Opus you built the system so could you give me some ideas?!

Thanks

Hey man!

Sorry about not getting back to you. I get about 150 emails a day(I know I know....some get lost!)

Anyhue, the P4B266 can take any of the highest 400Mhz P4's, which I believe is a 2.6Ghz CPU!

Also adding another 512 of RAM isn't needed but it's nice. If you only have one stick of 512 than you're golden and you can get another 512 for under $70.00 and have the 1GB!!!!

HTH

Opus

Wow freaky. I just got on to ask the same question. My sys is aprox the same except for different drives. I have the northwood CPU. I believe that one had 512 on the cache.

Anyway I was curious what you meant by more power. My problem is that Plugins drag me to dropouts.

Overclocking my machine tends to get it to blue screen now and again.

Not completely sure what I need but Opus's post suggests the direction to go is up the processor?

Not completely clear on what is the limiting factor for plugins - CPU speed or memory

Mark

Sounds to me like it's time to upgrade the ole OS. ;)

Oh, and I believe CPU speed will affect your plug-in processing more so than memory. :c:

Well I have Win2000. Will XP really boost performance out of the same box?

Mark

Thanks for the reply Opus! You are correct I can go up to a 2.6. After reading a little about this processor I am noticing there are several version available. I believe there is a B & C. Which one would I want to get? Any difference? Looks like they are being overclock to 3.0+. SWEET!

Yodermr... I want more processing power for plugins. My setup is rock stable and it takes a lot before I notice a drag on my PC. However, I am doing some larger projects and would like the headroom.

Looks like I can upgrade to a 2.6 and another 512 ddr for well under $300. Hmmmm.......

I have not used 2000 so I cant comment but XP is great for me!

I just checked pricewatch.com

2.6ghz P4 are around $150

Mark

ShaneSelby

What version BIOS is your MOBO?
I'm at 1002 and there is a download avaialble for 1006. Supposely New CPU capability but I can't get to the link that gives the info

Mark

Mark,

Hmmmm... Not sure which version I am running but I think it is the same as yours. I will have to check out the update. What ausio software are you running? I am using Nuendo and love it.

XP won't necessarily boost performance, but it will handle things a lot better(concerning your statement about OCing and the blue screens). HTH ;)

I use Sonar. Long time Cakewalk user from version 1.3. I have tried others but the comfort level has always outweighed other package pros. Rather spend time recording than learning how to run the software.

Please post your decision on the upgrade, I am hestitantly following. Again, rather spend time recording than troubling shooting new issues.

Mark

Hey guys

Yes, upgrading the CPU will indeed boost your performace in plug in counts and general performance. You want an even better performance along with the CPU upgrade, get yourself a 40GB WD 8MB Cache drive for your OS and see an unbelievable difference there as well!

The best way to upgrade is CPU and the 8MB Cached OS Drive! Seriously! It helps tremendously. No matter what application you are using.

Also, XP is more responsive than 2K to be honest. 2K is nice and stable indeed but XP takes it to the next level. It will only be more responsive if you do the tweaks from my guide too. XP comes fully loaded and will bog down some of the performance areas of the OS in regards to audio applications.

Me, I'm now waiting for "Longhorn" which is supposed to be released late 2004/early 2005. That will be an amazing OS from has been leaked out on it.

In regards to applications, whatever suits your needs and whatever one makes you comfortable is the way to go.

SX and Nuendo do not have a heavy learning curve in any way. Very straight forward.

Logic is the one that has the havy learning curve!

Peace

Opus

Opus
Curious on the WD cached drive for the OS. Is any drive with a cache the trick or is there something special about the Western Digital?

Mark

The WD drives have the 8MB cache for a drive that small. No other drive has that 8MB cache on something as small as 40GB!

That's the trick!

Opus

I hate digging up old threads, but that's what the search engine is for right??
This thread pretty much describes where I am at, and I have a few questions I'd like to expound(sp) on.
My system is like the one originally posted, except I have never overclocked it. If I were to overclock it to 2.1, how would that compare to upgrading to the 2.6GHz(unclocked)?? would I be in the same ballpark??
Second, why would I want the 8MB cache on the OS harddrive, when I am streaming from my audio disk??

Oh yeah, what's the word on Longhorn now??

OC'ing to 2.1, and OEMing to 2.6 would be semi-comparable in performance. An Athlons are excellent for OC'ing. But there are drawbacks which I'm sure you're aware of.

8MB cache is good for OS drives, because the OS (and any apps running) has to make frequent calls to the HDD during normal operation. 8MB means that a larger protion of what the OS is looking for is more readily and quickly accessible. Meaning better performance.

I think I heard Late 2004-Early 2005 for Longhorn?

Mitzelplik

I am looking to upgrade my ANUS

That's a howler of a typo!!!!

I've been crying with laughter for hours over that one!

I suggest you install toilet paper 1.0.7 for best results and stability.

He he he..........

Actually, "ANUS" was an acronym that was used around here for a couple of years...probably hasn't been regularily used for quite a while.

I can't remember exactly what it stands for...but the jokes ran rampant for a long time.

For the history behind the acronym go to:

http://www.recording.org/postlite15547-asus.html

Just Checking in...

I'm still running my Opus Anus.....

P4:1.6 not O'clocked
ASUS P4B266
1 gig Ram
1 40G WD OS HDD
1 160G WD Audio HDD
1 160G WD Video HDD

Sonar5 Producer.........

She's still ticking, performance is fair..... I'm not into hundred track territory..can't come up with that much original material....... But complete 32 audio track mixes are done with less than 50% CPU usage...