Building a DAW, Need Advice

[AJ_0000]

I'm going to be building a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), and I could use some help. This will be my first attempt at building my own PC. After comparing pre-made systems to what it would cost to build one using the same parts, I determined that I could get the same thing for half the price (saving about $1500) so I'm going to do it.

I've done some preliminary research and read a couple of books, but I'm not sure about all of the components. The main requirements are that it be as fast as possible and as quiet as possible. I also need Wi-Fi capability, at least one eSATA port, 6 or more USB ports, a good graphics card, a Lightscribe DVD burner, and expandability. It will be running primarily 32-bit Vista, but holding open the option for 64-bit as it becomes more widely supported.

So far, these are the only components I'm sure of:

Chassis: Antec Take 4 + 450
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600

These are parts I'm considering:

Video Card: EVGA 8800GTS 320MB
DVD: Samsung 20x w/Lightscribe

Parts where I have no clear idea:

Motherboard: Asus or Intel seems to be the way to go, but I'm lost on all the variations. The newer ones that have most of the options I'm looking for (like built-in eSATA ports) seem to lean toward DDR3 RAM. I'm not sure if it's worth the extra money. I don't know how to choose between the various chipsets.

Power Supply: I'm pretty sure I'm going to need one with higher wattage than the 450W included with the chassis, but not sure what's the best way to go. Needs to be quiet.

RAM: 4GB. Otherwise, I don't know which brands are best, or whether it's better to go for DDR3 or stick with DDR2.

Hard Drive:Probably Seagate, somewhere between 100-300GB, but not sure which of their models is ideal. Fast and quiet are keys.

Fans/Cooling: I suspect I'll be generating some heat, and again the key element here is that it be quiet. I see there are fanless options, but again brand/model is something I'm not clear about. The machine will probably be running for long periods of time.

I know that's a lot of info, but any suggestions would be appreciated. The video card may be overkill to some extent, but I could be tempted to play a game or watch a DVD on it once in a while, and more to the point, I need as much of the graphics as possible offloaded to the video card to make sure the rest of the resources are free for audio processing.

[Masaki 7-11]

Can you go into more detail about what the computer will be used for? For example what programs will you be using, will you be doing any 3D work, will you be doing any gaming?

[kilgoretrout]

The case you have chosen is a rackmount server case. Doesn't seem appropriate for someone interested in music/audio unless I've misconstrued your intentions. There are cases designed for quiet operation that may better suit your needs. I have this one from antec and it's the quietest system I've ever built:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025

The quiet ones tend to be heavier and less portable with 120mm fans.

The video card is complete overkill for what you describe and will contribute significantly to the noise output of your system. These days even onboard graphics can handle playing dvds. If quiet is really important, like for recording or mixing music, etc, a motherboard with onboard graphics would probably be adequate.

You will have to go with a 64bit operating system if you want to get your system to recognize the entire 4GB of ram you plan on installing. There are may posts on this board explaing exactly why in detail so I won't repeat that here.

Those are my initial observations, but like Masaki, I get the feeling I'm not understanding your needs for this system enough to give more meaningful advice.

[AJ_0000]

Originally Posted by Masaki 7-11 Can you go into more detail about what the computer will be used for? For example what programs will you be using, will you be doing any 3D work, will you be doing any gaming?

I'll probably do some occasional gaming on it, depending on the video card I get. Otherwise it will be used solely for digital audio production.

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout The case you have chosen is a rackmount server case. Doesn't seem appropriate for someone interested in music/audio unless I've misconstrued your intentions. There are cases designed for quiet operation that may better suit your needs. I have this one from antec and it's the quietest system I've ever built: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129025 The quiet ones tend to be heavier and less portable with 120mm fans.

The case I linked is intended for DAWs ("Take 4", get it?). If you check the reviews for it on newegg, you'll see people referring to it as such. Rackmounting is also used for audio gear. You can see an example in a similar case here.

The video card is complete overkill for what you describe and will contribute significantly to the noise output of your system. These days even onboard graphics can handle playing dvds. If quiet is really important, like for recording or mixing music, etc, a motherboard with onboard graphics would probably be adequate.

I'm not sure about the video card. Getting a decent one will allow me to play some of the games I have that crawl on my current system, but a huge amount of noise will be a problem. It would be better if I could actually hear one of them in operation to know how loud it is. Don't see a dB rating for it. As for DVD, this one is HDCP ready, which I think is necessary to play back DVDs over a DVI connection.

Games and DVDs aside though, the real key is to have one that will offload the graphics duties for Vista as much as possible, so other resources don't get sucked in. While processing audio, every spare bit of CPU and RAM is at a premium.

You will have to go with a 64bit operating system if you want to get your system to recognize the entire 4GB of ram you plan on installing. There are may posts on this board explaing exactly why in detail so I won't repeat that here.

I'm aware of the limitations of 32-bit OS's. What I've read is that you can still get use out of something like 3.5 depending on the circumstances. If that's the case, I'll go ahead and get 4 to make sure I squeeze as much as possible out of it. I also may be venturing into 64-bit, so it won't hurt.

Those are my initial observations, but like Masaki, I get the feeling I'm not understanding your needs for this system enough to give more meaningful advice.

