What Windows i7 tower should I buy?

[Jimibrix]

A

[Shan]

When it comes to Pro Tools, it's best to build a system.

Shane

[JMS40]

So many threads for your quest of a computer. And you seem hell bent to discard all answers you don't particularly like in every one of these threads...

[Benoni]

manufactured PC are hit and miss. To buy one that is compatible, you would be spending more money than it would take to build one with quality parts.

If you go the pre built way, then make sure it has a 30 day return policy.
Make sure it DOES NOT have integrated graphics. If going with an Intel core make sure it has an Intel chipset.

You could buy from Rain Recording, who builds PC they guarantee are compatible
http://www.rainrecording.com/

or Sweetwater makes Creation Stations that they guarantee are compatible, however i cant recommend the bottom 3 creation stations as they have Integrated Graphics, even though they guarantee they will work, I would not touch them with a 10 foot pole. The top model does have a video card.
http://www.sweetwater.com/creation_station/

that said, you would pay $2500 for the Rack XT, and could build a better one for $1500.

[Shan]

Originally Posted by Jimibrix

Okay, that was helpful.

With respect to you Jimibrix, you were looking to build a tower, correct? The link I posted to you above is definitely the place to start for your list of needed components. mykhal c has everything posted in the first link. The very thread itself has very active members who will help you along the way.

Originally Posted by Jimibrix

Can anyone else offer a non-Apple brand name or model that has the appropriate chipsets so I can add my 2nd hard drive, my external hard drive, my Firewire card, my Digidesign Factory 003, add my software and be on my way? Running Windows 7, for music only.

• Carillion
• Creation Station

The only one I would consider if I absolutely had to go prebuilt would be the Carillion. Prebuilts will still be finicky and have to be set up by the end user for Pro Tools. I myself have been building PC's for PT systems for over a decade now and can assure you, a self build is the way to go if you decide to take that route. You'll have a way more powerful system for a lot less in price. Pro Tools is very particular with computer components and even more so, the software drivers. I've never seen an "off the shelf PC" that did it right when it comes to Pro Tools. You'll find your list of prebuilt PC's for Pro Tools very small to pick from unfortunately.

Shane

[JMS40]

I did read all three of the threads you've started today. Fascinating.

[Shan]

Originally Posted by Jimibrix

JMS40 did you read the answers?...and none of the other inquiries were answered. They were about as helpful as yours.

Did you read the answer right above your very last post in this thread?

Shane

[albee1952]

If you are looking to go buy a system from a store, the only way to be (fairly) certain of compatibility is to buy a computer with an i7 9xx cpu. The 9xx are all socket 1366 and that SHOULD guarantee an X58 chipset on the motherboard. As said, building your own following page 1 of the i7 sticky thread is even better.

[Benoni]

why do you need two firewire ports? Are you planning on getting an external firewire drive?

E-Sata would be a much better choice for an external. And you can add more hard drives inside the PC case as well. They dont have to be external, thats a common mis conception people get from the poorly worded info given by Avid.

The second hard drive does not have to be external.

The chipset of the firewire port (if any) on the motherboard vary. Just getting an i7 PC doesnt mean its a TI chipset.

What Avid interface were you going to use with Pro Tools?

[spkguitar]

Originally Posted by Jimibrix

External USB hard drive for data backups -(does that too need to be 7200 RPM?).

Not if you are going to use it as a backup drive, no.

Originally Posted by Jimibrix

Windows 7 only gets installed on 1 drive, the other gets used with Pro Tool Digidesign software (not sure if I initialize it or Windows does)

You would initialize it using windows so that it was formatted NTFS and Basic (not dynamic)

Originally Posted by Jimibrix

Processor i7 9XX CPU, speed 2.6 or higher / seek speed 9ms
4 USB ports
2 400 Firewire ports (need the Texas Instruments chipsets) Not sure of 6 pin or 9 pin for ports however, (if someone can help me with that).

It would be 6 pin ports for FW400. If you get a gigabyte board for the i7, the built in firewire has the TI chipsets, and you wouldn't/shouldn't need and extra card.

I hope that clears up your question marks. Anything else we can help you with, please ask.

I also answered in your other thread about the athlon.