Rackmount PC

[warant1]

Hey guys,
i'm new to building computers, so maybe if I tell ya'll what i'm looking for you can help me out here....
I'm looking for a portable, rack mountable (maybe 3U) computer system that I can use for 32 tracks of high quality audio recording via Firewire. I'm about to purchase the Behringer/Midas X32 digital console, and it comes with a firewire PC interface to transfer 32 channels of audio. So here's what i'm looking for....
. Budget - under $1000
. Size - 3U rack mount
. Interfaces - Firewire (2x), USB 3.0 (4x), VGA (1x)
. Quiet and cool

As far as system requirements go, I have no idea what's needed for high quality recording. I only want enough to run Pro-Tools and record. I'm assuming that means I need high RAM? I also need enough memory to record up to 3 hours of 24bit/96kHz audio. If it helps, maybe a solid state hard drive instead of a disk drive?

Does this sound doable for under $1000? please inform, thank you

 

[Bobbsy]

You don't say where you are but, if you go to the Yellow Pages or do some Googling, most locales have companies that will custom build a computer for you including everything on your spec. If you shop around, a customised computer is generally no more expensive than an off the shelf one--and sometimes cheaper.

With your ambitions for a large track count, I'd also suggest you go for a high spec on the hardware--say an i7 processor, lots of RAM (at least 8gig, preferably 16) and so on.

In terms of memory, the recording goes onto a hard drive--the RAM is there for manipulating the sound. For sound work, it's generally worth having two HDD, one for the operating system and DAW and the other for your music data. An SSD can be a good choice for the OS and DAW; for the actual recording make sure your HDD is at least 7200rpm and, if you can find a faster one, so much the better.

I'd also be looking for a video card with two outputs so you can use dual monitors--almost essential with the track count you desire.

Is this achievable for under $1000? Well, I don't know prices where you are but I doubt it. I've just ordered a new laptop for sound work with most of the spec above and it's costing me more than $1800 Australian. Things are often cheaper in the USA--but not THAT much (and the Aussie dollar is worth more than the American one these days).

 

[PRHunt]

From what I have seen locally (again, here in Australia), rack mount PC cases are rather more expensive than desktop cases.

Pay a bit more for a good power supply. It doesn't hurt to have too much power, but reliability is most important. Seasonic is usually very good, but others will no doubt recommend their favourites.

For motherboards, for every recommendation, someone else will have something negative to say. With that in mind, however, I will suggest you look at Gigabyte motherboards (suited to your chosen processor) with the Ultra Durable design features.

Paul

 

[MrWrenchey]

You don't say where you are but, if you go to the Yellow Pages or do some Googling, most locales have companies that will custom build a computer for you including everything on your spec. If you shop around, a customised computer is generally no more expensive than an off the shelf one--and sometimes cheaper.

This is definitely true, but there's a fact that few know about this. When you buy these pre-built ones, they give you an OS disc to install Windows or whatever, but that disc comes with bloatware on it you don't want (that's not the unknown fact).
HOWEVER, if you contact HP or Acer or whoever you buy the pre-built computer from, you can ask for a standard installation disc that doesn't have any of that bloatware and your computer will run and boot up a LOT faster.
So if you're purchasing an OEM computer, make sure to do that. =]

EDIT:

Also, everything else Bobbsy said is true. Listen to what he said for spec'ing the thing and you're golden.