Audio PC Build

[trumpetmidi]

Hello all! I am new to this forum, but after searching around for various topics, I have already found a lot of great information posted on these pages. Keep up the good work people! Anyway, on to my question...

I have read the sticky about people coming on here always asking what type of components they should use to build a gaming machine, or other type of PC. However, I have done a search and have not found any posts about people putting together a PC strictly for audio work.

I am looking to spend around 1500 for this machine and I so many dilemmas already. First off, I am not sure whether to go Intel or AMD. I had originally thought that I should for AMD because once the 64 bit revolution comes around, I will be ready. But now that Intel has released the new Pentium 4 600 series, I'm not sure what to get! Can any of you audioheads on this forum let me know which is the better processor. I know I will get arguments from both sides, but I would like to weigh the positives and negatives for both processors. I will be mainly running Cubase or Sonar with Kontakt or Gigastudio and sampling in a small chamber orchestra or pipe organ. At the most, I will be using 12 instruments.

I play on getting at least 1gb of ram to start, maybe more depending on the final build price. Should I get DDR or DDR2? I have heard that DDR2 doesn't make much of a difference in most PCs, but how about for audio?

Also, if you make a suggestion on a processor, could you please provide a motherboard that would be best to use with it. There are so many choices, but strictly from an audio viewpoint, what would be a good buy. I am not necessarily looking to overclock.

As for a pro soundcard, I dont think I need any advice in this area.

I think that about covers it. Thank you very much in advance for all your advice!

 

[DaveSimmons]

You might want to check the forums for each of the products (gigastudio, etc.) and see what hardware users have, and what problems they might run into. The "kernal streaming" stuff can be picky about hardware (CPU, motherboard, drives), operating system, RAM.

You might also find that if you're both generating and recording / mixing audio at the same time that you would do better with 2 midrange PCs instead of one super-PC. Or not, but you should definitely check those forums.

There also might be some useful info at http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/ though I've only looked at threads on encoding from CD there.

 

[kyparrish]

is a Mac out of the question?

 

[minofifa]

hi,
you may also want to check out www.homerecording.com/bbs as there tons of threads covering this stuff.

that said, having a computer that is stable is the most important thing as any hickup can ruin a whole recording session. i have found my setup works well. I use sonar. I have an AMD athlon 3200 with an ASUS K8N E deluxe and 1 gig of RAM. I found that it is really important to make sure the chipset you choose will work with the pro soundcard you choose.

one othe thing, for your orchestral soundbank you should check out www.garritan.com. I would love to have a package like that... maybe soon i will.

having a video card with dual monitor support is also a good idea as having two monitors is really productive.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: kyparrish
is a Mac out of the question?

GigaStudio is Windows only.

 

[trumpetmidi]

Minofifa...

I have Garritan Personal Orchestra, which is their cheapest version of their orchestra. It's a great product considering I only paid 300 for it. The strings are outstanding for that price, but the brass is just ok.

Also, I have looked into getting a mac, but their prices are just too high for me. A dual 2.0ghz with a few upgrades is 2500+. Thats just too much. I can buy a PC system that is just as powerful for 500-800 less. Thanks for your input though.

And yes, Gigastudio is not compatible with Apple, but Kontakt is. I just don't think I'm going to go that route though.

 

[wisdomtooth]

Originally posted by: trumpetmidi
I am looking to spend around 1500 for this machine and I so many dilemmas already. First off, I am not sure whether to go Intel or AMD. I had originally thought that I should for AMD because once the 64 bit revolution comes around, I will be ready. But now that Intel has released the new Pentium 4 600 series, I'm not sure what to get!

I built several machines for a friend who does audio work with Digidesign's Protools software and the MBox hardware.. The chief thing she complained to me about her old computer was that it was NOISY.

If quietness is important, you want to avoid the current Pentium-4's. The current Prescott Pentium-4s are all notoriously difficult to keep cool quietly.

I would go for something built around the Athlon64, which is easier to cool and can therefore be made to run more quiet. Pair up that A64 CPU with a board that uses passive cooling for the northbridge like the MSI RS480M2-IL, put it in a case with a quiet PSU like the Seasonic Super Tornado 400, and you should have a good basis for an audio workstation.

You might want to look for an Athlon64 Venice-core CPU though-- Those handle RAM better than the Winchesters (Winchester drops the RAM timings if you populate more than 2 slots), and as we all know audio workstations require A LOT of RAM.

HTH.