Sub $400 recording computer, help please!

[Featherstone]

Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134045

ATRIX Black/Silver SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower w/ 480W 17A psu $34
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811209026

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036

MSI K9N4 Ultra-F Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 550 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130063

GIGABYTE GV-NX73G128D-RH GeForce 7300GS 512MB(128MB on board) $51
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125033

Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L250R0 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB IDE Ultra ATA133 $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144422

ASUS Black 16X DVD+R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135141 $30


Total $375

See Anything I'm missing?

Things I'm not sure about:

1. MB has ATA100 HD is ATA133 Will these work together?

2. Dependability is a huge issue, is 1 1GB stick more dependable than 2 512's?

3. Also the computer needs firewire, is there a diff motherboard I could get that has it onboard for not much more money? If not What is a good cheap Firewire card?

4. Not sure about Mobo or Ram, both are just cheap, any ideas of any issues with them or better alternatives for the same price?


I have another post about this, but I felt this needed another post cause its quite different.

Thanks to anyone that helps me out!

 

[Gh0stDrag0n]

Don't forget a HSF for your OEM processor, I think the retail model is only $10 more.

 

[rickpcnerd]

Is this pc will be just for dedicated recording? if yes, get a motherboard with integrated graphics. Why spend money on graphic card if not going to play games? How about this motherboard (GigaByte GA-M61PM-S2 Motherboard $70.00 with tax/shipping w/ integrated graphics), instead saved the money from video card and get a dual core cpu instead, believe, this made my brother life easier and faster editing sound effects, hes a musician as well.


AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Dual Core Processor $105
or
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core Processor $98.90

 

[proof]

I can't budget a rig like that without splurging on something so I will just give advice. AMD is the way to go.

 

[Featherstone]

Ok so here is the parts list that I have right now. See any problems or places where i could save any money?

GIGABYTE GA-M61PM-S2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128029

Rosewill R604TBLK-N ATX Mid Tower Computer Case+450W Power Supply $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811147030

250GB WD Hard Drive $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144701

A-DATA 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211064

ARCTIC COOLING ALPINE64 92mm CPU Cooler $10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835186010

ASUS Black 16X DVD+R $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135141

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036



Total: $379 before shipping

 

[Mondoman]

Cheaper, perhaps better case & PS: http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4470276
(rebate ends today).

 

[Featherstone]

ok I am thinking about changing the case/psu to this. This psu has 21amps and the case/psu seems all around nicer and its 5 bucks cheaper.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156074

Any opinions?

 

[Featherstone]

Ok, so here is my revised list. Getting this awful cheap now

GIGABYTE GA-M61PM-S2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128029

A-DATA 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211064

ARCTIC COOLING ALPINE64 92mm CPU Cooler $10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835186010

ASUS Black 16X DVD+R $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135141

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036

RAIDMAX APEX ATX-802BP Black Computer Case 450W Power Supply $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811156074

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2000JB 200GB 7200 RPM $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822144129



Total $359 + shipping

Any input would be appreciated, even if it is that everything looks good.

 

[alcattle]

Looks nice for your budget, not sure you will have enough RAM or HD space if working with large files, but it is a start.

 

[Featherstone]

I don't think HD space will be a problem, these files won't be that big and 250GB will be OS, maybe like 2 games, and the rest recording stuff. And they will probably all be exported as MP3's but I don't know how large the actual recording files will be. And ram may possibly be a problem, but that can be upgraded later, plus money is more of an issue that memory . Thanks for the input though!

 

[dvmoo7]

Not sure what type of interface/SW; like protools, etc...; you are going to use to record? But you may want to start by understanding what requirements the SW calls out for. For example min CPU, min RAM, Seek times for HD, etc....

Knowing that ahead of time might steer you in the right direction...

I know when I built by ProTools Studio, there were specific HW requirement I had to consider....

