How well will my current computer work?

[terrapintaco]

I am ready to buy some gear and software and begin my own home recording projects.
I plan to use Sonar 2.0 XL and a Delta 1010 for multitracking vox, guitars, drums, keys etc. and I want to explore MIDI and samplers and digital FX.

My current question is:
I currently own a P3 1GHZ. I can go up to 512MD RAM max. It has Windows ME and I seem to have memory leaks and find myself re-booting, but otherwise the system runs fine for what I use it for (non-music, other than CD-R and some analog to digital conversions).

Will this P3 system meet my needs or will I run into frustration? Should I wipe out the hard drive and upgrade the operating system to 2000 or XP?

Thanks for you opinions,

TT

 

[christiaan]

Win ME has been a frustration to many. Upgrading to Win XP would be wise.

Apart from that you'll be able to do a lot with a computer with those specs. But in the end it all depends on how many plugins you're going to use.

 

[ChuckU]

I have nearly the same setup...

Add a second 7200rpm HD for audio, and Windows 2000 with Service Pack 2 (downloadable at Microsoft website) and you will rule!
I have a 1Ghz PIII with 256MB PC133 ram, 2 40 GB 7200rpmHD's, Delta 1010 with Sonar 1.3.
I've been doing a LOT of drum recording lately - 7 tracks at a time, low latency (8.7 ms), not one crash. Disk is at about 10%
Recording right now at 16bit, 44.1. I'm using about 5 eq's, and about 5 effects - FxDelay, FxReverb, Chorus, Compressor, etc. CPU's at about 50%
There are about 20-22 tracks on this session.
I upgraded to Win2k from Win98SE without a HD wipe.

Good luck!