$1200 Home Recording Build

[ZMdHtr606]

Attempting to figure out what I should buy/opinions on what I've selected/etc. If I haven't selected a part, I've put why I haven't or what I'm thinking about it. I haven't made too many choices yet, though I've been doing a lot of research. The problem being that, since I've never done anything like this, I'm afraid to start making definitive selections. Anyways, here it goes.

Budget: $1200, can go over, but would prefer to go less if possible.
Purchase Date: ASAP.
Goal: A PC for home music recording as the primary task. I'm going to be running a Pro Tools set-up with an MBox, so I can probably save some money on a sound-card for now by using the motherboard audio. A friend does this and said there's no noticeable difference. I do a little photoshop work, but nothing elaborate. I also play a few games, but nothing too resource intensive. Needless to say, the visuals are a spot where I can save a little money.

Parts:

Case-
I'm unsure as to what I need for a case. Something inexpensive. I don't need the prettiest enclosure on the market.

PSU- Newegg.com - XCLIO STABLEPOWER 500W 500W ATX Active PFC Power Supply
I wanted something with a larger fan since, being a recording pc, quiet is better. Price: $70

CPU-Newegg.com - Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950
I was told that I should spend more on a bad-ass processor now in order to save me trouble in the future. About the only things I came up with for requirements were: Quad core, Intel, & 64-bit compatible. Price: $280

MOBO-Newegg.com - ASUS Sabertooth X58 LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
I'm just kind of guessing on this one. There's most likely a better option but I'm unsure of what I should be looking into. Price: $200

HD1-Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Oft recommended to me for my storage hd. Don't see why not. Price: $90

HD2-Newegg.com - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
I want a solid state drive for my os. I'll also be bringing whatever my current pro tools project would be on to this while i'm working on it to take advantage of the speed. Price: $125

RAM-Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9
Another shot in the dark here. Price: $75

Vid Card- Newegg.com - JATON Video-PX8400GS_LX GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express x16 Low Profile Ready Video Card
Something on the less expensive side. Price: $41

Sound Card-
Don't need at this time

OD-Newegg.com - LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners
Picked a random one. Price: $20

Keyboard/Mouse-Newegg.com - Verbatim 96983 Piano Black 2.4 GHz Wireless Slim Keyboard and Mouse
Wireless just because. Price: $35

Monitor- Newegg.com - Hanns·G HZ194APB Black 18.5" 1366 x 768 5ms Tilt Adjustable WideScreen LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250cd/m2 10,000:1
I don't need a beast of a monitor. Price: $95

Subtotal - $1031
OK! Let's hear some critiques/input! As I said before, I'm new to this. What else do I need in order to have a working machine? Will I be able to connect to the web? What about temperature? Do I need anything to combat high temp? Haha, basically... What next?

~jd.

 

[WR2]

Hello ZMdHtr606;

I think a 1600x900 monitor is the lowest you want to go. 1366x768 is just such amount of screen real estate for working IMO. Acer S201HLbd Black 20" 5ms LED-Backlight LCD $115 $20 more for 1600x900 and better LED backlight & 13.5W power usage (vs CCFL in the Hanns-G 28W power usage)


Video card: ASUS EAH5450 Radeon HD 5450 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Video Card $40 & $10 rebate

Keyboard/Mouse: Unless you get a Piano Black case think about a keyboard that won't show fingerprings so easily
PSU: You can do better on PSU quality and price than that Xclio: XIGMATEK 400W ATX12V 80+ BRONZE Power Supply $35

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Mid Tower Case $55 & free shipping

What does that ASAP translate as? Some pretty nice Sandy Bridge stuff coming out quite soon.

 

[WR2]

Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) Quad-Core CPU $195
ASUS P8H67-M LX LGA 1155 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Intel Motherboard est $110
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 2 DDR3 1600 RAM $65
Your SSD/HDD/ODD choices
The XIGMATEK 400W PSU and Antec 300 case.

~$850 before any rebates, taxes and shipping. Add a copy of Windows 7 64bit for $100

 

[ZMdHtr606]

How soon is quite soon

 

[Taylor422]

If you wait a month there's going to be some seriously different and perhaps better options on the market (Sandy Brdige mobos).

