Computer Q & A

[phesago]

Hello compadres!

I will soon be acquiring a new box to make my awful noise with. I will be using it as a music only box, but I would like ideas/suggestions on what I should get. I am assuming it'll be a custom to some extent(unless it's a mac, which I'd prefer not to do).

What processor should I get? I am so tired of random blue screens and restarts. I currently have protools 9, but may upgrade. Looking to put ableton 9 in this box as well. What are the +/- of my processor options?

What are the pro's and con's of macs in this regard? I was hoping to avoid using mac, but I am not totally against it either.

I have a pretty big budget for this, but would like to keep the cost at roughly 3ish.

This is all I have thought of currently, so feel free to point out things I have missed as well!

Thanks in advance guys!

Doug

[Stab Frenzy]

If money isn't an issue (and with a 3k budget it's definitely not) then I don't understand why you wouldn't want to get a mac. Regardless of all the bullshit that people talk about mac users being douchebags or snobby or just using them for updating their facebook or whatever they're actually very good machines for making music on. As the OS and programs are written for a very small range of hardware it's easier for developers to make sure everything works than windows where there could be a lot of variables in motherboard, CPU, GPU, USB controllers etc.

Things worth considering:
If you buy a new mac it'll come with OSX 10.8 which isn't supported by PT 9 so factor in the cost of upgrading to PT10.
If you get an imac you'll need to get an external optical drive as well if you plan on doing anything with CDs or DVDs.
Do you want something portable? Macbook Pros are nice for music, I'm using a late 2010 MBP still and it's still going great guns. The Retina MBPs still seem to be a bit of a waste for music use, a lot of software isn't optimised for the retina screen so comes out blocky, also you miss out on the optical drive with them.

Anyway, you don't have to get a mac, they just tend to make things a little easier for people who don't know all the ins and outs of windows machines, which it sounds like is your case.

[Mission Difficult]

If you're planning on getting a Mac Pro, I would wait a few more months as they are rumored to be upgrading that line in the spring. A Mac Mini would also be an option, but if you're willing to go that route it might make more sense to get a Macbook Pro.

If you're building a PC, I would suggest an Intel 3770k processor with a Z77 board and at least 16GB of ram. It would also be worth investing in a SSD. A config like that would run you under $1500.

If you're looking to buy a prebuilt PC, you can check out http://www.adkproaudio.com/. HP also makes some pretty decent workstations.

[meatballfulton]

When you're buying any computer and deciding on a processor (Macs have options of different CPUs, too) you simply want the fastest processor you can afford...four cores better than two, i7 better than i5, etc.

Set your budget and then build a machine to that budget.

[Ashe37]

If you're planning on getting a Mac Pro, I would wait a few more months as they are rumored to be upgrading that line in the spring. A Mac Mini would also be an option, but if you're willing to go that route it might make more sense to get a Macbook Pro.

If you're building a PC, I would suggest an Intel 3770k processor with a Z77 board and at least 16GB of ram. It would also be worth investing in a SSD. A config like that would run you under $1500.

If you're looking to buy a prebuilt PC, you can check out http://www.adkproaudio.com/. HP also makes some pretty decent workstations.

The Mac Pro spring upgrade isn't going to be happening because there aren't going to be any upgraded CPUs or motherboard chipsets for dual-socket-2011 machines until Q4.

If you have lots of PC software, make sure its available on the Mac, and be prepared to spend a fortune cross-grading things. This includes *all* of your plugins.

[Em Pe Ge]

I would for sure buy a mac..

[phesago]

@Stabby

Isn't pt10 buggy as s**t? Or is this some sort o fheresay through the grapevine? The whole point of replacing my pc is to avoid these kind of hiccups. It may not be an issue, I am just asking for throrougness sake. Also, seeing in how you have a g2, how's the editor run on mac? Seeing in how I have a g1 and g2 in route, I hope all is well. I am assuming it works perfectly as you use a mac, so this might be a rather stupid question.


Thanks for the other insight guys! I think my best option is to speak to soemone at a apple store, ho[pefully theyll have an idea of what I am looking for as well as an idea of what theyre talkign about! lol

[Infinity Curve]

http://raincomputers.com/store/livebook-a2

or step up to the AFX.

I have the maxed out A2. Couldn't be happier with it. Never had so much as a hiccup, rock solid. Even heavy VST's like Diva are no problem; I've got to really try to even get the CPU up over 40%. The tuned OS is great, no fluff, no nonsense, super low latency(with Motu Ultralite), and the customer support is top notch.

Worth a look if you are talking upper tier Mac budget, but want to avoid Mac. Highly recommended!

[Stab Frenzy]

@Stabby

Isn't pt10 buggy as s**t? Or is this some sort o fheresay through the grapevine? The whole point of replacing my pc is to avoid these kind of hiccups. It may not be an issue, I am just asking for throrougness sake. Also, seeing in how you have a g2, how's the editor run on mac? Seeing in how I have a g1 and g2 in route, I hope all is well. I am assuming it works perfectly as you use a mac, so this might be a rather stupid question.

I still use PT 9 but a friend of mine is using 10 and he loves it. He hasn't told me about any bugs, and I'm the guy who he normally asks about tech stuff.

The G2 editor works fine on my mac, I'm using an older OS (10.6.8) but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't still work fine on a newer one.