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Putting new system together (i7), Questions on components and setup.
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Apr 17, 2009 22:31:51
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So I'm about to build a new PC and I will use this thread to ask for opinions on components and set up. I've been out of the loop for a few years (shit, i'm still on P4), so some advice would be appreciated.
Let's start with the big 3.
1) CPU - I decided to build it around i7 920, so:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
2) MOBO - I feel like going with a Gigabyte mobo. I'm currently using ASUS and never really had any problems with it. But based on what I've read, it seems like Gigabyte boards are bit more reliable these days.
Right now I'm leaning towards GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374
It seems to hit the spot as far as features/quality/price, being somewhat in the middle of available gigabyte boards.
3) RAM - I'm thinking of either:
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222
OR
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
I'm going to be running 32-bit XP and yes, I'm fully aware it won't be able to address more than ~3.5G, but it's just silly not to get 6 gigs, considering the minuscule price difference. And when Win 7 comes out and 64-bit OS become standard with reasonable driver support, I'll be covered for the immediate future.
Anyway, OCZ has better timing specs. But Corsair appears to be better quality and reliability. So I'm not yet set on which one to go with. I also see Corsair Dominator being highly recommended:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224
I haven't seen anyone have ANY issues with it and it seems absolutely solid, but it's twice as expensive as the other two and doesn't seem like it's really worth it to me at this point (especially since i can't even address half of it). But it's not out of the question.
I'll add the other components later, as I'm still researching everything. Any pointers would be appreciated.
I'll be running Cubase 5 and i don't have any external DSP cards (which eliminates a lot of issues that people are having with MOBOs and UAD1s, etc).
  https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Apr 18, 2009 00:14
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pleiadian
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
80
Posted : Apr 18, 2009 12:19
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Quote:
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On 2009-04-17 22:31:51, septa wrote:
So I'm about to build a new PC and I will use this thread to ask for opinions on components and set up. I've been out of the loop for a few years (shit, i'm still on P4), so some advice would be appreciated.
Let's start with the big 3.
1) CPU - I decided to build it around i7 920, so:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202
2) MOBO - I feel like going with a Gigabyte mobo. I'm currently using ASUS and never really had any problems with it. But based on what I've read, it seems like Gigabyte boards are bit more reliable these days.
Right now I'm leaning towards GIGABYTE GA-EX58-UD4P LGA:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128374
It seems to hit the spot as far as features/quality/price, being somewhat in the middle of available gigabyte boards.
3) RAM - I'm thinking of either:
CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222
OR
OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227365
I'm going to be running 32-bit XP and yes, I'm fully aware it won't be able to address more than ~3.5G, but it's just silly not to get 6 gigs, considering the minuscule price difference. And when Win 7 comes out and 64-bit OS become standard with reasonable driver support, I'll be covered for the immediate future.
Anyway, OCZ has better timing specs. But Corsair appears to be better quality and reliability. So I'm not yet set on which one to go with. I also see Corsair Dominator being highly recommended:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145224
I haven't seen anyone have ANY issues with it and it seems absolutely solid, but it's twice as expensive as the other two and doesn't seem like it's really worth it to me at this point (especially since i can't even address half of it). But it's not out of the question.
I'll add the other components later, as I'm still researching everything. Any pointers would be appreciated.
I'll be running Cubase 5 and i don't have any external DSP cards (which eliminates a lot of issues that people are having with MOBOs and UAD1s, etc).
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With that system you can easily run Leopard and logic ,so 6 GB of memory would be great
I run osx on a dual core like a charm:)
have that in mind,
a good distro to use is iDeneb 10.5.6
good luck
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gutter
Inactive User
Started Topics :
54
Posts :
3018
Posted : Apr 18, 2009 22:58
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Upavas
Upavas
Started Topics :
150
Posts :
3315
Posted : Apr 18, 2009 23:42
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I am also looking into this matter, and talked to an expert in Seattle recently, he said that the lowest i7 processor has about 40% more capacity than the quad 9550.
Also he told me that the new Asus motherbopards with liquid cooling are very quiet. I looked at a similar package for around 1300 US$.
I am looking to get myself 2 HDD's with it, one raptor 320gb 10.000 rpm for OS and programs and one other one (forget what it was) 7200 rpm for data, both with 32mb cache. That should according to that guy make me free of any bottlenecks whatsoever.
He said that you will likely be able to upgrade to a faster processor that will come out later this year...
Keep in mind that XP 32bit does only read up to 3 gb ram, triple channel or not, but apparently you can run every program that is XP compatible with the new win 7 (once the full version is released, they are in betamode now...
