New computer

[clarnibass]

I'm probably going to buy the parts today or tomorrow at a local store. Prices here are more expensive than in the USA so don't be surprised. I narrowed it down but still have a few dilemas. Also, I'd like comments on the entire system.

I'll use this computer for audio work. Recording instruments, and making music with virtual instruments. I'll be working mostly with programs like Cubase, Vegas, Sound Fordge.

I won't play any games at all on this computer.
I won't overclock.

OK, here is what I had in mind so far, and the options and questions I have. Most important things for this computer is A) Stability. I don't want something to burn or stop working days after I build it. B) Quiet. Since I'll be recording in the same room I need it as quiet as possible, but without spending a lot on water cooling etc.

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3200+ S939 - $260

Motherboard: Asus A8V Deluxe - $190 (I heard this board had problem recognizing SATA hard drives, is that something a first time builder will a problem with? I'll have two SATA drives, but I'm not using RAID if that makes a difference. Another option is MSI K8T Neo2 - $175)

Memory cards: 2 x 512mb Corsair Value PC3200/400 - $175 (for the two cards)
Is it worth it to buy the Corsair SMX cards instead? How noticable is the difference? The price for a total of 1gb of the SMX is $270

Graphics card: Asus V9520 GF FX5200 - $75
Or any relatively cheap, fanless, Nvidia based card

Sound card: M-Audio Delta-44 - $280 (Might order this from the USA since it's only $150 there)

Two hard drives: Seagate 80gb SATA for programs - $85
Seagate 120gb SATA for recordings - $120
Since I'll have two SATA drives, I need to know if I'll have nay problems with the Asus mobo which I read a lot of people had.

Floppy drive: Just in case - $9

DVD burner: NEC 3520A DVD±RW
Will I be able to burn CDs (ont DVDs obviously, regular CDs) in very low speeds like x8 and x4 and even x1 with this burner? If not, any DVD burners that can do that?

Case: Compucase 6A19 - $80 (I'll probably change the power supply for a much better one)
Is it worth the extra money for an Antec 3700BQE case (costs $145) which I'll have to change the power supply too? I think it's pssible to get the credit for the case's power supply.

I'm also going to need a router with one regular exit and two wireless exits. I'll have 3 computers in the house and want to have them all on the internet. Any recommendations for a router who can do that?

Is it possible to have the screen, mouse, and keyboard connected to two computers, and by a switch change what computer they working with? What do I need to do that?

Thank you very much

Nitai

 

[Gadzookie]

if your not going to play any video games and you are doing audio work you probably should go intel

 

[clarnibass]

I thought about going Intel but from asking many people working with these programs and using the same virtual instruments it seems overall AMD is better.

 

[ericlala]

Yes intel... hyper-threading will help.

 

[w00t]

these parts are overpriced u should be able to find a a64 3200+ venice for 199

www.newegg.com have fun

 

[clarnibass]

Thanks for the replies.

I'm looking for feedback on the parts, and would apprecicate if anyone would have any comments on that.
As for the prices, I wrote in my post everything is more expensive here. These are the prices (and some stores are even more expensive!). Ordering from newegg, with the taxes and shipping costs will eventually be a lot more expensive than the prices I listed actually, so that's not an option.

Thanks.

 

[boomerang]

I see that the Asus board has passive cooling on the chipset so that's good. I am not familiar with the board so I cannot comment on SATA problems.

I have the same case and I am very happy with it. The fans that come with it are not all that quiet. A couple of quiet 120MM fans perhaps coupled with two Fan Mates and you should be fine. You can get that case with the fan grills punched out and/or other modifications here. But taxes and shipping may rule that option out.

As for the router, any wireless router will handle your needs. I like Netgear, but Linksys and D-Link are also popular brands.

To switch between two computers you need a KVM switch.

Edit: Stick with the RAM you picked out.

 

[akshayt]

is intel better?

what abt 64bit support when apps come up?

also,even if amd 64 then why not asus a8n-e?

 

[KoolDrew]

Get a Sonata case.

 

[imported_rod]

Originally posted by: clarnibass
I'm probably going to buy the parts today or tomorrow at a local store. Prices here are more expensive than in the USA so don't be surprised. I narrowed it down but still have a few dilemas. Also, I'd like comments on the entire system.

Where are you? If you're in Australia, I might be able to help.

Originally posted by: clarnibass
Memory cards: 2 x 512mb Corsair Value PC3200/400 - $175 (for the two cards)
Is it worth it to buy the Corsair SMX cards instead? How noticable is the difference? The price for a total of 1gb of the SMX is $270

If you're not gaming or overclocking, it's not worth the extra cost.

Originally posted by: clarnibass
Graphics card: Asus V9520 GF FX5200 - $75
Or any relatively cheap, fanless, Nvidia based card

Maybe the GeForce 6200(TurboCache) if your going PCI-Express.

