Need Advice on Processor!!!

[DavidWright05]

Hey, I am a music producer about to get a new PC. I will be running a lot of heavy memory using production software, and will also probably have to connect a lot of peripherals via USB, FireWire etc...

I know I need a fast processor and at least 1K of RAM.

I have no idea which processor is the best choice right now though.

Should I go with a "Dual-Core Intel Xeon"? A "Intel Core 2 Duo"?

What speed should I get? probably something above 3Ghz, but how much do I need and how much will be wasted?

I am lost and confused... please help!!!

[azzey]

Okay, well, to start off, what is your budget? If you're way up in the thousands, then there's no need to skimp out on anything. What kind of a PC are you running now?

You say you need 1k of RAM, but I'm going to assume you mean 1GB (or 1024 MB). If you are running lots of intensive programs, you might as well go ahead and get 2 GB of RAM.

But for processors, it really depends on your budget, and how much you need to spend on the rest of the machine. Personally, I'd say go for an AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ or so. Intel has released their core CPU now, however I've been won over by AMD years ago so it'll take some convincing before I'll recommend Intel to anybody. AMD has proven the stability and reliability of their Athlon 64 series, and I trust them now.

It really does all matter on your budget, though.

Intel's Xeon line are designed for servers, not your conventional computers. Also, I would say to not worry about clock speeds, but pure performance. 3ghz is fast for a Pentium 4, but AMD CPU's run around 2ghz and in many cases perform better since they can do more work per clock cycle than the P4's can. Intel seems to have won back the ground with their Core CPU's though. Like I said, it will take some convincing for me.

[DavidWright05]

Hey, Thx a lot for your reply Azzey!!!!

As far as my budget I am looking to spend around $2000, hopefully less rather than more :)

I think you are probably right about AMD Athlon being better... I've heard it too, but even beyond that, I am running on a 1.4 Athlon right now, that is about 5/6 years old, I believe, and I think it has really served me well so far, but I am starting to run more memory intensive programs like Cubase/Logic/Pro-Tools etc, that seme to require more power to function well. I had 256 Ram in my computer, and I just recently added another 256 RAM, but it seemed to do nothing for my performence for some reason :confused:

[azzey]

Are you looking to build this computer yourself, or do you want a boxed system? In order to really get what you want, building is the way to go. But if you're not comfortable, there are alternatives.

[mjc]

There is one other factor to consider...you said this is going to be mainly an AUDIO production machine...you are going to want the naturally COOLEST running CPU in the speed range. A natually cooler (lower power consumption) CPU is going to require less fan horsepower to keep cool resulting in a quiter system over all. And you are not wanting to skimp on things like the PSU, case fans and even the heatsink/CPU fan.


If this is a very serious, production machine, I'd also look into top-end sound cards. There are cards made specifically for music production...as opposed to the normal/everday (even high end) gaming/home theater cards. They generally provide better S/N ratios, may have more inputs/controls, better bit rates, etc than the other cards.

[DavidWright05]

There is one other factor to consider...you said this is going to be mainly an AUDIO production machine...you are going to want the naturally COOLEST running CPU in the speed range. A natually cooler (lower power consumption) CPU is going to require less fan horsepower to keep cool resulting in a quiter system over all. And you are not wanting to skimp on things like the PSU, case fans and even the heatsink/CPU fan.


If this is a very serious, production machine, I'd also look into top-end sound cards. There are cards made specifically for music production...as opposed to the normal/everday (even high end) gaming/home theater cards. They generally provide better S/N ratios, may have more inputs/controls, better bit rates, etc than the other cards.


Hey, Good call, A cooler processor probably means a quieter fan, which probably means a Quieter Machine, right?... Would be cheap not to have to buy an isolation bin.

As for the soundcard, I dont think it's necessary at all. What I am using right now is a Audio Interface that connects to my computer via Firewire. The In/out, MiDI, everything comes off my interface. Interestingly though, the firewire port seems to be on my soundcard.

I would definatly like an addition firewire port on my computer I think though.

[mjc]

Ok, you gone the Firewire route...you should be able to find a few motherboards with onboard Firewire....

[DavidWright05]

Ok, you gone the Firewire route...you should be able to find a few motherboards with onboard Firewire....

Yeah, I am thinking I might as well add on an extra Firewire port and Midi port, because i'll most likely be adding peripherals as time goes by.

[TopChip7]

I aint 100% sure about this - especially for specifically producing music.

I would suggest looking at something like a AMD 4600 X2 with 4Gb of dual channel PC3200 (400) Using a motherboard with 2000Mhz FSB (suggest ASUS deluxe model).

If you add Creative Labs X-Fi Elite Pro With X-Fi Console (around £180) it will take a lot of the strain away from the processor - acts like a 3Ghz CPU that just concentrates on the sound at 24bit - will also give you some extra ports to plug in your gear.

[saphalline]

X-Fi's are great for gaming and watching movies, but they aren't really designed for the audio professional in mind. For that, I'd recommend an audio card by M-Audio. They've been making codec + programmable DSP audio cards for years, and they also make high-end studio-class audio cards. But since you have an external source via firewire, I'd recommend no additional sound card at all. ;)

Just about any modern CPU will blow away an old T-bird 1.4, so you can pretty much get anything you want. A lower speed Athlon 64 would work well, or a Celeron D from Intel. Although, if you go the Intel route, I'd suggest waiting until their Core-based desktop CPU's are released. Those suckers are going to be cool, efficient, and powerful. I would definitely recommend them, but AMD is also good. (I don't lean one way or the other - I just recommend what's best.)

Getting what you want in that budget will be no problem. Build or buy - it will all fit. Building would be my choice, but you'll have to decide that one for yourself.

Off-hand, using AMD, I'd recommend a Socket AM2 system. Maybe an A64 Orleans 3500+, NF 570 mobo, 1GB dual-channel kit of DDR2-667, Radeon X550 or GeForce 6600 vid card, and a 250GB/320GB SATA 300 hard drive. Well under your budget and more than enough of an upgrade.

[mjc]

If I were doing this for myself I would probably go with this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813127008) motherboard for an AMD solution...

Processor (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103633)

It has one onboard Firewire port...then I'd go with one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=2010010073+1187117619&Submit=ENE&Subcategory=73&Description=firewire+cards&Ntk=all) Firewire cards...

Probably look for at least a Zalman cooling solution...

Probably a couple of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148140) drives...

Heck, I'd even probably grab this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827249006) optical drive....

Video card, memory, case, etc...

[pangea33]

Yeah, I am thinking I might as well add on an extra Firewire port and Midi port, because i'll most likely be adding peripherals as time goes by.
Maybe I'm wrong, but isn't midi designed to be daisy chained since everything is time synched from a single clock? It's probably not so important nowadays, but I don't know that for sure.

[mjc]

Yes, MIDI can be chained...in fact that was one of its original selling points, but it doesn't have to be. It is also limited to a small number of devices that can be attached to a single port. 16, if memory serves....

[neilt]

I echo the comment on an M-audio product. There are many out there, in a wide range of prices. This one would be awesome:

http://www.m-audio.ca/products/en_ca/Delta1010-main.html

I bought the cheapest one available from M-audio ($112.00 CAN), and the quality of sound I can produce is incredible in comparison to the SB Live I used to have.

http://www.m-audio.ca/products/en_ca/Audiophile2496-main.html