computer

  • Thread starter Thread starter farewellending
  • Start date Start date
F

farewellending

New member
okay okay, I've been on here a lot, trying to make the right decision for a computer, its tough really! Now I just made 600 bucks... is this good. I'm using a firepod, planning to run a lot of plug-ins with sonar. Is this system good? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...CategoryId=pcmcat60700050017&id=1130986103319
or this (I have an expansion bay to put in it for firewire)
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7623173&type=product&id=1130986103203

thanks
-Tom

otherwise, with 600 bucks, what do you recommend?
 
well.. i know they are gaming machines.. but i am planning on getting an alienware, with the same specs as those.. with a slicker looking case, and a 256 mb video card rather than 128. For 585.00
 
Not alot of growing room on the motherboard if you ask me.

Available Expansion Slots 1 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16
 
you don't need an expensive machine to record with. you can use about anything really. no really! it all depends on your needs. you also don't need the latest and greatest.

most important thing to look for is the motherboard's chipset. if the store does'nt list what chipset a pc has, then ask. the tried and true chipsets seem to be intel 865 for a intel rig and nforce3 for a amd rig.
 
Just because the video card has 256mb doesn't make it better, but that's a whole different thread. Check out www.newegg.com and price out some hardware, you can build a totally decent box for much less than any manufacturer with comparable or better specs.
 
Really, the video card you have is pretty much irrelevent for audio :) 4mb would be plenty. I'd also suggest building your own if you are comfortable with the idea. You get exactly what you need cheaper, and you know exactly what is in it.
 
lol I know its irrevelent for audio.. but if u are going to pay nearly 700.00, why not buy one that can do more than just record music. If you don't play games, its all good.. but I do.. so I can kill 2 birds with one stone. And when you get into PCI-e cards.. a 256 will make a difference over a 128, and 4mb video card will not work.. because last i checked it will not run on 768 x 1024 resolution by which some DAW software is required to run in. Correct me if I am wrong though. You are correct on the fact that you can build a pc. I was checking on that too, but I found the motherboards and processors killed the price for me. It'd cost nearly 400.00 just for the board/processor. You can get a low end dell these days for 299. Yeah dell's aren't cream of the crop.. but i'm pretty sure you could record music on it. I think what I will wind up doing, is buying the alienware system.. only for games/internet surfing. And then, cleaning this pc off completely and use it ONLY for music.
 
I suggest you read up on video cards. I'm not saying that some 256mb cards aren't better than their 128mb counterparts, but unless you research what you are buying, 256mb alone does NOT mean it is better than 128mb. Unless you get off on looking at big number then by all means have at it. I'll post a link tomorrow when I get to work (it's on the pc at work) it should have all of the info you would ever need about video cards.



P.S. Sorry to highjack the thread, but it was obvious that it needed to be said. :rolleyes:
 
MichaelM said:
Really, the video card you have is pretty much irrelevent for audio :) 4mb would be plenty.
Click to expand...
I don't agree with that statement at all. If you have a fast computer and a slow video card it will often cause BSOD. A good video card will make the whole computer more stable. Every single component has a large impact on the system.
 
ur right, but never once did i say that 256 mb alone would make a difference..

but, depending on the speed of the ram, and what not..

I can bet that a 256 mb pci-e nvidia card on an alienware pc is going to out perform at 128 mb card in a wal mart pc.

I have a 64 mb agp card in mine right now, and just like u said.. it still is just as good as some 128 mb cards. But, you can't put a generic emachines pc up against anything made by alienware. I don't get off on big numbers. I get off on quality made stuff, built for the purpose of having amazing graphics. when it really comes down to it.. I will agree that some 256mb cards are not up to par with a better made 128 mb card and its not going to make much difference, but thats all got to do with the board.. what speed the slot its sitting is, is at, ALOT of different things. But... MOST of the time bigger numbers usually mean better. I was just stating that if he was going to pay nearly 700 dollars for a pc. Get something awesome. If you were buying a car, and you found 2 cars that drive the same, but one has a few more bells and whistles.. why would u spend more, for less?
 
