Need a new PC for my studio?

[TheArk]

I am really not into building my own PC.
I just need a good computer with good memory, RAM, and importantly CPU.
After getting more serious in my mixing session in pro tools, im getting tons of errors how my computer can't handle the sessions due to the CPU.
Any recommendations? I really don't want a PC going over a thousand. My budget is $500-$800.

[jimmys69]

By not building or having one built, you will get about half the power for the price. A basic build is very simple and there are many tutorials and people to help if you have any issues. I just built my first i7 with 16MB RAM and two 1TB HDD's for about a grand. About 25 min assembly and less than an hour to get running.

[Distelfeld]

I'd suggest a config like that with Core i7 2600k and 8-16GB RAM Dell XPS 8300 Details | Dell

But I can't comment on this model as I built my comp myself.. but it may be worth a look

[TheArk]

Let's say i was to build a computer.
Where would i start?

[jimmys69]

Newegg.com. Hardware>DIY PC Combos. Or Micro Center if you have one in town. Newegg has a bunch of packages that will get you going smoothly. Micro Center is nice because you can talk with a real person about the build. Either way, It really isn't hard. A bunch of screws and the connectors are like fitting the square peg to the square hole. Well kinda. :D

[TheArk]

Originally Posted by jimmys69

Newegg.com. Hardware>DIY PC Combos. Or Micro Center if you have one in town. Newegg has a bunch of packages that will get you going smoothly. Micro Center is nice because you can talk with a real person about the build. Either way, It really isn't hard. A bunch of screws and the connectors are like fitting the square peg to the square hole. Well kinda. :D

Well okay you guys win this won, i will build my own computer, it doesnt look hard, im just concerned about buying the best parts.
First im off with the case, what should i llook for in a pc case?

[jruberto]

i like to start here: Build a Silent PC - Home

especially if the machine is going to be in the room with ya, you want that thing running as quiet as possible. many of the high-performance parts you'll find place a higher value on raw speed & cool blinkenlights than noise.. 'tis a bummer to fire up your new machine for the first time & realize that it's noisy as heck. the good cases that come with insulated walls & the silicone standoffs for hard drives can make a big difference. I'm thrilled with the Antec (top listing on their cases page).

my top advice: if you are going to skimp on something, make sure it isn't the power supply. i go corsair all the way. super solid.

[Syncamorea]

Originally Posted by TheArk

First im off with the case, what should i llook for in a pc case?

You'll need to shop smart to stay on budget. You have more choices if you go with a tower or mini-tower than with a rackmount or HTPC case. On the lower price end, look at Cooler Master, maybe like this:

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Take a look at the vent space of the case. At a minimum, one 12cm inlet and one 12cm (or two 8cm) outlet fan. One the lower price end, totally avoid case/power supply combos. Get a good quality power supply.

This Antec case is a good value:

Newegg.com - Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

If you can afford to pump up your budget, consider something like this:

Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-7B plus II Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I've built up a ton of those and everyone that bought them has given me positive feedback on the quality, design and finish.

[SHAKAIB]

I might as well add to make sure you stay organized when building a PC. Make a list of what components you need on a piece of paper and go on computer websites such as Newegg and TigerDirect and what not and get all the parts you need, just make sure you find it on a good deal since your budget is low but make sure the quality is great. Just like shooting a $30,000 music video shoot and making it look like it cost $1,000,000. Oh and make sure you get the parts that go good with music and build a music computer, some just want to build the next best thing but it turns out not to be a music computer. I thought I should add that, if i'm wrong somewhere, please correct me.

Or just buy the newest iMac which are incredible. IMHO.

[TheArk]

What parts do i need for certain though? Anyone have a list?

Case
Motherboard
Cpu
Ram disks
Hard drive
Dvd drive
Cpu fan

Anything else?


Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[RTR]

I built my own, here is the main parts I got for under $400

1...ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard=$120.00

2...AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX= $179.00

3...G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model= $69.99


I know the intel guys will jump on me but this is kicking much ass for me, so I guess thats all that matters...runs PT 9 very well...also make sure you grab 2-3 hard drives, one for OS, and one for your DAW to record to...a third one is good to have for your samples and plugins!

