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anonymous 15 June 2005

Hey folks,
I am looking to replace my 2-3 year old ASUS motherboard in my computer. I'm sorry, but I don't know the model number. I will try to post that when I get home - if that helps people with recommendations of how to upgrade. I am using Nuendo, and my current processor is a P4 2.01 Ghz. I often have as many as 30-40 tracks, but most of the time under 24. I have a UAD-1 card (which helps), but I sometime get problems when I try to run 3 or 4 instances of Autotune. That is why I need to upgrade. I bought a 2.8 P4 to replace the 2.01 because that puts me in the hyperthreading range. The ASUS card that I currently have says that it is upgradable to 3 Ghz, but I come to find out that it really isn't (I'm a bit pissed with Asus), but that's another story. I guess I should have contacted them before ordering another processor. I tried to replace the processor this weekend, but the front side bus speed is not a match. I thought (mistakingly) that it would automatically revert to the slower bus speed, or that there might be a way to tweak settings to make it work. Anyway, what I would like to know is this.

What brand / chipset processor should I look for? Should I stay with ASUS or is there another brand I should consider for high-end audio processing?

Would I be better off trying to find something that will work with the 2.8 P4 that I bought and am now stuck with, or should I consider taking the loss and going with another processor, perhaps a 64 or dual processor, if that would ultimately give me a machine that will work better down the road?

Is a 2.8 P4 sufficient?

Forgot to mention that I need 5 card slots. This seems to seriously limit my number of choices (at least in the ASUS boards)

Thanks for your input.

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Comments

anonymous Wed, 06/15/2005 - 12:14

If you're up for the upgrade...

I just built a system based on this board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130469

...and this processor:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103502

...and I couldn't be happier!

Like you, I knew it was time for an upgrade as my system was no longer robust enough to run all my projects. You may want to check out AMD as they are now getting a lot of press about how they perform in DAW setups.

With the mainboard I mentioned above, on of the great things about it (VIA chipset) is that If you install windows "Standard PC" rather than ACPI, you can control IRQ shares to PCI slots. So basically, you can resolve any conflicts. Luckily though, I have no conflicts using ACPI in my setup, but YMMV.

I also use Nuendo (v2.2) and using an ATI All-in-wonder 9600, I no longer have those sluggish zooming issues either! But I do use SATA drives for all audio now, so that may have helped a bit as well.

Anyhow, I am more than happy I spent the money on a new system rather than rebuilding my old one. This thing is fast! And it has a buttload of headrom.

Best of luck!

Randyman... Mon, 06/27/2005 - 18:45

Both of my home built DAW's are Intel based Chipsets and P4 Prescott HT Processors, and not a single issue. I use RME hardware FWIW (very stable on XP).

I am looking at building a new P4D Dual-Core PC soon. Check out Asus' P5WD2 MoBo, and Intel's D 820 or D840 Smithfield Processors. Seem to be fairing well in DAW land :) . I wouldn't worry too much about PCI-Expres, as long as you use a slower video card (ATI x300 based).

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819116213

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131534

Later :cool:

anonymous Mon, 06/27/2005 - 20:36

Re: I'm on the same boat...

trotz wrote: :?

I would like to get a motherboard that would allow to install a cheap Athlon64 s939 now and upgrade to X2 in Christmas. No PCIe if possible. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

We have tested the ASUS A8V Deluxe with X2 4200+ and 4800+ and all is fine.

Guy
Sonica Audio Labs

Guest Tue, 06/28/2005 - 07:22

shredz wrote: well Ive always heard and still read to stay intel with audio apps...anybody?

anyone who says this is ignorant.
in the true sense of the word, in that they are not educated in the truth.

the truth is both platforms perform well
AMD performs better, particularly at lower latency and better at
VSTi
AMD has become more than standard picked than intel for audio.

either of the new dual cores will rock for audio.

proof in the pudding

http://recording.org/resources/recording-computers.300/
Scott
ADK

anonymous Thu, 06/30/2005 - 15:55

Scott,

yes I agree,

but keep in mind that many sales people from other DAW vendors who only sell Intel based platforms do a very good job at misinforming people to their advantage so take it easy on the guy.

At this point if I had may way I would only sell one system and that is a 939 AMD system scalable form 3200 all the way to 4800+ and that is how good the AMD platform is for audio.

Not only AMD is great for audio but it runs cool and is rock-solid.

Making a silent AMD system is really easy too as they run very cool.

Just my opinion,

Guy Cefalu
Sonica Audio Labs
http://www.sonicalabs.com

shredz Fri, 07/01/2005 - 16:48

ADK audio wrote: [quote=shredz]well Ive always heard and still read to stay intel with audio apps...anybody?

anyone who says this is ignorant.
in the true sense of the word, in that they are not educated in the truth.

the truth is both platforms perform well
AMD performs better, particularly at lower latency and better at
VSTi
AMD has become more than standard picked than intel for audio.

either of the new dual cores will rock for audio.

proof in the pudding

http://recording.org/resources/recording-computers.300/

Scott
ADK

well this is what Ive READ from software manuals...and yes Im sure dealers are biased by what they sell but Im no noob to selling computers...Ive done so since '98...now maybe times are changing but I stand by my original comment...of course Im always open to new technology, IM not biased...I use both intel and amd. :)

Randyman... Sat, 07/02/2005 - 14:25

I agree. I was not implying that I would not use AMD in my earlier post, I was just mentioning that both of my home built PC's happen to be Intel based systems, and I have had fantastic luck out of them (very, impressively stable IMO). I have yet to build an AMD system, but I may at some point. I see no issues as long as you do your research...

:cool:

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