Ableton Forum

Hi,
New to the PC world. I'm a little nervous switching to Windows, but looking at the performance charts on this forum, AMD seems to excel beyond the rest(and it's cheaper than a MAC as an added bonus!). Any way, long story short, below is the basic audio only dedicated system I am looking at -along w/a link to the website. I will also use a firewire controller /interface combo- tascam, mackie--havent decided which yet...As I said, I'm new to computer audio, and if any of you can tell me if I am on the right track, or if there is something I left out or can improve on etc.- I would appreciate any advice! THANKS... cheers!

T,>

- Windows XP Home Full w/CD
- Xotic Black Stealth ATX Case w/ 300W
- USE Default Power Supply with Case
- No Neon Lighting
- ASROCK K8 Upgrade 760GX [SiS 760GX Chip,8 USB,1 VGA 128MB,2 PCI]
- AMD 64Bit 3400+ 1600MHz FSB CPU [Socket 754]
- AMD Certified Heatsink
- 512MB Corsair XMS Low Latency DDR400 PC3200 [1x512]
- Integrated 3D Max Video
- NO TV Tuner
- Built-In 6 Channel 3D Sound
- 80GB IDE 7200RPM Hard Drive
- NO Hard Drive [Bay 2]
- NO Storage Hard Drive [Bay 3]
- No RAID Configuration
- Internal 10/100 LAN
- NO Modem
- No Wireless Network Card
- Lite On 52x32x52 CDRW Drive [Free Shipping]
- NO CD/Optical Drive [Bay 2]
- Black 1.44MB Floppy Drive
- Standard IDE/SATA/Floppy Cables
- No Controller Card
- Black Keyboard, Mouse & Speaker Combo Set
- Use Mouse with Keyboard Set
- No Headset
- No Webcam
- No Speakers/Use Speakers in Keyboard Set
- No Printer
- No Monitor
- No Software
- No Software
- No Gaming Software
- No Office Software
- No Hassle Free Pickup and Return
- 1 Year Onsite Warranty

http://www.xoticpc.com/product_info.php ... ts_id=1273

OK... Without knowing anything of the specific MB/CPU combo. I say:

* Get a second HD for audio.
* Get 1 GB RAM
* Get a dedicated graphics card. Even if you don't plan to do gaming... I find it gives higher performance than when sharing memory.
* Maybe... get a slightly more powerful power supply. Especially if you're getting some USB periphals, a graphic card and a PCI audio interface. Maybe even a silent one...

Good luck,
Mikael

[edit] Hmmm... Also read up on what chipsets (motherboard) go well and stable with your AMD cpu. When I got my Xp2800+ almost two years ago, the nVidia2 chipset was the way to go. I don't know anything of the SiS chipset. This can save you some grief later on...

THANKS for the response. One question- when you say a second hard drive for audio, do you mean built in to the unit, or a separate stand alone unit e.g. GLYPH type? Thanks again!

If your not planning to move around - get an internal one. That would be cheap, simple and fast!

Cheers,
Mikael

either will do the trick.
but a nice external drive (i.e. lacie) doesn't limit you as much as an additional internal laptop hd.
also, look for one that's 5400rpm if you end up going with an additional internal drive. the 7200rpm drives chew up too much power to make the other benifits worth it.

also, look for one that's 5400rpm if you end up going with an additional internal drive. the 7200rpm drives chew up too much power to make the other benifits worth it.

You do realize he's getting a stationary DAW, don't you?

New Yawkah, by all means get a 7200 rpm!

but a nice external drive (i.e. lacie) doesn't limit you as much as an additional internal laptop hd.

Again, if your not planning on sharing this drive with other computers while on the move. An internal one is your best bet! It won't limit you the least!



Cheers,
Mikael

One note--you say you're planning to get a Firewire audio interface. Well, the Asrock K8 Upgrade 760GX doesn't have built-in support for Firewire, as far as I can tell:

http://www.asrock.com/product/product_K ... -760GX.htm

So just realize that you'll have to buy a Firewire card if this is the route you plan to take.

I also agree that 1GB of RAM is a no-brainer. RAM is pretty cheap relative to the performance gain it gives you.

Also, I'd consider upgrading the hard drive to the 160GB version--it's only 26 bucks more.

One note--you say you're planning to get a Firewire audio interface.

I saw that now too... but unless you're planning on going mobile (maybe even in the future) - I'd get an internal PCI audio interface. Maybe with a breakout box.

Cheers,
Mikael

Lo-Fi Massahkah wrote:

One note--you say you're planning to get a Firewire audio interface.

I saw that now too... but unless you're planning on going mobile (maybe even in the future) - I'd get an internal PCI audio interface. Maybe with a breakout box.

Cheers,
Mikael

M-Audio Delta 44 on my desktop!

sc wrote:either will do the trick.
but a nice external drive (i.e. lacie) doesn't limit you as much as an additional internal laptop hd.

I work with about 30 sound editors... don't get a LaCie external, we've had so many problems with them dying... get yourself a Seagate (longer warranty) 7200 rpm IDE drive and a third party external firewire case with a fan in it (adds life to your HD), one of the best seems to be the ADS tech drive enclosures.

http://www.adstech.com

I'm tech for these guys and the one guy with the ads tech hasn't had probs for over a year (meanwhile I've watched at least 4 LaCies go especially bigdisks)

Anyways good luck with the switch, let us know how it goes.

A DVD drive might be a good and not too expensive investment too. Lots of stuff comes on DVDs these days.

Computer processors today are so fast, that the most important factor of computer peformance is now the harddrive speed. Even the cheapest CPUs sold on the market work faster than a 5400 or 7200 RPM harddrive can handle. So the harddrives are now the most limiting factor. Harddrive speed affects everything... load times, save times, CD burning speeds/reliability.... you name it.

The faster RPM your drive, the faster and more reliable Ableton Live will load/save music on your computer. You'll also be able to run more simultaneous clips.

Also... get 1 GB of RAM. 512 is more of a minimum these days.

It's also a good idea to have 2 internal harddrives. One for your system and program files, the other dedicated for music files. Keep an external drive for backup purposes, too.

Hey everyone,
Thanks again for all the great advice. I'm going to mull over all this stuff and get my system built in the next few weeks. I will definitely use most- if not all the advice received today. You guys saved me a bunch of unnecessary grief. When it all comes together, I'll post a self congratulatory type topic. Meantime, I'll be reading past posts to get a lot of the answers about the software I'm seeking, and posting for answers I can't find.. I love this forum! You guys RULE! Thanks again everybody! ':D' Cheers.

T,>

Get a graphics card that can run two monitors and doesn't have a fan for cooling - keep it quiet.

wilsonrx wrote:Get a graphics card that can run two monitors and doesn't have a fan for cooling - keep it quiet.

Yes, I agree. You can find used dual-head Matrox cards for not a lot of money if you don`t need 3D.