That time again... need computer recommendations

[deastman]

Yep, its that time again. My current DAW is a few years old, and still running Windows XP. I already have a copy of Windows 7 just waiting for some new hardware... but what to get?

I assume that an Intel i7 is still the best way to go? Is i5 a less powerful product line? I've had fairly good luck in the past with motherboards from Asus and Gigabyte. I have a MOTU 828mkII, so it would be preferable if I could get a motherboard with built-in 1394. I have an Nvidia graphics board that I can use, or the built in graphics- either way. I'm guessing 8 gigs of RAM would be appropriate for all of my Kontakt sample libraries.

So, with that said, does anyone have specific recommendations, in terms of which CPUs and motherboards I should be looking at?

Edit: I renamed the topic, as suggested.

[deastman]

Bump. 60 views and no suggestions?

[Gamma-UT]

i7 is probably a better bet. You're probably not getting replies because of the header: it looks like you're trying to choose DAW software not the underlying hardware.

[ZenPunkHippy]

I'll try to help. Haven't kept up to date much since updating PC's a year ago, but this should still be relevant info ...

I assume that an Intel i7 is still the best way to go?

Yes to i7.

Not sure what the current models or suitable motherboards are, though. Any of the recent mid-range processors should kick ass.

Is i5 a less powerful product line?

Yes.

Asus and Gigabyte

I think Gigabyte are still used a lot. Intel x79 spec?

I have a MOTU 828mkII, so it would be preferable if I could get a motherboard with built-in 1394.

Someone will recommend a specific motherboard that is compatible with this.

or the built in graphics

I think for DAW use the built in graphics should be OK, but it's usually better to offload the processing if possible. As long as drivers are available for your card and it's compatible with the motherboard (PCIe?) you should be right.

I'm guessing 8 gigs of RAM would be appropriate for all of my Kontakt sample libraries.

RAM is so cheap these days I would put in 16 at a minimum, especially for sample libs and as we move to 64-bit - bigger projects, more plugins, better stability.

Peace,
Andy.

[ZenPunkHippy]

it looks like you're trying to choose DAW software not the underlying hardware.

Yes, that's how I read it ...

[xNiMiNx]

All i can speak for is the ASUS / Gigabyte point. I used to really love GB, you just couldnt beat their price / features. The hardware was good too. Then, at least for the models i bought, it went downhill. I had two boards crap out on me, two completely different models, about a year appart. It seemed like they started to worry more about what color plastics they slapped onto the boards rather than quality.

Ive been on ASUS hardware for years now, from motherboards, video cards to monitors, i even have a transformer tablet. Nice quality stuff, and i really like their TUF series mobo's (5 year warranty military grade tested mmm tasty). The downside to ASUS, is their driver support seems to die quickly, as they move on. Same for the tablet, they seem to have stopped upgrading the OS. OTOH, i like the fact that they have XP x64 driver support for some of the TUF series, it was a selling point for me.

[Kaine]

I have a MOTU 828mkII, so it would be preferable if I could get a motherboard with built-in 1394.

Someone will recommend a specific motherboard that is compatible with this.

Currently the aren't any that spring to mind. Get the board that has the features you need other that FW and add in a Texus Instruments chipset based card like the SIIG or Lycom ones.

or the built in graphics

I think for DAW use the built in graphics should be OK, but it's usually better to offload the processing if possible. As long as drivers are available for your card and it's compatible with the motherboard (PCIe?) you should be right.

Built in gfx is fine these days if they impliment it right, so run a DPC check once your setup to make sure of this. It used to be worthwhile for the DPC benefit and off loading the parts of the GUI redraw work, but the gfx core in the current Intel is a fairly decent solution and offers dual screens out of the box which enough for most people.

[jcschild]

comment to the onboard graphics

waves and a few others plugs want a good Open GL.. onboard usually does not do so well. for 95% of stuff yes

Scott
ADK

[EvilDragon]

Easy solution - don't use Waves then. As if there aren't any other plugins that easily top Waves in quality of what they do.

[Endor-8o8]

Gigabyte are considered like sh*t by lot of trustful pros I know, I was always suggested to use Asus motherboards (I have a P6T with an i7-920). That's all I can say. And +1 for the I7, no doubt it's best you can have for audio works.

[satYatunes]

Also make sure number of RAM slots available and used. The HP laptop that I am using currently cannot go beyond 8GB and each slot cannot carry more than 4GB of RAM. 8GB is still a plenty considering that I don't have any big libraries but it's always good to have options.

[deastman]

Thanks for the comments. And I renamed the topic.

I have a Geforce GTX 470 that I can throw in there, so graphics isn't a problem, although I'd need to install a new psu as well to support it. I agree on the 16 gigs of RAM. I'll focus on Asus for the mobo. If I can't find something suitable with 1394, is there any particular add-on board you would recommend? Any chipset to avoid?

What about the current crop of i7 cpus... Where would I find the best price/performance ratio?

[deastman]

Bump

[StickyWicket]

Micro Center has some pretty good deals and you can speak to a sales rep to ask for any further discounts on their already advertised prices.

For the I7 route: http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/ ... ndles.aspx

I'm also building a new 64bit DAW, but going the AMD route in getting an 8 core processor (Vishera).

CPU: http://www.microcenter.com/product/4017 ... _Processor

MB:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/3954 ... otherboard

You can save a bit of cash in going the AMD route and use that for additional components (if $$$ is an issue), otherwise, Intel will be the route to go.

Good luck!!

[deastman]

How do people feel about AMD these days? I still haven't learned to trust them again after the problems with the Athlon switching in and out of denormal mode causing havoc with VSTs back in the day.