Building System, stuck deciding on motherboard etc.

[rocknje]

Hello,

I am editing this post because I have decided on a few things. I have picked my processor. I went with the Core i7 over AMD because of the sweet price at Microcenter $199. Here is the rest of the thread.

I am building a new system and I am not sure which route to take in terms of which motherboard etc. Here is some info on what I am building a computer for. I am building this computer for music production and not gaming. Software I use is FL Studio and Protools as well as plugging in instruments to the computer for recording. I need a computer system that won't bogg down when I have all these softwares and plug-ins open. I already bought some parts and I am looking to spend $500 more, but no more than $600 more.

Once again, I am not a gamer, but when it comes to overclocking, I might do a small overclock, but I will not be overclocking like most gamers do.

For a motherboard, I am really not sure which one to decide on. Here are a few brands I have been looking at are EVGA, Gigabyte and ASUS. What about other brands like Intel, Foxconn, MSI, DFI?

Since I am not a gamer, do you still recommend I get a cooler for the CPU?

Any recommendations for Memory to go with my Core i7 processor. I bought this video card from Best Buy the VisionTek HD 4350 ATI Radeon Video Card, should I keep or upgrade it?

For Sound card people have recommended M-Audio an EMU for music production, What do you guys think?

Any recommendations for a good thermal paste?

I am using Windows XP 32bit, but I will need to get a 64bit so I can take full advantage of the memory. I am leaning towards the Windows Vista 64bit with free upgrade to Windows 7. Should I go with this? Anybody have any issues with vista?

Here is a copy of my build so far.

Jeff's Final Build -- http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=11266892


Thank you very much for your time

 

[Denithor]

i7 920 + cheapest X58 board you can find + 6GB DDR3-1333 memory

Sound card - you mean like M-Audio for music capture or like X-Fi crap? Or are you using something like Digirack/Protools for your capture?

One thing - you want the quietest case you can find. So look for something with a few large fans (minimum 120mm) and preferably something with fan controls so you can slow them down during recording for low noise. Antec Three Hundred probably fits the bill pretty well. And grab a quiet PSU while you're at it - read some of the reviews to see what's good. The last thing you want is to record a bunch of fan noise in the background of an excellent track.

 

[rocknje]

Thank you for your response. I am not sure what you mean by music capture, but I would use M-Audio for music production. I am using protools for recording etc.

I will do that. As for the Intel, I am leaning toward the AMD route because of affordability and it should do the job for what I am trying to do. Will See. I am not making my decision until the weekend.

 

[Lunyone]

Here is a good combo to consider! $290 - $10 MIR = $280!! AMD PhII x4 955 BE w/Asus 790gx mobo. This should do quite well for what you would want to do.
Comes with:
PS/2
Video Ports: D-Sub + DVI
HDMI: 1 x HDMI
USB: 6 x USB 2.0
IEEE 1394: 1 x IEEE 1394a
eSATA: 1 x eSATA 3Gb/s
S/PDIF Out 1 x Optical
Audio Ports 6 Ports

I would think this would cover just about any connection that you would need. The mobo can handle up to 16gb's of DDR2 RAM, so you should be covered for quite some time. You could even do without dedicated GPU, if you didn't need it. This mobo comes with HDMI/D-Sub/DVI outputs, so you can hook up to just about any monitor or any TV with DVI/D-Sub/HDMI connections!!

As far as cases go, I like the Cooler Master 690 case. I've built a system around it before and I was quite impressed with the build quality and room it has. It also comes with 3 x 120mm fans (usually you only get 1 or 2 80mm fans with a case at this price) and runs quiet too!! You can also run your cables behind the mobo tray, so you can keep the clutter down, if you so desire. There is also a cable tray built into the case, so you can manage your cables better too!!

 

[rocknje]

Thank you for you response. The combo is over, so I can't view anything. I am interested in DDR3 not 2. Let me know of anything else you would receommend. What I posted in my thread is pretty much what I am aiming for when it comes to processors, memory etc. I really want something that I don't have to upgrade and will last for 4-5 years.

 

[Denithor]

There's no difference between DDR2 and DDR3 in real-world applications. The only reason to pay the premium for DDR3 is if forced by CPU (AM3 or i7).

By music capture I simply meant recording.

 

[rocknje]

Hello everyone, I have an update as I rewrote above in my first post. I have decided on the Core i7. I found a great deal at Microcenter for $199, so that was the decider.

I now need to pick a motherboard for the i7, Memory, Sound Card etc. I will update in a few. If you have any more recommendations, please don't hesitate to tell. I am trying to make my decision by tonight or tomorrow morning the latest.

Here is a link to my final build

http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=11266892

Thanks again. I will update again.

 

[ZachMillis]

I just ordered the EVGA E757 x58 motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813188049 I've read a lot of reviews on the EVGA boards and they seem to be very nice quality. The E757 is somewhat new, but it's built off of the E758 (from what I understand) so it should be very well put together (based on all the reviews on the E758, both on newegg and other sites).

 

[rocknje]

Originally posted by: ZachMillis
I just ordered the EVGA E757 x58 motherboard. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813188049 I've read a lot of reviews on the EVGA boards and they seem to be very nice quality. The E757 is somewhat new, but it's built off of the E758 (from what I understand) so it should be very well put together (based on all the reviews on the E758, both on newegg and other sites).

Thank you for sharing. This is something I now would be considering.

 

[rocknje]

Which Vista would you recommend I go for and why?

http://promotions.newegg.com/M...%2fTG_OEM%2f478x88.jpg

Vista Home Premium 64bit $109.99
Vista Business 64bit $149.99
Vista Ultimate 64bit $189.99

 

[rocknje]

I have made a category list for you all to see. Please click on the links below to see the categories. These are just a few items that I have either been recommended or came across of. I will be adding more.

Please let me know, which one you like. I will go with the product with the most votes.

Sound card List http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=11270812

Memory List http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=11270792

Video Card List http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=11270752

Motherboard List http://secure.newegg.com/WishL...ishListNumber=11270712


Also, I might need to get a heatsink or cooler, if you think I need to get one which one should I get?

Thank you all again.

 

[rocknje]

Another update. I bought the Window7 Prof upgrade from Amazon.com because I happened to get the promotion price at $99 upgrade of win 7.

Since I decided to late, I wasn't able to get the deal thru Newegg.com. I happended to put it in the shopping cart before it expired and happened to go back to amazon.com and I realized it was still there. So, done deal. I will go with the RC Version and once I get the retail version of Win 7 I will upgrade from there.

One thing I am not sure about is, which it doesn't state on the website that if it is 64 bit or not. Does Win 7 come in both 32 or 64 bit? I will probably have to send an email to Amazon.com to find out.

So, once again I am going to go with the Windows 7 RC version. I have heard enough good stuff about it that I am willing to go this route. Unless, somebody has a different suggestion.

Thank you again.