Upgrade for a Music Production PC

If you're sticking with 32bit then anything over 4GB is a waste as you won't be able to use anything over 3.x depending on your GPU RAM. Having done the upgrade for the sake of upgrading thing in the past I should probably try and explain the end result but i'd not have listened to me so I won't boar you. Win 7 contains both 32 and 64bit, buy retail it's cheap ish still on pre order, also vista didn't hog memory, it used it differently to XP.

Option One: Refresh existing PC
Add an SSD, this single act will transform your PC, you're booted quicker, apps load in an instant etc. Buy a 1TB drive vs the 500gb it's a minimal price difference for twice the storage. As it's unlikely a faster CPU will benefit you massively it's up to you if you want to spend the money but as pointed out check your board revision for 45nm support. Then add another 2-4GB depending on your chosen CPU route. A quiet/passive GPU cooler if the fan noise is an issue. On paper it will be dated as it's not going to be the latest socket type/DDR3 but in reality for your usage it will outperform option 2 and should come in a few hundred cheaper.

Option 2: OOO Shiney!!
Blow your full budget on DDR3/CPU/GPU/Smaller HD, no SSD and get a near identical spec but it'll be DDR3 and a newer socket type that you could upgrade in the same way i've suggested above. DDR2 - 3 is not a huge leap in real life performance. The down side is that it won't perform any quicker than option one for your stated usage and in 12 months it will be worth significantly less than you paid and be slower for general use than option 1 and you won't have a few hundred quid in your pocket to make you feel better.

Good luck with whatever you go with :)
 
Avalon said:
Option One: Refresh existing PC
Add an SSD, this single act will transform your PC, you're booted quicker, apps load in an instant etc. Buy a 1TB drive vs the 500gb it's a minimal price difference for twice the storage. As it's unlikely a faster CPU will benefit you massively it's up to you if you want to spend the money but as pointed out check your board revision for 45nm support. Then add another 2-4GB depending on your chosen CPU route. A quiet/passive GPU cooler if the fan noise is an issue. On paper it will be dated as it's not going to be the latest socket type/DDR3 but in reality for your usage it will outperform option 2 and should come in a few hundred cheaper.
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Avalon, thank you for the advice! I have some questions to ask if that's ok... :)

When you say 'board revision for 45nm support', what does this mean exactly? I will get Windows 7 and definitely take advantage of the 64bit. But if I want 6GB RAM will I have to upgrade my CPU and MOBO?

Thanks again!
 
I didn't get it quite right it's fsb not cpu fabrication type you need to check, Gigabyte did 3 versions of your board, MikeHunt79 pointed out to get an e5300 (1333 fsb) running in it you will need a rev 3.3 board as seen here only v3.3 has official 1333fsb support, that said it'll still take a 1066 quad or dual if it's a v1 or v2.

Memory wise a 32bit OS will only see 3.x GB, a 64bit OS will handle in theory up to 16TB. Your board should take 8GB but while the QVL does list some 2GB modules i'd suggest doing some checking (google/search on here) to make sure before buying. Saying that if you need a newer board decent P35/X38/ or other DDR2 boards go for very little on MM.

Either way I reckon potentially you could achieve better real world performance for your requirements by tailoring your purchases more to your needs than spending 400+ quid on a new CPU/Ram/MB vs potentially spending a lot less on upgrading your existing set-up but I understand the temptation of shiny new stuff :)
 
Ok so this is what I've come up with guys. Everything look ok?

62009817.jpg
 
Just my 2 pence:

I've seen in the same price: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.66GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB). It's faster than Kentsfield (more cache, faster FSB, cooler, newer) so it would be pity to miss it out.

Memory: it's fine, but just fine. I've got this memory and it works ;-) but if you wanted to o/c it (together with CPU), forget it. This memory operates @2.2V (2.1 in my rig), so maybe OCZ Blade for 6 quids more is better idea (1150 MHz, 1.80V). Of course, look into QVL if motherboard supports it.

Sorry for that X-Fi, it was just an example of ASIO, I just thought you are going to use built-in audio :-] You could mention that Motu (828 ?) at the beginning ;-)
 
Thanks for the heads up!

Just one more question I'm afraid... How do I find out if my Motherboard is version 3.3 or not? I can't find the box it came in anywhere. If it is 3.3 then I will purchase the Q9450.

Also I want to get rid of the 8800GTS and get something that is much quieter, practically silent. Any suggestions?
 
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My current Motherboard doesn't support 1333FSB so I had to change it to one that does.

45099198.jpg


Does everything look ok? The Mobo will be ok with 64bit and 8GB RAM? I hoping it's a good overclocker as well :D I'm still undecided on the GPU though as I really want something that is quieter than my current 8800GTS.

Thanks again for all your help so far!
 
Hey, another music producer :) Here's my view:

1) Check how many cores your software will support. Not much point going quad if what's doing the main grunt will not use most of it.

2) 64 bit OSes are a pain, because of the aggressive driver stance. Check all your hardware has 64 bit drivers. I had to ditch my Midex-8 because it didn't... but if you can get it all to work, it's worth the extra RAM. Not sure if Windows 7 64 bit will accept unsigned drivers.

3) It's all about the RAM and processor.

4) You already know to use a proper soundcard, rather than a SB/Audigy, which really won't cut it. Personally I have an RME Multiface - if you ever think of upgrading, the RME gear is awesome.

5) For graphics card, definitely get a passively cooled one, but preferably one that can drive multiple monitors, in case you want to expand that way.
 
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