I don't know anything about that motherboard, but the processor, memory and hard drives should be able to handle what you need.

Things to consider:

Audio interface; for "better than sound card" audio
USB/Firewire/PCI/PCI Express ports; for expandability
CD/DVD drives; for reading/writing
Video Card; to hook up multiple monitors
UAD/Powercore expansion card; for better (opinion) or different plug-ins
Ethernet; for network connectivity

thanks for the reply.

I forgot to add that I already have a M-Audio Firewire 410 that I will be using.

I build up all of my own computers and it appears to me that you are already building up quite a nice system. I think you'll find that your DAW will handle just about anything you throw at it?

Remember people that live in glass computers shouldn't throw Windows
Ms. Remy Ann David

as for the (internal) HardDrives I'd recommend using S-ATA disks, currently those can transfer data with a rate of 150 meg per sec. while the (slighter OLD interface) IDE will go for 100 mb/s.

disk 1, slot 0 prim
disk 2, slot 1 prim
DVDR, slot 0 sec
(Another HD, slot 1 sec)

For your boot/OS partition you'll only need about 10 G max. Your os will roughly take 2g so you'll have another 8 G to add programms and stuff.
Have another partiton on that same disk for data

Now use that second disk, on another ide or sata port, for your Audio data. DON'T use the same disk as your operating system.

The MB, MEM, CPU setup is ok. (2 gig is a lot of mem, but hell I'd go for it)
What is your audio interface?

ekm wrote: Hey everyone,

I have been doing my research and I think I have come up with a good DAW for around $700. However, before I go off buying parts, I wanted to see if anyone had suggestions or alert me to something that I am missing.

My other question is, should I just wait a month and get a Conroe and mobo for just a bit more money or just stick with what is outlined below?

Processor: Intel Pentium D, 930, 3GHz, Socket 775
Mobo: Intel BOXD945GNTLKR ATX
Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM
Hard Drives: 2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 250GB
CasePower: Antec PERFORMANCE TX TX1050B, 500w

I am mainly going to be using this for Cubase and vsts.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

scrap the board, memory and case.

Pay the other $50.00 and go for XMS II memory. Also, since you are bying now, get a system board that will support the upcoming Conroe CPU.

Case, Antec P180.

Regards,

Guy Cefalu

Sonica Audio Labs

Thanks for the response.

I thought about going for the conroe compatible Mobo and memory, but the fact is that they cost quite a bit more $$$. Seeing that I am on a budget, it was not really an option for me.

All of the parts are in the mail. I will keep everyone posted on how well it turns out. (crossing my fingers)