New computer spec help

[Handdrawn]

Hi I have a question about a computer I'm thinking of buying.

I'm will be running cubase 5, komplete plus my home studio hardware.
I'm in the middle of making my first album and my recording laptop has broken beyond repair so I'm looking into a new computer. I'll be recoding mostly live sound, but will also use up to ten tracks of virtual instruments/synths per project. I don't have much of a budget as I've just had to fork out for new live gear after much of it being stolen.

A friend has a new build pc for sale within my buget I want to know if this will do the job?

Here are the main specs

- Fast 3.2Ghz dual core processor.
- 4GB Memory (RAM)
- 320GB Hard drive
- DVD Disc Drive
- 6 USB 2.0
- Windows 7

Would this do the job, or should I keep looking?

Thanks Kieran

 

[mjbphotos]

Your real problem is going to be 10 VSTi tracks. The only way you are going to be able to run that many is 'freezing' or 'stem rendering' them.
4G of RAM will bog down with more than 1 VSTi running.

 

[Steenamaroo]

+1 on the ram.
What exact CPU are you talking about? 3.2 dual core could mean a whole range of things.

 

[TimOBrien]

Needs more drives (especially with komplete)

You want:

OS, apps and plugins on boot drive
A second separate drive for sample libraries
A third separate drive for audio projects and tracks

(if most of your work is with vsti's you can get along without the third drive)
All that sample content on komplete should be streaming from its own drive tho...

 

[ecc83]

How much does "friend" want for that computer?

The specc' is nothing to write home about.

Yes, the ram needs to be increased but MOST importantly, is that a 64 bit machine?
If not it cannot use any more memory and is really quite outdated for intensive music work*.

But have you mentioned an Audio Interface? If you are going for a "home build" desktop I would always fit a solid PCI card (assuming the MOBO still has PCI slots!) such as the M-A 2496 since this gives you a built in audio test and backup facility plus another 16 MIDI channels should you need them.

The 2496 at least will not get in the way of anything else you might use.

*Note the word "intensive". Even in 32 bit specc' and with 4G ram such a machine would hiss on 64 24 bit tracks as a straight recorder. Tis the plugins and synths that killya!

Dave.