Upavas - Here And Now (Sangoma Rec.) new EP out Oct.29th, get it here:
http://timecode.bandcamp.com
http://upavas.com
http://soundcloud.com/upavas-1/ |
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 03:07
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Did a bit more research.
4) PSU - Seems like something around 450-500W should be more than enough for me, since I'm not a gamer and have no desire to run any power-hungry video cards. Just 3 HDD, DVD burner, a bunch of fans, and 3 or 4 USB powered midi controllers.
At this point I'm leaning toward:
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&Tpk=CORSAIR%20CMPSU-550VX%20550W%20ATX12V
5) Case - I always liked Antec cases and I heard good things about Solo, so that's what i'm thinking of getting:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129018
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
6) Video Card - don't care about games, so the only things i care about are dual monitor support and silence. thinking of going with a fanless card, so there will be no issue with noise, but i'm guessing it will run hotter, so i gotta keep that in mind.
GIGABYTE GV-R455D3-512I Radeon HD 4550 512MB 64-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125250
Going to investigate cooling next. Thanks for the suggestion, gutter. I'll check it out.
https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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XuN
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
499
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 11:28
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vegetal
Vegetal/Peacespect
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
1055
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 11:40
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Quote:
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On 2009-04-18 12:19, pleiadian wrote:
Quote:
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On 2009-04-17 22:31:51, septa wrote:
So I'm about to build a new PC and I will use this thread to ask for opinions on components and set up. I've been out of the loop for a few years (shit, i'm still on P4), so some advice would be appreciated.
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With that system you can easily run Leopard and logic ,so 6 GB of memory would be great
I run osx on a dual core like a charm:)
have that in mind,
a good distro to use is iDeneb 10.5.6
good luck
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Running Leopard? You do know that leopard only comes if you buy a mac, you can´t buy a license standalone its even against the license agreement.
If you want the badest cooler with a i7 system go for Thermalright ultra 120 extreme http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/cm_v8/4.htm.
Demand recognition for the Armenian genocide 1915
http://www.devilsmindrecords.org/
http://www.myspace.com/vegetalmusic
http://www.checkpoint-music.com/ |
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vegetal
Vegetal/Peacespect
Started Topics :
19
Posts :
1055
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 11:46
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Quote:
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On 2009-04-18 23:42, Upavas wrote:
I am looking to get myself 2 HDD's with it, one raptor 320gb 10.000 rpm for OS and programs and one other one (forget what it was) 7200 rpm for data, both with 32mb cache. That should according to that guy make me free of any bottlenecks whatsoever.
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Free of bottlenecks? sounds like he has no idea what he´s talking about, the mechanical HDD is one of the biggest bottlenecks in a PC-system today even if you go for a raptor it will STILL be a bottleneck, Even a SSD-disk today is a bottleneck but if you want the fastest available go for SSD-disks instantly.
And you will also lower the average noise from your computer especially if you replace the noisy raptors with a totaly quiet SSD-disk.
Demand recognition for the Armenian genocide 1915
http://www.devilsmindrecords.org/
http://www.myspace.com/vegetalmusic
http://www.checkpoint-music.com/ |
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XuN
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
84
Posts :
499
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 13:22
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bilbobagginz
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
399
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 15:45
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septa:
I wonder if the nicey-nice i7 motherboard + the crappy XP can indeed bring you the performance so you won't end up with the same things of the order of Xeons.
Did you see any XP+i7 audio oriented review with data attached ?
I really don't know what performance boost would this CPU really bring you.
And who's told you that when windows7 is out you won't get a new super-booper memory technology which can utilize the new i7's replacement of Super I/O ?
And who's told you when windows 7 is out the new super-booper flash based hard disks won't cost 1/4 of what they're now, and won't be able to contain 10 times more data ?
vegetal:
I second your every word. In sales the more confident you sound the more you sell.
the problem is it's very difficult to distinguish between the confidence based on sales, and confidence based on knowledge.
I say, when you're upgrading you should upgrade to the state you NEED, and not to the point you MAY BE NEEDING in N months.
so, if you can't benefit the memory with XP, don't put this as a consideration. you DON'T need memory you can't utilize.
as to 64 bit, Mac OS works with it perfectly.
And a Mac Pro computer costs not so expensive.
You can run windows on it, or Mac's OS 10.5, so... maybe this would be a good solution....
Windows 7 seems nice, but it WILL be buggy in the audio sense, because it has always been so: windows is firstly stabilized for average users, and only then smaller problems are resolved.
Besides, I don't believe in the concept of Microsoft releasing stable package.
It has never happened so far. After each package release there's a traditional Service Pack 1 to start bringing it to "stable" state.
