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UrbanFlair
New member
I've been hearing alot about Alienware computers. http://www.alienware.com How do you guys think thease computers would perform for sound engineering and or home recording????
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Polaris20
Active member
Nice and expensive, that's for sure. I don't think there worth it.
J
j
New member
if you are thinking about a specific computer to buy, find out what the mainboard is and then start asking questions about that...the mainboard, or motherboard is the most crucial part of any PC.
eyeslikefire
I CAN SMELL EM!
A PC at Sun workstation prices,. Um, NO!
Have someone build you one with the same specs. and save a couple of grand.
Have someone build you one with the same specs. and save a couple of grand.
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neirbo
New member
There are bound to be some small computer shops around you that will assemble a computer for you at very little cost above those for parts. I'd look into one of these, and give them the exact specs you want. You can take the $2,000 you'll save and buy a nice sound card, software, and mics.
I agree with J -- the motherboard is CRITICAL. A great MoBo for one sound card may be crap for another. I would start with picking your card based on your needs (number of inputs, phantom power, reviews etc.), then check out the web page and/or call the tech guys of the sound card and get their recommendations for a motherboard. Beyond that look for:
High quality power supply (at least 300 w, but you may as well get 400 w). Enermax makes good quiet ones.
A large, 7200 RPM hard drive. Better yet, get 2: one for just ausio data, one for everything else (the non-audio one can be 5400 RPM). There are lots of opinions on which are best but Maxtor Daimond Max is a good bet. Tip: Comp USA brand hard drives are just repackaged Maxtor Daimond Maxs, and usally cheaper.
Video card: lots of recommendations on this board for the MAtrox g450. Dual head, and great 2-D graphics. Not great for gaming, however.
I agree with J -- the motherboard is CRITICAL. A great MoBo for one sound card may be crap for another. I would start with picking your card based on your needs (number of inputs, phantom power, reviews etc.), then check out the web page and/or call the tech guys of the sound card and get their recommendations for a motherboard. Beyond that look for:
High quality power supply (at least 300 w, but you may as well get 400 w). Enermax makes good quiet ones.
A large, 7200 RPM hard drive. Better yet, get 2: one for just ausio data, one for everything else (the non-audio one can be 5400 RPM). There are lots of opinions on which are best but Maxtor Daimond Max is a good bet. Tip: Comp USA brand hard drives are just repackaged Maxtor Daimond Maxs, and usally cheaper.
Video card: lots of recommendations on this board for the MAtrox g450. Dual head, and great 2-D graphics. Not great for gaming, however.
elevate
New member
Well, at least it won't perform as bad as the Sun workstation.
Also, I don't know if you've checked lately, but to get a Sun workstation that would be competitive with even the slower Alienware computers, you'd need to spend around $12,000. I'm not really sure how Sun stays in business.
Lame Thrower
New member
These guys have a very good reputation as makers of gaming computers. Although some people have had problems with them.
One possible drawback is that it takes them up to a month to build your system and ship it out to you. Most of the complaints that I have heard about them are related to the system taking too long to arrive.
As far as audio goes, I would think an Alienware system would be a stable platform generally. You should look into what Mobo they are using though to ensure that it will be compatible with the soundcard you want to use.
One other caveat: Those fuckers are not quiet. There's like six fans in there, and they choose them for cooling efficiency, not silence. So you better be able to put your PC in another room from your mics.
All in all, if you can build yourself, or know someone who will do it right at a reasonable price, you can get more for your money. But if you can't and don't, they do make high quality systems and the price, while high, isn't outrageous.
Happy hunting!
One possible drawback is that it takes them up to a month to build your system and ship it out to you. Most of the complaints that I have heard about them are related to the system taking too long to arrive.
As far as audio goes, I would think an Alienware system would be a stable platform generally. You should look into what Mobo they are using though to ensure that it will be compatible with the soundcard you want to use.
One other caveat: Those fuckers are not quiet. There's like six fans in there, and they choose them for cooling efficiency, not silence. So you better be able to put your PC in another room from your mics.
All in all, if you can build yourself, or know someone who will do it right at a reasonable price, you can get more for your money. But if you can't and don't, they do make high quality systems and the price, while high, isn't outrageous.
Happy hunting!
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Polaris20
Active member
Another possible problem with Alienware is the chipset compatibility with many sound cards.
getuhgrip
Bring Back Transfat!
With an Alienware rig you're paying a ton of bucks for their reputation and name. They use all the latest greatest goodies and stuff it into a cool box, but couldn't you do that yourself and put the saved money into a usable soundcard?
Hey! That sounds like a good idea!
Hey! That sounds like a good idea!
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Polaris20
Active member
getuhgrip said:With an Alienware rig you're paying a ton of bucks for their reputation and name. They use all the latest greatest goodies and stuff it into a cool box, but couldn't you do that yourself and put the saved money into a usable soundcard?
Hey! That sounds like a good idea!
Yeah, they're not using anything earth-shattering. Every component they're using can be bought from newegg.com, from the cases to everything else.
I think if you want a yellow case, you might be out of luck.
Even the crafty and diligent might still be able to find a yellow case, if they want it that bad.
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Beezoboy
Home Recording Guru
If you are really bent on a yellow case, type in case modding at yahoo or google, they'll teach you how to do anything you want to your case using only a dremel tool. Anyway, Alienware looks cool and you'll get a warranty which is something you won't have from Joe Scmoe computers that build it for you.
Personally I could build one of those computers for like $1500. Well maybe not the dual processor one. I'd have to price it though. Hey if you order the parts and give me an mxl v93 or 2003, I'll build onw for you with raid+0 and a coffee holder, or wait is that thing you are supposed to put the cd's in?
Beezoboy
Personally I could build one of those computers for like $1500. Well maybe not the dual processor one. I'd have to price it though. Hey if you order the parts and give me an mxl v93 or 2003, I'll build onw for you with raid+0 and a coffee holder, or wait is that thing you are supposed to put the cd's in?
Beezoboy