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anonymous 26 September 2005

Dell has a Promotion going for a Precision Workstation /w 2.8 DC P4, 160 GB sata HD and a free upgrade to 4 GB 667 MHz DDR /w Windows XP 64 bit.

My current Daw is a SC P4 3.2 GHz /w 3 GB Ram but running on std XP. And 1 gb of ram isn't really being utilized. I have an E-Mu 1820M as my audio interface.

Course I'm not sure if it wasn't Overkill because i really do not use any of the In/outs. The music I write is purely PC based all coming from Vst samplers and synths. If I purchase the new system I would still use the old one to share some of the processing on some of the larger projects.

So I have a few questions.
How is windows XP 64 holding up as a DAW OS?
How are the programs and drivers for it?
If I plan to use the new machine as the core until and the current DAW for extra processing, would I still need the high-end audio interface allowing me to move my 1820m to the new DAW? As a side note Emu only has beta 64 bit drivers for their AI so far, so that might play into the equation a bit.
If I do need it, what would be a good interface given my music writing style of not really requiring and external input nor the need to output much other than to my headphones?

Any input will be much appreciated.

Comments

Cucco Tue, 09/27/2005 - 07:23

RemyRAD wrote: Save your money, you don't need another computer! You don't need a 64-bit operating system! Windows XP home is just fine for you. DU think more stupid equipment will make up for a lack of experience or talent? I don't think so. I know it won't.

WTF????

Where the hell do you get off attacking members of this forum? Who are you to think you can pass judgement about a person's level of ability or talent? I don't care if you're an engineer on par with Steve Epstein or Dan Lavry - you don't just make comments like this and expect to maintain any level of respect around here! (And if you're reaction is "Hey, I didn't attack him personally...blah, blah, blah" then go back and re-read your post. I don't know of anyway to read this where it doesn't come across as insulting and rude. Perhaps you ought to think a little more before posting this kind of crap.)

Drizzt -

In answer to your question, it's up to you -

There really isn't much in the audio world that supports the 64 bit OS or processor yet, so it seems like a wash. If you want to be the first one on the block with a system like this in hopes that the new ASIO standard revolutionizes this type of system and Cubase (or insert your DAW software here) releases a new 64 bit audio system, then by all means, drop the cash.

For the moment though, this kind of system really won't bring you the happiness you seek.

As for the stability - I have seen no significant reports of any issues with this OS (though I've only seen reports regarding this system for gamers, not audio dudes.)

As for your current system, midi implementations and what not do not really require massive computing power - even with VSTi's, so any benefit of an even more powerful system would not be realized for the most part.

I can't imagine, with well tuned buffers and latencies, that you would tax your CPU/OS/RAM under all but the most austere audio projects.

Hope this helps...

J.

anonymous Tue, 09/27/2005 - 21:52

Sounds like you have a perfectly fine machine for a DAW, but since you asked...check out the recently released SONAR 5 http://. It is 64 bit native (64-bit double precision floating point engine) when running under Window XP 64. It will also run in 32-bit mode. SONAR 5 with the 64 OS allows you to access 128 GBs of ram. We can now look forward to dropping HD streaming.

On the other hand, I have similar specs you have now and I am of the opinion that you really shouldn't spend the money on the upgrade. If you are happy with your system and it is stable, then why upgrade if you don't have to?

I am going to wait until XP 64 goes main stream and know that is works well before I buy a new machine or the software.

tecknot

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