Best Desktops for Pro Tools LE

[unclemonkey]

To use 3 or 4 monitors, you'll need at least two video cards. On a new SLI-compatible system that's no problem - you just use two PCI-Express video cards of the same kind. On an older AGP-based system or a non-SLI newer PCI-Express system, it means you'd need to use one regular video card and one PCI-based video card, which is slower. On my work computer (not the ProTools machine) I use an AGP-based video card and a PCI-based video card so I can run two LCD screens and one CRT monitor.

Thanks for the response. I think I will add this video card.

SAPPHIRE 100114-BK Radeon 9250 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Video Card - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814102527

I hope their are no conflics .

[Drunk Punk Records]

I am looking to build a new system for my digi 001 factory and want something that is gonna be a top performer but also isnt gonna over do it cuz i dont plan on upgrading any time soon. im perfectly happy with my 001 factory(with pt6.4 and all current cs updates).

i want to record up to 16 inputs at a time with some plugins on each one(some run through the bus system, soem individually on the tracks). low latency monitoring is a must(can currently only record on eight channels for about 2-3 minutes on 512 samples).

along with the system advice i would appreciate some configuration advice for that system to help make it it's best.

thanx a million

Reeko

[newbie24]

Hi i'm new to the digidesign board,

i'm wondering if my system would work with the mbox 2, I have checked the compability specs and everything seems fine but i have soltek motherboard, i see that almost all of the post here and on the davec test use the same chipset but asus, i'm wondering if my soltek board will give me problems. Below is my system specs.

SOLTEK K8TPRO-939 ATHLON64 S939 K8T800 DDR AGP 5PCI SATA RAID SOUND 1000LAN.
Chipset VIA K8T800 Pro + VT8237
Processor CPU Socket 939 on board.
Front Side Bus Hyper Transport 1GHz.
Memory 4 x 184-pin DDR DIMM Sockets.
Supporting unregistered non-ECC DDR 400/333/266 DRAM up to 4GB.
Supporting Dual-Channel.

Expansion Slots 1 x AGP 8X/4X Slot.
5 x PCI Slots.

On-Board EIDE 2 x ATA133/100/66 IDE connectors supporting up to 4 IDE devices.
1 x ATA 133/100 IDE connector supporting up to 2 IDE devices by Promise PDC20579.

On-Board SATA 2 x Serial ATA connectors supporting 2 Serial ATA HDDs. (by VT8237)
2 x Serial ATA connectors supporting 2 Serial ATA HDDs. (by Promise PDC20579)

Integrated Super I/O 1 x Floppy Port.
1 x PS/2 Mouse Port.
1 x PS/2 Keyboard Port.
1 x Gigabit LAN Port.
1 x Parallel Port. (via optional cable)
1 x Serial Port.
8 x USB 2.0/1.1 Ports. (4 integrated, 4 via optional cables)
Audio Ports.
2 x IEEE1394 Ports. (1 integrated, 1 via optional cable)
1 x S/PDIF In Port.
1 x S/PDIF Out Port.

RAID 2 x Serial ATA connectors supported by VT8237. (RAID0, 1)
2 x Serial ATA connectors and 1 x ATA133/RAID IDE Port supported by Promise PDC20579. (RAID0, 1, 0+1)

IEEE1394 2 x IEEE1394 Ports. (1 integrated, 1 via optional cable)
Audio 8-Channel AC'97 Audio.
LAN Gigabit 10/100/1000 LAN Function.
BIOS Award BIOS.
Flash Memory for easy upgrade.

Form Factor ATX Form Factor (245mm x 305mm)
Other Features BIOS FSB Setting.
BIOS Writing Protection.
BIOS AGP, DIMM, Vcore Voltage Setting.
BIOS South Bridge Chipset Voltage Setting.
Soltek H/M Monitor.
Debug LED onboard.


Processor

AMD ATHLON 64 3500+ PROCESSOR S939 2.2GHZ 512K L2 CACHE 90NM RETAIL, if you need specs i can post them

CAse:

51w atx case black/silver 400w p/s led fan window front usb with 2 artic cooling fan 2l 80mm fan 1500-2500rpm 18.9 31.5 cfm w/ manual speed

Ram:

Kingston 2X512 DRR1 pc3200 400mhz

Harddrives:

May have names wrong sorry:

(school data drive) 160gb maxtor diamondhead 7200rpm, 8mb cach, 9.5ms, with firewire/usb 2.0 enclosure
(OS drive) 80gb maxtor diamondhead 7200rpm, 8mb cach, 9.5ms, with firewire/usb 2.0 enclosure

OS is Windows XP home with SP2

DVD Drives:

LG (Black) 16X DVD,IDE, Tray Load Player, w/ DVD Software
LG GSA-H10A DVD+RW 16X8X16X DVD-RW 16X6X16(Black or Beige).

Video:

BFG Tech GeForce MX 4000 128MB AGP Graphics Card

MOnitor:

Acer AL1916W 19IN LCD Black 1440X900 500:1 0.294MM 8MS WIDE SCREEN.

This is a build system runs fine, just wondering what you guys think in terms of mbox 2 LE 7 will this work/be stable, i'm looking forward to your replies that for the help.

