Building DAW - audio recording monster machine

[powpowmeow]

Need some input, especially in the motherboard department.

This is what I have for sure so far

Antec P182 case
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 cpu
4gb 1066 RAM
2 1TB SATA-III drives 7200rpm (thinking about going one small + one big instead)
ASUS EN8500GT video card (silent and cheap)
wireless keyboard & mouse (probably Logitech 967557-0403)

Obviously I am going for a balance of performance and quiet in my DAW.

I'm having problems finding an appropriate motherboard with Firewire. I want onboard firewire because I am also purchasing a Digidesign Mbox 2 Pro to record with. I'm not totally set on this though...

also will the cheapo video card hurt my pc's overall performance for recording? i will probably not be using this system for gaming... I am trying to use a fanless video card that will keep it quiet.

Thanks all!

[Alaron]

Welcome to PCMech.

You have a great starting list. As for the motherboard, we recommend the Asus P5K series. Check out the P5K-E model, it includes Firewire: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225

Your video card won't affect recording. I concur with the silent model idea.

If you need a power supply for your setup, check out the Corsair series. Your system won't need too much wattage, the 450w model would be a good fit.

[powpowmeow]

Originally Posted by Alaron Welcome to PCMech. You have a great starting list. As for the motherboard, we recommend the Asus P5K series. Check out the P5K-E model, it includes Firewire: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225 Your video card won't affect recording. I concur with the silent model idea. If you need a power supply for your setup, check out the Corsair series. Your system won't need too much wattage, the 450w model would be a good fit.

thanks for your quick reply!

ah yes, forgot about the power supply. the nexus brand has been recommended to me, due to it's quietness. i think i might get a 600w ps just for the heck of it, can't hurt to have wattage to spare can it? plus who knows, in the future i might run a bunch of stuff out the external ports etc, or add a big time video card that needs more juice

[powpowmeow]

heres my updated parts list, thoughts?

case
antek p182 $140

cpu
core 2 quad q6600
$220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2bquad%2bq6600

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM
$6
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835100007

mb
Asus P5K-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131225
$139

RAM
DDR2 1066 $192 for 4gb
http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/conf...//www.kingston.

com&ktcpartno=KVR1066D2N7K2/2G

power supply
nexus nx-8060 600 wt $170

video card
ASUS EN8500GT SILENT MAGIC $60

hard drives
WD6400AAKS 640GB $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136218

(in a month:
WD VELOCIRAPTOR 300GB WD3000BLFS $300 (mid may release) fastest HD around, ultra quiet)

wireless keyboard
Logitech diNovo Edge $162
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=DiNovo%2bEdge

wireless mouse
Logitech MX Air Silver/Black 8 Buttons USB 2.4 GHz Wireless Laser Rechargeable Air Mouse - Retail

$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16826104089

DVD DRIVE
ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X

CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe - Retail $36
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135156

[shadowpr]

I would just get ddr2-800 ram. No need for anything more than that.

Also, why not just get one dvd burner instead of also getting a cd burner.

[powpowmeow]

Originally Posted by shadowpr I would just get ddr2-800 ram. No need for anything more than that. Also, why not just get one dvd burner instead of also getting a cd burner.

good call on the RAM. i have considered that, and wouldnt hurt to save a little on rAM when i am paying $300 for wireless input devices

re the cd burner - actually it is just one device, the description line is just ridiculously long and the way i (mis)formatted it it looks like 2 devices, but it is just one asus dvd burner


also quick question - it says the cpu comes with a heatsink and fan, i am trying to make this system whisper quiet or as close to such as possible, any way to not use the noisy fan?

[Alaron]

Sorry pow, your post was caught in our spam filter. You're all set now.

_Moderator_

[shadowpr]

You're going to want a fan on your heatsink. You could try an aftermarket heatsink, and that might be a bit quieter that the stock heatsink. Just know that it will void the warrenty.

Also, unless using an aftermarket heatsink, you don't need the artic silver.

[powpowmeow]

Originally Posted by shadowpr You're going to want a fan on your heatsink. You could try an aftermarket heatsink, and that might be a bit quieter that the stock heatsink. Just know that it will void the warrenty. Also, unless using an aftermarket heatsink, you don't need the artic silver.

Thanks for the info. Decided on the Nexus PHT-7750 SkiveTek® Radial Quiet CPU Cooler for $45