Skip to main content

Hey guys,
I have just finnished putting together my Daw system, and I was looking for some suggestions on anything else that I should do to help it run better, smoother...

The Daw includes.

Intel 3.4E chip, 800mhz FSB
Intel 915pbl motherboard.
Antrac Case, 430watt power supply, 5 internal fans.
Western Digital SATA 10K rpm 36 gig sytem drive
WEstern Difital SATA 7200 rpm 250 gb record/storage drive
4 GB of Samsung no ecc DDR2 Pc-4200 533 mhz ram
Geforce 5300 dual monitor PCI-express video card, 128mb
Universal Audio UAD-1 studio pack
TC electronics Powercore element.
My A/D D/A will happen through my Tascam DM24 and into the DAW via firewire option 24/96.
2 X Sony 15" LCD monitors

I am going to be running Nuendo 3.0, does this sound like it will run well? Any suggestions to increase performance?

Any help woudl be greatly appreciated.

Topic Tags

Comments

David French Sat, 01/15/2005 - 18:00

Matrox is known for compatability, but i'm rreally not sure that it's best for your system, just a though. I don't think you need to worry much about resources with a system like that. This thing's gonna be an animal! Also, you really don't need that much RAM on the video card either. Oh, I forgot to mention... if the computer's going in the control room, you would benefit from a fan speed controller as those five fans will add up noise wise.

Hey D, are ya out there man? Why don't you weigh in on this, Mr. Moderator? ;)

Big_D Sat, 01/15/2005 - 20:10

Hey David, I'm on call this weekend so I haven't had more than a couple of minutes at a time to check the forum.

Anyway, I agree with David that is one smokin system. Are you a gamer, cause that rig is built for gaming. I don't want you at any of my LAN parties. :lol:

As far as the video card it is definitely overkill for a DAW but there is nothing wrong with it either. Many DAW builders choose the Matrox cards because they perform well with 2D, support dual monitors and cost way less than state of the art 3D cards. It's really a cost issue, DAW's don't use the 3D functions so why pay for them. But since you already own the card put it to good use.

As far as cooling I believe your power supply has a power connector that if you plug all of your case fans into it (not the CPU fan) the PS will control the speed of all your fans. I have 5 fans plus 2 in the PS (same model as yours) and it now runs very quiet thanks to that connector and some prodding from David. You see David is obsessed with noise and I'm obsessed with cooling. The thread is below if you feel like reading it but suffice it say David convinced me of the need to reduce noise and I convinced him of the need for proper cooling.

(Dead Link Removed)

I would download Motherboard Monitor 5 and keep an eye on your temps. I would run it first with no controls on your fans and get a reading then put the fans under the control of the PS and take another reading. If it's getting to hot under PS control you should do as David suggested and get a speed controller and slowly increase the fan speed until you get good cooling and low noise.

Now about the rest of that system, are you sure your not a gamer? If that were my system Nuendo wouldn't be on the drives but Half Life 2, Doom 3, Far Cry, Halo 2, COD, MOH and BF1942 would. :lol: But seriously that is one nice system, I doubt you'll have to do much tuning to it but if you have issues with it post again and we'll provide all the tips you can handle.

I have 5 PC's (it's a sickness what can I say), DAW, Gaming Rig, Linux Box and a laptop for work and I'm putting together a Mobile DAW (rack mounted into my PA rig), so I'm always happy to see someone else build a kickass machine. You did a nice job, enjoy it and have fun making music.

x

User login