As much as I love watching technology inch forward and prices inch downward, I can't put off getting a new DAW any longer. But before I click the Buy button, I'd like to run my proposed system by this group for comments and suggestions. Pentium 4 2.8C Asus P4P800 Deluxe Corsair Value Select - 1G - PC-3200 / DDR400 Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu Aluminum + Copper CPU Cooler (replaces stock Intel HSF) ANTEC Model SLK3700-BQE ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply Matrox dual head fanless G550 MDHA32DB M-Audio Delta 66 w/ Omni box Running XP Pro I'm especially interested in your thoughts in two areas: Although the motherboard and CPU have some overclocking potential, the RAM I'll be getting isn't specifically designed for that. So I'm wondering how many here actually run Sonar on overclocked systems, and if so, what kind of memory you're using, and with which CPU? Do you feel overclocking is worth the effort and additional expense of higher-speed RAM? The Zalman heatsink/fan that will replace the standard Intel HSF is supposed to quiet. Anyone hre have any experience with it, or have any suggestions for alternatives? All comments, suggestions, advice, or tips on assembling it all will really be appreciated. Thanks!
Crayon Jones <> wrote in news:19959kviair6c$: > As much as I love watching technology inch forward and prices inch > downward, I can't put off getting a new DAW any longer. But before I > click the Buy button, I'd like to run my proposed system by this group > for comments and suggestions. > > Pentium 4 2.8C > Asus P4P800 Deluxe > Corsair Value Select - 1G - PC-3200 / DDR400 > Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu Aluminum + Copper CPU Cooler (replaces stock > Intel HSF) > ANTEC Model SLK3700-BQE ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply > Matrox dual head fanless G550 MDHA32DB I don't know if this is still relevant, but go for the older G450 coz the G550 is supposedly problematic. Maybe that has changed though. > M-Audio Delta 66 w/ Omni box > Running XP Pro > > I'm especially interested in your thoughts in two areas: > > Although the motherboard and CPU have some overclocking potential, the > RAM I'll be getting isn't specifically designed for that. So I'm > wondering how many here actually run Sonar on overclocked systems, and > if so, what kind of memory you're using, and with which CPU? Do you > feel overclocking is worth the effort and additional expense of > higher-speed RAM? Not worth the trouble or expense...buy a new CPU when you need one as they are rediculously cheap now. > The Zalman heatsink/fan that will replace the standard Intel HSF is > supposed to quiet. Anyone hre have any experience with it, or have any > suggestions for alternatives? I don't know how loud a standard P4 fan is, but Zalmans are king for AMD systems. > All comments, suggestions, advice, or tips on assembling it all will > really be appreciated. > > Thanks! > -- H.J. McCallister Elitist Kitchen Splitter and certified Turbo-Geek 'Minds Eye Inc.' Home Page: http://surf.to/mindseye E-mail: 'NO PROBLEMS, ONLY SOLUTIONS.' remove WEBFORUMS to reply
On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 04:12:34 GMT, Crayon Jones <> wrote: >Pentium 4 2.8C Kinda slow for a new box. Speeding it up will only add 10% or so to the total system cost. >Although the motherboard and CPU have some overclocking potential, the RAM >I'll be getting isn't specifically designed for that. So I'm wondering how >many here actually run Sonar on overclocked systems, You hardly every hear about it. While DAWs are CPU intensive, what we really need is a reliable system. Having it crash in the middle of a session is way too expensive. If you want more speed, get a faster CPU to start with. Plus, overclocking stresses the cooling systems, and high tech cooling systems are noisey. Again, exactly what we don't want in a DAW. There is a decent thread over on Gearslutz about mods to quiet down a DAW. And of course, the FAQ at http://www.pfarrell.com/prc/cafaq.html#quietpc Pat http://www.pfarrell.com/prc/
