tercathian
Junior Member
I've got an Open Labs MiKo, gen2, LE. See OpenLabs.com for product promos (they're on to gen3, with Intel c2d, since winter NAMM '07, but the concept is still the same). It's an integrated DAW, built on AMD socket 939. This one came with and Athlon 3200+ with Zalman cnps7000 alcu/92mm fan, ASUS a8v mobo, 512mb ddr ram, 80gb WD ide hdd, 1394a pci card (with one port routed to case external, one to Presonus Firebox audio/midi i/o box, one unused going nowhere), 15" touchscreen lcd, 37-note (3-octave) synth-keyboard, qwerty-board, basic fader & transport button controller, dj-style knob & button controller, notebook-style mousepad, Lite-on dvd burner, gui software interface that overrides WinXP-home for rapid access to vst instruments and effects. Very slick overall, but very basic computer-wise. Will be running Cakewalk HomeStudio, Native Instruments Komplete4/Kore, other vst, it came with Cubase3 lite version (supplied with Firebox).
Questions on upgrade path:
1-Asus a8v supports sata1, and I'd like to gain at least one, preferably two more hard drives (main for OS and programs, 1st external for sample storage, 2nd to record audio to). No internal hdd cage, it's a pretty major surgery to add any internally, as it requires removal of a heatsink/shield piece of aluminum that covers and is attached to the top of the dvd burner. Recommendations on external hdd enclosures wanted, knowing that they'll end up attached to the case with velcro for gigging, and need to be fairly quiet in the studio? Am thinking of WD 16mb cache sata drives, since they'll downspeed to sata1, and are known for quietness and stability which are major concerns in DAWs (and have a good pricepoint currently).
2-Asus a8v supports only 2gb of ddr400 ram, but will do 4gb of ddr333. Since I'll be using more than one ram-heavy program at once, will I do better using less 400 or more 333? I've seen posts that state that XP can't see more than ~3.1gb overall, but also one that said that it depends on the ram requirements of the programs being run. Kingston ValueRAM is supported, but would a different brand be any better?
3-Asus a8v website says Athlon x2 and FX cpus are supported, but can I/should I use Opterons that have better L2 cache spec and of which higher GHz are more readily available?
Know that I'd LOVE to/am ready to upgrade to c2d cpu/mobo, but that's "major" surgery and more than I can take on myself, but if any of ya super-techs are within 5 hrs drive from Springfield,IL, please contact me.......MiKo is pretty accessible for upgrading the cpu and RAM as is, but the mobo/hdd/psu wiring configuration is very tight in this case, and I have NO idea what tweaks need to be done to a bios to work with the touchscreen (or other hardware) or their proprietary gui. Though the OpenLabs team are very friendly and seem quite willing to help the enterprising musician, they do want an exaggerated amount for their inhouse upgrade paths.
Thanks in advance, and would somebody please respond?
Dwight/ aka tercathian
Questions on upgrade path:
1-Asus a8v supports sata1, and I'd like to gain at least one, preferably two more hard drives (main for OS and programs, 1st external for sample storage, 2nd to record audio to). No internal hdd cage, it's a pretty major surgery to add any internally, as it requires removal of a heatsink/shield piece of aluminum that covers and is attached to the top of the dvd burner. Recommendations on external hdd enclosures wanted, knowing that they'll end up attached to the case with velcro for gigging, and need to be fairly quiet in the studio? Am thinking of WD 16mb cache sata drives, since they'll downspeed to sata1, and are known for quietness and stability which are major concerns in DAWs (and have a good pricepoint currently).
2-Asus a8v supports only 2gb of ddr400 ram, but will do 4gb of ddr333. Since I'll be using more than one ram-heavy program at once, will I do better using less 400 or more 333? I've seen posts that state that XP can't see more than ~3.1gb overall, but also one that said that it depends on the ram requirements of the programs being run. Kingston ValueRAM is supported, but would a different brand be any better?
3-Asus a8v website says Athlon x2 and FX cpus are supported, but can I/should I use Opterons that have better L2 cache spec and of which higher GHz are more readily available?
Know that I'd LOVE to/am ready to upgrade to c2d cpu/mobo, but that's "major" surgery and more than I can take on myself, but if any of ya super-techs are within 5 hrs drive from Springfield,IL, please contact me.......MiKo is pretty accessible for upgrading the cpu and RAM as is, but the mobo/hdd/psu wiring configuration is very tight in this case, and I have NO idea what tweaks need to be done to a bios to work with the touchscreen (or other hardware) or their proprietary gui. Though the OpenLabs team are very friendly and seem quite willing to help the enterprising musician, they do want an exaggerated amount for their inhouse upgrade paths.
Thanks in advance, and would somebody please respond?
Dwight/ aka tercathian