Look up starburstcomp on ebay. I ordered an AWESOME computer on the cheap. I fully inspected it inside and out upon receiving it and I tell ya, they did a better job putting it together than I could of. (and I'm a PC tech)
 
looks like they have cheap prices but they don't list what components are used. what mobo? ram? what psu? fans?

how reliable do you think one of these machines will be?
 
I wouldn"t Buy a Dell or Gateway PC because of the Proprietary Nature of these Computers...If you want to Upgrade certain Components you have to Buy Dell or Gateway Components which are usually a Lot more expensive than regular Components.....

If I were you I would Build the PC yourself as it can be Cheaper and you get the Components you want and you don"t have to Buy Proprietary Components to upgrade it....

You can also Get Good deals on e-Bay....I just Bought a New Full PC (No Monitor) for $185 US For my Recording Studio,...

It is a P-4 2.6ghz w512mb DDR,60GB HD,CD-RW/DVD Drive,8 in 1 Optical Reader.....
I don"t see why you can not get a Simular Deal if you took your Time and waited for the Right deal to come allong...I had to Look for allmost 2 weeks before I found this Deal on e-Bay but it should be easier for you if you Live in the USA.....

Cheers
 
TravisinFlorida said:
looks like they have cheap prices but they don't list what components are used. what mobo? ram? what psu? fans?

how reliable do you think one of these machines will be?
Click to expand...

Are you referring to what I posted? If so, they did when I got it. All of the components were what I would pick if I was building it myself. (Asus etc)
 
VSpaceBoy said:
Are you referring to what I posted? If so, they did when I got it. All of the components were what I would pick if I was building it myself. (Asus etc)
Click to expand...

what components came in your system?
 
Athlon 64 3200+
Asus K8 I believe
1 gig DDR ram
Sony DVDR
80g HDD (can't remember manufc)
case with lights
350w p supply
On board vid, sound, lan, USB2, Firewire

comparable to this one

At the time(year ago), a comparable puter from best buy was running $699 and I got that pc for $399. I could not have pieced it together myself for cheaper. AND I didn't have to fuss with putting it together this time.

Again I really researched it at the time and I felt I got the best deal overall.
 
You are correct to look for upgraded on board video....You don't need 256 unless you also plan to game...but you will want dual displays for many audio applications....If you find it with video onboard, then you save a PCI slot and a few bucks.

The other poster in most correct in his suggestions about chipsets... Intel for Pent, gForce3 for AMD 64.

Look at newegg and tigerdirect for really good buys on motherboards...consider the Epox with gForce3 250 chipset and 5 PCI slots for AMD 64...It only about 75 bucks..Tigerdirect has that motherboard bundled with the processor and fan for 249...the bundled CPU is AMD 64 3700+ with 1MEG onboard cache...newegg also has a great rackmount ATX case for 77 bucks.

If you want a factory built multimedia machine, then look at the HP...I bought one for my wife last Christmas that was absolutely silent...I mean you had to hold your ear against it to hear it running!
 
WhatdoIknow said:
You are correct to look for upgraded on board video....You don't need 256 unless you also plan to game...but you will want dual displays for many audio applications....If you find it with video onboard, then you save a PCI slot and a few bucks.
Click to expand...

They make MB's with dual on board video nowadays? Thats awesome.. things are always movin' fast.
 
VSpaceBoy said:
They make MB's with dual on board video nowadays? Thats awesome.. things are always movin' fast.
Click to expand...

Wouldnt that really suck though? Running onboard video(single) causes conflicts within your system. And having two, will be even more troublesome.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

uncle sixer
fast i5 vs slow i7 for reaper...?
Replies
6
Views
3K
DM60
D
K
Noob Needs Help! (Lengthy)
2
Replies
32
Views
4K
radi0j0hn
R
gamete18
The right laptop for recording?
Replies
5
Views
799
Asgaroth
A
J
Computer DAW Purchase/Setup
Replies
5
Views
2K
Bobbsy
Bobbsy
arcadeko
  • Sticky
Introduction to Multitrack Computer Interface Recording
7 8 9
Replies
164
Views
376K
Irwin abrigo
Irwin abrigo
Back
Top