Building a Intel based Pro Tools DAW from scratch

  • Thread starter Thread starter anppilot
  • Start date Start date
anppilot

anppilot

Never Act Like U Know All
Hello folks, it's been a long time since I posted here so here it goes.

My old Cubase 3.7 DAW crashed on me today.

I've been contemplating upgrading to PT, but I was so comfortable with my old Cubase 3.7 I said 'Nah'.

Well I want to get a PT LE Digi 003 setup, but PT is only good as the DAW it's on.

Here's what I believe I want to go into the system. If you see anything different I should chang, please tell me why you think I should change it.

I have not picked out a video card yet because I currently have a GeForce FX5200 DDR 256MB w/dual vga output which is fine I believe for my 2 Tyris 19" flat panels.

So here ya go:

*******************************************
NEWEGG.COM

Case: ARK 4U-500-CA Black 4U Rackmount Case
Model #:4U-500-CA
$89.99

Power Supply: SeaSonic M12 SS-700HM 700W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS12V V2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS
Model #:SS-700HM
$209.99

Case Fan (Rear X2): ZALMAN ZM-F1 80mm Case Fan - Retail
Model #:ZM-F1
$8.58

Case Fan (Front): Scythe S-FLEX SFF21F 120mm Case Fan - Retail
Model #:S-FLEX SFF21F
$29.99

**************************************************

MOBO: Intel BOXDX38BT LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX DDR3
Model #:BOXDX38BT
$229.99

Memory: Kingston 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
Model #:KVR1333D3K2/4GR
$135.49

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8600 Wolfdale 3.33GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
Model #:BX80570E8600
$269.99

CPU Cooling Fan: ZALMAN CNPS 9700 NT 110mm 2 Ball Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:CNPS 9700 NT
$79.99

***************************************************

System Drive: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST380815AS
$38.99

Audio Drive (X2): Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:ST3250410AS
$119.98

CD/DVD Burner: Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK - OEM
Model #:DVR-216DBK
$29.99

***************************************************

MISC:

Controller Panel: NZXT SENTRY 1 Controller Panel - Retail
Model #:SENTRY 1
$24.99

Card Reader/Floppy Drive: BYTECC BT-146 All-in-one USB2.0 for card reader & UPS ports Card Reader w/ Floppy Drive
Model #:BT-146
$29.99

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Subtotal: $1,167.46


Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
anppilot said:
Any feedback is appreciated.
Click to expand...


I assume that you've had a look thru the Compatibilty page on Digidesign's website? You should also have a look at some of the threads at the DUC forum which will help you chose not just hardware that's compatible, but also which ones are the best.

As you building a PC, I would strongly recommend following the guidelines very closely...and use XP not Vista!!!
 
NewAgeMuttLange said:
I remember back when everyone use to say XP sucked..... *shrug* Vista Professional isn't horrible..
Click to expand...

Not the point. XP might suck and Vista Professional might not be horrible. The question is how PT's runs on it.

I will amplify MessianicDreams comments. Go to Digi's web site. Read the quadzillia forum sticky for hundreds of pages of those that strayed for the Digi qualified hardware list and were burnt badly. That and hundreds of pages of those that were successful.

To the original poster there are things on your list that are at least problematic.

I've had Pro Tools/Digital Performer/Mac rigs since the dawn of history. Last spring I built a quadzilla for softsynths only to supplement the Macs. I know from personal experience how delicate the balance is when dealing with qualified Digi components on a home built PC.


Navigate these waters with precision
 
Joseph Hanna said:
Navigate these waters with precision
Click to expand...

Exactly.

I would say you would be a fool to try and use non-Digi recommended hardware. It'll be hit-and-miss: some hardware isn't supported but causes no issues, others will cause huge conflicts and PT will basically die on you.
 
i wont tell anyone to take a stupid chance with their money,,,

but at the same time,,,,my rig is definitely not protools certified or whatever,,,,and i've had no problems at all over here....

guess it really is just luck.
 
Steenamaroo said:
i wont tell anyone to take a stupid chance with their money,,,

but at the same time,,,,my rig is definitely not protools certified or whatever,,,,and i've had no problems at all over here....

guess it really is just luck.
Click to expand...

exactly. I had a non-digi certified rig once and it worked fine mostly. Completely usable. However, I have seen a machine cripple pro tools..
 
i built mine through new egg. i would drop the core 2 duo and get the quad core with a slightly lower clock speed. it works fantastic on mine, i havent seen a session in le that i couldnt handle.

good call on the 4gb ram, although depending on the mobo you most likely wont be able to take advantage of the 1333 speed. i use 1066 which was a huge upgrade in itself. realize that if you use xp you will only be using 3.5gb of the ram, as xp can't recognize anymore than that. i still stuck the 4gb in, its a good move.

seagate is a very good choice on hd, especially a redundant array as you've got going. it wouldnt be a bad idea to invest in an extrenal drive for back up though.
 
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