64gb is too small for the SSD. Go ~120. Samsung F3's are the recommended drive right now, though there's nothing wrong with the Caviar Black.

All motherboards have onboard ethernet, which is plug a cable in the back style. If you want wireless, that takes an add on card (not difficult).

Extra fans depends on what case you pick out and what fans it comes with stock.

 

[WR2]

A good chance we'll see some stock before the end of the month.
They've been spotted in some of the 'usual places' over in Asia at retail shops.

 

[CopaMundial]

Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Boost) Quad-Core CPU $195
ASUS P8H67-M LX LGA 1155 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Intel Motherboard est $110
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 2 DDR3 1600 RAM $65
Your SSD/HDD/ODD choices
The XIGMATEK 400W PSU and Antec 300 case.

~$850 before any rebates, taxes and shipping. Add a copy of Windows 7 64bit for $100

WR2,

In this post I see you're using the H67 mobo. Are you suggesting that he take advantage of the integrated video in the I5 chip, or were you planning on him still using the discrete card?
I'm not challenging the concept or anything, just wanted to be clear b/c I'm putting together some alternate selections for some components with the idea of getting this PC as quiet as possible given the home recording use. I was thinking of suggesting that he try it with integrated video to start, with a video card waiting off to the side to be purchased if he decides that he wants it later.

 

[ZMdHtr606]

As of right now, there isn't a pro tools that is compatible with windows 7 (unless if it came out very recently). also, i'm going to probably go with a dual monitor system.

 

[WR2]

I was thinking of suggesting that he try it with integrated video to start, with a video card waiting off to the side to be purchased if he decides that he wants it later.

Yes I was thinking the HD 2000 Graphics on the CPU.
And I always suggest if you can wait till you figure out if you need something - and then add it - you don't end up paying for something you didn't really need.

 

[WR2]

As of right now, there isn't a pro tools that is compatible with windows 7 (unless if it came out very recently).

Is it a Win7 issue? Or a 32bit/64bit issue? I have some really ancient programs running in Win7/32bit.

So you're more interested in WinXP? Or Linux?
You can actually have more than one OS on a system.

I'm a long time dual monitor user and a big fan. I think once you learn the ropes it can really help your productivity.

 

[CopaMundial]

As of right now, there isn't a pro tools that is compatible with windows 7 (unless if it came out very recently). also, i'm going to probably go with a dual monitor system.

Do you already have a copy of Pro Tools? If so which version?
For the 'm-powered' stuff (for use w/ Mbox) I think they started Windows 7 support @ ver 8.0.4. The newest version is 9, and I think that lists only windows 7 (well, aside from MAC).

 

[ZMdHtr606]

i'm not sure what the reason is, only that many people are upset about it.

Do I need to worry about that sandy bridge processor recommended above as far as the recalls are concerned?

 

[CopaMundial]

i'm not sure what the reason is, only that many people are upset about it.

Do I need to worry about that sandy bridge processor recommended above as far as the recalls are concerned?

The recalls were not on the processors themselves, they were on the chipset that's part of the motherboards. They had an issue where they would stop talking to SATA hard drives.
That recall is the reason you couldn't find those motherboards for sale yet, but the wait is nearly over because the first boards are starting to show up on NewEgg now (as in there are 5 to choose from, within a week there will probably be 20 to choose from).

 

[ZMdHtr606]

no i dont have pro tools yet, was only going by what a colleague had told me. if new pro tools is windows 7 compatible then disregard my previous statement

 

[ZMdHtr606]

updated parts list:

Case-COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
I could probably save money and get something different than this… Price: $50

PSU- CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply
Price: $40

CPU-Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Price: $230

MOBO-Asus P8H67-M LX LGA1155 MicroATX Motherboard Intel H67 Chipset EPU DDR3 USB3.0 SATA 3Gb/s 7.1CH HD Audio
Price: $110

HD1-Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Price: $90

HD2-Newegg.com - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Price: $125

RAM-Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9
Price: $75

Vid Card- Newegg.com - PowerColor AX3450 256MD2-HV2 Radeon HD 3450 256MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 Low Profile Ready Video Card
Do I even need this? Or does my mobo have a built in vid card that will suffice? Price: $30

