Best PC.

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frank_1

frank_1

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I'm trying to figure out what's the best PC to get. I can't build one my self so I need to know if either Compaq, Dell, IBM, or Gateway are the best one's for audio.

And if I can find a computer with a Pentium III instead of a Pentium IV, should I go with the III?

Thanks. ;)
 
I'm a graphics professional and audio amateur, and I know that audio isn't quite as demanding as 3D in some aspects. But my experience with the companies that you're researching is Dell shines above the others as far as support, reliability and compatability. Again, I have never used these machines with various soundcards or audio software, but with graphics cards and high end 3D software I've never had much trouble with Dell and I've used many machines from all the companies mentioned. Just as a note, our purchases have all been for business model PCs and I'm not sure how they differ from what they sell the home user.
Regarding the processor, I've been researching audio PCs for a while now (I just finished building my own) and most people's opinion that I found was the a PIII is OK as long as it is fast enough (probably want to stick with over 500). Definitely gotta have enough RAM (256 is pretty standard nowadays) and a fast, big HDD (7200 RPM or higher and 40 GB is not expensive).

Hope this helps some :)
 
Don't ever buy a compaq, ibm or gateway. If you do, at least get the gateway. Dell kicks the shit out of em. I've had 3 and they're the best, I think for PC and laptops. Their service is the best out there and there machines are consistently configured to stomp the competition.

BUT...

Is this going to be a DAW? Used only for recording? Because there are better setups for a DAW machine. Not necessarily more expensive (depending), but more specialized and effective.
 
Yeah, I need this PC for a DAW set-up.

I am sick of my Tascam 414 MKII 4-tracker.

I need a DAW. I am probably gonna buy a M-Audio 44 soundcard.

But I first need the right PC.

Like I said before, I ain't good at building PC's, nor do I know how to build one.
 
You might want to check with independent computer stores in your area - they can build one for you for a lot less than Dell, Gateway, Best Buy etc...

I have a good one where I am (Minneapolis), General Nanosystems (www.nanosys1.com), I've picked up machines there for $500 that are identical to machines I've seen advertised from Dell, Gateway, etc. for $1000.... of course, mine don't have the little Dell sticker on them....

check out the indies first! You may be surprised.

- Housepig
 
I dunno what your budget is, but I'd suggest a CPU running at least 1 Ghz, and at least 256 megs of DDR ram.
...
You're better off getting a custom-built one, even if you don't want to do it yourself. You won't save much money (in my experience) but you will get a PC built with top-quality name-brand parts. ~ Use only retail/name-brand parts for the motherboard, videocard and soundcard. -Get "real" parts, don't get parts "based on the same chip" as the good part. Avoid motherboards with built-in sound, video, firewire, NICs or whatever else. Avoid name-brand computers such as Dell, Gateway, IBM, Sony, Compaq, H-P, any low-end generics, and so on- they tend to use generic parts, usually a generic/proprietary motherboard that often is not strictly ATX standards-compliant and that can result in unfixable problems later (-the BIOS's on these boards often don't have all the control options they should-).
~
If you decide to build one yourself, the motherboard should come with instructions telling how everything else goes.
Also, if you buy the motherboard/CPU/memory all-together from some places, they will test it before shipping for a small fee. Pay the fee and have them do this.
 
subtractor said:
Don't ever buy a compaq, ibm or gateway. If you do, at least get the gateway. Dell kicks the shit out of em. I've had 3 and they're the best, I think for PC and laptops. Their service is the best out there and there machines are consistently configured to stomp the competition.

BUT...

Is this going to be a DAW? Used only for recording? Because there are better setups for a DAW machine. Not necessarily more expensive (depending), but more specialized and effective.
Click to expand...

I keep hearing how Dells are so good, yet my boss's POS 8200 had nothing but problems. I must have spent hours on the damn phone with those idiots.

They're survice was not all that and a bag a chips. I'm happy with my home built tower and my Gateway Solo notebook.
 
