Need help: I would like to order a custom-built PC

[tripperharrison]

Hello,

I've had a store-bought HP desktop for about five years now (it originally came installed with Windows 98, but I've updated it with XP Home).

I'm also a musician and would like to start using the computer for sampling, sequencing, and recording (I'm thinking of either Pro Tools or Cakewalk Sonar 3).

I'm at the point where I would like to get a new machine, anyway, and I would like to ask for suggestions about what I should get.

I've had my eyes on a Sony VAIO VGC-RA710G (3.2 GHz Pentium 4, 512 MB RAM, 250 GB Hard Drive, DVD+/-RW/DVD Drives) that sells from Circuit City for $1599.

I'm new to digital audio recording, and am not all that knowledgable about computers (though I have used them for many years).

I've talked to some musicians who recommended building my own PC to optimize the speed and power of the recording software.

The problem is I don't think I'm up to the task of doing that myself. But I am open to the idea of ordering a PC built to suit.

My first question, is where is the best place to have a PC built to specifications.

And second, since I will mostly be using the computer for audio recording (as well as some graphic web design work with Photoshop CS and Dreamweaver and Flash, and some video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5) what are the specifications I should go after? I would also like to have a DVDRW drive included.

I'm obviously willing to spend up to $1599, but would also go a few hundred dollars over (possibly up to $2000) if it meant getting a machine that would be noticely better than the out of the box Sony.

Thanks for your help.

[majord]

well, if your not playing games i would most probably look at a pentium pc, you can get a better pc cheaper than the one you just pointed out although your still best lookign around, as for who will build it thats a tough one as im am in the uk.

I did build one myself and didnt really no much abotu componenents i just read how to build one in a mag and went and did it so gl to ya m8 and hope you find what you want.

[rond36]

Hello tripperharrison, Welcome to The PC Guide Forums

If you don't want to build it yourself I suggest that you check out ABS Computer. (http://www.buyabs.com/app/familyGame.asp) They custom build their systems using off the shelf parts. Their P4 systems use the same motherboard as I have in my system Asus P4C800-E Deluxe.