Please Help me!! I'm Going Crazy

[track pusha]

Hey everybody,

I'm screwed! I was supposed to have alot of money coming in for my studio, but some stuff happened, and now i'm broke as hell, and don't know If i can get my computer.I have most of my other stuff, but I can't do anything with out a pc, so please, please, somebody list some computer specs for me! I only have about 650 to spend for it, and i need quality results. I'm recording rap, and using cubase sl 3, reason 2.5 and an emu 1820m soundcacrd. I need a system that can support about 40 to 50 tracks easily and a good amount of plugins, maybe 20 Or higher if possible. I'm open to all suggestions, and the only thing I want Specifically on the pc is a gig of ram, everthing else i really don't care as long as my computer runs fast, cool and doesn't crash and stutter. Please Sombody help!

 

[Bulls Hit]

$650 won't go far

Asus P4P800 -E deluxe $110
P4 3.0 $174
1 x Seagate barracuda 160GB SATA HD $78
Sapphire ATI Radeon 256MB 8x AGP $100
ATX 450W aluminium case $32
Phillips 17" CRT $133, you can't afford an LCD sorry

That's $627 and you still haven't got ram - your choice depending on budget.

Maybe start with 512MB, and add the rest plus a 2nd hard drive. LCD monitor, dvd etc when you get more cash.


All @ http://www.pricewatch.com/

 

[manning1]

as an option....amd semprons are going for 350 bucks in my area.
should be good for 40 tracks. remember - you can always mixdown , reimport to a new session and add another 39 tracks.
OR look around for a used athlon system. but make sure its not crud/beaten up etc....put a new 7200 rpm hard drive in it for the tracks with 8 mb cache.
sorry to hear this has happened to you.
ps..try not to put anything else in pci slots other than the sound card.

 

[track pusha]

Ok thanks you guy's, I really appreciate the help. Manning I think I'm going to look at amd, because I here there great for recording, and there run cooler than P4.

 

[HangDawg]

I think I'm going to look at amd, because I here there great for recording, and there run cooler than P4.

Cause we all know a P4 can't handle all the hotness

What could you possibly need 50 tracks for? Seems like an aweful lot.

 

[minofifa]

take back cubase SX for 500 bucks and get traction for free

 

[wheelema]

Example of one solution.

AMD Athlon XP 3000+ 400MHz, 512MB (shared with on-board video display), 120GB SATA HDD, CD-RW, DVD, 17" CRT, wireless keyboard and mouse.

The case does have a 350 watt power supply, it appears at the end of the description.

Note that while the video adapter is part of the mobo, it will be disabled when/if you install a seperate/faster display adapter.

$600.00

 

[doorno2]

I got a new Dell w 3.2 gig P4, 1 gig ram, 160 gig hd and DVDRW for $700 on ebay. Of course I already had a monitor but they are pretty cheap if you can do without a flat screen.

 

[Dracon]

Uhmm I'm not a Dell advocate or anything but you may want to check this
out $649

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/products/features.aspx/featured_dp_mce_1?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs

Plus you can pay by month if you wish.

The only thing will be your sound card. I know that a lot of people don't like store bought computers, but you get one year free support from Dell.

You can also go with a refurbished machine from Dell.
http://outlet.us.dell.com/Dispatcher?target=InventoryPage&action=sort&sortColumn=price&lob=DIM&sessionID=B3y2cF3l!1562668066!-1219916111!1102541430361&tgtSeg=I

I bought mine two years ago, and they give you the same warranty as the new ones. I've had no complaints. In fact, I will never build my own again. It just does not pay off for me. It does not have to be Dell, it could be Gateway. I've had no experience with Gateway, so I cannot advice you at all.

I will tell you never, ever, in your life get a HP (They own Compaq too) because you will regret it. My old 386 was HP and it was great (I bought it from Radio Shack $1,600 - 50MB HD), but I've dealt with their stuff since then and I would only recommended if you like to spend money.

Good luck!