So I'm gonna build a computer

[meblumen]

I have elected to build a desktop computer for my home studio. I have an echo layla and a tascam us-224 and will be running cubase sx with a possible upgrade to nuendo in the near future. Hence I need a system that will be able to facilitate the high demands of tracking large numbers of audio and midi tracks as well as virtual instruments and plugins. Here is a possible list of components, prices and places I'm gonna purchase them from. Any suggestions, recommendation etc. would be greatly appreciated.

From Newegg.com
Case: ANTEC SOLUTION SERIES MODEL SLK3700AMB w/ANTEC SMART POWER 350W P4/AMD POWER SUPPLY ATX12V ? RETAIL $68.99

CDRW: Lite On 52x24x52 Black CDRW Model LTR-52246 OEM $45.00

CD-ROM: Lite On 52x Cd Rom - Model LTN-526 ?RETAIL $19.00

Floppy Drive: SONY 1.44MB 3.5 INCH INTERNAL FDD DRIVE ? OEM $7.00

CPU: AMD ATHLON XP 2500 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU $126.00

Motherboard: Soltek Motherboard for AMD Processors, NVIDIA nForce2 (IGP + MCP2), Model SL-75MRN-L Retail $99.00

RAM: KINGSTON KVR333X64C25/512 512MB 32x64 PC2700 DDR RAM $59.00

Video Card: Aopen Geforce4 MX440 8X 64MB DDR with DVI and TV-Out - Retail Box $65.00

From Googlegear.com
Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 8 or 9 6E040L0 or 6Y040L0 40GB 7200RPM ATA/133 Hard Drive $62.50

Hard Drive: Maxtor DiamondMax Plus 8 or 9 6E040L0 or 6Y040L0 40GB 7200RPM ATA/133 Hard Drive $62.50

[markpar]

If you can afford it, get bigger hard drives. 80gig drives aren't that much more than the 40s.

[ottokbre]

m-par is on the right tip. I'm amazed at how much HD's are dropping.
I just priced a 120gig at only $130 bucks!!!

Also, if you want some fast recal speed, check out a smaller, but very quick SCSI drive for your operations and software. it will be easy to defrag too.

[DeafinONEear]

I wouldn't go with Soltek boards-- I would stick with the big names like ASUS, ABIT, SOYO and EPOX. And, personally, I would get the new P4 2.4c and overclock that sucker to 3.5. I would also get the new Asus P4C800 with the new 875 chipset, or any board sporting the 875 on it. That is by far the fastest solution on the market right now.

AndI seriously wouldn't go with anything other that Crucial Memory. Unless, of course, you were going with Mushkin, but that's some expensive ram!

and the power supply, I would get at least a 400W. If you are going to be adding on more stuff on this box, you need a clean PSU that can handle the power consumption of I/O cards/boxes, USB and other periferals.

Don't neglect this stuff-- it all makes a difference, right down to the power supply! As much as you think about the signal chain in your audio, so, too, should you think about the components in your PC.

[markpar]

Oh, and try to get a quiet CPU fan. You'll be much happier.

-mark

[meblumen]

I would get bigger hard drives but I don't have the cash (there is a $30-$40 difference between 40 gigs and 80). Also Asus sounds like a great motherboard but it is a bit out of my price range. I'm trying to spend around $600. So now knowing my budget, do you think the above components I listed are decent to put together a computer for multitrack audio recording?

[markpar]

Do you need the Geforce 4? The motherboard has built-in video. That'd give you the $$ to spend on the bigger hard drives.

-mark

[meblumen]

I was under the impression that I needed a video card regardless in addition to the motherboard. I also need the video card because I plan on using 2 monitors. I'm not too worried about the hard drives because I have an external 60 gig hard drive I can use for storage.

[markpar]

Dual monitor? Oh, OK, you do need a 2nd video card.

Unless you're going to be doing any gaming (i.e. serious 3-D work), you could get an Aopen Geforce2 MX400 (64MB) for 34 bux from newegg and save a little money.

Also, do you need a CD-ROM and a burner? If you're going to copy CDs, yeah, you'll need two, otherwise, the burner is probably all you need.

-mark

[DeafinONEear]

actually, don't you already have a computer with a burner? if so, either keep it in the old box, transfer files to that one and burn off of there or take it out of the old box and put it in the new one... if you're strapped for cash, there's no reason to be putting two CD drives in there.
And I would definitely go with a cheap GF4 MX card with dual out, but keep in mind, if it's an S-Video out, I think that you are stuck with 800x600 resolution with the GeForce drivers.... but that could just be my card (eVGA GF2 with twinview (S-Video out and analog).

Yeah, I would be putting most of your money into the Motherboard, CPU and memory... the rest matters like I said earlier, but those three matter A LOT.

This Mobo has 875/ICH5 and will be supporting the next gen Intel chips for quite a while.... this is a really hot and stable board.
Search GoogleGearfor some other i875-based boards. (search in "Motherboards" for 875)
I still think you should go with a 2.4C P4 and overclock it. a gig of Crucial memory will cost you either $140 for 2700 or $160 for 3200 (I would pick the 3200, but that's me)

[Fuquan]

I'm building a computer for recording too. (My first experience with this stuff).

What about compatibility between the mobo's chipset and the soundcard?
Look at this: http://www.echoaudio.com/Support/PC/AMD.php.
With this in mind, I put a mobo with a AMD (76something) chipset in it on my wish list (unfortunately, it's the cheapest mobo on newegg, so I hope it works alright ). I plan on buying an Echo Layla or an Aardvark Pro Q10 (so I don't have to buy more preamps).

Since I'm here, what about recording at 24/96? What's the minimum memory/speed/whatever I would need?

Kevin

ps (i'm not sure, but I think the extra video card is a good idea b/c it means less reliance on the cpu for graphics processing stuff...i think...)