In news:19959kviair6c$ the killer robot Crayon Jones <> grabbed the controls of the spaceship cakewalk.audio and pressed these buttons... > Pentium 4 2.8C > Asus P4P800 Deluxe > Corsair Value Select - 1G - PC-3200 / DDR400 > Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu Aluminum + Copper CPU Cooler (replaces stock > Intel HSF) > ANTEC Model SLK3700-BQE ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply > Matrox dual head fanless G550 MDHA32DB > M-Audio Delta 66 w/ Omni box > Running XP Pro Be sure to get the DDR as two 512mb sticks so it will run in dual liner mode. > I'm especially interested in your thoughts in two areas: > > Although the motherboard and CPU have some overclocking potential, the > RAM I'll be getting isn't specifically designed for that. So I'm > wondering how many here actually run Sonar on overclocked systems, and > if so, what kind of memory you're using, and with which CPU? Do you > feel overclocking is worth the effort and additional expense of > higher-speed RAM? I run mine at the stock speed on everything. I have no desire to have something blip out, or freeze in the middle of a great take. The only bios setting I'm running that could be considered pushing the boundary is I have the "Performance Acceleration Mode" set to "enabled", which is basically the Asus answer to PAT found in the Canterwood chipset. These guys seem to believe that the Asus technology beats PAT. http://www.bleedinedge.com/reviews/p4p800_facts_about_pat/p4p800_facts_about_pat_pg1.html -- Remove YourHeadFromYourAss to reply by email. _______ _____ ___ _____ ____ / ___/ / / __/ |/ / |/ / _ )/ __ \ / (_ / /__/ _// / / _ / /_/ / \___/____/___/_/|_/_/|_/____/\____/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Glennbo These go to eleven Non-Linear Sound http://www.soundclick.com/glennbo Hear My Music http://www.soundclick.com/jambits
"Crayon Jones" wrote: > As much as I love watching technology inch forward and prices inch > downward, I can't put off getting a new DAW any longer. <snip>> > Pentium 4 2.8C > Asus P4P800 Deluxe > Corsair Value Select - 1G - PC-3200 / DDR400 > Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu Aluminum + Copper CPU Cooler (replaces stock Intel > HSF) > ANTEC Model SLK3700-BQE ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 350W Power Supply > Matrox dual head fanless G550 MDHA32DB > M-Audio Delta 66 w/ Omni box > Running XP Pro > 'Cray'..... First, I would never overclock any of my systems. It's not worth the heat and potential lockups. The price of CPU's is so dramatically cheaper these days that if you want faster, you get a faster CPU.....IMO. The only other thing I suggest is the case. If your going to buy Antec (that's my choice as well), consider the Antec SONATA: http://store.yahoo.com/dealsonic/anlisopiblqu.html $15 more than your other Antec BUT.......it comes with firewire and Antec's more powerful 380watt TruePower power supply. Much quieter. My .02..... -R
On 6 Jan 2004 04:21:00 GMT, mindseye wrote: > I don't know if this is still relevant, but go for the older G450 coz the > G550 is supposedly problematic. Maybe that has changed though. Uh oh! Oh well, thanks for the warning. I guess I'll find out soon enough.......
On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 04:55:51 GMT, Pat Farrell wrote: > On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 04:12:34 GMT, Crayon Jones > <> wrote: >>Pentium 4 2.8C > > Kinda slow for a new box. > Speeding it up will only add 10% or so to the total system cost. > Thanks, Pat. I'm intrigued. How can I speed it up significantly -- say, by at least a noticeable 10% -- for about 10% of the total cost, or roughly $650? >>how many here actually run Sonar on overclocked systems, > > You hardly every hear about it. > While DAWs are CPU intensive, what we really need is a reliable > system. Having it crash in the middle of a session is way too > expensive. If you want more speed, get a faster CPU to start with. That's kinda what I figured -- not much overclocking here. And stability is my main requirement. I can be a compulsive tweaker (especially software), but I hate NEEDING to troubleshoot. > Plus, overclocking stresses the cooling systems, and high tech > cooling systems are noisey. Again, exactly what we don't want > in a DAW. Exactly. That's why I'm looking for best balance between CPU speed, cooling, and noise. > There is a decent thread over on Gearslutz about mods to > quiet down a DAW. And of course, the FAQ at > http://www.pfarrell.com/prc/cafaq.html#quietpc Thanks for the links!
On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 04:58:49 GMT, Glennbo wrote: > Be sure to get the DDR as two 512mb sticks so it will run in dual liner > mode. Yep. Two sticks are better than one. I knew that -- no, really, I did! But thanks for mentioning it. Can I ask what brand and "quality level" you and others are running? > I run mine at the stock speed on everything. I have no desire to have > something blip out, or freeze in the middle of a great take. The only > bios setting I'm running that could be considered pushing the boundary > is I have the "Performance Acceleration Mode" set to "enabled", which is > basically the Asus answer to PAT found in the Canterwood chipset. > > These guys seem to believe that the Asus technology beats PAT. > > http://www.bleedinedge.com/reviews/p4p800_facts_about_pat/p4p800_facts_about_pat_pg1.html I¢m really looking forward to getting this board!
