Best Core 2 Series Desktops-Results and Specs

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by bmcoonan

In looking at a bunch of info - it looks like the Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor with with an ASUS P5K might be a good place to start?

the ASUS P5K is very dated at this point. if you can get it then it is a safe and sure way to go. you'll probably have to look at the P45 chipset. i would definitely look at the ASUS mobo's tho. they've proved to be the most reliable/compatible with PTLE IMHO.

[bmcoonan]

Thanks for the help Mykhal - I have a lot to read up on over the weekend, that's for sure!

Brian

[Jeff_C]

Originally Posted by bmcoonan

I'm new to all this pro-tools stuff ... so I'm considering just having someone make me a pro-tools specific rig, that works.

If you're thinking about buying a machine prebuilt you ought to check out Sweetwater at http://www.sweetwater.com. They make PCs specifically for music and they are also a Digidesign dealer & are ProTools experts. They'll give you good pre-sales help on the phone & tech support for ProTools AND your PC after you buy.

You can check out their website for prices & models, but to really be impressed just call them. These guys know music & they know ProTools.

No, I don't work there or anything. I'm just a happy customer.

[arnobg]

Originally Posted by eviani

Well, after numerous debates that I've had and from what I've read, your best bet is to go for the Q6600 (or any other quad processor like the 9400, 550, etc).

Motherboards look fine seeing as how everyone else on page 1 is using some form of Asus motherboard. I got a Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R that you may want to look up. I ran a DPS Latency check and everything went well and it's gotten good reviews, although someone will say that everyone here uses Asus+Intel and it works fine, so my mess with the system haha, just a suggestion.

I don't know anything about PSUs and Pro Tools, or if that even matters. I personally have an OCZ StealthXStream 600W power supply that has worked well for me for over a year now and I've had no issues powering my new build with a Q9400.

Video card I can't advise you on...hope that helps!

Anyone else have any opinions for this?

What about RAM?

[mykhal c]

Originally Posted by bmcoonan

Thanks for the help Mykhal - I have a lot to read up on over the weekend, that's for sure!

Brian

i'm buildin' systems these days too so feel free to hit me up if you'd like to talk about a build

[bmcoonan]

Cool - I will let you know - thanks!

bc

[CrAkD]

NZXT LEXA BlackLine Black Steel / Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $109.99

ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail$129.99

Rosewill RP550V2-S-SL 550W ATX12V v2.01 SLI Ready Power Supply - Retail $57.99

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor

CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-8500C5D - Retail $84.00

2xWestern Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $89.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM $25.99

Arctic Silver AA-1.75G Thermal Compound - Retail $189.99 $3.99

heres the system I have in my newegg wishlist still need a dual monitor video card but its already up to $781 more expensive then I wanted to spend for a non i7 anyone have any suggestions or comments on this setup?

[markblasco]

It seems to me if you are expecting to get a dual hard drive quad core computer with a good amount of ram without having any components to start off with for less than $800, you are asking for a lot. The problem is, when you start sacrificing the quality of the components to get the price down, you start to compromise the computer.

4-5 years ago the "cheap"computers were running at about $500. With the rate that everything has gone up, I would say that number should be around $700 now, and those computers were always a definite step down from what was available.

[yoni]

Hi all,

Working on my first build and definitely learned a ton from all the posts in this forum.

It will look about something like this:
Intel Q6600
AC Freezer 7
Some P5Q mobo
CORSAIR 520HX 520W PSU
Nvidea Geforce 8800 GTS video card
Corsair Dominator 1066 - 4 gb
2 WD 500 gb hds

Comments?

For a case, I'm debating between the Antec P-182, Solo and Sonata Elite. Will there be a significant difference between these in terms of noise and airflow? I noticed that the P-182, in contrast to the Sonatas, places the power supply at the bottom of the case. Does this have a significant effect on keeping the case cool? Anybody compared these cases? Recommendations?

Also, I'm removing the CPU from my HP desktop. Do I need to buy some Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound and reapply some to the CPU and heatsink or can I reuse what's on the CPU? Does the AC heatsink come with preapplied grease?

And, finally, have the people with P5Q's had to flash the bios or is the one that's preloaded fine?

Thanks!
-Yoni

[CrAkD]

anyone give the samsung HD's a shot? Their a tad cheaper wondering if their any good.