I bought my tower for like 100 bucks and the PS in it is doing just fine, also ordered a 30 $ dvd/cd burner from new egg, works good enough for me!

[Shannon Adkins]

What interface will you be using with it? You just want to make sure there wont be any compatibility issues with the motherboard you choose.
Building your own PC is definitely the way to go!

[TheArk]

Originally Posted by Shannon Adkins

What interface will you be using with it? You just want to make sure there wont be any compatibility issues with the motherboard you choose.
Building your own PC is definitely the way to go!

An mbox 2. I want my pc STRICTLY for pro tools 9


Posted via the Gearslutz iPhone app

[TheArk]

Originally Posted by RTR

I built my own, here is the main parts I got for under $400

1...ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard=$120.00

2...AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX= $179.00

3...G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model= $69.99


I know the intel guys will jump on me but this is kicking much ass for me, so I guess thats all that matters...runs PT 9 very well...also make sure you grab 2-3 hard drives, one for OS, and one for your DAW to record to...a third one is good to have for your samples and plugins!

I bought my tower for like 100 bucks and the PS in it is doing just fine, also ordered a 30 $ dvd/cd burner from new egg, works good enough for me!

thats sounds very interesting. the 2-3 hard drive, i never thought about that

[jimmys69]

I actually run two 1TB internal drives in RAID 1 mirror configuration, meaning that my OS and all programs are stored on two drives simultaneously. If one crashes, I have the second one to boot from thus eliminating reinstalling and re registering software (once was enough of that crap). Audio files get backed up weekly to external drives. I myself have not found a need to place plugins and samples on a separate drive, though I do mostly audio and drum samples.

[shanabit]

Originally Posted by jimmys69

I actually run two 1TB internal drives in RAID 1 mirror configuration, meaning that my OS and all programs are stored on two drives simultaneously. If one crashes, I have the second one to boot from thus eliminating reinstalling and re registering software (once was enough of that crap). Audio files get backed up weekly to external drives. I myself have not found a need to place plugins and samples on a separate drive, though I do mostly audio and drum samples.

The OP is strictly using Protools. Does Protools work with RAID? If it does now thats news to me.

[jimmys69]

Originally Posted by shanabit

The OP is strictly using Protools. Does Protools work with RAID? If it does now thats news to me.

Now that is something I can't answer as I am a Cubase guy. Though my motherboard controls the setup without adding software so I do not know if that makes a difference either. That would definitely be a good thing to know.

[Syncamorea]

Originally Posted by TheArk

What parts do i need for certain though? Anyone have a list?

Case
Motherboard
Cpu
Ram disks
Hard drive
Dvd drive
Cpu fan

Anything else?

Operating system software. RAM sticks, you mean? Power supply, gotta have that, and get a good one. I usually get a fan controller, like the good Zalman 6-fan controller. I typically buy quiet fans for the case and put that damping material in the case that Frozen CPU sells.

[jimmys69]

I went with a cheap Thermaltake case that includes one fan. If your not overclocking your PC I don't see a need for a bunch of fans. Not for audio.

You can get the OEM W7 for $100. You just cant transfer the OS to another PC.

8G RAM is plenty to start with.

Make sure if you are using existing VGA monitor(s) that you get a motherboard with these outputs or add a $60 graphics card to run them. Otherwise you will be buying DVI monitors as well.

As per what shanabit eluded to, make sure to check Protools compatibility with all hardware you are looking to purchase.

[Syncamorea]

Originally Posted by jimmys69

I went with a cheap Thermaltake case that includes one fan. If your not overclocking your PC I don't see a need for a bunch of fans. Not for audio.

Fans are pretty cheap, even quiet fans. Having more fans with less airflow each (and therefore quieter) is a great way to go for audio. I use filters on the inlet fans because dust is the enemy. I want my PCs to run cool and quiet for the long haul.

