Could be in need of a new DAW PC

GTE

Hello,

Sadly my solid as a rock Toshiba laptop met its untimely end with something literally as solid as a rock.

It had a big fall and is beyond repair. One of the lovely new Western Digital 7200 internal hard drives I got is dead and I think the other is not too healthy now. I mention the hard drives as they, along with the Focusrite Liquid mix I recently purchased were gonna give the laptop another few years of service with me.

So, sh1t happens and its time to move on.

Although I was able to secure a spare laptop from a family member which is basically the same model it is a little temperamental for whatever reason so I am considering getting a desktop from the likes of IntaAudio or Scan.

Music Tech and Sound on Sound give both those companies a good review.
I am also a Cubase user so a 64 bit Windows system would be preferable.

My price range is about 1500 pounds (1700 euro) so that brings a few systems into my range.

Does anyone have any tips for me?
What I would like is a dual screen, Intel i7 of many cores (:p), a feck load of RAM. Very basic way of putting it but what I would really like is a future proof machine. I am not a sample based engineer. I record and mix mainly.

http://www.inta-audio.com/music-pc-systems-c192/pc-systems-c193

This is a customisation of their Project PC.

Inta Audio
£ 1,339.95
Intel i7 Project Music PC

Hush2 Black Tower Case

ASUS P8H67 - Intel H67 Chipset

INTEL i7 2600 Sandy Bridge - Quad 3.4Ghz
Ultra Quiet CPU Cooler

8Gb DDR III 1333Mhz Kit (Requires - Windows 7 64Bit OS)

ATI Radeon HD5450 1024Mb Dual Head

1000GB SATA 7200RPM
1000GB SATA 7200RPM

Single DVD Writer

500w Ultra Quiet Power Supply

Black PS2 Keyboard & Mouse Set

22 Inch Widescreen TFT Monitor
22 Inch Widescreen TFT Monitor
DVI Convertor (For Use with Dual Head Graphics Cards)

Windows 7 Premium 32Bit (EDIT: I just noticed this and will have to confirm, what are they doing selling an 8gb machine with 32bit OS?)

Acronis True Image

Inta Standard Care Plan

3 Port Firewire Card - Texas Instruments Chipset 1394a (TI Chipset)

http://www.scan.co.uk/shop/pro-audio
These guys have a more complex custom shop and go into a bit more detail in what components they offer, like screen make and models, so I cant get my head around it right now. Im only on a netbook at the moment until I can get the other thing working. If I can find an external screen Ill get working on comparing machines.

Does anyone have their own recommendations?

To be honest I was very impressed with my old laptop. 2.4Ghz dual core, 4gb of ram on a 32bit Windows XP and/or 7 at some points. It never showed signs of strain with what I did except sometimes a few too many CPU heavy plug ins would slow it down. Im sure even an i5 system would be much much faster then my old one but the future proofing of things is important for me. I feel it gives the best value in the long run.

Thanks all!
bbk

Neurojazz

Had nothing but excellent POST sales service from scan - and the build quality is amazing. Have 2 machines from them here.

GTE

Thanks for that.

I'll have to do a bit more thinking about it. I won't have too much on that i would need a Mega fast machine but i do have a portfolio to do after Christmas for uni so i could get more for my money if i bought then.
having said that i can't see how i could be unhappy with a quad core i7 with 8gb of ram now even if a 6 or 8 core would be in my price range in 6 months.

Desktop vs laptop is another question i face.

A lot of thinking to do

Neurojazz

bbk wrote: »

Thanks for that.

I'll have to do a bit more thinking about it. I won't have too much on that i would need a Mega fast machine but i do have a portfolio to do after Christmas for uni so i could get more for my money if i bought then.
having said that i can't see how i could be unhappy with a quad core i7 with 8gb of ram now even if a 6 or 8 core would be in my price range in 6 months.

Desktop vs laptop is another question i face.

A lot of thinking to do

Desktop is far easier to upgrade - plus with long usage an i7 laptop is very hot on the hands... You also get let for your money in a laptop.

If you are staying static then desktop all the way.

GTE

Neurojazz wrote: »

Desktop is far easier to upgrade - plus with long usage an i7 laptop is very hot on the hands... You also get let for your money in a laptop.

If you are staying static then desktop all the way.

For the most part it will be static and that is why the desktop is getting seriously considered along with more bang for the buck. But with Uni the laptop is much easier and a netbook wont do basic DAW work well enough though its only one year left of that. The last laptop had 4 years of college to contend with and Im so close to the end its not too necessary now.

If I can push my luck I could find a decent i3 32bit laptop for cheap for general use.
The i3 should be more powerful then a Centrino Dual Core 2.4 that I had before. Even if I can get this spare laptop working perfectly that would be amazing.

The decision is pretty much made now that I want to get a desktop based DAW. It is just a matter of when and some spec considerations.

Neurojazz

bbk wrote: »

For the most part it will be static and that is why the desktop is getting seriously considered along with more bang for the buck. But with Uni the laptop is much easier and a netbook wont do basic DAW work well enough though its only one year left of that. The last laptop had 4 years of college to contend with and Im so close to the end its not too necessary now.

If I can push my luck I could find a decent i3 32bit laptop for cheap for general use.
The i3 should be more powerful then a Centrino Dual Core 2.4 that I had before. Even if I can get this spare laptop working perfectly that would be amazing.

The decision is pretty much made now that I want to get a desktop based DAW. It is just a matter of when and some spec considerations.

A cheap laptop for uni corridors is very handy/essential - even an older lenevo would run most stuff and last ages - dual core and some simple apps / open office and you're off!

GTE

I gave the people at Scan an email and they have been so helpful getting me informed on the computer market these days.

The laptop I got as a spare is the same basic model as my old one, so I got brave and replaced the CPU and the graphics card as well as the RAM so I essentially have my old laptop back. Never have I been so meticulous. Each set of screws labeled and bagged.

Turns out the spare laptop was never a bit mental, but I thought it was and when I replaced my old hard drives it turned out one was dying so it caused the system to destabilise.


SOOOOOOooo all is fine now. I was planning getting a new computer later in the year or early 2012 so at least now I can push my plans back to where they were instead of being pressured into it! Relaxed research can take place.

HAPPY DAYS!

Thanks for the discussion Mr. Jazz.