If you look [[url=http://[/URL]="http://recording.or…"]here[/]="http://recording.or…"]here[/] you can get an idea about that. In fact, I'd consider almost the entire topic, not just this sticky, recommended material. You'll find RO members sweating over decisions what to buy and solving problems. Then google the relevant words in combination with "DAW". Google some more about that and google some more. While you're at it, keep googling.

Stock PCs like Dell, HP, Fujitsu Siemens etc. are not built with what we musicians/technicians have in mind.

About the only stock computer I'd trust to do what you want, would be a PowerMac although it has to have a dedicated audio HDD and at least 2GB of RAM. That's the easy, but not the most price conscious way. Also, not every audio sequencer will work on OSX, though they can run XP these days. You have to check with the software you want to use.

The other easy way are the specialist DAW PC builders, with a couple of them roaming around here. They tested all possible stuff for you. You'll have the benefit of some pro advice too.

You can build yourself if you are willing to put in the work. I did that. With new developments I'll probably have to start all over for a new build, buit at least I know where to look. You'll find that the chipset is as important as the CPU and compatability is king. There are more forums that deal with DAW PCs. Check them out.

Good hunting.
I think the next half year is going to be very interesting with quadcores from AMD and Intel.

DIY can get you the absolute best machine for the least amount of cash, but requires a considerable amount of time and research if you are not already in the loop on this. Having done my share of building a long time ago (how many remember the 8088 chip?) I went with Sweetwater for my first DAW. Of course, there is a tradeoff on price with any premade machine. There is also a tradeoff on performance with a big outfit like Sweetwater - the smaller guys stay closer to the bleeding edge - there is a bias toward stability when you are running a large support staff. I've been very pleased with the support from Sweetwater. Had a chip problem when I first got my machine. After a short time troubleshooting with the tech guys they shipped a new machine within hours. Had it in two days and shipped the defective machine back in the book with the prepaid label.

As noted above. the mass market machines are not worth buying for a DAW - even those that are advertised as designed for multimedia.

[[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.tigerdir…"]TigerDirect.com[/]="http://www.tigerdir…"]TigerDirect.com[/] barebones systems, for someone who doesn't mind getting a little silicone on his/her hands.

I personally look for boards with the Intel northbridge.

Brien
I had a 20MEG hard drive rebuilt in...the late 80's, cost a couple hundred bucks to have it worked on, cheaper then a new one @ the time:)

check out what the pros are putting in their stuff like rain audio. match the compnents and build it yourself. its easier than you think, more economical and you wont pay for crap you dont need

song4gabriel wrote: and you wont pay for crap you dont need

Like bad advice.

Judging from your question, I'd say you are best off with an Apple computer. Not a 'power book', that shit is old. Something brand new.
Unless you know what you are doing in the PC world, you will most likely spend more time building and configuring your PC than you will recording on it.

Other then apple, check out some specific PC companies that put together DAW systems (adk audio?). That way you can spend more time learning how to record, instead of learning how to build an audio specific recording computers.

http://www.apple.com

The Apple MAC pro is what I would go with if I needed to replace my system. You have to ask how much is your time worth. The MAC Pro is designed to do exactly what we are doing. The OS has the lowest latency of any OS today.

http://www.apple.com/macpro/

mark02131 wrote: The Apple MAC pro is what I would go with if I needed to replace my system. You have to ask how much is your time worth. The MAC Pro is designed to do exactly what we are doing. The OS has the lowest latency of any OS today.

http://www.apple.com/macpro/

I second that...I bought a Mac Pro when they first came out for PT LE and it is a beast....just make sure you get it with 2 GB ram. I haven't had any problem with it handling the abuse i put it through.

Ah, yes, that's what I meant, the new MacPro with Intel Core2Duo or Core2Quad nowadays. Some mean machine.

I cannot over emphasize the need for a dedicated audio drive So 1 for the OS and 1 for the audio. If you use samples a lot, get yet another drive, so you end up with three.

I still think PTLE looks better on a PC, but hey, that's just cosmetics, isn't it?