Could anyone approve? ;p

[mbeaud]

Hi, I recently bought a M-Audio ProFire 6/10 audio interface along with Pro Tools 8 M-Powered. I also have a M-Audio Axiom 25 working just fine with ASIO.

Now besides the noise generated by my NVidia GeForce 8800 GT (On the same IRQ of my onboard firewire controller), some ground issued noise (as it seems), my processor toping the 100% CPU usage (and the noise that comes with it), slow performance with Reason Rewired, it seems to be doing fine.

Here's my current approximated system specifications:

OCZGXS600 power supply,
Intel D945GPM motherboard,
Pentium D 3.4GHz processor,
3GB DDR2-667MHz,
Standard 250GB Western Digital 5400rpm internal drive
NVidia GeForce 8800 GT...

Now:
I had to remove my NVidia card to get ride of the IRQ issued noise.
I ordered a LaCie FireWire 400 card to power my audio interface on another IRQ and hopefully use my NVidia card again...


I was thinking about upgrading to the following to solve most of my problems (the CPU usage being the most annoying...):

(keeping) OCZGXS600 power supply,
(upgrading) ASUS P5Q Pro motherboard (fast bus and ram possibilities),
(upgrading) Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 (not quite sure about that tho *see below),
(keeping for now) 3GB DDR2-667MHz (Still supported by the mb),
(keeping for now (250GB WD drive but...)
(addition) Glyph 500GB GT050Q external HDD
(keeping)LaCie 3/firewire 400mb/s PCI card (I heard that P5Q firewired sucked and hopefully I will receive this Lacie card soon enought as it being shipped)
(keeping)BFG NVidia GeForce 8800 GT OC2

Now, this setup seems good enough and it would probably fix all of my problems.

Few points where I need approvals (point of my post, at last):
Is this a decent setup, I don't want to buy a Mac or another PC in a year,
Is the Q6600 worth it? Would a Core 2 Duo with higher clock speed be better?
Is there any compatibility issues in this setup that I'm obviously not aware of?
Any other suggestions, comment, recommendation?

Answering theses few points would make my day :).

Additional information: Making Hip Hop beat with few audio tracks of voice and guitar using Reason in rewired mode, editing, mixing, sequencing in Pro Tools.

Thanks!!!

[audiogeekzine]

That RAM is very slow as is the hard drive.

Quad is better for sure.

[mbeaud]

Ok the RAM is very slow yet supported on the P5Q, so it is just a matter of money before I buy some 800 or 1066 for me.

Since I buy a Glyph GT050Q, won't that fix the slow HD issue if I setup my Pro Tools to work on that external drive? If a internal high performance HD is needed as well for the overall system performance then it is a matter of money again and will be upgraded soon after.

Because of my current system specification, I could buy these pieces one by one starting with the motherboard and still have running PC during the whole upgrading process which is a very significant advantage.

I was thinking about Core 2 Duo E8400 but if Quad is more efficient with Pro Tools I believe you and will pick it.

But besides that I still have doubts on my CPU, IRQ, grounding issues, would this system solves them?

Thanks

[audiogeekzine]

You can get 2 or 3 good internal drives for the price of a Glyph

my PC specs are here
Using Profire 2626 and M-Powered 8.0

[TOM@METRO]

Quad is by far better. The Q6600 is a good CPU and can be had for low dollars. The Q9550 will take advantage of the higher FSB capabilities of this board. You do have the minimum RAM suggested for your board. Audiogeekzine is right on about the Glyph.

[mbeaud]

Thanks guys, just ordered the P5Q PRO along with a Q6600 and a ST3500320AS. Can't wait to build it ;p!