Things i need to know when building my own computer??

[doclegion]

I want to build a computer for recording but i dont know exactly what i need?? I want to build a computer that will last me 4-5 years maybe with no problem??
The one i have now is like 3 years old and holds up good i never had a problem, but i figured if i wanna start getting things right im gonna need a new computer in the next year or so...
I figured if i build it, it will have all the specks that im gonna need to run a program and plugins, price is not a huge deal considering im gonna save over time

 

[brianhood]

I want to build a computer for recording but i dont know exactly what i need?? I want to build a computer that will last me 4-5 years maybe with no problem??
The one i have now is like 3 years old and holds up good i never had a problem, but i figured if i wanna start getting things right im gonna need a new computer in the next year or so...
I figured if i build it, it will have all the specks that im gonna need to run a program and plugins, price is not a huge deal considering im gonna save over time

I built this computer for under $1000(including 19 inch widescreen monitor)

Asus P5Q Mobo
Intel Core 2 Quad core 2.4GHz processor
4Gigs of DDR2 Ram
Seagate 500GB HD
Seagate 250GB HD
512MB GeForce 9600GT Video card(just for gaming...)
Acer 19" Widescreem LCD Monitor


I dont remember the exact power supply or case i bought, but they were both under $50 each. I also bought a firewire card(that was recommended on digi designs website) for about $30.

Runs protools with lots of plugins with no major issues.

Also runs any of the newest games i the highest settings/resolutions(may not be important for you haha)




Edit
just noticed you said price wasnt an object. You could get much much nicer system for another $k or so


newegg.com is your best friend

 

[JBroll]

Get everything piece-by-piece from NewEgg Daily Deals, and avoid bleeding-edge stuff - you can still get quite a bit of time out of a system without going with the new toys that only hopeless nerds and rich morons really need to play with. With slightly-older (scabbing-edge) stuff you get *much* better value and other people have helped work out a lot of the bugs (even if money isn't an object, your time is worth quite a bit and you shouldn't waste much of it beta-testing at your own expense), so although it's tempting to spend twice as much on things that are newer, shinier, and only marginally better than the old things in obscure and useless ways, just don't bother.

Make sure all of your parts are compatible, your case is big enough (spend a little more than you think you need on the case, you'll thank me later), your power supply is at least a little more powerful than you'd consider necessary, you don't buy things you won't use (sticking to XP32? No more than 4GB of RAM, won't be using it anyway...), and so on.

Jeff

 

[doclegion]

Would deleting games and programs i dont use free up some space and help my computer run a little faster?? Im lost when it comes to computers so if its a dumb question my bad

 

[ahjteam]

Would deleting games and programs i dont use free up some space and help my computer run a little faster?? Im lost when it comes to computers so if its a dumb question my bad

I would much rather dedicate the computer to music prod only and have an internet/gaming pc separately

 

[Notuern]

I would much rather dedicate the computer to music prod only and have an internet/gaming pc separately

+1

That or having a multiboot system, one for gaming and one for music.

 

[Moonlight_Seeker]

When I will make myself a computer it will have 24 hard drives just like in this nifty video.

http://wimp.com/awesomecomputer/

 

[Razzee]

I´m just not sure about the Asus mobo, my experience with Asus is far from great.

dito. we're only using them in our system if the customer wants it at all cost. their support is the worst thing (at least in germany).

we're using msi boards most of the time

 

[Trep]

Could someone explain power supplys?

What are the in and outs of having more power.

 

[Fox Mulder]

Would deleting games and programs i dont use free up some space and help my computer run a little faster?? Im lost when it comes to computers so if its a dumb question my bad

Oh yes it can ^_^ http://www.blackviper.com

 

[Razzee]

the bigger your rig the bigger your ps should be.
big graphic cards need much power for e.g.


you should not go for a no name power supply, they'll fuck up sooner or later and you won't be able to get a replacement for some days (in most cases)

Would deleting games and programs i dont use free up some space and help my computer run a little faster?? Im lost when it comes to computers so if its a dumb question my bad

as said, yes. delete what you want and try cc cleaner. http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
other than that, you can also try a defrag programm, like defraggler (the best freeware I know) http://filehippo.com/download_defraggler/

 

[Trep]

hmm ok.

Whats the Implications of having an under powered system. Are we talking Performance or Reliability

 

[462studio]

hmm ok.

Whats the Implications of having an under powered system. Are we talking Performance or Reliability

You will have bad performance and overall issues if you have an underpowered system. Errors, random reboots, etc.

I built a system recently nearly identical to what brianhood listed, except I did two 250GB drives for RAID1 (OS/Apps) and two 500GB drives for RAID1 (Production Storage/Sample Storage, etc) and I went with a 500 watt PSU and have not had any issues at all.

 

[xturbox]

First figure out what DAW and Interface you gonna use. Then go to their web sites and read what they suggest for hardware. If PT and ProSonus then Mac, then not much you can build. If Cubase (they have on steinberg.org hard ware specks), Sonar, PT (here you need their hardware for interface, it runs with other interfaces as well, but it is extra $ you can avoid) or what ever then PC. Mac is more stable, PC has more plugins.
Multiple HD's is a must. Sometimes running DAW from one and audio files on another can speed you up. Another small thin is Firewire or USB2.0 Interface. Here I am debating myself what is better. USB2.0 is faster according to specs, but I am not sure if its more stable then Firewire, plus some interfaces has a conflict if the PCI card is not from a certain brand. And you need a pair of good monitors. look for Makie, KRK or similar.

 

[Trep]

And you need a pair of good monitors. look for Makie, KRK or similar.

Lol.....

erm, yer that is a good point but how is that relevant?

 

[ahjteam]

If you're gonna go protools, go mac.

 

[Executioner213]

Lol.....

erm, yer that is a good point but how is that relevant?

I would say if you are going to throw down on putting together a good system, why listen to what you create with p.o.s. $20 multimedia speakers from the local store (like I am, only because I can't afford otherwise)?

 

[Trep]

I would say if you are going to throw down on putting together a good system, why listen to what you create with p.o.s. $20 multimedia speakers from the local store (like I am, only because I can't afford otherwise)?

Yeah Of course, i dont Know anyone who wouldnt agree with that. Including myself.

It just seemed a really random comment for the post

 

[joeymusicguy]

If you're gonna go protools, go mac.

and if you're gonna go mac go protools

 

[joeymusicguy]

Would deleting games and programs i dont use free up some space and help my computer run a little faster?? Im lost when it comes to computers so if its a dumb question my bad

not necessarily but

you should look into this if you're gonna go windows

http://www.pcmus.com/TweakXP.htm
especially the background services section

and if you can find it (i cant at the moment) a list of windows services that are completely useless for recording which take up processor power and ram so that you can turn them off / disable them to not automatically run when they want, slowing your system down