Urgent: Need help with Digi 003 Rack Factory

[Schumannz]

Hi!

I just bought my first Digi 003 Rack Factory. I need help selecting the right PC.
Please help me with the following:

1. Should i buy a Laptop or Desktop?
2. What should be the Processor, RAM and HDD?
3. Which Firewire card is recommended?
4. Which version of windows should i install?
5. Any other things i should focus on while selecting the PC?

Kindly reply urgently, i want to buy the hardware tomorrow...can't wait to start!!!

Thanks

Schumann

[albee1952]

Have a seat and relax a bit. This is one time you do NOT want rush. For simple "off the shelf", you might want to consider a Mac. If PC is your preference, you really need to do some homework. Start with the thread on i7 systems(first page or two is all you need). Then decide whether to build your own or not. You can buy a good PC if you go to sources that service the audio industry like sweetwater, Rain and Three River Studios. Pro tools requirements are more picky, but the reward is using the best audio software there is(just my oPinion).

[zedhed]

Originally Posted by Schumannz

1. Should i buy a Laptop or Desktop?

This simply depends on whether or not you want to be mobile. My first choice is desktop mainly because I like having a dual monitor setup with LARGE monitors. Your needs may be completely different so as Albee said, take your time to decide what it is that you want to be able to achieve as both types of systems have their pros & cons.

Originally Posted by Schumannz

2. What should be the Processor, RAM and HDD?

If you go the PC route I would suggest going with no less than an i7 and 4GB RAM. Bare in mind that in the not too distant future there will be a 64Bit version of Pro Tools so you want a motherboard that can accommodate 12GB or more so future RAM upgrades can easily be installed to take advantage of more power that a 64Bit application will provide. An HDD 7200rpm with 16 or better 32MB Cache and stay away from 'Green Drives'

Originally Posted by Schumannz

3. Which Firewire card is recommended?

A card with Oxford Bridge/Texas Instruments Chipset

Originally Posted by Schumannz

4. Which version of windows should i install?

If you are intending to 'future proof' I would go with nothing less than Win7x64. It is 64Bit so ready and waiting for 64Bit Pro Tools to arrive. I would also suggest anything higher than the home edition.

Originally Posted by Schumannz

5. Any other things i should focus on while selecting the PC?

Quality cables
Dual Monitors (this can obviously be upgraded at a later date but there is no better way to go IMHO, except for three monitors )
Good quality Reference monitors/Headphones.

Remember; A system is only as good as it's weakest link

I second what Albee is saying. Take your time and do plenty of research, it will pay off...as they say patience is a virtue! Here is a link to the thread Albee referred to, it is long but well worth the read;
http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=238426

[Schumannz]

Thanks a lot Zedhed and albee1952!!!!!

[firubbi]

how about protools 9? can i use digi003+pt9+64bit machine?

[Schumannz]

Why did they give me the ilok? I didn't need it for installing and registering Protools.

[ejwells]

Originally Posted by Schumannz

Why did they give me the ilok? I didn't need it for installing and registering Protools.

You bought an 003 Factory. The "Factory" is a plug-in bundle. The assets for that bundle are on the iLok.

[Schumannz]

Thank you ejwells...

[zedhed]

Originally Posted by firubbi

how about protools 9? can i use digi003+pt9+64bit machine?

Yes you can. PT9 is 32Bit but 64Bit compatible. It just means PT can only access a maximum of around 4GB RAM whereas a 64Bit version of PT (when it arrives) will have unlimited access to whatever amount of RAM you have installed in computer.

[zedhed]

Originally Posted by Schumannz

Why did they give me the ilok? I didn't need it for installing and registering Protools.

Originally Posted by ejwells

You bought an 003 Factory. The "Factory" is a plug-in bundle. The assets for that bundle are on the iLok.

Also, if you ever upgrade to PT9 you will need an iLok for authorization to run PT9.