Computer recommendations

[Zorn]

I currently have a Pentium 3 system and want to upgrade to P4 so I can record vocals into my computer using a condenser microphone. I found a system for under $800 Australian which has all of the following. Just wondering if this is good enough or is there anything else I would need:

Case ATX Tower Case with 480watt power supply
Motherboard 661GX/M800-7 LGA775 800fsb 3xPCI 2xDDR SATA
CPU Intel Pentium 4-630 3.0Ghz 64BIT LGA775 2Mb L2 Hyper Threading
RAM 1024Mb DDR RAM (expandable to 2Gb)
Hard Disk 160GB 7200RPM
Optical Drive 1 16x Dual Layer DVD Writer (4.7Gb/8.5Gb)
Graphics Card Integrated 64Mb 3D video(AGP8x on motherboard for upgrading later)
Sound Integrated 3D 6 Channel sound

 

[aaroncomp]

For starters, how are you planning on getting the mic signal into the computer? Looks like you need a real soundcard unless you just haven't listed something like an outboard USB or Firewire mixer, etc. And then there's software, but you may accomplish your goals with freeware. So, unless you already own all of the necessary outboard equipment, etc., you're money is likely better spent attaining it, since it will likely still run decently smooth on your P3 (this of course depends on your track load, effects, etc.).

 

[Robert D]

For starters, how are you planning on getting the mic signal into the computer? Looks like you need a real soundcard unless you just haven't listed something like an outboard USB or Firewire mixer, etc. And then there's software, but you may accomplish your goals with freeware. So, unless you already own all of the necessary outboard equipment, etc., you're money is likely better spent attaining it, since it will likely still run decently smooth on your P3 (this of course depends on your track load, effects, etc.).

I recorded a whole lot of great tracks on a P3-700 before finally, and pretty recently upgrading. A CRAY supercomputer won't make your recordings sound any better. The sound is all about the mics, the preamps, and the converters.

-RD

 

[MrBoogie]

If that motherboard is the one I think it is (ECS with SIS chipset), I wouldn't take a chance on that for my DAW. It would probably be ok for an internet or low-end gaming computer, but ECS has really let quality control go out the window in the past few years. You might end up with a stable system, and you might not.

Also, while 480 watts may sound cool, what's more important than wattage is quality. What brand/model is the power supply? A quality 350 watt ps would be better than a crappy 480watt ps. The cheaper power supplies often can't supply the power they claim. Also, they may not provide the proper voltages (ie, 11.4V instead of 12V) which can cause stability problems.

I agree with aaroncomp and Robert D