Do I really need that 3.4GHz processor?

  • Thread starter Thread starter HeyHeyMyMy
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HeyHeyMyMy

HeyHeyMyMy

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So after a few months of discussion on this board with a wide variey of people, I've decided to take the plunge into the DAW zone.

I only plan on recording upwards of 16 tracks on this unit, and even that is probably pushing it. So, can anyone recommend a route to go (processor and motherboard wise) that will allow me to potentially upgrade one day? I was thinking perhaps one of the older AMD XP processors (or even an older Duron processor...) on a motherboard that would handle an AMD 64 some day if I decided to upgrade. Is this sort of thing even possible or ? The processor is the only stumbling block for me at this time. Othe than that I plan on getting:

512 MB Ram
2 x Hard Drives (one being 120GB / 7200 RPM / 8MB Cache to record to)
Delta 44 card

I would wager this should work fine for what I want to do right? Can't see myself ever recording more than 4 tracks at once. If I needed to, I could always get a mixer right? If I'm way off base here, please don't feel bad putting me in my place.

Also, I haven't been able to find much discussion on the Sempron processors, how do these compare? Thanks a lot!
 
if you are sure you only need 16 tracks ie just emulating an old 2 inch 16 track multitrack, really anything from a duron 1.3ghz up in the amd line will suffice easily.
ive seen durons do 40 tracks. BUT - if you anticipate getting heavy into plug ins and real time effects the luxury of a 2ghz plus processor will
certainly help. also NOTE...the faster the processor the less time it will take to batch process reverb or fx on a track.
but if you went duron you would not be able to upgrade to a amd 64 later.
the new sempron has replaced the duron. these are early days for stats but i would expect it easily to do what the duron does. maybe much more.
also please be aware ..try your sound solution eg 44 in the pc you want to buy BEFORE laying the cash out if you can to ensure no snags.
peace.
ps - read the amd 64 thread in this soundcards forum and note
trogdors comments about his new system. horsepower in reserve is always nice to have. never know when you might need it.
 
I was running a 700MHz PIII Coppermine with no problems. Now I have a 933MHz PIII (512M of RAM on both machines) and I routinely run 24+ tracks of 24/44.1 with Waves plugins (5 or 6 at a time and these things are processor hogs) with out a groan.
 
those are very good figures track rat. but from the other posts ive seen from you , you are obviously a very knowledgeable user who knows how to config properly for optimum performance.
the problem becomes when naive users sling all sorts of stuff in pci slots,
low memory,and have other junk on their systems (eg...bogged down with spyware etc, tmp files etc) then wonder why their p3 doesnt do many tracks.
you are correct however , a p3 with fast hard drives can accomplish a lot of work if you keep it in top shape.
ive seen some terrible bogged down p3 systems that need cleaning up.
 
Well, I plan on recording folk-rock music ala Bob Dylan's Freewheelin' album, or say, Nick Drake's Pink Moon. Minimalist stuff w/ acoustic guitar, a couple of vocal tracks and perhaps a hamonica, mandolin, little bit of keys throughout. So I can't imagine my needs right now eclipsing 16 tracks. However, it's always nice to leave the door open to upgrade. Could you guys recommend a minimum processor / motherboard combo that would allow for potential upgrading later? I'm assuming the other specs I listed above will be fine for a while as well. May perhaps even go with the Audiophile 24/96 as the odds of me recording even 4 track at once are slim.

Oh, and Manning1, I'm assuming ProTracks would be good as well? (I think that's the name of the program I've seen you recommend).
 
powertracks is the one i use (pgmusic.com) , but the new version 9 because it has even more features in like vocal harmony/and tons of other features i would at least recommend a higher ghz machine than a p3. you could try it on a p3 just the demo, and see how it works. but i would suggest an amd athlon preferably. or you could try a sempron. i'm sure it should work on that fine. just email pg tech support and ask - or the pg user forum.
there are people running it on p3 level machines i know. but try for yourself.
the other program i use magix music studio will probably run on a lower level machine.
 
Oh, I don't plan on getting a P3 machine. Already have two of those. I am getting one specifically to serve as a DAW. Athlon XP will probably be the processor. Just wanted to see if I could swap an Athlon 64 processor in one day if I got a compatable motherboard.
 
I'd get an affordable 754pin board and a A64 2800+. That'd give you expandability all the way to 3700+, while still being fairly cheap.

Asus K8V-X -- $84
A64 2800+ -- $141
Crucial 512MB DDR -- $84

= $309
 
makers a lot of sense polaris. given the prices you qouted. no real point in doing the xp or sempron thing. i think you found the sweet spot.
 
well...

Well... I went ahead and bought a PC today. I think for what I need it's perfect.

AMD Athlon XP 2800
512 MB Ram
160 GB Hard Drive 8MB Cache 7200 RPM
DVD & CD Writer

$479 Canadian.
 
nice price heyhey. hope it works out very well for you.
make sure dma is enabled on the hard drive.
at some point in the future. and i'm not sure you need it as youll only be doing 16 tracks you might want to consider a small second drive 7200 rpm.
put windows on the small one. your tracks on the big one.
but get settled in first with it.
run diskbench from prorec.com on that 160 gb drive and if you see 100
tracks plus, you should be in good shape barring any unforeseen circumstances.
also try and keep the system CLEAN. be carefull on the internet of spyware etc.
all the best.
 
Get the best MOBO/CPU combo you can afford. Nothing advances quicker than technology.
 
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