Building a desktop computer for recording

  • Thread starter Thread starter carrier
  • Start date Start date
C

carrier

New member
Hello everyone,
This will be the second computer I build (first one was 4-5 years ago). I am building this for the main purpose of recording music (and maybe play Diablo 3 when it comes out). I am using an external firewire interface, so that is already covered. I am looking to save as much money as possible so please let me know if there are any parts that you think are overdoing it or not a good deal. Anywhere I can save but while keeping a quality running machine sounds good to me.
Here it is:

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $50.95

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified ... - $69.99

ASUS M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - $119.99

AMD Phenom II X4 840 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDX840WFGMBOX - $104.99

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD10EALX 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $64.95

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-8GBXH - $84.99 after coupon

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM - $20.99

LITE-ON Black IDE DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDP118-08 - $18.99

LITE-ON SK-1788/BS 2-Tone PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard - $7.99

Logitech B100 Black 3 Buttons 1 x Wheel USB Wired Optical Mouse - OEM - $11.99

Shipping: $17.71

Grand Total (after shipping): $582.57



Anyone have any advice? Thanks in advance.

P.S. I tried to include links, but I haven't made 5 posts yet so the forum would not let me. They're all from Newegg.
 
Have a think about a couple of things:

1 If you are using it for recording, and it's going to be in the place where you record, see if you can get a silent PSU, and think also about a silent CPU fan.
2 You mention a firewire interface. Does the motherboard have onboard firewire, or do you need a firewire card?
3 Just get the DVD burner. You don't need a separate DVD rom drive.
 
Supposedly you get more bang for the buck with Intel processors.
 
When hard drives are cheap these days, why only a 6GB? Why Western Digital?
 
gecko zzed said:
Have a think about a couple of things:

1 If you are using it for recording, and it's going to be in the place where you record, see if you can get a silent PSU, and think also about a silent CPU fan.
2 You mention a firewire interface. Does the motherboard have onboard firewire, or do you need a firewire card?
3 Just get the DVD burner. You don't need a separate DVD rom drive.
Click to expand...

1. Thanks, I'll look into that..I think that the computer itself should be far away enough from where the mics will be situated but that's still a good point.
2. Yeah, it has onboard firewire.
3. I figure I might want a back-up drive to read discs just in case something goes wrong. But yeah, if I end up wanting to save as much money as possible then I might wanna toss the read-only drive.


wheelema said:
Supposedly you get more bang for the buck with Intel processors.
Click to expand...

Really? I've always heard AMDs were a better quality for the price.


ranjam said:
When hard drives are cheap these days, why only a 6GB? Why Western Digital?
Click to expand...

It's a 1 terabyte drive. The 6GB in the product title is either the read or write speed.(I forget which)



Thanks for the input so far.
 
RICK FITZPATRICK said:
What DAW software will you be using? From the Avid site for Protool users, building a computer with Intel i7 and Gigabyte Mobo's have been documented at length here. Everything you need to know is here.


i7 Builds - Specs and Results - Avid Audio Forums
Click to expand...

I'll be using Reaper. Thanks! Will check out the link.
 
if you're not in a hurry for this build, definitely wait out for the new Intel Z68 chipset (it's out this month)
just do a quick google on performance of the i2500k (for your budget) and you'll see why it's worth the wait
 
Don't get the ASus mobo. If u are going to use a FireWire interface u will need to have ur FireWire with the TI chipset, ASus doesn't have it and u will dfind itself purchasing another pci FireWire card. If u hadn't bought already get gigabit mobo, any model as they are pre built with the TI chipset. (driver compatibility)......
 
mase1981 said:
Don't get the ASus mobo. If u are going to use a FireWire interface u will need to have ur FireWire with the TI chipset, ASus doesn't have it and u will dfind itself purchasing another pci FireWire card. If u hadn't bought already get gigabit mobo, any model as they are pre built with the TI chipset. (driver compatibility)......
Click to expand...

I've been using Asus motherboards for my last 4 builds, and have yet to have a problem with any firewire device I connected - sound card or video.
 
michaelst said:
I've been using Asus motherboards for my last 4 builds, and have yet to have a problem with any firewire device I connected - sound card or video.
Click to expand...

not sound card/audio...
issues with audio interfaces.
i may be wrong but i've read in so manny places including specific to the saffire pro 24 reviews before i bought it that the TI chipset is required for comp with no issues
 
mase1981 said:
not sound card/audio...
issues with audio interfaces.
i may be wrong but i've read in so manny places including specific to the saffire pro 24 reviews before i bought it that the TI chipset is required for comp with no issues
Click to expand...

I often hear "only use TI chipset" repeated like a mantra. I have VIA firewire chipsets in two PCs and a laptop, and all work with my interface (PreSonus) just fine. I recall that the PreSonus website lists the firewire chipsets that are ok and not ok.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top