Best prebuilt computer - or Build it my self??

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frank_1

frank_1

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Ok, I have Sonar XL, Cool Edit, and ProTools FREE. I am looking for a computer $1200 or under. With a 17" monitor (non flat), 7,200 RPM harddrive, 256 RAM, and Pentium III @ above 600 mhz. Any suggestions? What motherboard it good?

I have no idea on how to build my own computer... What's compatible with what??


Help.
 
Of course to much to tell on how to build a PC, but this would be the thing to do. Build your system around your audio needs.
Do some research on DAW's and what works well for this application.
Jesus, I feel like a skipping record sometimes:o
 
You can definitely save by building yourself. It's not that hard. I recomend getting and AMD XP class chip with DDR RAM - very fast - good for DSP. You should be able to get something in that pricerange. I don't know where you're located, but I could put you in touch with a store here in NYC where they build to custom spec. They'll ship too. Don't buy from Dell, Compaq, ect - you're paying extra for a name, and you have less control over the components they choose to use.


ps you didn't mention soudcard - I recomend delta 44 or 66
 
Contact Justin Lynch, dawbox.com very, very helpful and very, very reasonable. I WANT to track,mix,edit and burn. I CAN build but would rather record music with my time. You're a N.Y. guy, you get the 8 x 10. Tell him Brian sent you, lemme know what YOU think. Good luck.
 
I agree with Gidge, I prefer "roll your own". But be prepared, it can be a pretty big can of worms for a newbie. If you're considering it, read,read,read.

Twist
 
don't build, just buy

frank_1

buying an optimized system will allow you to concentrate on making music.

If you want a custom PC, you can list your requirements and give it to custom pc assemblers, for example www.xtechnology.com - $1200 should allow a P4 1.8Mhz, 512 MB, 40 G, CD-RW, 32mb Video card, SB-soundcard

just my 2 cents
 
Those guys have pretty decent prices, have you used them before? How well do they assemble everthing?
 
I went to that site, customized exactly what I would buy, and it came out to *exactly* $1200, eerily enough.
 

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looks pretty good, but the price is not that great considering there is no monitor inluded. You might price compare with a store i use in NYC. It's called W.L. Computer, and you should ask for Alex. number is 212 532 2718.


by the way, I would ditch the sound blaster and get a delta 44 or 66. You can get that a http://www.8thstreetmusic.com . No point spending all that money on a good computer, and then recording through a shitty sound card. Also, Maxtor Hard drives are not very good. The best out there are IBM, and the most economical is the 60GB 7200 Deskstar (about $100 on pricewatch.com).
 
Just to give you an idea - If you were to assemble such a computer yourself, It would cost you about $900.
 
Re: don't build, just buy

corduroy5 said:
If you want a custom PC, you can list your requirements and give it to custom pc assemblers, for example www.xtechnology.com - $1200 should allow a P4 1.8Mhz, 512 MB, 40 G, CD-RW, 32mb Video card, SB-soundcard
Click to expand...

Damn. That's pretty slow. :D
 
Dude, build your own.

If you need help with anything just give me an e-mail.....

jcarlough@hotmail.com

Have built a bunch of computers for family, friends, etc.....its easier than one would think.
 
It's not always easy - I've run into all kinds of trouble with faulty hardware. It can be very difficult to diagnose if your memory or motherboard or cpu are not working correctly. A store that assembles computers will have a bunch of identical pieces of hardware they can swap in if they think something's not working. Sometimes it's worth paying a little extra to save yourself the grief. That being said, I build my own - but that's because I enjoy it.
 
True, very true. But if you go slow, buy NEW, and don't throw all your components in at once it isn't THAT bad.

Building your own allows you to get the best bang for your buck.
 
Miacom Computers on Ebay

Has anybody heard anything about these computers. They've always got computers listed on ebay and it sounds like a pretty good deal.

I've been using my own computer with a delta 44 and various incarnations of hardware/software and I'm just tired of fighting the computer and it not working like it's supposed to. I'm seriously considering buying one of these and wondered if anybody had any experience/knowledge of the computers or the company. Also, if anybody has any input about any of these componants, I'd like to hear those, too.

One more thing, I'm thinking about buy the computer without the Delta 44 and putting my own in it. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

-shack

here's some links:
http://www.miacom.net/Store/item.asp?ID=90
http://www.miacom.net/Store/item.asp?ID=85
 
shackx2, those PCs look a bit pricey to me, but they should both be pretty reliable. In terms of DSP, I have been amazed by the power of AMDs XP series coupled with DDR ram.
 
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