Need computer build setup help

[SK keith]

Need help on building a really good computer just to record and mix music on. You know how it goes every time you build something there is always something you should have done different. Just want to get as much input as possible before I do this.

Thanks,
Keith

[itsplayed]

Do you have a program and audio interface in mind?
If not what are your needs? ie. How many and what type of I/O's?
Do you need everything? ie. A complete computer system , monitor, keyboard/mouse, soundcard, reference monitors, software, etc?
What's your maximum budget?

[SK keith]

I use Cubase sx3 I have muliple different interfaces, Motu's & a Firepod, I do some recording through a sound board and some without, I'm only talking about the tower, I have a HP server right now with a 3.4 gig prossesor 2 gigs of ram, 2 300 gig 10,000 rpm hard drives set up on array to wright to both drives, it has sever 2003 op system, so does just fine, but it does not have enough pci slots for thing I want to try, there really is not a budget, I'm not rich, but I don't like doing things twice either. I can't get any vst's that need a pci slot or even use my motu's because both pci slot are being use already, 1 for my dual monitor card and the other for a firewire card.

[itsplayed]

How many standard PCI slots do you require?

Don't include the graphics card, as you should be replacing it on your new build.

[SK keith]

I know I need one for the motu 424 card and I know some of the plugins use pci slots also, not sure if you would need more than one for that, I just don't want to wish I had something on this new computer after i build it. the server I have now was given to me by a friend in trade it works ok but is limiting being that it is a server, it had no 2.0 usb's or firewire's, only 2 PCI slots 1 has the monitor card and one has a firewire/usb 2.0 combo card and it's fans are very loud so I have it in another room with long cables on everything, so that causes problems as well. Ive read that some mother boards work better than others and using multiple hard drives works well, possibly ata serial drives not ide they are suppose to be faster. just looking for some help so I can do this only once
Thank you for any help
Keith

[itsplayed]

Since you'd be hard pressed in finding a server/workstation MoBo that sports more than 2 standard PCI slots. I'd suggest going with a single socket MoBo solution....and one that is quad core ready. The MoBo that comes to mind is the ASUS P5B Deluxe. It has 3 standard PCI slots, is quad core ready and can address up to 8GB of ram. You'll also find similar offerings from gigabyte. Either manufacturer would make a good choice for that DAW. Keep in mind that two standard slots may be all you need, as manufacturers are now starting to jump on the PCI-E bandwagon. PCI-E DSP cards are now available.

[Ladia - Audeum]

Hello SK keith !

My recommendtaion would be to look at Intel manufactured motherboard for your Dual core or Core2 duo setup, which has better firewire and SATA controllers and higher quality capacitors. I'm using these boards in all worksations now, I also have a lot of experience with ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte and many other brands. With Intel CPU, Intel Chipset and Intel Motherboard you cannot go wrong. These boards are manufactured in Canada and they have a great quality control. Is there any chance you could use some parts of that server ? like CPU , Ram and Harddrives ? Rebuild it in quiet case with quiet cooling componenets and you'd be set for very reasonable money.
If you can find out what cpu socket is that HP using, what type and speed of memory and so on. Or you can send me the model number ad I'll look it up for you. I'm sure we could find an affordable solution for your setup that you'd be able to do yourself.
Let me know in case of any questions.

Ladia

audeum.com

[SK keith]

I do not want to disable the server, I still want to be able to use it for back ups and storage. I have 4 300g hard drives for it so I can keep a lot of stuff on it. What would you suggest for a tower that runs quiet, also do you have some part #'s for what you would use to build this so I could investigate them?

[SK keith]

This is what we are looking at doing but not finalized yet
ASUSP5B-E LGA 775 MOBO
Core 2 Duo E6600
2 x WD1600YS Mirrored for OS and software
2 x WD5000YS Mirrored for Data
2 X Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800
ASUS EAX1650XT/2DHT Video Card
not sure about case or CPU cooling fan
Looking at the ASUS Silent Square 92mm CPU cooler ??
Don't have anything picked for a case yet

[sabianq]

-the best thing you can do is to have a dedicated hard drive that holds your operating system and programs only.

then use your other drives for recording, storing and producing your samples.

I always recommend having a removable bay for extra hard drives.

both of my computers are in rack-mount 6U server cases.
then i cut a hole in my wall and placed the ass end of them in the other room.
I places a 1/2 inch plate of clear lexan in front of the hole to attenuate the sound.
It is very quiet.
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y74/sabians/DSC03046.jpg

the picture shows two computers, the power supply for the console and a loudness meter embedded in the wall over the keyboard.

i use the one in the white case for Internet and network access
while the black one is used as my main recording server.

the two separate computers insures that during a session, Internet access will not interfere with the digital stream.

[Ladia - Audeum]

Are you sure about that ASUS board ? Don't want to check into Intel manufactured i965 board ?
I'd recommend to use Seagate drives instead of WD for reliability and noise advantage, but it's just personal opinion I guess.
How about an Nvidia based video card that offers better control in multidisplay environment ?
I also use Zalman cooling products, they are quiet with heatpipe technology,
check into that .

Ladia

audeum.com