PC for Composing

Just Float · 09-07-2005, 08:40 PM

I've been attempting to make music on a Powerbook G4 1.33 Ghz. It's been incredibly frustrating and I think it has taken some years off of my life. I'm switching back to a Windows machine.
Wether I get a desktop or a laptop, I need something that will run my programs smoothly withought lagging AT ALL. Maybe even smoothly enough for live performance. I'm trying to understand what makes some computers work better then other but it's hard.
Can someone tell me what the idea setup for composing music would be? I don't use my computer for gaming or anything like that. I know that with all the programs I use the CPU will be under a lot of pressure. I will have about 1500-2000 to spend (maybe more if it's really worth it). Help me please.

*I dont see why this got moved, it includes laptops too...

Lordmord · 09-07-2005, 10:05 PM

For music, i think you would need a powerful CPU and a powerful memory.
I think a 2.4 GHz, CPU, and a 265 RAM, memory, or up would be good if your composing music. I don't know how much music you be composing, but I buy a computer with a 80 Gigbtyle of hard drive or up, enabling you to store more music. XP professional for the operationg system would help you in making music, but be sure to download all the patch from the mircosoft website.

That the only thing that I have suggest. Hope you success in you music.

flame1117 · 09-07-2005, 10:16 PM

I suggest a INTEL CPU, for what i sounds like you will be going, a P4(dont get a celeron if your willing to spend that much)nnot sure which owuld would be good since im not familiar with intels, I also suggest much more then 256MG of ram, go for 1GB of DDR400 dual channel.

Just Float · 09-07-2005, 10:44 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-G41...QQcmdZViewItem

These look nice but they dont tell the bus speed?

aj327 · 09-07-2005, 11:15 PM

I'm not sure how you plan on composing, but if it means plugging instruments into your computer I recommend going somewhere like the guitar center and checking out their sound cards which can run as high as 450ish bucks. Creative just came out with the x-fi as well, and the pro which is around 400 has one in for a mic jack or for whatever your needs are. It's supposed to be a "revolutionary" card from all I've read but I'm not sure if it's dedicated enough to serve your needs if you're going to be plugging instruments into your computer. The guys at guitar center could help you better with that.

In terms of a proc, since you have the money and you really want speed, I'd go for a dual processor, with 2 gb RAM. I was going to go with the amd 64 X2 3800+, but I've since run into a financial snag so it will have to wait for now.

**Praetor** · 09-10-2005, 08:41 AM

Either an Intel or AMD dualcore box will suffice. The bottleneck will be, im guessing, the RAM so the more RAM the better: starting with 1GB is a start

Quote:

*I dont see why this got moved, it includes laptops too...

I didnt move it but for starters laptops will lag out thus disqualifying them

09-07-2005, 08:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Just Float New Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 9	PC for Composing I've been attempting to make music on a Powerbook G4 1.33 Ghz. It's been incredibly frustrating and I think it has taken some years off of my life. I'm switching back to a Windows machine. Wether I get a desktop or a laptop, I need something that will run my programs smoothly withought lagging AT ALL. Maybe even smoothly enough for live performance. I'm trying to understand what makes some computers work better then other but it's hard. Can someone tell me what the idea setup for composing music would be? I don't use my computer for gaming or anything like that. I know that with all the programs I use the CPU will be under a lot of pressure. I will have about 1500-2000 to spend (maybe more if it's really worth it). Help me please. I dont see why this got moved, it includes laptops too... Last edited by Just Float; 09-07-2005 at 09:34 PM.*

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09-07-2005, 10:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lordmord Silver Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 175	For music, i think you would need a powerful CPU and a powerful memory. I think a 2.4 GHz, CPU, and a 265 RAM, memory, or up would be good if your composing music. I don't know how much music you be composing, but I buy a computer with a 80 Gigbtyle of hard drive or up, enabling you to store more music. XP professional for the operationg system would help you in making music, but be sure to download all the patch from the mircosoft website. That the only thing that I have suggest. Hope you success in you music.

09-07-2005, 10:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
flame1117 banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,770	I suggest a INTEL CPU, for what i sounds like you will be going, a P4(dont get a celeron if your willing to spend that much)nnot sure which owuld would be good since im not familiar with intels, I also suggest much more then 256MG of ram, go for 1GB of DDR400 dual channel.

09-07-2005, 10:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Just Float New Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 9	http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-Thinkpad-G41...QQcmdZViewItem These look nice but they dont tell the bus speed?

09-07-2005, 11:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
aj327 New Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 22	I'm not sure how you plan on composing, but if it means plugging instruments into your computer I recommend going somewhere like the guitar center and checking out their sound cards which can run as high as 450ish bucks. Creative just came out with the x-fi as well, and the pro which is around 400 has one in for a mic jack or for whatever your needs are. It's supposed to be a "revolutionary" card from all I've read but I'm not sure if it's dedicated enough to serve your needs if you're going to be plugging instruments into your computer. The guys at guitar center could help you better with that. In terms of a proc, since you have the money and you really want speed, I'd go for a dual processor, with 2 gb RAM. I was going to go with the amd 64 X2 3800+, but I've since run into a financial snag so it will have to wait for now.