Upgrading... would love some info

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:15 am

Hi guys, Im looking at upgrading my current configuration:

Here is what I have

p4 3.2
asus p4c800e deluxe mobo
2 gigs corsair twinx
2 x 180 gig western digital hardrive
dual output agp video card(i forget the name)

pulsar 1
powersampler card(which is a gen 2 card)
uad- 1 pci (not pci-e)

running cubase sx3 and a host of plugins like Battery 3, a bunch of waves plugins, soft synths etc...

I am looking to upgrade the mobo, processor and ram. Im not looking to spend over five to six hundred U.S. Preferably cheaper.

Does anyone currently have a configuration that is similar that they could recommend something for me that they alreayd know is stable. This system I have now is rock solid, just a little weak on the processing power especially with all this new software comming out.

Suggestions?

Thanks in advance

RL

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:22 pm

I know that set up.

Used the same RAM / CPU / and chipset. Never failed me either, and I play live. One screw up and everyone thinks your a poser. Never happened though.

http://www.intel.com/products/motherboa ... /index.htm

http://www.intel.com/products/processor ... /index.htm

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m ... lc_edition

http://www.thetechrepository.com/showthread.php?t=154

I use the above set up w/ 3 Scope cards, and Gigastudio 3 Orchestra. Quads will give you more juice w/ the same mobo and RAM, but the E6600 is 7-10% slower, hardly justifying the extra 175 USD for the cheap quad ( Q6600 ). The software needs to be optimised better to get the performance you read about in current benchmarks.

Personally, I prefer low latency RAM, and more L2 cache on a CPU, rather than the overhyped DDRIII. Scope and UAD need burst speed, as the sustained throughput hardly matters unless you are using video / audio based apps.

You could upgrade for 450-500 USD for a very stable, and noticably faster system.

If you want a really bad ass mobo, wait for Intels DX38BT. It is for the 45nm CPU's which are quite powerful, but not needed. But I'm getting one.

Strength And Honor,

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:17 am

Awesome, Im going to start looking into this stuff now. Thanks, much appreciated.

RL

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 12:29 pm

That king was crowned by GaryB.

I advise anyone here who reads this thread. GaryB has built more Scope DAW's than any white man in history.

They are stable till YOU fuck'em up.

I have 100% stability, and if he were to say tomorrow, " Jimmy,..I think you should buy this or that,..." I wouldn't hesitate.

His word is his bond.

Plus, you can call him everynight and day with stupid questions, and he never gets mad, unless you say you're voting for Hillary or something stupid like that.

Post by **hubird** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:09 pm

we should vote for Gary?

Post by **garyb** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:12 pm

"i am no god and no king. i am, however your Dominar."
Rigel XVI

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:03 pm

When I returned one day to the suite that GaryB stays in when he comes to town, a Dominator was just leaving. He said she was delivering pizzas.

I would enjoy watching her beat Anna Luse.

O Ke Do Kee Blood.

Post by **garyb** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 7:21 pm

.........

kylie · Post by **kylie** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:40 am

is this becoming a discussion about technique of dominating?
since we're still in tech talk, guys...

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:45 am

Meanwhile back at the ranch.

Here's a great little helper when wanting to see what kind of performance gains can be achieved with a new mobo / CPU config.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html

Just pick the processor in the top choice that you wish to buy, then go to the lower choice and pick the one you currently have.

Since Scope 's performance is hardly relevant due to the DSP's, this is strictly to gage your choice with an audio app like Sonar, Cubase, etc.

Make sure to use Lame 3 ( beta )as your choice of benchmark though. As in the past it's accuracy with multithreaded apps based on percentages, is awful damn close to the percentage of performance we would see in our audio based apps.

Usually I won't even think of upgrading until there is at least a 15% increase over my current CPU.

Ogg Vorbis is also a good choice to bench with.

Bon Appetite !!

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:00 pm

Okay, so far I am faitfully following both Scope4lives advice and Gary B advice.

I will purchase:
mobo: intel dp965lt(scope4's and garyb suggestion)
ram: ocz 800mhz(scope4's suggestion)

now for the processor. In my parts the e6750(199.00) is 40 cheaper than the e6600(239.00)

Even after reading cochises post I am still on the fence between the two. Can anyone point me in the definitive answer. GaryB, Scope4live? Which one would you buy?

You guys all rock by the way. Thanks so much for the help.

RL

Post by **garyb** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:16 pm

the 6600 runs cooler....
both would be more than fine. it depends on how important the $40 is...

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 4:54 pm

cooler sounds more stable. The 40 bucks dont mean much. Ive got zalman and noctua fans inside this beast running at low rpm for noise reduction, so the e6600 sounds fine to me.

Thanks again
RL

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:19 pm

Actually, I have another quesiton about the ram. Scope4live recommended this ram:

http://www.ocztechnology.com/products/m ... lc_edition

800MHz DDR2
EPP 3-4-4-15*
(CAS-TRCD-TRP-TRAS)
Available in 2GB (2x1024MB) Dual Channel Kits
Unbuffered
OCZ Lifetime Warranty
2.1 Volts (2.4 Volts)
240 Pin DIMM
2 x 1/4" ID (inner diameter) barbs

However, the timings seem to be different than those requested in the motherboard(Intel DP965lt) manual.

System Memory Features
The board has four DIMM sockets and support the following memory features:
1.8 V (only) DDR2 SDRAM DIMMs with gold-plated contacts
Unbuffered, single-sided or double-sided DIMMs with the following restriction: Double-sided DIMMs with x16 organization are not supported.
8 GB maximum total system memory using DDR2 667 or DDR2 533 DIMMs
4 GB maximum total system memory using DDR2 800 DIMMs
Minimum total system memory: 128 MB
Non-ECC DIMMs
Serial Presence Detect
DDR2 800, DDR2 667, or DDR2 533 MHz SDRAM DIMMs
DDR2 800 DIMMs with SPD timings of only 5-5-5 or 6-6-6 (tCL-tRCD-tRP)

Are these timings compatible. I am not very familiar with ram timings so please bear with me if this question seems blazingly obvious. Im not looking to doubt anyone, just trying to be sure.Thanks again for all the help.

RL

Post by **garyb** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:27 pm

no. get the 1.8volt ram.

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:54 pm

On the OCZ website I cant even seem to find the right ram with the configurator. All it shows me is 533 ram and from everything ive been reading I should stick with 800mhz.

Either way, if anyone can just recommend a tried and true high quality ram for this board, I will jump on it. Im not brand specific, and I dont mind spending a few extra buck for quality. I just want to order it and be done with it since it
looks like I'll be sending this ram I have here back to store.

Thanks

RL

Post by **garyb** » Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:08 pm

well, it'll probably have to be 667...

http://www.corsairmemory.com/configurat ... x?id=11507

unless you go kingston:

http://www.ec.kingston.com/ecom/configu ... 0D2N5K2/2G

no heat spreaders on this memory, but it's no big deal.

raztalove · Post by **raztalove** » Fri Oct 05, 2007 5:56 pm

Thanks, I think Ill rock the kingston. Its a bummer, that OCZ ram looked wicked. Oh well, ill take stability. Have a good one.

RL