Advice on an Audio Processing Rig.

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TheWhatKiwi

Member
Dec 25, 2009
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I really have no idea where to begin on this... I want to build a rig for fast Audio processing, storage and sound quality. I have a video card, monitor, keyboard, mouse and power supply. I have 1k to work with... Any thoughts? I would also like it to be a batch CD audio ripper if at all possible. Been out of the game for too long. :\

I'm to plug my guitar and keyboard into it.
Though this should not be considered part of the cost (as the input device will be install independently).

THANKS! :D
 
Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
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So, the actual analog part of it, if any, is not included in the $1000 budget, correct?

For CD ripping, just get a decent CD reading drive--Samsung, maybe?--and read up on good quality ripping. Any PC from the last 5-10 years will outpace the physical spinning media's read speeds.

Will it need to do any real-time processing to the incoming audio?

Also, what software will be used?
 
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TheWhatKiwi

Member
Dec 25, 2009
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Ableton Live 8 Digital Audio, pro-tools and Audacity. I'll need a power supply on second thought.

Yes it will need to do real time processing.
My video card is a 8800 GTX+.

The actual analog part is not included in the price.
 
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mfenn

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Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
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TheWhatKiwi

Member
Dec 25, 2009
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Do you see a difference between an X6 and the i5 2500? I really want this computer to last me a few years. I can up the amount to $1500... if need be.

Also could you recommend a good quiet video card... Sometimes I play wow.
 
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mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
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www.mfenn.com
TheWhatKiwi said:
Do you see a difference between an X6 and the i5 2500? I really want this computer to last me a few years. I can up the amount to $1500... if need be.

Also could you recommend a good quiet video card... Sometimes I play wow.
Click to expand...

An i5 2500 is much much faster than a Phenom X6. In fact, it's the 2nd fastest CPU that money can buy. The fastest is the i7 2600, which is 50% more expensive and about 10% faster. The IGP can play WoW well enough for the occasional gamer, but feel free to add a GTS 450 for $100 AR.

My advice is to take the $1500 that you were planning to spend, buy my $750-850 config, and save the rest for upgrades in 2-3 years. That'll make sure that you're getting the best bang for the buck.
 
mnewsham

mnewsham

Lifer
Oct 2, 2010
14,539
428
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mfenn said:
An i5 2500 is much much faster than a Phenom X6. In fact, it's the 2nd fastest CPU that money can buy. The fastest is the i7 2600, which is 50% more expensive and about 10% faster. The IGP can play WoW well enough for the occasional gamer, but feel free to add a GTS 450 for $100 AR.

My advice is to take the $1500 that you were planning to spend, buy my $750-850 config, and save the rest for upgrades in 2-3 years. That'll make sure that you're getting the best bang for the buck.
Click to expand...


:thumbsup: except for the GTS 450, if you are willing to fill out rebates then the HD 6850 for only $123.49 is a better deal.
 
Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
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+1 to what mfenn's said, and then I would get one of these video cards, for some gaming:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125328

P.S. Here's the best review I could find, using a recent WoW (note they add AA with higher res, as well):
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTS_450_SLI/18.html
Kind of a wash. The cheaper one is slower, the more expensive a little faster, yet both are likely to be CPU-limited (or monitor-limited) at 1080, and the Radeon will use a bit less power.

Both will be highly dependent on good air flow through the case, but that shouldn't be a problem with the R3.

Then, this CPU cooler:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835233082




At some point, if you want to quiet the fans down more, Scythe's Slipstream (sleeve bearing--wears out fastest, wears out quietly, and the fans are very quiet) and KAMA (fluid dynamic bearing--will last longer than you will have a use for it) are excellent. PWM fans have a 4-pin connector, and if used in a 4-pin port, can be controlled by the BIOS or software (such as Speedfan), giving more control over the cooling. Most mobos don't have many (sometimes only 1 for the CPU fan), so with all the mobos being recommended, if you want to do this in the future, see if any have 4-pin chassis fan ports.

For what you need, you will likely not need all the fans the case has available. You can run them slower (I think you'll need a linear fan controller, or be willing to hack on it a bit, for the included fans), or remove them (if doing so on an exhaust, tape the vent closed).

When and if you get to that point, begin lurking over here.
 
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