Originally posted by: clarnibass
Two hard drives: Seagate 80gb SATA for programs - $85
Seagate 120gb SATA for recordings - $120
Since I'll have two SATA drives, I need to know if I'll have nay problems with the Asus mobo which I read a lot of people had.

Not sure, but if your recordings, you might want to consider two drives in a RAID 1 setup, or an external HDD as a backup.

Also, a 200GB HDD is generally better value/cost than a 80/120GB HDD.

Originally posted by: clarnibass
DVD burner: NEC 3520A DVD±RW
Will I be able to burn CDs (ont DVDs obviously, regular CDs) in very low speeds like x8 and x4 and even x1 with this burner? If not, any DVD burners that can do that?

Shouldn't be a problem.

Originally posted by: clarnibass
I'm also going to need a router with one regular exit and two wireless exits. I'll have 3 computers in the house and want to have them all on the internet. Any recommendations for a router who can do that?

Any wireless router should be able to do this. D-Link has a good one, I'll look for a link L8er.

Originally posted by: clarnibass
Is it possible to have the screen, mouse, and keyboard connected to two computers, and by a switch change what computer they working with? What do I need to do that?

A KVM (Keyboard/Video/Monitor) switch.


RoD

 

[Ike0069]

I'd definitely go with the MSI Neo2 MB. It's a great board and it uses NF3, vice a Via chipset.
The 3520A burns CD's and DVD's perfectly. I actually burn more CD's than DVD's with mine.
For a router, the Linksys WRT54G is excellent. Probably the #1 recommended wireless router right now.

 

[dodgybob]

Get the antec slk3000b instead of the 3700if you intend to replace the psu. It is the same case but slightly improved and comes without a power supply so you can choose the best for your needs whilst not paying for a psu you wont use. I'd recommend a seasonic s12 for a power supply but don't know price/availability where you are. Try to get a psu with a 120mm fan, they tend to be quieter as a rule (though not always, depends on the model).

Note, if you get a wireless router you must make sure that your modem has an ethernet port on it or replace it with one that does to be able to connect it to the router. Although you can buy many models with the modem built in.

 

[imported_rod]

Originally posted by: akshayt
is intel better?
what abt 64bit support when apps come up?
also,even if amd 64 then why not asus a8n-e?

The new Pentiums (6xx series) support 64-bit processing. Though if you want ^$-bit, Id still go with AMD. Intel still need to work the bumps out of their CPU's.

The A8N-E seems like quite a good board, although alot of the features wouldn't be used by anyone who isn't gaming or overclocking.

RoD

 

[akugami]

Some of the prices you list look rediculously inflated. Go check places like monarchcomputer.com, zipzoomfly.com, newegg.com for some better prices.

Get an Antec Sonata case. It is nice for it's price. It also comes with a decent PSU and has 120mm fans which are quieter than 80mm fans. Decent overall value. Not the cheapest thing around but you get what you pay for. That compucase looks fugly IMHO.

I know from experience when using audio apps that the files can get pretty large. You might do well to get a decent 2GB RAM kit (2x1GB) rather than a 1GB kit. I haven't played with the recording software and music creation software but I have had to edit audio streams (making dvd's, editing home movies) and the files can get very large. The speed of the RAM is not the highest factor but rather having lots of RAM.

Get two Seagate 7200.8 200GB HD's. They should run you about $140'ish each. They are also the latest models from Seagate and are very fast. Make sure they are the 7200.8's which are the latest ones.

KVM for using a single keyboard, monitor and mouse to control two computers. I use one of these at work for the surveillance system and our file server. At the push of a button you can switch between the computers. The two computers are side by side in the same room so we saved space and money by using a KVM. The file server rarely is accessed directly, usually only over the LAN so no sense wasting money and space for a monitor, keyboard and mouse for a system that only gets physically accessed once a week. Should run you about $25-40'ish for a KVM.

 

[clarnibass]

Thanks for the replies again.

Rod, you are probably right but since I won't be playing games or overclocking... Anyway, I haven't found a nForce board with passive cooling yet.
By the way Rod, I'm in Israel.

Akugami, maybe you missed the part in my post that read: "Prices here are more expensive than in the USA", and then another post where I answered to someone: "As for the prices, I wrote in my post everything is more expensive here. These are the prices (and some stores are even more expensive!). Ordering from newegg, with the taxes and shipping costs will eventually be a lot more expensive than the prices I listed actually, so that's not an option."

For any order over $50 I'd have to pay %32 taxes, plus the shipping can cost over $100 or much more for a reasonable shipping method (regular shipping form the usa can take even two months).
Now I checked newegg and I'm not even sure they ship internationally at all (not that it matters really...).

About the RAM, maybe more than 1gb is a good idea. If I get 4 x 512 cards of Corsair Value is that ok? I heard sometimes it doesn't recognize the 4 cards, or they work at a slower speed or something.

Thank you very much.

 

[clarnibass]

Bump!

Any more comment since I'm going to buy everything in a few hours.

Thanks.