Desktop PC under $500?

[cnswilliams]

Hello,

I am new to ProTools LE and I am currently running 7.3 on my laptop. After about 16 tracks and a few RTAS plugins she started to bog down pretty bad. I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations on a PC that will handle this stuff a little better. Maybe around 500 bucks if possible.


Thank You,


Chris

[sw rec]

We can't help you without some specific info about your system. Note:

http://duc.digidesign.com/showflat.p...part=1#1135485

That being said, are you using an external drive for recording? What's your processor speed, and how much ram? The last time I priced robust enough laptops for Pro Tools it looked like around 1200 bucks. I'm wondering if what you have is upgradable with more ram and a good firewire external drive.......

[cnswilliams]

Im am using an external hard drive (7200 rpm) via usb and the Mbox 2, which is also USB. The laptop I am using is about 3 years old. It has one gig of ram and an Intel Celeron processor. Obviously not the greatest setup for Pro Tools. I guess what I'm wondering is if I buy a new CPU tower, what would be a worthy processor to look for. I'm pretty sure anything would be better than what I am using at the moment. Check out this CPU http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/r...X614AA%2523ABA

Thanks for your time

[mano111]

this HP seems like it could work but a few thing about it and yous setup

1. windows vista is only supported for busness and ultimate. I would try to downgrade to XP.

2. looks like it has integrated graphics card. this may or may not work. your gueass is as good as any. if its problematic you will need to add a card and disable onboard in the BIOS.

3. you will also need a digi approved firewire card and HD. recording to USB is not supported, still it might work.