Good build for audio recording / gaming

[GotSoul]

I have what once was a $300 dell, and I have more or less upgraded to it's maximum capacity, and I realize that, for my needs, I'm going to need to build my own PC.

I would like to build a computer with some pretty substantial beef.

In addition to being kind of a geek, I am also a musician. I'd like to be able to handle digital audio recording. I'll go elsewhere to get recommendations for audio peripherals.. but how would that affect the core system? I have a system at home right now that is a 2.something mghz processor with 2 gigs of ram, but it can't really handle the audio recording at all.

I also like gaming. So, in addition, I'd like to beef up the video element as well. Any good video card recommendations? What should I look for in a motherboard to ensure maximum video performance?

Is it possible to have a system that be optimized for both?

Thanks!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by GotSoul In addition to being kind of a geek, I am also a musician. I'd like to be able to handle digital audio recording. I'll go elsewhere to get recommendations for audio peripherals.. but how would that affect the core system?

It shouldn't, but you'll want to see what the minimum requirements are.

Originally Posted by GotSoul I also like gaming. So, in addition, I'd like to beef up the video element as well. Any good video card recommendations?

Any of the NVidia 8800 based video cards would be a good choice. Depending on your budget the higher up the ladder you go (8800, 8800 GT, 8800 GTX, 8800 Ultra) the better the performance will be.

Originally Posted by GotSoul What should I look for in a motherboard to ensure maximum video performance?

Make sure you select a good quality motherboard...stay away from cheap, low quality stuff.

Originally Posted by GotSoul Is it possible to have a system that be optimized for both?

Yes. A computer built as a high end gaming rig will pretty much handle anything you throw at it.

Cricket

[glc]

The hot items right now are the Intel Core 2 Duo 1333 MHz bus processors on an Intel P35 chipset board. I would be looking at a E6750 on an Asus P5K-E.