pc configuration q's

[tony moore]

hey folks, i need some help configuring/optimizing my pc. before i list the specs on what i have, unfortunately i have to use my pc as a pc and a daw. i know, but i need to make the most of what i already have. here it is:

*this is all in a cheap powerspec box from microcenter*
celeron 333
216 mb sdram pc100
17gig ide hd at 5400
7gig ide hd at 7200
philps cd-rw internal
unkown 32X cd
parallel ditto 10gig mag tape
usb zip 100
gadgetlabs pci recording system (pci card and breakout box with 8 analog 1/4" balanced i/o's)
opcode usb digital box (spdif i/o's)
samplitude
acid pro

the majority of what i would like to do with this system is to take live recordings from md and transfer them digitally to the pc to edit the tracks for burning cd's and posting to the web as mp3's, ra's, etc. don't worry, it's all original music i would also like to use the pc for my own compositions. i've owned an adat based studio so i'm familiar with the mechanics of recording, i just have no clue on the best way to configure my pc. i know i'll have limitations, and i can deal with that. thanks!

tony
tony@moorelab.com http://www.monkmusic.com http://www.bluejordan.com

 

[Slackmaster2K]

Dude, just use it. You've got a much better system than many of us around here. If you find yourself running into walls, THEN optimize. e.g. don't fix what ain't broke.

Tip: use the the 7gig 7200 for the projects you're currently working on and the big but slower drive for storage. In other words, when you're working on a mix, make sure it's on the 7200 RPM drive for best performance. When it's done, store the tracks on the 17Gig drive.

If your SDRAM is truely PC100, then the very best thing you could do to give your PC a bit more zip would be to upgrade to a PII (350 or better) or PIII processor. This would be relatively cheap too ($100 to $200 probably). The PII and PIII will take advangage of that 100Mhz SDRAM while the celeron runs on 66Mhz. (note that the PII 450 is the same price as the PIII 450 last time I checked)

Anyway, I'm jealous...I've never had a machine with that much memory. It'll REALLY make a difference when recording.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[tony moore]

hey slackmaster,

thanks! i was thinking the exact same as for the hd use. i've seen alot of posts here and on random access about configuring windows and such for better daw performance. so before i got too deep, i thought i'd pose the question. i know in my old adat studio, there are alot of things i wish i would have known prior to recording. thanks again!

tony