What is the BEST MoBo/CPU/RAM Combo for DAW's?

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:54 am

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums and I was hoping to get some help with a DAW that I am going to be building.

I have one right now, old, out of date, made with spare parts, and I am not happy with it. Now that tax time is upon us and my nice refund is eminent, I have begun researching for some sweet gear.

I have always noticed how gamer rigs tend to offer the best of best, when it comes to fast everything. I am thinking that one of these gamer type setups would work very well for audio production, but there are so many out there, I have no idea where to start.

Which Motherboard/CPU/RAM combination would work best for Digital Audio Production? Please let me know both your personal opinions and factual standpoints, if you don't mind.

Thanks for reading and more thanks for replying!

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:06 pm

I think it depends on the DAW software you plan to use. If you go ProTools, surf over here:

http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=360675&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=7&fpart=1#360675

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:32 am

I looked into it, but I doubt I would use ProTools since I can't afford it and I have no idea how to use it. I am mainly familiar with SONAR and Adobe Audition. I have been using them for a while and have grown comfortable with the software and enjoy the sound quality I get out of the recordings.

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:02 am

HI,
intel P35, X38 chipset boards.
no Asus or Abit.
what ever 1333 FSB or quad you can afford
any name brand memory

Scott
ADK

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:38 pm

ADK audio wrote:

HI,
intel P35, X38 chipset boards.
no Asus or Abit.
what ever 1333 FSB or quad you can afford
any name brand memory

Scott
ADK

Hey man thanks a lot. I almost got an Abit one. I looked into the intel p35's and you're right, they are better than abit, thanks again!

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:49 pm

Asus here with an Athlon64 3200+.

Never a hiccup.

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:21 pm

Great thread - I am looking at getting a new box also.

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 7:26 am

Here is the link for the one that I am interested in getting. Based on what you guys see, will it work well for digital audio production and is it a good deal?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3557020&Sku=MCM-680ILT-Q6600A

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:16 am

http://www.commodoregaming.com/pcshop/Game+PC/Commodore+xx.aspx

Maybe use the stuff that's in there? Commie is back baby. Smile

Wow... that is a great deal from Tiger Direct!

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:23 am

I miss my C-64!

Basic programming language, blue screen (not of death), big fat flashing cursor...

Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:40 pm

poke 53281,0

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:15 am

BrianaW wrote:

http://www.commodoregaming.com/pcshop/Game+PC/Commodore+xx.aspx

Maybe use the stuff that's in there? Commie is back baby. Smile

Wow... that is a great deal from Tiger Direct!

DUDE, that is a sick PC. I had never heard of that processor, thanks!

Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 2:30 pm

http://techreport.com/articles.x/12104/1

Several concerns, if this were of interest to me as a purchase. The above report reads that this board has active chipset cooling for north/south bridge. More noise to an already noisy situation.

I've had Via northbridge on boards that produced crackling and pops. Not the kind that you get at the local movie house here at Exit4 either. Although I have a Via board now that does not produce this issue, it has in the past. So I tend to lean towards Intel when looking at the specs on a board but Via is a lower cost option.

With that in my mind...this board has an NVidia Northbridge. You are on your own as to if this will work in an audio/video recording environment or not.

I would not even entertain the onboard (realtek) audio as part of your recording setup. Disable it and get some mo better audio hardware.

And, you will need a video card. Isn't that funny? Nvidia, known for making video cards, develops a mainboard with...no video.

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:54 pm

Still have my C=64 I bought new in 1981 and she runs like a top. Still have all of the EagleSoft Software on floppys too - especially Raid On Bungeling Bay.

I had no idea they were coming out with a modern day powerhouse - Thanks for the link.

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 9:59 pm

Raid On Bungeling Bay - Good one!

Blue Max, Bruce Lee, the Ultima franchise - lot's of late nights playing those titles!

Especially Ultima 3 & 4!!!

Hell, now that I think of it, I had all of the BGM from Ultima 4 recorded on a cassette tape!

[/dork]

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