On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 13:35:15 GMT, RTR wrote: > The only other thing I suggest is the case. If your going to buy Antec > (that's my choice as well), consider the > Antec SONATA: > http://store.yahoo.com/dealsonic/anlisopiblqu.html > $15 more than your other Antec BUT.......it comes with firewire and Antec's > more powerful 380watt TruePower power supply. Much quieter. > My .02..... > -R Hey RTR. Thanks for your thoughts. Actually, the Sonata was my original choice. Hard to find any major criticisms of it. But further investigation led me to the SLK3700-BQE. Antec doesn't exactly position the case like this, but the BQE (as opposed to the SLK3700-AMB) appears to be a successor of sorts to the Sonata, it's just in a different part of the product line. As you point out, the power supply is only 350w, and it doesn't have a front Firewire port. But the powersupply has been redesigned for quiet operation. And it does have the Sonata's rotated drive cage with individual drive sleds, and the various rubberized shock absorbers. Plus the airflow has apparently been improved over the Sonata (which is the one complaint it seems to get.) It's also a little roomier inside, which I like. When I've seen it on display, the Sonata always seemed a little cramped. FYI, here's a pretty thorough review of the SLK3700-BQE at Silent PC Review. http://www.silentpcreview.com/modul...s&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=116&page=1 Reviews to the Sonata and an earlier version of the SLK3700 are also linked from that page.
The entity known as Crayon Jones, posted: >> Be sure to get the DDR as two 512mb sticks so it will run in dual liner >> mode. > > Yep. Two sticks are better than one. I knew that -- no, really, I did! > But thanks for mentioning it. > > Can I ask what brand and "quality level" you and others are running? Corsair PC3200 value select stuff in the DAW. -- Remove YourHeadFromYourAss to Reply by email _______ _____ ___ _____ ____ / ___/ / / __/ |/ / |/ / _ )/ __ \ / (_ / /__/ _// / / _ / /_/ / \___/____/___/_/|_/_/|_/____/\____/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Glennbo These go to eleven Non-Linear Sound http://www.soundclick.com/glennbo Hear My Music http://www.soundclick.com/jambits
On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 15:21:31 GMT, Glennbo wrote: > The entity known as Crayon Jones, posted: > >>> Be sure to get the DDR as two 512mb sticks so it will run in dual liner >>> mode. >> >> Yep. Two sticks are better than one. I knew that -- no, really, I did! >> But thanks for mentioning it. >> >> Can I ask what brand and "quality level" you and others are running? > > Corsair PC3200 value select stuff in the DAW. That's the stuff I'm getting (if Newegg.com ever gets it back in stock.)
On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 15:19:02 GMT, Crayon Jones <> wrote: >On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 04:55:51 GMT, Pat Farrell wrote: >> On Tue, 06 Jan 2004 04:12:34 GMT, Crayon Jones >> <> wrote: >> Kinda slow for a new box. >> Speeding it up will only add 10% or so to the total system cost. > >Thanks, Pat. I'm intrigued. How can I speed it up significantly -- say, by >at least a noticeable 10% -- for about 10% of the total cost, or roughly >$650? That is enought to go one or two clicks faster on the CPU, say from a 2.4 to a 3.0 or 3.2. For a lot of DAW work, the CPU is the critical factor (once you have enough RAM and a decent disk) so you can see as much as a 50% improvement going from 2.4 to 3.2. Well,you never see quite that much, but you get the idea. I didn't look carefully at your system specs, but sometimes a faster CPU needs a different motherboard with faster FSB, different RAM, etc. so you can't spend all $600 on just the CPU. Adding 50% more CPU will definitely let you run more effects on more tracks. How many is a lot harder to predict. Pat http://www.pfarrell.com/prc/