[groovytunes88]

Does or has anyone use(d) a sonica computer before? I have been using an HP prepackaged computer from circuit city with an mbox for awhile and am growing tired of the many and frequent issues that I have with it. Wanting to upgrade and knowing next to nothing about computers, I am looking into the many companies that build pc's specifically for use with audio applications. Sonica seems to have the best deals. Also, I am going to upgrade to a digi 002 rack, if that makes any difference. Thanks for the advice.

These are the specs given for the pc I am most interested in:
Intel Pentium D945*3.4 GHz*"Dual Core" CPU 4MB cache**
2GB DDR-2 667MHz XMS II dual channel memory**
18X DVDRW/CDRW Optical Drive with LightScribe technology
80GB SATA II system drive for Operating System*and programs
320GB audio drive for recording and playback
2nd 320GB audio drive for sample library
2 Texas Instruments*Firewire 400 ports
Ultra-quiet 450W*18 db (A)*power supply
Compatible with Microsoft Windows X64 & Vista
28 db (A) ultra-quiet technology with digital fan speed control
Gigabit*LAN 10/100/1000 Mb/s for LAN and Broadband connection
2U rack mount ears included for standard 19" audio rack
Microsoft Windows XP SVP2 tuned for audio recording and playback

[jeroddumas]

Let me ask this question. A dual core processor won't help PT 6.4 LE any. I ma upgrading my machine and trying to figure if I should go with the and Athlon 64 4000, or should I go dual processor. So far I have an asus a8v-vm, athlon 64 3000+. Should I sale the 3000+ and go dual?

[asch]

I am trying to build a new set up for my 001 6.4 to the correct specs. I have been searching through this thread but there are SO many posts, it'll take me so long to get through them all.
I was hoping to build a decent set up (fully compliant to DD's specs) for around $400 or less. I don't need a monitor. I am not sure if this is possible or not. If it is, can anyone point me in the right direction for ways to put this together? What combos are good? I have never built a puter before. I looked at the first page of the thread with the $600 version, but not sure if I can swap things out to make that less dough. In addition, that was a dual processor version which I can't use with 001 anyways, right?

So I just need a nice clean fast machine for around $400. Can I do that? Can anyone help get me going on that? Maybe instead of specific peripherals, just by starting with a good Athlon mobo and processor known to be compatible and then solid, but affordable other components that I can shop for?

Much thanks in advance. My biggest problem is not knowing how to put computers together and how the components w/in the box work together - which mobo and processor work together, etc etc

[tfrazier1964]

Hi all

Nearly time for the big upgrade, and I'm thinking of:

Intel E6700 Core2Duo
ASUS P5B Deluxe MoBo (Intel P965 chipset) or P5N32 SLI Deluxe (Nforce 4 SLI chipset)
2GB Corsair 6400C4 Pro RAM

Approx AU$1350-$1450

And then there is always the good old AMD fall-back:

AMD 64 5000x2
ASUS M32N SLI Deluxe
2GB Corsair 6400C4 Pro RAM

Approx $1100

Now - the AMD is tried and trusted - then new Intel is the future (or so it would seem!). It looks like I'd pay about 20% more, but get 30%+ or more performance from a cooler running, quieter, cheaper to run machine. Bigger cache, better for CPU intensive stuff? The big question is- WILL IT WORK? Anyone tried this? Keen to hear your thoughts!

Cheers

Doogz

Im also curious, is anyone looking at the new Intel E6600/E6700 Core2Duo family
Any Dave C numbers for this class of PC

-t

[DropFram3]

Im looking for some help here, I am wanting to build The Original Under $600.00 System (Digi Approved) and was able to find every part except for the motherboard. Is there another motherboard that is digi approved that i can use for this setup? The only A8V boards i can find are the ASUS A8V-MX and the ASUS A8V-E SE. The ASUS A8V Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX is out of stock at every outlet. thanks guys!

[sokrates]

Hi everybody.
Firstly I would like to thank you for a great source of wisdom - the forum. I don´t know where
one would be without it.
I´m building a new system right now and there a few questions I would like to ask.
I have a 002r and I really have to upgrade my computer. I´m thinking about the "original" Allenstein
machine. As I am living on the edge of the world (Iceland) you can´t get all the components listed.
This is as close as I could get to it:

CPU 939 4200+ X2 2.2G DCORE MB 939 ASUS A8N-SLI NF4 PCX
MEM DD1 2x1GB 400 PC3200 ST
HDD SAT2 320G ST 7200 16
HDD IDE 80G WD 7200
PCX ATI X600XT SAP 256

My main concern is the graphic card and the ram. Do you have any reservations about this or recommendations ? sokrates the 13.

[titiz]

Im looking for some help here, I am wanting to build The Original Under $600.00 System (Digi Approved) and was able to find every part except for the motherboard. Is there another motherboard that is digi approved that i can use for this setup? The only A8V boards i can find are the ASUS A8V-MX and the ASUS A8V-E SE. The ASUS A8V Socket 939 VIA K8T800 Pro ATX is out of stock at every outlet. thanks guys!

hello, look for an "A8V-EAYVZ" (in fact its an A8V, no deluxe or anything but on the box you've got EAYVZ written), that's mine and it works flawless with pro tools.

http://www.pricegrabber.com/p__Asus_A8V_Motherboard,__8509299/