Bad musician seeks good computer

[BobGunderson]

Hey, everybody. I've spent the last couple of days searching the net for deals on computer hardware and trying to figure out just how to build a computer. My old computer was one that my university gave to me for free. It's alright, but the processor is a P3 929MHz and it's not upgradable at all. At least not easily.

I bought an E-Mu 1212m because I want to be able to record music on my PC. However, I figure that my PC is just a little too outdated to handle any serious audio work.

I don't want to spend too much money, as I already spent $200 on the E-Mu. Here are some things that I definitely want the computer to have:

1. At least 1.5 gigs of RAM. I have two 256mb sticks, so if I get a motherboard with 4 slots, then I could add two 512mb sticks. I'd definitely wait until I see a deal on this at a site like slickdeals.

2. I figure that I'll go with a Pentium 4 processor, but only because I don't know of any reason not to. I really don't know alot about the differences between different processor manufacturers. Is AMD just as good? Would I get a better price with non-P4? Either way, I'd like something between 2.0GHz and 3.0GHz.

Ideally, I wouldn't want to spend over $200 on the motherboard and cpu, but that may not be a possibility.

3. On the motherboard, I'll want at least 3 PCI slots, a PCI-Express slot or two, USB 2.0, and 4 RAM slots as mentioned before. However, I could just put two 1gig sticks in if the mobo only has 2 slots. Onboard ethernet would be a plus as that would free up a PCI slot (I have the card otherwise). SATA would be cool, I guess. I just found out that SATA exists a couple of days ago. I'm so out of the loop. I would love to have decent onboard video so that I can avoid shelling out for a video card right now, but not many motherboards that I've been looking at have it. It would probably just drive the price up too high.

In another thread, kosova gave me this link for motherboards meeting my desired spec's. But I'm still not sure if I should go with P4 or not. I'll keep looking.

4. As for a hard drive, I'm putting the 160gig Seagate in my current computer in an enclosure for backing up music files. I'll get an SATA HD to put in the computer. Circuit City is having a Western Digital SATA/150 160GB 8MB Internal on sale for $50 after rebate for the week of 2/5 - 2/11, so I'll probably pick that up. I know it's only got 8mb cache, but I'll take what I can get. I've considered getting another, smaller hard drive for the Windows installation only, but I'm starting to think that it would just be an unnecessary expenditure.

5. I was looking at cases and I know that it's sort of an issue of personal preference, so I'll just keep looking. I'll definitely try not to spend more than $50 on this. I'll only need a mid-tower. Honestly, anything will be better than the case I have right now. I can't imagine what kind of tiny little hands it was designed for, but it's almost impossible to get my hands into the top drive bay area.

6. Power supply...well, I don't know a lot about this piece of hardware. I saw this deal on a Thermaltake TR2 W0070 430W. $29.99 after rebate with $1.99 three-day shipping seems nice. It's got 5 stars average rating out of 289 reviews. Actually, that's not bad.

I think that's about it for what I want. I have a good enough monitor. I have a floppy drive and a DVD-R/CD-R drive. I have some RAM as I mentioned. I have firewire through the E-Mu card. I even have a ZIP drive that I never use.

Sorry about the length of this post. I'm just a little overwhelmed with this whole process. I probably just need to slow down and do some more research. It's just so hard to wait now that I've decided to build a computer. I want it now, you know. Any suggestions that anyone has would be appreciated.

[Drkboarder]

For memory you're gonna wanna go with a 2x1GB dual channel set up, not that expensive and well worth it.

As for processors, tomshardware.com seems to show that AMD's are better at audio encoding: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.ht...2=257&chart=66

Might wanna go above budget and spend $233 on a AMD 3700+ (doesn't include Mobo) or you can go with the lesser 3200 model

You'll wanna mobo with atleast 3 pci slots, since your audio card will take up 2. Once you make a processor decision then look at newegg for a good mobo (pay attention to customer ratings/reviews)

You can get a 250 gig Sata from newegg for 110: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822144701


On a side note, I'm considering on getting an audio card similar to yours. Do you think that one's the best mid-range card available? I'm currently building a system to use for video/audio editing and wasn't even considering such a card til i saw this thread so thank you! Does it support dolby digital output (for home theater use). I know there are other cards in the same price range that do.

[jayb1234]

That Thermaltake PSU won't be enough for the motherboards in the link. This would be about the least expensive one that I would use, and if you want the SLI option later, This one.

[glc]

Your P3 probably uses standard SDRAM, and will not be compatible with either a P4 or an Athlon 64 build.