Dell is your best bet for a pc. If i was to buy a premade pc i'd only go dell. Fortunatly I build my own PCs.
A PIII at 1.0GHz with 512mb ram and a 7200rpm harddrive should serve you well for a begining setup.

I run cakewalk with an 800mhz PIII 256mb ram and a 30 gig ATA66 7200rpm harddrive. I only record one track at a time but i play back 5 or so tracks at a time usually and it works perfect. (i have a soundblater live platnum sound card)

I'm suggesting the slightly better comp for use with effex. I don't use many software effects so i dont tax the cpu much.
Also if your going to use windows xp it uses more system resources than win98se or win2k pro
 
frank_1 said:
I'm trying to figure out what's the best PC to get. I can't build one my self so I need to know if either Compaq, Dell, IBM, or Gateway are the best one's for audio.

And if I can find a computer with a Pentium III instead of a Pentium IV, should I go with the III?

Thanks. ;)
Click to expand...

Forget all the brands you listed!

Do yourself a favor and check out the vprMatrix PC's at BestBuy. I just bought myself the 226R model for $1100:

PIV-2.26Ghz w/ 533Mhz FSB
Intel Mobo with 845 Chipset
512MB DDR RAM
80Gb HD
DVD-ROM
CD-RW
6 USB ports
2 Firewire ports
Onboard LAN
Built in RAID Controller

This is one awsome machine!! I have been building my own PC's for the last 8 years,so I think it carries some weight when I say this is a good machine

I definetly reccomend it!
 
Frank, I would refer you Opus2000. He's the mod in the daw section on www.recording.org . I know alot of people post stuff over there too. And not that you won't get good info here, but I can guarantee you he eats, breathes, and shits daw's. He designs daw systems, and has all the best componentry configurations that have been tested with superior results running audio apps.
 
Re: Re: Best PC.

brzilian said:


Forget all the brands you listed!

Do yourself a favor and check out the vprMatrix PC's at BestBuy. I just bought myself the 226R model for $1100:

PIV-2.26Ghz w/ 533Mhz FSB
Intel Mobo with 845 Chipset
512MB DDR RAM
80Gb HD
DVD-ROM
CD-RW
6 USB ports
2 Firewire ports
Onboard LAN
Built in RAID Controller

This is one awsome machine!! I have been building my own PC's for the last 8 years,so I think it carries some weight when I say this is a good machine

I definetly reccomend it!
Click to expand...

why did you buy a pc if you can build them?
 
Re: Re: Re: Best PC.

Polaris20 said:


why did you buy a pc if you can build them?
Click to expand...

Because this one came out cheaper than buying components from my usual vendor.

Do the math based on what comes with the vprMatrix before you post a reply.
 
little touchy brzilian ;)

I've done the math and I disagree with you, I think I could build the machine you bought at Best Buy for about $900, if you know where to get the parts :)
 
LOL! HAHAHA... Sorry. Boy, I bet you guys are waitin for a punch line or something, huh?

COMPUTER that is... Retail computer.

Yeah, good answer barometer. A woman in an suv on her cell phone leaving wal mart!
 
Barometer said:
little touchy brzilian ;)

I've done the math and I disagree with you, I think I could build the machine you bought at Best Buy for about $900, if you know where to get the parts :)
Click to expand...

True, but my numbers come from a vendor I trust that performs burn-in tests on everything they sell and can go to in person as well as buy from their website. I've been bitten one too many times using sites like pricewatch.com.

There are other things just as important as getting the best price (on time delivery, ease of return/refund....) when building your own system.

I really like the vprMatrix because it saves me the hassle and does not compromise on parts/does not use proprietary components like HP,Dell,Gateway.
 
Agreed brzilian, I've been burned on some pricewatch specials myself, but I have other resources as well.

I would never go with any prebuilt machine, but this thread did start out asking only about those specific companies and not wanting to build a machine. In that respect I still say Dell is the less evil of them all.

of course your vprMatrix is probably better than a Dell, especially on the proprietary component side of things :D
 
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