music84 Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I'm looking to build a 'Hack Pro' to use for production with Pro Tools LE/Logic on Leopard... I study/work in music production and know how it works on that end, but I'm a definite n00b in terms of building a computer. Needs: Speed/Stability, Firewire, quiet. Being a student, I don't have a large budget and I'd like to keep the total around $750USD (lower would be even better.) I can't afford a HUGE supermachine yet, but I hope I can make something powerful enough to get the job done. I've been heavily reading the forums on this site for about a week now and came up with this list: Wish List: ASUS 22X DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model DRW-22B1LT Item #: N82E16827135186 GIGABYTE GA-EP45C-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard Item #: N82E16813128364 Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive Item #: N82E16822136073 PNY VCG86512GXWB-OC GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card Item #: N82E16814133250 Western Digital Caviar SE WD800AAJS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive Item #: N82E16822136195 Antec Sonata III 500 Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 500W Power Supply Item #: N82E16811129024 CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 Item #: N82E16820145184 Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 2.5GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8300 Item #: N82E16819115207 A few questions as well: Are all these things compatible? Would the case/fan/power supply suffice? Do I need another fan? I'm sure there are other things I'm leaving out... any help at all would be greatly appreciated! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/151713-building-audio-workstation-how-does-my-list-look/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bit Shoveler Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I would go for the EP45-UD3R instead of the EP45C variant. You're paying an extra $10 for DDR3 slots you can't use. The EP45-UD3R is very popular around here. Depending on your audio interfaces, you may want to add a FireWire PCIe card. The Gigabyte only has two FW ports on the back panel, and one of those is the mini variety. If your budget permits, I would go with a bigger CPU cooler. Bigger really means quieter - the current state of the art uses a 120mm fan at very low speed for effective cooling at low noise levels. Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer, Xigmatek HDT-S1283, etc. are all good choices. I have the Xigmatek in my own rig. 500W should be plenty for this system. I don't have any experience with that particular case/PSU combo. Looking at reviews of it now... with a quad core CPU, I would want a case that flows more air. My case, the Antec 300, has lots of ventilation (it comes with 2 fans and mounting points for 3 more!) and is relatively quiet, and is only $45 at Micro Center right now. You can always run the fans at minimum speed. You'd need a power supply if you went that route. I would recommend something with a 120 or even 140mm fan because it will run more quietly. I went with the Corsair HX520W because I wanted a modular PSU, but they have a cheaper non-modular 550W unit that is just as good. All this may be above your budget though. Good luck, let us know what you wind up with! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/151713-building-audio-workstation-how-does-my-list-look/#findComment-1071801 Share on other sites More sharing options...
music84 Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 I would go for the EP45-UD3R instead of the EP45C variant. You're paying an extra $10 for DDR3 slots you can't use. The EP45-UD3R is very popular around here. Depending on your audio interfaces, you may want to add a FireWire PCIe card. The Gigabyte only has two FW ports on the back panel, and one of those is the mini variety. If your budget permits, I would go with a bigger CPU cooler. Bigger really means quieter - the current state of the art uses a 120mm fan at very low speed for effective cooling at low noise levels. Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme, Sunbeam Core Contact Freezer, Xigmatek HDT-S1283, etc. are all good choices. I have the Xigmatek in my own rig. 500W should be plenty for this system. I don't have any experience with that particular case/PSU combo. Looking at reviews of it now... with a quad core CPU, I would want a case that flows more air. My case, the Antec 300, has lots of ventilation (it comes with 2 fans and mounting points for 3 more!) and is relatively quiet, and is only $45 at Micro Center right now. You can always run the fans at minimum speed. You'd need a power supply if you went that route. I would recommend something with a 120 or even 140mm fan because it will run more quietly. I went with the Corsair HX520W because I wanted a modular PSU, but they have a cheaper non-modular 550W unit that is just as good. All this may be above your budget though. Good luck, let us know what you wind up with! Thanks Bit Shoveler! I really appreciate such a detailed response. I just found the Antec 300 and a PSU (Antec EA650) @ Newegg for a good price so I think I'll go that route. I'll also switch to the EP45-UD3R. I'm looking into cpu coolers now. I noticed that the video card i picked is now unavailable @ Newegg...do you have any suggestions of a decent/cheap card? I think I'm about ready to order everything! Thanks again. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/151713-building-audio-workstation-how-does-my-list-look/#findComment-1075177 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick14 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 HD3850 is a really great card and in Video and Photoediting it's the best choice Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/151713-building-audio-workstation-how-does-my-list-look/#findComment-1076004 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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