mbox 2 pro computer

[pie55]

Hi all,
I'm looking to build the cheapest computer that is most importantly stable for an mbox 2 pro.
I don't need 100 verbs but a crash free system is what I'm after.
I found some info on this but the info I found was very out of date.
If the answer is online could someone please forward me a link.
Thanks

[albee1952]

For my dollar, I would seek out a socket 1366 i7 and an X58 motherboard. Solid as a rock, and should be affordable due to its (relative) age. eBay or newegg.com are 2 places to look. Look at my build below(signature) for a rough idea. Go with a 3x2GB RAM kit(3 matching sticks) and a 600 watt PSU(more is better, but less might be not enough and you could suffer performance issues that would be tough to trace). Or maybe one of the DUC members has an older quad build that they have replaced with a new rig, and would be willing to sell you a working computer that's all done and tweaked

AMD systems can be built for less, but they are no where near as sure to work well, or at all. An older quad will likely beat a newer dual for similar money. That 100 Dverbs is simply a benchmark. My old AMD dual core would do 100 Dverbs, but I could use up all it had pretty fast.......

[secondtyme]

I've always had GREAT luck with AMD. About 4 years I ran a AMD professionaly. Avid has a list of AMD processors that will work with Win XP. You should be able to find a used one for around 3 or 4 bills.

[pie55]

thanks for the info

[pie55]

Will this computer work...Dell OptiPlex GX740?
It has either anVIDIA® Quadro® NVS 210S Chipset (North Bridge), nForce 430 (South Bridge) with an mbox 2 Protools 7
Thanks

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by pie55

Will this computer work...Dell OptiPlex GX740?
It has either anVIDIA® Quadro® NVS 210S Chipset (North Bridge), nForce 430 (South Bridge) with an mbox 2 Protools 7
Thanks

My 2 cents only, but I don't recommend ANY Dell except for the handful of approved workstations(which are not cheap). You're fighting a tough battle here as "cheap" and "solid" are rarely found in the same computer. Buying a socket 1366 rig is the best balance of cost to performance that I have found. The next route would be to find someone that has a solid AMD build, and copy it exactly Maybe stick a post in the Buy&Sell section for "looking for a cheap PT computer" and see if another DUC member has an older rig they can sell. Many(like me) keep the last machine when we build a new "hotrod" and one of those "spares" might just be your ticket. How much can you spend?

[pie55]

Thanks for the post!
I'd like to keep it under $400. At that price I want to insure it's stable.
I probably won't use more than 16 tracks and a few reverbs.

[YYR123]

Originally Posted by pie55

I probably won't use more than 16 tracks and a few reverbs.

That's what u say now....plan for double and 3 plugs on each channel - that way u have some headroom for growth