Computer RAM, Processor??????????

  • Thread starter Thread starter Analytical Man
  • Start date Start date
A

Analytical Man

New member
Hey i am in the market for a computer based recording setup. I have my eye on the new G5's but they are really expensive. Any suggestions on what i can get for a reliable, fast computer. I don't build them so i can't do that, it must be something like out of a store. I will be running programs such as amplitube, DFH Superior, possibly Cubase SX, or similar Pro Tools like setup, as well as a host of other VST plugins. I just need to know how much RAM, and what speed of processors i need to run these types of programs without crashing. I am not sold on Mac or PC so i am open. I also don't need to record more than 8 tracks of audio at once. I only really need 2 at the early stages, i will get something for multiple inputs late. Any help will be great. Thanks in advance.
 
Get the fastest cpu you can afford on a quality motherboard.
1GB good quality ram.
2 hard drives
graphics card doesn't need to be anything special. Get one without a fan, 128MB.
400-450W power supply
 
Bulls Hit said:
Get the fastest cpu you can afford on a quality motherboard.
1GB good quality ram.
2 hard drives
graphics card doesn't need to be anything special. Get one without a fan, 128MB.
400-450W power supply
Cut that roughly in half and you'll still have a setup that will run decently, to say the least. (My DAW running Cubase is like that).


The best answer is probably somewhere in the middle. :)
 
To add on the advice already given, I'd highly recommend getting as much RAM as possible. Especially with DFH Superior - 2gb of RAM would be ideal. And as someone already mentioned, get high quality RAM if possible. I'm not sure what the consensus is about low latency vs. high bandwidth RAM for audio editing, etc.
 
In my opinion, it is rarely a good idea to get a "good enough" computer system.

You *can* get by with 512MB ram, but I guarantee you will want to upgrade it in the near future. I have 1GB, and am looking to add more.

You *can* get by with 1 disk, but a second disk for just your audio files will help the system run faster. You can upgrade this at later date.

However, I would not buy ANYTHING but the fastest processor you can afford. To do otherwise is pretty much throwing your money away as you have indicated that you want to run a host of vst apps and plugins, and you will want all the processing power you can get. For a pc, I would not suggest anything less than a 3ghz 32 bit system.

If you will be adding pci cards in the future, get at least a 450 watt power supply.

My $0.02
 
aaroncomp said:
I'm not sure what the consensus is about low latency vs. high bandwidth RAM for audio editing, etc.

I'm not sure there is a consensus, but my theory is that regular DDR400, dual channel ram delivering upto 6.4Gb/s to the cpu is plenty to keep things ticking over, and winding that up is not going to gain much benefit.
However if you can get the latency down that should help things along nicely
 
I'd say save the money and go the PC route
I'm not all that happy with how the G5s are workin'....or how Macs work in general. I used to think they were strong sturdy machines, but lately I can crash/lock them up just as much as I do a PC. They're also not as fast as PCs are now (and I still say the AMD64 can smother a mac any day).
Save yourself a $1000 and get a kick ass PC
 
Back
Top