 

[Featherstone]

He has an M-Audio FireWire Solo
http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/FireWireSolo-main.html

and will probably, at least at first, be using ableton live for recording. The system reqs are as follows:

1.5 GHz CPU or faster
512 MB RAM (recommended: 1GB or more)
Quicktime 6.4 or later
Windows 2000/XP
Windows-compatible soundcard (preferably with an ASIO driver)

from their website.

 

[Mondoman]

I would definitely go for a decent quality PS instead of that Raidmax.

 

[Featherstone]

what is wrong with that psu?
I mean I know its not the nicest psu around, but what I've read says its pretty good, not to mention this is not a demanding system, A64X2, 1 optical drive, 1 HD, onboard Video.

 

[Mondoman]

It's low quality and thus much more likely to suddenly fail, possibly taking your MB and other components with it to the afterlife.

 

[just2good4u3434]

You NEED a power supply that doesnt come with a case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104954 Here is a good power supply from a trusted company.

 

[knowsitall]

ok and are u sure 250gb will be enough space for recording? if ur gonna leave that thing on for sometime u mite run outta hd space? also u do need a reliable powersupply if u gonna keep that sucker on dialy, gonna need decent airflow in ur case too, make sure u have some ball bearing case fans, not sleved or whateve.r

 

[Featherstone]

hmmmm... increasing the build cost by 15% for a PSU doesn't sound too appealing. This PSU is from a known brand and is quite a bit more than is required by this system and therefore will not be stressed.

Simply because it comes with a case is a really bad reason not to trust a PSU.

 

[knowsitall]

hmmmm... increasing the build cost by 15% for a PSU doesn't sound too appealing. This PSU is from a known brand and is quite a bit more than is required by this system and therefore will not be stressed.

Simply because it comes with a case is a really bad reason not to trust a PSU.

thats wut i used to say to, but then my 150$ nf 590 motherboard smelt like burning plastic one evening i was greatful to tell new egg i recieved a doa motherboard . Live and learn.

 

[audiovoodoo]

You forget that you can buy a much cheaper case without PSU. I saw some for $15 so add that to the PSU above at $50 for a $65 spend. Only $20 more than the combined unit and more like a 5% increase in system cost.

I agree you could get away with the case/psu combo and you sure don't need a monster PSU but it might be a good investment. If funds really are tight I can see your argument.

 

[rammedstein]

buy a Themaltake 430W oem psu, they are good quality and appropriate for your build, and they are cheap as chips! dude, don't worry, your system will be overkill, think this way, they did the exact same kind of work 3 years ago, that was before C2D and that was when only gamers had 1gb of ram.

 

[enforcerfx]

hmmmm... increasing the build cost by 15% for a PSU doesn't sound too appealing. This PSU is from a known brand and is quite a bit more than is required by this system and therefore will not be stressed.

Simply because it comes with a case is a really bad reason not to trust a PSU.

Raidmax Powersupplies have a very short life expectancy, due to the more than often common failures. You could even have the risk of it taking your motherboard too if the powersupply goes on you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147068

Powersupply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

May come out to spending a little more, or even just over 400. But its worth it. Rather spend a little more, than spend a lot in the end.

 

[knowsitall]

this guy aint gonna listen let him increase his build costs by 50% when his powersupply blows out an then he posts a thread (is my motherboard blown) we can all just have a good ol time and laugh at him.

 

[emp]

GIGABYTE GA-M61PM-S2 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128029

Patriot 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220088

ARCTIC COOLING ALPINE64 92mm CPU Cooler $10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835186010

ASUS Black 16X DVD+R $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135141

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103036

Rosewill R6422-P SL Black/ Silver SGCC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147065

Antec Basiq BP350 ATX12V Version 2.01 350W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, FCC, TUV, CB - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371003

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148231


About $334 (with $10 rebate on ram) without shipping and handling, you won't need much more than 80gigs for sound recording and everyday stuff. Changed your case for a cheaper one and a better quality PSU (not saying necessarily good PSU, just better.)

 

[Featherstone]

I actually think I have a 450W Coolermaster sitting at my house that came with my centurion case that I'd let him use... That sounds like a better power supply right?