New Computer for Pro Tools 10

[SaveTheRhinos]

I currently have Pro Tools 7 LE and MBox 2 Pro on a crappy computer from 2001. I've looked at the specs required for Pro Tools 10 and I have built a machine (not ordered it yet) and would you like you guys to tell me what you think. My 2001 machine ran pro tools okay, but I'm looking for a fantastic setup so I have no errors and I can create quality music with ease. Here's what I plan on buying:

Processor
Intel® Core™ i7 3930K 3.2Ghz
Memory
1600MHz 8x8GB (64GB)
Video Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 680 4GB
Sound Card
Creative® Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion
Hard Drive
Crucial® m4 SSD 256GB
Hard Drive 2
Western Digital® Caviar® Black™ 1TB
Hard Drive 3
Western Digital® Caviar® Black™ 1TB
64-Bit Operating System
Microsoft® Windows 7 Professional

I do want this system to be overkill so that it runs completely smoothly. I was planning on installing OS Pro Tools 10 and Games to SSD Using HD 2 just for pro tools recording (its 7200) and HD 3 for just general stuff and I'll update that once I have more money. Do you think 64gb ram is too over kill? Would 32gb be considered overkill? I know they recommend 8, but I just feel like recommend means average performance. I was also going to the get the MBOX 3 Pro any thoughts on that? It comes with pro tools 10 and is a nice box?

Thanks in advance!

Rhino

[albee1952]

Should be a smoking rig, but I would go 32 GB on RAM, and skip the soundcard. Get a decent interface and a quiet case like the Antec P280

[SaveTheRhinos]

Thank you for your response!

So you think 32 will run with no errors easily? Guess I could use that $500ish that I would be saving and spend it on an interface; are there any recommendations? I was thinking the Mbox Pro 3 because it came with Pro Tools 10 (or 9 with a free upgrade to 10). I will mainly use it to record Hip-Hop vocals and to run a keyboard drum pad to make beats with.

Would you recommend recording to a solid state drive? If I skip out on some of that ram I could have more money to spend on an extra hard drive?

Thanks!

Rhino

[SaveTheRhinos]

Also why did you say skip out on the soundcard?

[YYR123]

Well it's qualified to record with on SSD's so it's up to you

Skip the sound card b/c you won't need it - ur interface will do all ur high quality audio - ur onboard audio will do all ur computer sounds - no need for a hq sound card - it may cause more issues for PT

[guitardom]

i also would not get a vid card that big. i would go with a 1gb card at the most.

[sunburst79]

I miss the make and model of motherboard somewhere?

[SaveTheRhinos]

Motherboard
Asus® P9X79 Pro

[albee1952]

Pro Tools runs great with 6-8GB of RAM, so 32GB is still a huge amount, and will be fine when 64 bit PT11 hits(just don't hold your breath). If you install a 4x8GB RAM kit now, you can double it up later if you feel the need. I agree on a more modest graphics card, unless you have some serious need for all that power(Pro Tools runs dandy on most 256-1GB graphics cards). That motherboard already has an optical SPDIF output, which would be fine for passing non-Pro Tools audio out(I do that to feed a Presonus Central Station). My preference only, but I leave the Pro Tools interface(and you DO want a real audio interface, not a gaming sound card) to handle nothing but Pro Tools. All other audio is routed out the motherboard optical out.

Re. interfaces, what are your needs? How many ins and outs?(or do you already have something)

[jakorsme]

I just recently built the following system dedicated to PT 10 about 3 months ago.
Really nice.