Get an Antec case with a preinstalled ATX 2.0 power supply for the best deal and quality.

Most motherboards with onboard video are micro-ATX units, which won't have enough slots for you. You can buy a decent general purpose PCI-E video card for 50 bucks, so that's not a killer. Just don't buy a Hypermemory or Turbocache card - those share system ram and partially defeat the purpose of a discrete video card.

[BobGunderson]

Thanks for all the replies.

I can't afford to get anything as expensive as $200+ for just the processor. I'll probably change my mind, though, when it comes time to order. I have to spend my student loan money on something. I've decided not to go with onboard video. I also realized that the SDRAM will obviously not work. Not sure why I didn't see that at first.

Drkboarder, from what I saw when looking into digital audio cards, the E-Mu was the best in my price range. However, I'm not sure if it supports Dolby digital output. I won't be able to really mess around with it until I get my computer built. I really just wanted something that I could plug my instruments into and record with.

[BobGunderson]

Wow, I was looking at my current computer and checked out the specs on the PSU, since I never had before. 150 W. That's terrible.

[BobGunderson]

Here's some stuff that I'm thinking about getting:

AMD Athlon 64 3700+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor link
ASUS A8N-E ATX AMD Motherboard link
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 link
eVGA 128-P2-N368-TX Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card link

It's just a preliminary idea to give me somewhere to go. If anybody has any suggestions for better components, then let me know. It is slightly more expensive than I'd like, but I might as well put the money in now for a computer that will last me a long time. Also, that mobo is on sale for a one-day special of $104.99. Should I order today or is that just sales bs?

It seems like the Antec Lifestyle SONATA II (link) is a popular choice. The PSU is good, right? That would justify the price.

[glc]

All good, but the 6600GT is overkill for that use and you can save with an A8N5X instead of the A8N-E.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102626

[BobGunderson]

Sweet, thanks for the advice. You're right on both counts. That's why I love this site.

[Louds3]

another thing to consider is if you are going to be doing a lot of microphone recording in the same room, you want to make sure your computer is pretty quiet (i.e. the motherboad chipset fan on that motherboard is notoriously loud and annoying, i have one!). if you are doing mostly recording through guitar pickups and such than it's not much of a concern just something to be aware of.

steve

[BobGunderson]

Yeah, from the reviews, I'd probably have to replace the mobo fan.

I'd like to get a cheaper price on the case and the PSU, but it doesn't seem possible. SONATA II looks like as good a deal as there is for that quality.

Might also get a cheaper cpu. I've noticed a few 3200+ Venice's in peoples' signatures. Much more in my price range.

[Louds3]

yea, a 3200+ is a nice performing chip, not exactly state of the art but it has suited me very well. Also, Socket 939 is very upgradeable, so when I build this rig about a month ago my thought was "I can afford a 3200+ right now, and in a year or so the socket 939's will fall a bit in price" and then I will get a faster one, IF i feel like i need it (may not). If you wind up modding your board to passive cooling (i will be soon most likely) here are some great links about how to do it:
http://euroalps.co.uk/technology/Com...t_cooling.html
Replacement Instructions for chipset fan

http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/...x=180&code=014
zalman install instructions

http://forums.anandtech.com/messagev...VIEWTMP=Linear
AnandTech - a8n-sli chipset heatsink fan (essentially the same as an a8n-e).

steve

edit: be sure to save everything you may take off the board as if you ever need to return it for warranty service the whole original chipset cooler must be put back on so it appears original.

[BobGunderson]

I found some cheaper RAM, too. Outpost has 2x512mb Corsair for $54.99 AR with $6.99 shipping. I figure I'll buy two of those (from different names and addresses for rebate purposes) and dual channel them for 2gigs.

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3746086

[glc]

Check this case out.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811130172

That's a 24 pin ATX 2.0 PSU in there. AOpen PSU's are made by FSP last I looked.

[BobGunderson]

Originally Posted by glc All good, but the 6600GT is overkill for that use and you can save with an A8N5X instead of the A8N-E. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102626

That card is alright, but I want to leave the option of pc gaming open. Is this Geforce 6600 good? It's not a bad price ($104) and I know I read some good things about it in the Video, Audio, and Multimedia threads.

[Louds3]

not to milk the whole go fanless thing, but if you are gonna get a 6600 get one with a big heatsink instead of a fan, that's what I have as well and I am really happy with it, it's not gonna play the newest games at the highest settings but it will still play them well and for a pretty decent price.

steve

[glc]

If you are gonna go with a 6600, squeeze out a GT. It's only a few bucks more.