First PC Build - Music Workstation/Protools

[axeavenue]

Hi ,

This is my first build that is going to be primarly used for music production...I need fast speeds, lots of memory and lots of storage for music files. This is what I'm going to build...please tell me your thoughts and any suggestions you might have...thanks - Paulie

CASE - Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan Side Panel

PSU - Update Thermaltake toughpower W0117RU ATX12V/ EPS12V 750W Power Supply

MOBO - ABIT AW9D Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - was going to go with an ASUS, but wanted to try out this board and see how it runs.

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400

MEM - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4PRO

VID CARD - XFX PVT73GUGE3 Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card

HD - (3) Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

DVD - LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHW-160P6S-04

OS - Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2

Going to be buying from NEWEGG...I've bought from them before and haven't had a problem.

AUDIO - Protools Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro Factory

THANKS AGAIN....paulie

[choirmaster]

Originally Posted by axeavenue Hi , This is my first build that is going to be primarly used for music production...I need fast speeds, lots of memory and lots of storage for music files. This is what I'm going to build...please tell me your thoughts and any suggestions you might have...thanks - Paulie CASE - Thermaltake Armor Series VA8003BWS Black Full Tower Case w/ 25CM Fan Side Panel PSU - Update Thermaltake toughpower W0117RU ATX12V/ EPS12V 750W Power Supply MOBO - ABIT AW9D Socket T (LGA 775) Intel 975X ATX Intel Motherboard - was going to go with an ASUS, but wanted to try out this board and see how it runs. CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E6400 MEM - CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X2048-6400C4PRO VID CARD - XFX PVT73GUGE3 Geforce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card HD - (3) Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive DVD - LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHW-160P6S-04 OS - Microsoft Windows XP Professional with SP2 Going to be buying from NEWEGG...I've bought from them before and haven't had a problem. AUDIO - Protools Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro Factory THANKS AGAIN....paulie

I am building my box for an m-box 1. Make sure that when you load your protools, that it does not reside on the boot disc with the OS. It sounds as if you have plenty of storage and RAM. You might want a faster CD-RW than 16X. Make sure your monitor has sufficiant resolution and size. These specs can be found on the DigiDesign website. There have been chipset problems in the past with their stuff. I have an ASUS mobo and it seems to be good quality. I would also go with the one DigiDesign has tested and proven reliable. The one that was specified for m-box 1 was the ASUS p5wd2. Again, all the recomended specs can be found on DigiDesign's website. Good luck and happy recording. BTW what kind of music are you into?

[axeavenue]

Thanks for the advice, I've checked out the digidesign website a lot lately. I want to run Core 2 Duo and I don't believe that the ASUS p5wd2 is compatable with the C2D...I planned on getting that mobo originally but I think I might try out this Abit board...I make beats for hiphop/r&b/soul/reggae - and take a little from all genres..so I listen to everything...thanks again for the advice

paulie

[glc]

You may want to check out the Asus P5W DH, but I do hear that the Abit is a good board and they are on their way back to being a quality manufacturer.

The 16x refers to the DVD burning speed, it's also a 48x CD burner, so that's fine.

A 7600 GT is overkill for a music production box - unless you also want to game with it.

That power supply is overkill for a non-gaming rig.

I'm not really familiar with Protools - if the package doesn't come with a sound card you may want to look at adding a M-Audio card of some sort - onboard sound isn't really good for critical audio work like that.

If you want the fastest hard drives you can get without spending big bucks, look at the Seagate 7200.10 drives. Better warranty than WD too.

Consider upgrading to the E6600, it has twice the cache of the E6400. If you don't want to upgrade, just downgrade to the E6300 and save some bucks.

[axeavenue]

Originally Posted by glc You may want to check out the Asus P5W DH, but I do hear that the Abit is a good board and they are on their way back to being a quality manufacturer. The 16x refers to the DVD burning speed, it's also a 48x CD burner, so that's fine. A 7600 GT is overkill for a music production box - unless you also want to game with it. That power supply is overkill for a non-gaming rig. I'm not really familiar with Protools - if the package doesn't come with a sound card you may want to look at adding a M-Audio card of some sort - onboard sound isn't really good for critical audio work like that. If you want the fastest hard drives you can get without spending big bucks, look at the Seagate 7200.10 drives. Better warranty than WD too. Consider upgrading to the E6600, it has twice the cache of the E6400. If you don't want to upgrade, just downgrade to the E6300 and save some bucks.

Thanks for the advice...what do you think would be a good PSU for this workstation? I might also down the road run photoshop so I don't mind spending a little more on the graphics card...the protools mbox pro is firewire...so i don't need a sound card...thanks again for your help.

paulie

[glc]

Photoshop does not need a gaming quality video card either. I'd save some cash and get something like an ATI X1300 as long as it's not Hypermemory. ATI historically has a better 2D display than Nvidia - Nvidia's forte is 3D gaming.

I'd go for a Fortron power supply in the 500 watt range. No need for anything stronger and Fortrons are excellent quality.