New PC recommendations

GeniSyS · Post by **GeniSyS** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:22 am

Any advice on buying a new PC for maximum CW performance? I am thinking of buying a fast Dell but was wondering a few things:

1) Are there options for PCI bus speeds that would effect the dreaded PCI BUS OVERLOAD message?

2) FSB speed effect on SFP?

etc.

Thanks in advance!

krizrox · Post by **krizrox** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 2:44 pm

Dell? Ugh.....

My advice? Build one yourself or have someone build it for you. Those mail order and off-the-shelf pc's are usually lacking something. Look at Infinite Vortex for examples of great custom machines specifically for Creamware products.

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Fri Dec 19, 2003 9:40 pm

krizrox is right. I've got an idea for you. Email me...

interloper11@yahoo.com

Astral Fridge Magnet · Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:35 am

Until I changed PC recently I was using a Dell machine for a few years with no problem at all. In fact it gave me far less hassle than my super powered, built only for music pc with all the bells and whistles.

darkrezin · Post by **darkrezin** » Sat Dec 20, 2003 8:54 am

You can't compare an old PC (I think it was a 450mhz or so Weirdo?) with a current one. Certainly I respect Dell much more than other bullshit-vendors like Compaq, HP, etc. However, most machines nowadays are totally crammed with extra stuff on the motherboards, and the relative lack of control over the BIOS in pre-built machines will leave you in a very problematic position. You'll have to trust me on this.. I spent 2 years fixing consumer PCs and they are just horrible.. I'd rather have a slow Mac to be quite honest.

My advice is to build/get a friend to build a custom DAW - you make sure there are no corners cut with components. You may not get some fancy over-priced 'warranty' but please tell me how many PC manufacturers are going to help you with "Cubase won't work with my Pulsar"-type queries?

peace

GeniSyS · Post by **GeniSyS** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 8:48 am

Thanks for your all posts.... my real specific question is:

What/how do I spec a machine to eliminate the dreaded PCI OVERFLOW message... I am using SONAR with GIGASTUDIO with just a few audio tracks to create my music and I really can't stand getting this message every 60 seconds.

My current machine is a DELL 1.9Gh with UDMA hard drives. Does the processor speed/FSB speed effect the PCI speed at all? Or I am limited by the PCI speed?

All this will help me decide to build or buy.

Thanks

dbmac · Post by **dbmac** » Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:07 am

Make sure you have auto insert notification turned off for your CD drives.
Make sure you have bus mastering turned off (if poss) for your video card.
Make sure your hard drives are using "DMA if available".
Look out for any traffic on the USB 2 buss.
Try and set the PCI Latency timer to 64, or 128 - this is set in BIOS.

/dave

Astral Fridge Magnet · Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:22 am

Well maybe Darkr3zin is right. I think though with regard to getting access to the Bios I don't think it's a hassle with Dell machines. But I am talking about the one I bought 3 years ago.
With regard to the point raised about "Cubase won't work with Pulsar...." well not Steinberg or Creamware will help you with that either. But of course there are forums like PlanetZ where there are loads of very helpful people.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Weirdo The Weird on 2003-12-21 09:22 ]</font>

Richmo · Post by **Richmo** » Mon Dec 22, 2003 6:12 am

If it's of any help this is my 2c.
5 years ago I bought a PC that ran W98, had only one HDD 13Gb, 8MB video card, Pentium III 500MHz chip and Oktek Rhino M/board, 128 RAM and a BEAUTIFUL Pulsar 1 card. I knew nothing about computers, didn't tweak it, didn't mess at all and it ran fine. That is until my projects got more ambitious when it started to stutter and choke. That's when I started visiting these forums more often and asked a few questons...Then I decided to upgrade to PIV 2GB, 2 HDDs, more RAM, better graphics card and tweak the way the Planet Z Lords tweak. Upshot is, it still runs fine, my projects are bigger and run smoother, and I still have no idea about computers ( well may be a little).
My advice is don't skimp on the important hardware, have 2 HDDs, get at least 512 DDRAM and build a solid machine that you can upgrade from time to time. Read the optimization tips in this forum and ask lots of questions. I don't think a DELL is your answer if you're serious. You could save money too by cutting out the frills like DVD, scanner, printer etc.
Hope this helps
P.S. With the PCI Overflow thing, make sure you have 'intel appliction accelorater' installed (free from website) and disable any USB devices you don't need.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Richmo on 2003-12-22 06:16 ]</font>