On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 20:39:08 GMT, "Scott Reams" <> wrote: >> That is enought to go one or two clicks faster on the CPU, say >> from a 2.4 to a 3.0 or 3.2. For a lot of DAW work, the CPU is the >> critical factor (once you have enough RAM and a decent disk) >> so you can see as much as a 50% improvement going from >> 2.4 to 3.2. >From a 33% CPU clockspeed increase and nothing else? 33% better would be as >much as you'd ever get. True, I blew the multiplication. Note that 2.4 to 3.2 is 33%. Match it with the appropriate FSB and memory speed, and you could see close to 25 - 30% for plug-ins or rendering. Clearly less for track count increases. Pat http://www.pfarrell.com/prc/
> That is enought to go one or two clicks faster on the CPU, say > from a 2.4 to a 3.0 or 3.2. For a lot of DAW work, the CPU is the > critical factor (once you have enough RAM and a decent disk) > so you can see as much as a 50% improvement going from > 2.4 to 3.2. From a 33% CPU clockspeed increase and nothing else? 33% better would be as much as you'd ever get. -S
No doubt, faster is better, whether for more tracks, more plugins, faster rendering... all that good stuff. But I'm getting a 2.8 CPU with an 800MHz FSB (I believe that's currently the fastest stock FSB.) The next step up at that FSB is a 3.0 CPU, which costs roughly 33% more (Newegg.com), which seems like a lot to pay for a 7% speed increase. (The 15% increase in power from a 2.8 to a 3.2 costs 88% more.) Now factor in increased cooling requirements, which can increase noise.... Hmmm.... I think for now I'll stick with this level of performance and reevaluate the situation once I start banging my head against the resource ceiling! On Wed, 07 Jan 2004 19:52:21 GMT, Pat Farrell wrote: > That is enought to go one or two clicks faster on the CPU, say > from a 2.4 to a 3.0 or 3.2. For a lot of DAW work, the CPU is the > critical factor (once you have enough RAM and a decent disk) > so you can see as much as a 50% improvement going from > 2.4 to 3.2. Well,you never see quite that much, but you get the idea.
Why did I not listen to Glennbo????? Instead, I listened to the PC guru at work and went with this matched pair of Kingston high dollar HyperX memory modules and one is defective. So now I have "dead-DAW" while the modules travel the roadways of America. And I have Never had a problem with any Corsair RAM ! ! ! ! ! Nick <>< to reply: remove the dashes and change deep to bell "Glennbo" <> wrote in message news:Xns94695F89F6EA0BrownShoesDontMakeIt@151.164.30.93... > > > > Can I ask what brand and "quality level" you and others are running? > > Corsair PC3200 value select stuff in the DAW. > > -- > Remove YourHeadFromYourAss to Reply by email > > _______ _____ ___ _____ ____ > / ___/ / / __/ |/ / |/ / _ )/ __ \ > / (_ / /__/ _// / / _ / /_/ / > \___/____/___/_/|_/_/|_/____/\____/ > --------------------------------------------------------------------- > Glennbo These go to eleven > Non-Linear Sound http://www.soundclick.com/glennbo > Hear My Music http://www.soundclick.com/jambits >
Crayon Jones <> wrote in news:hrkotcvp2h0u$.14czv9jxq23fx$: > On 6 Jan 2004 04:21:00 GMT, mindseye wrote: > > >> I don't know if this is still relevant, but go for the older G450 coz >> the G550 is supposedly problematic. Maybe that has changed though. > > Uh oh! Oh well, thanks for the warning. I guess I'll find out soon > enough....... > My info is around a year old, so things may have changed. -- H.J. McCallister Elitist Kitchen Splitter and certified Turbo-Geek 'Minds Eye Inc.' Home Page: http://surf.to/mindseye E-mail: 'NO PROBLEMS, ONLY SOLUTIONS.' remove WEBFORUMS to reply
In news:2%kLb.1737$ the killer robot "NickPeter" <> grabbed the controls of the spaceship cakewalk.audio and pressed these buttons... > And I have Never had a problem with any Corsair RAM ! ! ! ! ! That's what I've used in the last few DAWs I've built. My other machines here have generic "house brand" memory in them. -- Remove YourHeadFromYourAss to reply by email. _______ _____ ___ _____ ____ / ___/ / / __/ |/ / |/ / _ )/ __ \ / (_ / /__/ _// / / _ / /_/ / \___/____/___/_/|_/_/|_/____/\____/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- Glennbo These go to eleven Non-Linear Sound http://www.soundclick.com/glennbo Hear My Music http://www.soundclick.com/jambits