I've been doing some more research, so let me go ahead and post what I'm looking at:

Case: Antec Take 4
Processor: Core 2 Quad Q6600
MB: ASUS P5K Deluxe/WIFI-AP P35
RAM: (2) CORSAIR Dominator 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 1066
HD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 (Perpendicular Recording) 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s
DVD: Samsung 20X
Video: EVGA 8800GTS 320MB 320-bit GDDR3

I don't know how familiar anyone here will be with audio software, but basically you have a host (in my case Cakewalk's SONAR 7 PE), and then you have a variety of separate virtual instrument and effects programs that run as plug-ins to the host. They eat up huge amounts of CPU and RAM when working with 44.1kHz/24bit audio, which is the minimum. So it's speed that counts most, followed by quietness so you don't pick up the noise when recording live sound with microphones. Then you need all the right inputs. I need at least 6 USB, and eSATA for an external HD that carries audio data. I've already got a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and (PCI) sound card that I'm going to be using.

[AJ_0000]

I think the components I listed will suit my needs feature-wise. My main concern is that there may be compatibility issues I'm missing, issues with the specific manufacturers, or something where I could get the same thing for less. The only part I'm not sure about is the graphics card.

I could use some help, because my time frame is kind of limited. I've got to get started on this ASAP. Verification that I haven't made any major blunders is all I really need.

[moxing2]

The 8800 GTS will definately get you through your games, im pretty sure it wont help to keep backround applications from interrupting on your audio applications, although it wont hurt.

Also, you can easily find a program to control the cards fan speed so when your just running audio applications you can take it down to maybe 40% - 50% to quiet it down, because im assuming you just dont want the noise effecting your recordings. And when you game just bring it up again.

For your interests, getting quality ram, and a quad core cpu is going to be the biggest thing. But if you have got the money, get the GTS.

The Mobo has Wifi (dont know if you really want that) but if you havent, read some reviews to assure its what you want. Just going down to regular p5k would be fine and save money, but you probably need it.

Your ram speed is at 1066, you would only really need this if your overclocking, otherwise just get 667 speed, and the list above says your getting 2 gigs? Get 3 at least, 4 if your getting 64-bit opperating system.

I have the quad core q6600 and it runs fine. I use fruity loops with things like Garriton proffessional and it runs butter smooth. I know of sonar, although i dont use it, but it would work fine with the q6600.

Otherwise, everything looks compatible, but maybe wait for a second opinion. ( that is basically my rig )

[AJ_0000]

Originally Posted by moxing2 The 8800 GTS will definately get you through your games, im pretty sure it wont help to keep backround applications from interrupting on your audio applications, although it wont hurt. Also, you can easily find a program to control the cards fan speed so when your just running audio applications you can take it down to maybe 40% - 50% to quiet it down, because im assuming you just dont want the noise effecting your recordings. And when you game just bring it up again. For your interests, getting quality ram, and a quad core cpu is going to be the biggest thing. But if you have got the money, get the GTS. The Mobo has Wifi (dont know if you really want that) but if you havent, read some reviews to assure its what you want. Just going down to regular p5k would be fine and save money, but you probably need it. Your ram speed is at 1066, you would only really need this if your overclocking, otherwise just get 667 speed, and the list above says your getting 2 gigs? Get 3 at least, 4 if your getting 64-bit opperating system. I have the quad core q6600 and it runs fine. I use fruity loops with things like Garriton proffessional and it runs butter smooth. I know of sonar, although i dont use it, but it would work fine with the q6600. Otherwise, everything looks compatible, but maybe wait for a second opinion. ( that is basically my rig )

Thanks. I do need WiFi, so it helps to have it built in instead of taking up a slot. I will be getting 4GB of RAM, but I'm not clear about the speed. I thought it had an effect whether you overclock or not. It also matches the fsb speed of the CPU, although I'm not sure if that means anything. It's the technical compatibility stuff that I'm weak on.

[moxing2]

sorry for me being incorrect, your are correct about the ram speed, keep it. I checked the mobo and its running at 1066.

your ram will only run as fast your mobo. But their both up there so your good.

[Katreat]

Actually, your ram is DDR so it will run twice as fast as the listed speed. So, for a direct match 667 is fine, but they usually recommend going a step higher so I would recommend going with Corsair XMS 800. The 1066 is really just needed if you are doing major OC'ing.

Unless there has been a performance swing, I think the 8800 GT out performs the 8800 GTS 320 and is less expensive. My current rig runs an 8800 GTS and it is pretty quiet, but thats with speakers or headphones playing the game. Still, I think with a good case the video card fan will be a minor problem.

I know nothing about the case you chose, but it does not look like it really has much sound proofing. I would recommend taking a look at the Antec P180 series, they are built for quiet.

For PSU I went with a corsair 620 and it is very quiet. With any 8800 card I would shoot for a minimum of 500-550w just to get a bit of head room. The 450 that came with the case might run it but you would be very close to the minimum I think.

Also, unless the mikes have to be right next to the computer, you can really quiet a system down just by putting it around a corner, or moving some furnature in front of it so it does not have line of sight with the mics.

Kat

[Masaki 7-11]

Regarding the GPU I would look into the HD3870, it's a decent amount quieter and performs better than the 8800GTS(320MB), you normally find it for about $249.99.