Anyway, good luck.... and don't listen to marketing info.
Read the specs, and read them between the lines....
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bilbobagginz
Started Topics :
8
Posts :
399
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 15:48
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And above all this, ask yourself:
will this purchase make my music better ?
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Apr 19, 2009 23:06
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Quote:
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On 2009-04-19 15:48, bilbobagginz wrote:
And above all this, ask yourself:
will this purchase make my music better ?
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of course not. at most, it will streamline my workflow, since i won't have to freeze/bounce as much (at all?). you can argue this can lead to more tweaking since i won't be committing parts to audio and make me unnecessarily overuse plug-ins, simply because i can. but, hey, it should be my responsibility to be focused and shouldn't be dictated by my tools.
to clarify, i'm NOT upgrading my pc. i have a need for two computers in my house, so i'm passing my current system to my wife and i'm building a new one for myself. my current P4 is very much usable, but i simply need another pc.
i somewhat agree with you about upgrading to the state you need, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider your future needs at all. especially if the price difference of a more "future-proof" system is so small. i mean, look at the RAM as an example. if i go with 3 gigs of the same OCZ RAM that i need right now, it'll cost me $61:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227384
vs. $85 for 6. we are talking about $20 difference here. i'll go out for a few beers tonight and piss this difference out. and if i do get the 3 gigs and then install Vista 64 just for shits-and-giggles and it works out perfectly for me. then should i toss my 3 gigs out because they are taking up 3 valuable slots? this doesn't make any sense to me.
yes, technology is moving so fast, and no matter what i get, there will be better and faster things a few months down the line. that's just a fact of life nowadays and there's no way of getting around it. it's completely pointless to be waiting around for newer things. i'll be waiting forever.
the nice thing about having these 2 systems a few generations apart is that i can be building new ones every few years, as the oldest pc becomes unusable for required tasks, and just keep passing my current pc to my wife.
there's plenty of people out there with i7 systems built for music production and most of them seem to be pretty happy. majority of the issues people experience are with MOBOs and UAD1 cards or firewire interfaces, of which i have neither.
you want some reviews?
http://www.cubendo.com/showthread.php?t=12
http://duc.digidesign.com/showthread.php?t=238426
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/371752-pc-building.html
if not i7, what would you suggest? something around Q9650? sure, it's going to bring down the cost of the mobo and ram i need. but we are still talking about a few hundred bucks here. i don't think that's really a lot, considering we are talking about a tool that will be used daily for the next several years. i'm not a millionaire, but i'm not on a shoe-string budget either. based on what i've read, i WILL be getting better performance vs. an Q9650 system. so partly it's due to this fact. and partly to satisfy some gear lusting. ain't nothing wrong with that either. it just tickles some funny bone to be messing around with this newer technology. i'd rather indulge myself with this, than going out to eat a few times to a fancy place or whatever. that's just my personal preference.
https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Apr 20, 2009 01:17
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shellbound
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
601
Posted : Apr 20, 2009 21:02
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definitely not worth it to me at this point.
for HD, i decided to go with 2 X 640 WD Black Caviars:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
Seagates seemed to have some issues with recent firmware update and their 1T models have a higher-than-average failure rate. These black caviars have excellent reviews and WD just bumped their warranty to 5 years for this model (it was dropped to 3 for almost all of them). The 640G model has 2 320G platters, so that should be quieter and cooler than either 750 or 1T models (3 platters). And I think 640 is waaaay more than I'll really need anyway.
While we are on the subject of HDs, any suggestions on how to set up/partition them? I have a 74G 10000RPM drive with all my projects and samples (both one shot drums, trillogy, etc) on it. For my previous built I think I went a "little" overboard with trying to optimize it. I was dual-booting XP with each OS on different drives, one for normal stuff (internetting) and one stripped-down XP for music. This worked really well and I'm planning on doing this again. But I also had on each drive separate partitions for the page file, OS, apps, MP3s, downloads, backups. This time around I'm not going to do anything special for the page file (beyond setting it to a particular size, so it doesn't get constantly resized). Having separate partitions for OS and apps also seems pretty dumb, since you need to back both of them up together. If one gets corrupted, you'll need to reinstall both anyway.
So maybe something like:
HD1:
1) Regular OS / Apps
2) Music / Downloads / Pix
3) Back up (images of HD2 & HD3)
HD2:
1) DAW OS / Apps
2) Back up (images of HD1 & HD3)
HD3(10K)
1) Projects / Samples
Is that the best way to utilize the 10K drive anyway (having the projects on it as opposed to the os/apps)?
https://soundcloud.com/dead-end-dance
https://soundcloud.com/shellbound |
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