Desktop Advice to Run 002 LE Windows

[lmoore]

Need an expert opinion from a computer Windows guru. I’m wanting to buy the following computer to run my Pro Tools LE 002 Windows board (not rack). Also, I have version 6.4 and know that I need 7.4 or higher to run Vista (32bit). Can I just go from 6.4 to 8.0 without having to install previous versions? Has anyone here used 64bit Vista and not had a problem? This Dell computer is on an awesome sale, that's why I want to ask y'alls opinion if PT will operate on it. Thanks for your help.

Dell - Studio XPS 435T

Intel Core i7 Quad Processor 920; 6GB DDR3-1066 RAM; 640GB 7,200RPM Hard Drive; DVDRW Drive; ATI Radeon HD 4670; 10/100/1000 Network; Windows Vista Home Premium (32bit)
8MB Level 2 Cache
Processor Speed: 2.66GHz
RAM Installed / Max supported: 6GB Tri Channel DDR3-1066 SDRAM
640GB 7,200RPM Serial ATA Hard Drive
Video Card: ATI Radeon HD 4670
Video Card Memory: 512MB Video Memory
Sound Card: HD Audio Chipset
Sound Output Mode: 7.1 Channel Surround Sound
Network Features: 10/100/1000
Input Device: USB Multimedia keyboard, premium laser mouse.

Pro Tools will be the only program used on this computer. Nothing else.

[TOM@METRO]

PT8 is a complete install you don't need previous versions installed to use it. PT is a 32 bit application. If you use a 64bit OS you will be unsupported by digidesign. There has been some success with 64BIT systems but it is not recommended if you need stability. Dell computers have also been somewhat troublesome (do a search) with PT. You will need a qualified firewire controller at the very least. And don’t forget that you will need a second hard drive for your audio files. (not a partition of your system drive.

[albee1952]

+1 to all TOM said with more to add. A 512 video card is overkill and a 256 card may actually run better for PT. Faster RAM would be better as well so look for 1333 or 1600 DDR3 if its available. Have you compared the price of that system(adding another drive and firewire card) to the cost of building your own?