Sound Card-
Don't need at this time

OD-Newegg.com - LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners
Price: $20

Keyboard/Mouse-Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 Black 102 Normal Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse
Price: $30

Monitor 1- Acer S201HLbd Black 20" 5ms LED-Backlight LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1)
Price: $115

Monitor 2- Acer S201HLbd Black 20" 5ms LED-Backlight LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1)
Price: $115

Subtotal - $1030

 

[CopaMundial]

updated parts list:

CPU-Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Price: $230

RAM-Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1600C9
Price: $75

If you're changing to the Sandy Bridge chip, then you'll want to change to a dual-channel memory config.
Here's the set WR2 recommended above
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBXM
$65 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231430&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

 

[WR2]

BIOSTAR TH67+ LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard $105 B3 stepping

 

[ZMdHtr606]

I've been getting a few people suggesting that I go with a RAID setup rather than use that ssd (because the ssd isn't really helping anything in my current setup). I'm still pretty fuzzy on what exactly a RAID setup does, and why it would be that much more of a benefit.

 

[WR2]

Did they say RAID1 (for data security) or RAID0 (for speed).
RAID0 is faster than a single HDD but slower than a SSD.

What is your current setup, what SSD do you have, and why isn't it helping?

 

[WR2]

I also play a few games, but nothing too resource intensive

What type of games would those be?

Im liking the Intel HD 2000 video chip built into the CPU a lot better than that $30 3450 video card. [strike]$30 3450[/strike]

 

[WR2]

Intel HD 2000 is actually more powerful, and a better fit to your whole system than that HD 3450 card would have been.

 

[ZMdHtr606]

this is my current planned purchase list

Case-COOLER MASTER Elite 430 RC-430-KWN1 Black Steel / Plastic Computer Case
I could probably save money and get something different than this… Price: $50

PSU- CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 CMPSU-430CX 430W ATX12V Active PFC Power Supply
Price: $40

CPU-Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
Price: $230

MOBO-BIOSTAR TH67+ LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Price: $105

HD1-Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Price: $90

HD2-Newegg.com - Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
Price: $125

RAM-G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBXM
Price: $65

Vid Card-
Using the cpu vid to start since I’m not making this for the graphics and since this is easily upgradeable in the future.

Sound Card-
Don't need at this time

OD-Newegg.com - LG Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD Burner - Bulk - CD / DVD Burners
Price: $20

Keyboard/Mouse-Logitech Cordless Desktop EX 100 Black 102 Normal Keys USB RF Wireless Standard Keyboard and Mouse
Price: $30

Monitor 1- Acer S201HLbd Black 20" 5ms LED-Backlight LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1)
Price: $115

Monitor 1- Acer S201HLbd Black 20" 5ms LED-Backlight LCD monitor 250 cd/m2 ACM 12,000,000:1 (1000:1)
Price: $115

Subtotal - $985

 

[ZMdHtr606]

games would be mostly half life mods like cs, tf2, and dod.

 

[ZMdHtr606]

here's what two guys have said about it "Myself, I would use the Black for the main drive, and a blue of equal size, for backup, and forget the SSD until the price is reasonable.
Or 2 Blacks in a RAID0, and a blue the size of the combined blacks.
But with the RAID0, all you need is 3 blues, as 2 blues in RAID0 are faster than 1 black in non RAID"

and

"I would also skip out on the SSD, you really won't notice a benefit and especially at that price. I would spend the money on another HDD and setup RAID like mentioned.

The SSD will do little for you, real time backup of your important music projects can be a life saver.

Edit: If you're still set on the SSD I would suggest buying a larger capacity drive. 64GB is so little to work with, or is it just me? Maybe I just install too many programs?"

 

[WR2]

I have to be honest. Im scratching my head and wondering...
If you 'really won't notice a benefit" with a SSD wouldn't that also true of RAID0 which is slower?
RAID1 (data security) slowest of all.

How would those options work out on price?
Right now your list is at $215
RAID0 2x 1TB Black and 1x 2TB Green = $295
-> or 2x Blue 500GB & 1x 1TB Green = $145
RAID1 2x 1TB Black = $180
No Raid: 1x 1TB Black and 1x 1TB Green = $155