Computer for less than $500.00 for recording, What else should I use???

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Sterling30

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I allready have a "Darla" soundcard and a 30 mg Maxtor hard drive that I'm going to pull from the computer I'm using now..

I've got another $500 to spend... Which processor, motherboard, cd-drive, ect., should I use??

Gregg
 
I'd hustle-up a few more scheckles and go for a new Dell.
I understand you can get a PIII 1Ghtz 40g for about $1150, w/o monitor.
 
I've been doing just fine with a Celeron 366 (or is it a 333?) overclocked to 375, and basically any PIII will do better than that. You can get a PIII 450 for under $100 now, but the sweet spot price-wise is in the range of a PIII 800 for around $175 (hit pricewatch.com). I'd check anandtech.com for some reviews to make a decision on the motherboard, but you might as well get one with UDMA/100 capability, since a faster hard drive is always a welcome upgrade to a DAW. I like the Abit boards I have in my systems at home (BE6 and BP6), and you'll pay about $120-140 for those. Get at least 128MB of RAM, just look around for some mid-priced PC133. I've never had trouble with generic memory but don't go bottom-of-the-barrel. You can get a generic 40x cd drive for $40 I guess (I haven't bought one in a while). If you want a CD burner, the Mitsumi IDE drive I have was cheap and has been reliable. (By the way, check out computer123.com for cheap CDRs - $9 for 50, and haven't hit a bad one yet after two spindles.) If you're doing nothing but audio work on this system you can pick up a cheap AGP video card for $50.

All of that should just about take care of that $500. (I've left out basic stuff like case/power supp, keyboard, blah blah.)
 
What you need

Hey, dont forget the CD burner to burn your audio disks, and lots of RAM, 128 MB is a start. My guess at prices would be: Motherboard $90, CPU $90, FAN $10, 128 MB RAM $100, Case $35, Floppy $15, Burner $150, Video Card $40, Modem $30. That leaves 50 bucks to play with. Get the cheapest prices on http://www.pricewatch.com Don't let them gouge you on shipping. I build computers for a living so I know. If you really must, you can get a fully integrated system with video, modem, sound (can be disabled) and it will save you some bucks. Get a Celeron or AMD Duron to save on the processor to.
 
...

I appreciate the links and info everyone.. You know, I do have 192k ram running now so I can lift 128 ram from that and would probably use 256 but I understand the most important part is the motherboard and I'm willing to spend extra for that.. (Seem to recall the name Ansus [or Asus??] being highly thought of..)

Also, does the AMD Duron compare favorably to the P-III processor?

It's either sink the same money into my existing system and for what I'll have to spend, I think I'd prefer a seperate stand-alone unit, for the little extra that'll take. (And especially now since my system has been hacked..)

So $500 isn't written in stone.. Seems to me the the most critical portion would be the motherboard and processor??

Which two together will be the best value and what, if any potential problem s could be expected from building your own computer??

Gregg
 
AMD vs Intel

The Duron is comparable to the Celeron, a low budget alternative to their regular line. What you want is the standard AMD Athlon or the AMD Thunderbird. Blows away Intel and is cheaper. Standard uses a Slot A motherboard, and Thunderboard uses a Socket A board. Asus is a good manufacturer. Their K7V Board (Slot A) is very good. Also the Abit KA7 Raid (Socket A) is awesome if you have multiple hard drives because you can set them up in a RAID formation, speeding up disk performance.
 
Just something to double check...

I HATE myself for saying this... but I would definitely talk to your soundcard manufacturer's tech support before I bought one of the Athlons. I know they work with most things, but just be careful. I am pretty sure that the Event will not offer any support if you are not using Intel products.

Normally, I would rant and rave against the evil Intel empire, but the truth of the matter is that I am having some problems and have to send a soundcard back because it won't work with my AMD system. Granted, this is an older system (K6-3), but it sucks to deal with that hassle. I have had AMD since I upgraded from my Pentium 100 years ago, and have always been happy with them. (And before you ask or rag on me, I DID try everything with this card.)

When I was talking to Midiman tech support about the card though, he said that many companies are "banning" the AMD processors because of problems (mainly with the motherboards technically). His direct quote was "We haven't banned them, but they don't really cause full system failures with our cards." Maybe he was exaggerating, but I don't know.

