Posted on - September 17, 2003 [at] 1:09 pm by Brad
Tagged in - gear
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So I’m almost 100% sure I’m going to upgrade my main computer this weekend. The only reason I can find to upgrade these days is audio. On my AthlonXP 1600+ with 512MB there’s almost nothing I do that taxes the system other than when I get all hardcore with music. My maybe new system:
AthlonXP 2600+ CPU, Abit NF7 Nforce 2 Motherboard, a gig of DDR400 PC3200 RAM and a Thermaltake Volcano 11 CPU fan.
This will cost me $635 Canadian before tax. Factor in an additional $100-$130 for another power supply if I decide I want to get this 1600 back up and running again as a secondary audio machine.
This upgrade has, as usual, spiraled stupidly out of control. It started out as “hey, I should buy a new motherboard and processor. that’d be nice”. Then it didn’t seem worth it if I didn’t also upgrade to newer faster RAM. That doubled the price. Then I wondered if my Zalman Quiet CPU Cooler CNPS3100-Plus (which I love) would work with this new chip. I wrote to QuietPC and they told me it wouldn’t work in quiet mode on it. So I’m buying what looks like a new quiet fan but I may wind up getting hosed on that as well.
The big question right now is how badly do I want this 1600 back up and running right away. It may be useful as a secondary audio machine which I could use to play soft synths off of. But one of the things I’m hoping for with the upgrade is that Cubase will be better able to do all of this stuff inside it rather than having to dick around with other devices and software and computers. Ho hum.
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9 Comments on this post
Tycho on New Computer
September 17, 2003 at 2:37 pm
That’s all well and good, Brad!
Where is Outside the Inbox?!
jbb on New Computer
September 17, 2003 at 5:44 pm
I’m telling you man, get 2 gigs of RAM. Does that motherboard have 4 slots? It’s not that expensive on pricewatch.
Also, don’t forget– audio is best with two hard drives for Cubase to use.
Brad on New Computer
September 17, 2003 at 6:02 pm
Tycho: Outside the Inbox is really really really on the way. So very many delays.
jbb: 2 gigs would be an additional $300 which I ain’t got to spend at the moment. And I’ve already got the double hard drive situation going on right now.
Bravo on New Computer
September 18, 2003 at 1:36 am
Yo, is dat Tycho from the Penny-Arcade??
If only you made an alternate Penny-Arcade …
Delta on New Computer
September 18, 2003 at 1:37 am
..Theme
haumovie on New Computer
September 18, 2003 at 11:34 am
I’ve always wanted the second machine to run synths off. Get another powersupply and get it up and running. You won’t regret it.
If not for synth stuff then one machine for just music and one for all the rest. No need messing up your ravegenerator with things like office and all that other confusing software.
Becca on New Computer
September 18, 2003 at 8:58 pm
Gah, trust me, you don’t want to deal with Abit. I had to do two RMAs on the NF7-S and it’s kooky as all hell. Maybe I just got real bad luck, and the reviews *are* great, but, just my 0.02.
ZenBibbity on New Computer
September 20, 2003 at 1:07 am
Oh, shit, I didn’t even notice this before. First things first – NO on the Thermaltake Volcano 11. For audio, it’s gonna suck ass because the fucking thing sounds like a fucking hair drier every fucking time it’s on high enough to cool your processor down. I’m hooked on this VanTech AeroFlow TMD, personally. Very nice and quiet. I built a machine pretty recently for a guy and he ordered the volcano. I thought it was broken and tried to RMA it back after I heard it running. Turns out, that’s how they built the turds.
Brad on New Computer
September 20, 2003 at 2:14 am
I’ll be doing a little posty post on the webby log once this crazy new computer bullshit is over, but you were very right and about 8 hours late about the Thermaltake Volcano 11. It is screamingly stupidly loud. I don’t believe it’s returnable either, so I’m glad it only cost like $35.
I’ll have to look into that VanTech AeroFlow business. Tomorrow I’m going to try installing the fan speed control panel in this machine and play around with that and also maybe try my good ol’ Zalman flower cooler in it.
The abit motherboard seems to be working fine though.