The Watering Hole

I always use Intel chipset/CPU MoBo's what is the best bang for the buck. Right now I am using a P4 3.2 gig with 2 gigs of RAM. I will need only a MoBo (AsusTek if possible) a CPU and RAM everything else will work with what I have now. I will be installing 32 bit XP Pro SP2. With 3 gigs of RAM as a 32 bit OS in the windows domain only allows 2.5 gigs of RAM per application. I would also like one with a BIOS that allows me to select which IRQ for which device I will need a MoBo with two old style PCI slots if that is still possible.

Suggestions??

ASUS P6T Deluxe Intel X58 Core i7 Socket 1366 PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) ATX Motherboard Retail         1       $279.99
INTEL BX80601920 Core i7-920 2.66GHz Intel QPI 4.80 GT/s Socket 1366 Desktop Processor Retail   1      $293.90

I can't say much for the newest boards, but I've built at least a dozen PC's and I personally think ASUS makes the best mobo's.  In another forum, everyone is saying that you have to go with Intel for the CPU right now (with the Core i7 being by far the most popular).

Here's a couple of other comments I've seen (from guys who appear to really know what they're doing as opposed to all of those who merely say what they have - take that as you will):

Focus on huge caches for drives and processors. Better a 250gig drive with a 32mb cache than a 1/2T drive with 16mb cache. Cache is where the true speed is and is how best to achieve the lowest possible latency overall.

Unless you are doing video too, massive drives sizes are not likely needed (smaller drives are usually faster then larger drives of the same gen - but not always). Next gen hardrives will be making use of advanced data placement algorithms that significantly increase the speed of the drives, allowing much slower 5200rpm drives to outperform faster 7200rpm drives, while consuming less power and producing less noise and heat. These will be soon, or, are already on the market. Needless to say, you can get ridiculously fast RPM drives, but they are really not needed.

DDR3 1600 low voltage not DDR3 1333.

power supply 650 minimum

Seagate drives NOT samsung

CraigBert — Feb 12, 2009I can't say much for the newest boards, but I've built at least a dozen PC's and I personally think ASUS makes the best mobo's.  

Well I considered this for a while and I decided that my DAW runs perfectly so I am standing pat right now, I decided to put my money into live stuff right now, a Bogner Alchemist or Egnater Renegade. I am friends with Jim Roseberry of Studio Cat http://www.studiocat.com/ I have known him through the web since 1999 on the old Cakewalk Newsgroups. He answered one of my posts below. If I do build at some point I can get his advice for $30 a half hour, and that is all the time I need. He does this stuff for a living, and has been doing it since DAW's came into being. He has helped me decide on the components for my last 2 DAW's (free of charge) and both of them ran perfectly. Never a bump or burp in either of them. So I think I owe him some on the third build.

Quote from: desertbluesman on February 12, 2009, 12:31:03 PM

   How about This
   Item No.     Description     Qty     Unit Price
   10009631    ASUS P6T Deluxe Intel X58 Core i7 Socket 1366 PC3-12800 (DDR3-1600) ATX Motherboard Retail    1    $279.99
   10009642    INTEL BX80601920 Core i7-920 2.66GHz Intel QPI 4.80 GT/s Socket 1366 Desktop Processor Retail *** Free Shipping***    1    $293.90
   85018-11    Kingston KVR400D2N3/1G 1GB DDR2-400 PC2-3200 Memory Retail ***Free Shipping***    3    $27.99
   Estimated Subtotal    $657.86


If you go with an i7 based setup, there are several factors to consider:
-  The i7 runs a lot hotter than the Core2Quad.  You need a large/substantial heatsink with quiet 120mm fan.  They're not cheap $70-$85
-  You'll want to run DDR3 in triple-channel mode for maximum performance (three matching sticks)
-  You'll need a new PCIe video card
-  You'll need a new PS

FWIW, There are better x58 motherboard choices than the P6T Deluxe.   ;)


Jim Roseberry
www.studiocat.com
jim@studiocat.com

Jim is who I'm probably going to go to when I'm ready as well.  The MacBook tips I posted last night came from him. :)

Jim's a good guy.  Problem is I can't afford any of his systems...

Jim charges by the half hour for advice on the phone or I think written as well. Putting a computer together is simple really, but the components you do put together, and how you load the software and drivers, and advice on the best sound cards, and best softwares for your budget is worth every penny.

desertbluesman — Feb 14, 2009Jim charges by the half hour for advice on the phone or I think written as well. Putting a computer together is simple really, but the components you do put together, and how you load the software and drivers, and advice on the best sound cards, and best softwares for your budget is worth every penny.

Ain't got no pennies blues...  ;) ;D