Building a computer for music purposes

C

chooky_nugent

New Member
Ive persuaded to build my own computer and now comes the time to find out what i will need to buy. So far it sounds like ill need a processor, motherboard, memory(RAM), Graphics card, hard drive, case, power supply, cd/dvd drive, and a sound card. What I need is a computer that will run my music programs at top speed, stability sounds like another important component considering nobody wants to lose their files. the intel core 2 duo sounds like a good new processor and a friend of mine told me it wouldn't need to run much higher than 2.0Ghz to do what i need to do. Also, RAM sounds like an essential for running programs to the best of their ability. Last but not least i need to get a good sound card for music purposes. Budget is around $1000 give or take. Im scared of purchasing what i need to find out that certain things wont correspond together. Anyone got any ideas???
 
If this computer is only for running music programs (almost like a stero), then you will not need a core 2 duo's power. However, with a 1000 budget, a E6300 will serve you well. As for graphics card, some low/mid range card will do great, maybe a fanless 7600GS (as you don't want a loud stero :)). A gig of ram will fit nicely in your budget as well as a good near silent case, such as the Antec P180B. Harddrive usually isn't an issue as fairly large capacity harddrives barely cost any money. A normal DVD burner will cost about 40 bucks and a good power supply is crucial. Last of all, and probably most importantly, a good x-fi sound card is needed, that'll cost you from a low end of 100 dollars, depending on which model you buy. And if you have any left over money, you can get an aftermarket CPU heatsink in order to reduce the noise of your computer.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814161041
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829127002
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104902
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813130052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116202
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835106081
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106049

Everything is fanless or very quiet since sound is priority. The sound card could be a little better but you did not specify what you will be doing with music. I put Vista Home Premium because it has some media feature that may be beneficial and 2 gigs of RAM with be more than sufficient. You could expect this rig to be very quiet and have plenty of power. The price is a little over 1100.00 but you could get a cheaper GPU and a smaller HD but I thought those were necessary. I normally wouldn't recommend a cheaper case but since the parts are very quiet and the case is steel it passes for this build.

Hope I helped.

edit: as stated a cheaper cpu could always be an option...
 
i don't think he meant he wants to play music

i think he means he wants a digital studio, and programs like protools and cubase take a pretty beefy system

i'd personally look into an amd 64 and running vista 64, so you wont have any limitations for virtual/physical memory
 
heyman421 said:
i don't think he meant he wants to play music

i think he means he wants a digital studio, and programs like protools and cubase take a pretty beefy system

i'd personally look into an amd 64 and running vista 64, so you wont have any limitations for virtual/physical memory
Click to expand...


fair enough vista 64 (aslong as his software will run on it) but there is no point getting an amd 64 when for around the same price you can get a c2d which are pretty much better then all the amd's.
 
I am getting the computer for a digital studio. I am running fl studio and probably cakewalks sonar. Does that alter anybody's opinion on what i get.
 
The build I have up there would be adequate for that. If noise isn't a serious concern just invest in a good pair of headphones.
 
Yes, but I also recommend waiting for others to offer their opinion. Their are a fair amount of knowledgeable people on here and their opinions worth hearing.
 
ETSA said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811119115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814161041
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829127002
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104902
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145590
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813130052
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819115005
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16832116202
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16835106081
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822136004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106049
Click to expand...

That powersupply seems a bit week, it's only 300 watt with 22amps on the 12v rail. The Antec NeoHE is also a possible choice, being more powerful. As for the graphics card, that one's fine, but if the MIR runs out, this card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121008
can also be considered

cuffless said:
i would recommend

CPU- e4300 instead of the e6300 (only because its cheaper and you probably wont notice the difference)


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115013

and

GPU - 7600GT instead of the x1650 pro (as as far as i know it is a better card)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150182
Click to expand...

Yes, but that 7600gt isn't fanless.
 
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