New here! Need some setup advice!

neverforget · 12th October 2008

Hey guys, was recommended this site to ask about a good computer setup ideally for music! hope someone can help me

The thing is - I know NOTHING about computers :( However I do have quite a lot of money saved up so I'm looking to get a fairly decent setup.

Can anyone recommend me any ready built PC's which would be good for music? preferably something around $500 (around £300), though the price can go higher if it's worth it!

P.S. The computer MUST have Firewire

Any help would be great! Thanks in advance!!

neverforget · 13th October 2008

Bump

neverforget · 14th October 2008

*Sigh...*

Bump dfegad

neverforget · 15th October 2008

Can anyone at least link me to some useful information? :D

Lord Phoenix · 15th October 2008

What did you get on the search results for the site?

neverforget · 16th October 2008

I didn't search

That setup of yours seems quite nice though... How much was it?

357mag · 17th October 2008

You could hand pick your own components and build one yourself that would serve you just as well if not better than a store built one. Plus you can install only the necessary programs you want. Store built machines come already bogged down with stupid and unnecessary software.

neverforget · 17th October 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357mag

You could hand pick your own components and build one yourself that would serve you just as well if not better than a store built one. Plus you can install only the necessary programs you want. Store built machines come already bogged down with stupid and unnecessary software.

I would if I could man. I don't have a clue about what parts I would need or anything. If anyone could send me a link or something which tells me all I need to build my own, I'd be very grateful!

neverforget · 17th October 2008

Intel Core 2 Duo E 6600
Motherboard ASUSTeK P5B Deluxe
2 Gb DDR
2 Serial ATA HD 80 Gb
1 Serial ATA HD 250 Gb

First of, I have no idea what any of the above means, but if I could get a friend to put this together for me, would it make a full computer? Could I have access to my everyday applications such as the internet?

neverforget · 19th October 2008

Bump. thumbsup

FeatheredSerpent · 20th October 2008

It's best to keep the internet away from your music machine, but you can limit any negative effects by setting up a dual boot, ie one windows installation for music and one for general use on the same computer. It's very easy to do and worthwhile.

These are the things you need to look at to get yourself a good custom machine:

Processor - the one you're looking at is very popular and performs better than most, it'll even give you an edge over quad core processors under most normal operating conditions.
CPU cooler: Replace the stock cooler with a third party, quieter, more efficient one.
Motherboard: Does it allow you room to expand? How many pci and pcie slots are there, which firewire chipset does it use, how many sata ports etc.
Check the motherboard against known good configurations for any and all hardware it's possible you may acquire.

Ram: Get 4Gb. If you're using 32bit windows (like most people), you'll be limited to 3½ but the more the merrier as far as ram is concerned.
Buffered ram is best but very expensive. Not even Apple use buffered ram in their machines, but go with branded, reputable ram, such as Corsair, Kingston, Geil etc.

Hard drives: Get one IDE system drive for your OS and programs, and SATA II drives for audio data. Make sure that you buy identical spec SATA drives, as then you have the option to set up a raid configuration if you want to.

GFX: Audio apps are not graphics-intensive, but look for something that runs quietly and cool. Asus do a great card for a daw - the EAH2400 Pro.

Case: Play safe and go with an Antec case - the P182 is excellent as a tower, or theres the 'Take 4' rack case. But you'll want to replace the stock fans with some quieter ones - acoustifan or Akasa are good.

PSU: 500w is fine, compare reviews on models in your price range.

Screens - Cheap at the moment, get two 22".

Wireless keyboard is handy if you want to move around.

12th October 2008	#1
neverforget Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Thread Starter	New here! Need some setup advice! Hey guys, was recommended this site to ask about a good computer setup ideally for music! hope someone can help me The thing is - I know NOTHING about computers :( However I do have quite a lot of money saved up so I'm looking to get a fairly decent setup. Can anyone recommend me any ready built PC's which would be good for music? preferably something around $500 (around £300), though the price can go higher if it's worth it! P.S. The computer MUST have Firewire Any help would be great! Thanks in advance!!

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13th October 2008	#2
neverforget Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Thread Starter	Bump

14th October 2008	#3
neverforget Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Thread Starter	Sigh... Bump dfegad

15th October 2008	#4
neverforget Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Thread Starter	Can anyone at least link me to some useful information? :D

15th October 2008	#5
Lord Phoenix Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 14	What did you get on the search results for the site?

16th October 2008	#6
neverforget Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Thread Starter	I didn't search That setup of yours seems quite nice though... How much was it?

17th October 2008	#7
357mag Gear addict Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 480	You could hand pick your own components and build one yourself that would serve you just as well if not better than a store built one. Plus you can install only the necessary programs you want. Store built machines come already bogged down with stupid and unnecessary software.

19th October 2008	#10
neverforget Gear interested Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 8 Thread Starter	Bump. thumbsup

20th October 2008	#11
FeatheredSerpent Lives for gear Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,442	It's best to keep the internet away from your music machine, but you can limit any negative effects by setting up a dual boot, ie one windows installation for music and one for general use on the same computer. It's very easy to do and worthwhile. These are the things you need to look at to get yourself a good custom machine: Processor - the one you're looking at is very popular and performs better than most, it'll even give you an edge over quad core processors under most normal operating conditions. CPU cooler: Replace the stock cooler with a third party, quieter, more efficient one. Motherboard: Does it allow you room to expand? How many pci and pcie slots are there, which firewire chipset does it use, how many sata ports etc. Check the motherboard against known good configurations for any and all hardware it's possible you may acquire. Ram: Get 4Gb. If you're using 32bit windows (like most people), you'll be limited to 3½ but the more the merrier as far as ram is concerned. Buffered ram is best but very expensive. Not even Apple use buffered ram in their machines, but go with branded, reputable ram, such as Corsair, Kingston, Geil etc. Hard drives: Get one IDE system drive for your OS and programs, and SATA II drives for audio data. Make sure that you buy identical spec SATA drives, as then you have the option to set up a raid configuration if you want to. GFX: Audio apps are not graphics-intensive, but look for something that runs quietly and cool. Asus do a great card for a daw - the EAH2400 Pro. Case: Play safe and go with an Antec case - the P182 is excellent as a tower, or theres the 'Take 4' rack case. But you'll want to replace the stock fans with some quieter ones - acoustifan or Akasa are good. PSU: 500w is fine, compare reviews on models in your price range. Screens - Cheap at the moment, get two 22". Wireless keyboard is handy if you want to move around.