Best Desktops for Pro Tools LE

[Allen Hallada]

Hi there, I'm in the process of switching from Mac to building a PC, and will be using Mbox2 PTLE 7. I've been reading all your expert advices, and I wonder if anyone has experience with just using an off-the-shelf Dell desktop for Protools...'coz i'm seeing some pretty good deals for Dell. Or is it better off to build my own with Allenstein specs? Your recommedations and advices will be greatly appreciated

Thanks!

Dells used to be problematic with PTLE prior to PTLE 7.0 but I'd take a chance at it now and get a good return policy. I'd stick with the newer models that support dual core processing though.

Allen

[guentherschmidt]

For what it's worth, I just got an XPS 600 with the dual core + HT processor and have been blown away by how fast the system is. ProTools sees 4 processors and I now have no issues with the large plug-ins that used to give me so much trouble (RMX, Storm Drum, Symphonic Choirs, etc.).
I'm on vacation right now but will try to get around to doing some of the "official" performance tests when I return.

[who]

Anyone see a problem with this system? (I'll be using it for audio and video)

ASUS A8N-SLI Premium Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
GIGABYTE GV-NX78T256D-ZK Geforce 7800GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Toledo 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4800CDBOX - Retail
(X2)Kingston HyperX 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model KHX3200AK2/1G - Retail
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM
(X3)Western Digital Raptor WD740GD 74GB 10,000 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM
Microsoft K4800019 Black PS/2 RF Wireless Ergonomics Keyboard Mouse Included - Retail
NEC Black IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner Model ND-3550A - OEM
Antec Sonata or Take 4 case

[23michael]

Anyone see a problem with this system? (I'll be using it for audio and video)

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Windows 98SE/ ME/ 2000/ XP - OEM

The only problem is that I don't have your budget! What's going to be your video input interface? Oh, and why bother with a 1.44 drive other than getting it free? I'd get the Zip 250 internal.

[who]

Hi 23michael,

Thanks for your reply. I decided to get the floppy in the rare case that I need it. As for video I/O, I don't really need it. I get the media I work with in the form of OMF/AAF.

[Huggybaby]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the awesome topic.

Micro Center is having 20% off until January 14. Unlike their usual mail-in BS, this is instant off, which brings an AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ to $312!

They are also selling a DFI Infinity nForce4 SLI Socket 939 ATX MOBO for $112 MicroCenter . They don't carry the Asus A8N-E. Are there any shortcomings to the DFI board compared to the Asus? It seems there must be because the prices are about the same, but I'm not trying to save 10 bucks and don't want any problems.
<edit> They do carry the Asus A8N SLI Deluxe version, guess I'll purchase that one.</edit>

Thanks a lot,

Huggybaby

<edit> May I also ask, which is more beneficial, a larger cache or higher clock speed? Is the 4400+ worth the premium over the 4200+?

[waynec]

hey guys, thanks for the replies.

guentherschmidt, are u using PTLE 7? what are the specs of ur XPS600? can't wait to see the performance test. i'm thinking about the XPS400, which has dual core too, wonder if this will work well. does anyone else have experience with off-the-shelf desktops?

thanks and happy new year to everyone!

[zOap]

Is this a suitable system for Protools 6.9/7.0?
Anyone have suggestions to corrections?

# Silverstone SST-TJ05S-T E-ATX
# Silverstone ST65ZF 650W PSU
# Asus NCT-D, I7525, Socket-604,Dual-Xeon,
# Intel Pentium 4 Xeon 3.0GHz PC800 Socket
# Intel Pentium 4 Xeon 3.0GHz PC800 Socket
# Crucial DDR2 PC3200 512MB CL3 REG/ECC
# Corsair DDR2 PC3200 512MB ECC/REG
# XFX GeForce 6600LE 256MB Passive Cooling
# Samsung SpinPoint P120S 250GB SATA2
# Microsoft Win XP Pro SP2

[Libby]

Has any one heard much about the Spectral 5500? Every one seems to have their own spin on Mac vs PC. But, this rack mount unit seems to be pretty well built, 1000 mem expandable to 4 , two hard drives, Pent 4, 3.0 . And dialed in to run PT smoothly...FEed back very amuch appreciated.

Sonny

[musicmixer04]

hi Allen..
Im into buying some new memory for my asus k8v se deluxe motherboard and athlon 64 +3400 cpu:

Im using alot sample programs like bfd etc..and alot of soft synths..


Im going to buy pc3200 ddr dimm memory

In all I will go for 3 GB

schould I choose corsair value select or corsair xms?

what about twinMOS, kingston or crucial?

how wil I notice the difference vs the price cost..

another question.. Is overclocking compatible with running pt LE ???

thanks Allen