Like I said... it hurts me to say this stuff. lol But check out the Darla, because I think I remember they say they "require" an Intel processor. Just a thought.
 
I would just go with an Intel processor to avoid any potential problems. There are issues with certain video cards and AMD systems, too. With an Intel CPU you're pretty much guaranteed not to have compatability problems because it's the standard for which virtually all hardware and software is developed. (That doesn't mean all your hardware will get along, but it won't be your mobo/cpu causing the problems.)

I have to disagree with Scheisskopf99 on one thing - I wouldn't even *think* about getting a motherboard with integrated sound/video/nic/whatever. I would make sure *none* of that stuff is built into the motherboard. For one thing, those built-in components are usually inferior to their add-on counterparts. More importantly, someday you'll have to upgrade your motherboard and then you'd either be stuck with buying one that has all the same integrated components or you end up having to buy all those components anyway. Keep the future in mind and keep all your components seperate, and make sure you get a nice full-sized ATX case and standard ATX motherboard. Avoid those blue light special deals like at Fry's Electronics (micro-ATX case and motherboard with two slots and integrated everything).
 
if i wasnt so tired right now, i would write a whole description of what you should get because i am a computer engineer and technician. but i will recommend one thing (and i highly recommend it). 2 harddrives, use your better drive for straight recording and nothing else, use the other for windows, programs, etc. if yah wonna know why ask me and ill get back to yah later when im not tired :p.

Darnold
 
ive heard about all this dell stuff goin around. Personally, i dont like brand name computers like that, just build your own, LOTS easier to upgrade, and usually is cheaper. although that dell system doesnt sound like a bad idea for the first time hearing it, but i still bet you could do better building your own. Want some help ask me.

Darnold
 
...

Well thanks again everyone.. I do understand that many of your higher volume retailers don't always put the best hardware into their systems so I don't want to scrimp on that and I do want expand later..

So I still have some alot of homework to do but I definitely want the best motherboard on the market, I'm sure I'll use at least 256k ram, a very good video card, but the hard drive speeds throw a curve at me.. Why are the 10,000 be better than the 7200 speed hard drives? (And if I use 2 seperate hds, I would suspect the speeds should be the same??

And I'm sure I'll stay with intel. Which PIII is best??? (And again, thanks to everyone for the input..)

Gregg
 
If you use two hard drives they don't have to be exactly the same speed. A 10000 rpm drive would be nice, but not necessary. I think your best price/performance balance would be a good 7200rpm UDMA/66 (or 100) IDE drive. Specfically I'd look at IBM's GXP line. I'm using two drives now, but for a long time I got along just fine with one IBM Deskstar 20GB UDMA/66 drive. I wouldn't get smaller than 20GB or slower than UDMA/66 7200rpm.

A word of warning on Dell: they used to pretty much only sell full-sized ATX systems with good components (for the most part). However, a friend of mine just bought one of the inexpensive Dell systems and it's a tiny little Compaq-style mini-ATX system with video on the motherboard, no AGP slot, a single 5 1/4 drive bay that was already filled, and just two PCI slots. Beware of extremely cheap pre-built systems from any manufacturer.
 
Alright, i have gotten some sleep so ill help you out a little more. Diragor is right, try not to get anything less then a 20G 7200 RPM UDMA 66 for the straight audio recording. Also, about his comment about the dell, thats exactly what im talking about. Ive seen many people very unhappy with this because its a pain to upgrade. The video is impossible if you want to do a AGP. Also, they make it so only theyre designed motherboards,etc fit into that case. Sure they sound like a good deal like i said the first time you hear it. But most likely youll regret you bought a brand name like that in about 2-4 years. I am running my computer on a Pentium III 800, 192M Ram, and two harddrives makes it possible to do ALOT more tracks than with i would if i only used one. I use a 6.4G 5400RPM UDMA33 for my windows system and system files (cause thats all i got). Then i have a 20G Maxtor 7200RPM ATA100 for just straight recording. ATA66-100 i think are not very far off in prices as far as i can tell, because i thought i was buying a 66 and it ended up being a 100 :). Just make sure you have a ATA66 cable or it will not run, if you use a normal ide it will remain at UDMA33. Alright, if i think of something to add i will add it but i must go now. Later.

Darnold
 
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