[Jomox]

Originally Posted by jimmys69

By not building or having one built, you will get about half the power for the price. .

Actually at the right store you can buy a fully build PC for around £20 more then you would pay by building it your self.

Just have to find the right store as most charge far to much for pre built.

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by Syncamorea

Fans are pretty cheap, even quiet fans. Having more fans with less airflow each (and therefore quieter) is a great way to go for audio. I use filters on the inlet fans because dust is the enemy. I want my PCs to run cool and quiet for the long haul.

Agreed. More slower fans = less noise and better cooling.

Alistair

[jrides]

There is a lot of unnecessary and bad advice in this thread. Especially since the OP never built a computer before.

[Distelfeld]

Agree.. Building a PC is easy if you have experience.. but it can become frustrating when things don't work out and you have to troubleshoot..

I'd go with either a custom built machine from a shop around the corner or something off the shelf that fits the needs..

[dillweed]

Got a pc built by Jim at studio cat
No nonsense,no hassle. works great.

[TheArk]

Originally Posted by dillweed

Got a pc built by Jim at studio cat
No nonsense,no hassle. works great.

wow thats crazy
But for the price he is charging I rather get a mac no?

[jimmys69]

Originally Posted by Distelfeld

Agree.. Building a PC is easy if you have experience.. but it can become frustrating when things don't work out and you have to troubleshoot..

I'd go with either a custom built machine from a shop around the corner or something off the shelf that fits the needs..

So how do you get experience? By paying someone to do it for you?

I had never done anything close to building a PC. I had actually planned for it to have issues and take it to a computer tech outlet near me to work out the bugs for $140. Well, maybe I was just lucky, but after doing some research on the web before building it and reading the instructions that come with the case, motherboard and processor, I now have a perfectly functioning recording PC. It seems to me it would take a strong effort to actually harm anything during the build that would end up costing any more than having a tech check it out. Especially if a packaged DIY kit was purchased.

If someone is afraid to attempt such a thing and has the funds to pay another to put it together for them, then great. Go that route. If you can educate yourself and ask others for information and want to save some cost, give it a shot. If something doesn't work out, then pay someone to diagnose and fix the problem.

Makes sense to me..........

[Syncamorea]

Originally Posted by jimmys69

So how do you get experience? By paying someone to do it for you?

The next thing you know, we'll have to hire a session guitarist because, you know, I've never learned that solo...

To me, getting a firewire interface to work right the first time was tougher than the first PC I ever Frankensteined. Especially when running W7, a build is pretty trivial. Stuff plugs into sockets - it's not like audio engineers should be afraid of that. And you have a few screws to deal with. The horror, the horror.

[jimmys69]

Originally Posted by Syncamorea

The next thing you know, we'll have to hire a session guitarist because, you know, I've never learned that solo...

To me, getting a firewire interface to work right the first time was tougher than the first PC I ever Frankensteined. Especially when running W7, a build is pretty trivial. Stuff plugs into sockets - it's not like audio engineers should be afraid of that. And you have a few screws to deal with. The horror, the horror.

Plugs and sockets and screws? Oh my.......

[jruberto]

I wouldn't want my studio DAW to be somebody's first build.

The first time around its just too easy to (for instance) manhandle the motherboard while installing it & scrape a trace or bust a cap off the board. Same thing while installing CPU & fan. "Frustrating" is the right word, you start pushing & forcing stuff a little harder than you should, the illustrated directions just make absolutely no sense and now the PCI slots don't quite line up with the holes in the case and then you get the whole thing put together and realize all those washers that are left over should have gone on the motherboard standoffs, but you aren't going to take the whole thing apart now that you finally got it together....

Then you wind up with a computer that has intermittent random problems and you don't know where to turn to start troubleshooting, you really can't even guess if it's a software or a hardware problem. This is when a warranty and/or some manufacturer technical support would come in REAL handy. Oh, you built it yourself? You're on your own, d00d.

If you want the experience, I'd suggest you build your office PC or build a machine for your kids or something a little less mission-critical the first time around.