videocard, make sure you don't get a gaming one. In fact, make sure you don't get a gaming computer, They are designed to pull every resource for playing stupid games. |
|
|
| Stuart Silver |
| quote: | | In fact, make sure you don't get a gaming computer |
This, they tend to be horrendously noisy as well. At the end of the day, a basic system with an Intel based CPU (I5/I7), onboard/built in GPU, decent (pro) soundcard
and 1 or 2 harddisks is really all you need. Just be selective about which components you choose & research them well.
There does seem to be an awful lot of compatibility issues between soundcards and motherboards/chipsets/etc, so trawl through some of the forums looking for issues.
Forums like this for example.
Also, think about what you want from the soundcard - will you get hardware synths and want to run them into the PC for sampling/recording for example |
|
|
| Looney4Clooney |
on board gpu is a bad idea in my opinion. And gaming cards as they will try to use your system as well. You want medium range card not designed for videogames. Again you have to search you mother board , then find a compatible video card. You should be cross referencing all the parts for compatibility. Maybe 8 hours of research work ?
And pay attention to detail say if you use firewire, what chip is the interface using. Anything that might be important, well find out how that might affect your system.
And a good case. That is an investment that might not seem worth it but in the long run, i mean i had a lian li case that is almost as nice as my mac pro and it would still fit the current motherboards and all that. A case with insulation and good airflow and easy access so you don't have to dick around too much.
The mac pro case is just great. You can completely take everything apart in like 10 minutes. Like strip it down to parts. |
|
|
| jsrobinson |
Folks. Start building your own desktops. Really. Even if you use the Mac OS. You'll save a lot of money, and get far, far more bang for your buck. Whatever you do, don't buy a retail desktop, and IMO don't get AMD at this point in time. They're really lagging behind in terms of brute horsepower. Your CPU needs to (ideally) be Sandy Bridge or better, and you're going to want at least 8gb RAM.
Aim for an SSD as your boot drive and install your DAW and any reasonably sized plugins on that, with another HD for sample storage and auxiliary install space, etc.
GPU doesn't matter much. I wouldn't necessarily use an onboard GPU, but if you're not gaming at all, you can skip it or add one later if needed. Get a PSU that doesn't suck quality wise. Get a case with good airflow as said above.
There really isn't anything else to it. Add a sound card/DVD drive/etc to choice, plug everything in, and you're off. When shopping, choose your CPU first, followed by a motherboard for that CPU, followed by RAM, and then fill in the gaps around that. This will give you a frame of reference when looking at component choices.
Edit: Regarding fan noise... I just keep my tower in a server closet next to my studio area. I run USB, Firewire, and HDMI cables through the wall with a $3 pass thru wallplate. There is no fan noise in the studio at all.
If you can't manage that, then just learn how to set your system fans to desired levels depending on temperature. |
|
|
| Looney4Clooney |
| if you are using mac , don't build it yourself. What you might save in money , you will pay in time. And in the end, you will havea crippled mac , which is worse than any pc. It isn't worth it. |
|
|
| jayxthekoolest |
| They're releasing new Macbook Pros in the next month or so. I'd get one of those. ;-) |
|
|
| sicc |
| quote: | Originally posted by jsrobinson
Folks. Start building your own desktops. Really. Even if you use the Mac OS. You'll save a lot of money, and get far, far more bang for your buck. Whatever you do, don't buy a retail desktop, and IMO don't get AMD at this point in time. They're really lagging behind in terms of brute horsepower. Your CPU needs to (ideally) be Sandy Bridge or better, and you're going to want at least 8gb RAM.
Aim for an SSD as your boot drive and install your DAW and any reasonably sized plugins on that, with another HD for sample storage and auxiliary install space, etc.
GPU doesn't matter much. I wouldn't necessarily use an onboard GPU, but if you're not gaming at all, you can skip it or add one later if needed. Get a PSU that doesn't suck quality wise. Get a case with good airflow as said above.
There really isn't anything else to it. Add a sound card/DVD drive/etc to choice, plug everything in, and you're off. When shopping, choose your CPU first, followed by a motherboard for that CPU, followed by RAM, and then fill in the gaps around that. This will give you a frame of reference when looking at component choices.
Edit: Regarding fan noise... I just keep my tower in a server closet next to my studio area. I run USB, Firewire, and HDMI cables through the wall with a $3 pass thru wallplate. There is no fan noise in the studio at all.
If you can't manage that, then just learn how to set your system fans to desired levels depending on temperature. |
Couldnt agree more with this. its cheaper and just all together a better option then buying something thats already built to sound cool. I built a killer rig for under 800, amd phenom II (six cores) 16 gb ram among other awesome specs. works beautifully. |
|
|
| tehlord |
Without a budget any advice is pointless.
If I were speccing/building a new DAW right now with an average budget I'd go with current gen i7, an SSD system drive and a 1TB data drive, 8GB RAM, fanless GPU and W7. You'll only need more RAM if you're using large samples which is unlikely if you're making EDM. |
|
|
| klahvay |
thanks for the advice fellas. Just to be clear, my budget is between $800 and $1000. I would preferably like to keep it lower than $1000, and hell I would love to keep it below $900. Obviously, with the parts I'm looking for to really last me a while, it looks like a manageable and reliable computer can be made for around $824 on Newegg. What do you guys think of this:
RAM - 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $97
APU - Intel Core i7-3770K Ivy Bridge - $350
Mobo - Z77 ATX LGA 1155 - $115
PSU - OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W - $90 - ($60 after MIR)
HDD - SATA3 7200 1TB WD/Seagate - $100
Case - Antec Three Hundred Black - $55
Drive - 22X DVD burner - $17
Total - $824 + Shipping(794 after MIR)
Thanks again for the advice. |
|
|
| cryophonik |
Lots of good advice here so far, but I'll add this:
| quote: | Originally posted by klahvay
So I recently was informed by the nice man at geek squad
Wondering if you guys have any advice on computer shopping. |
Rule #1 - Don't take the advice of the guys at Geek Squad or Best Buy when buying or fixing a computer.
Rule #2 - If you're talking a PC desktop, definitely build it yourself. If you know how to surf the web and you can operate a screwdriver, you'll build a very well-spec'ed machine for far less than you could buy one at a retailer.
Rule #3 - Read Rule #1 again. |
|
|
| meriter |
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
Rule #1 - Don't take the advice of the guys at Geek Squad or Best Buy when buying or fixing a computer. |
I ignore these idiots like homeless people asking for change. |
|
|
|
|
