Finding a good hardware to work with my scope project card

[TomerTTB]

Hi all and thanks a lot for your recommendation.
It’s time to upgrade my desktop.

I would like to build a system based on E8400 Intel CPU.
The only hardware that I will take from my old computer are 2 HD and my Scope Project card.

I am working with Cubase 3.2sx with 32Bit XP operation system.

I am really lost with choosing the right MO and Memory, I wish to avoid problems with the new system
Thanks a lot
Tomer Granit.

[TomerTTB]

Sorry another small issue a FireWire is a must
Thanks again .

[garyb]

that or the intel solution..

[TomerTTB]

Thank you all for helping me .
I will go with an Intel MotherBoard I have more experience with tham, and Intel provides a lot of jobs in my country.

I can go in 2 ways:

Intel DP45SG with 2GB of DDR3 1333Mhz

Or
Intel DP43TF with 2GB of DDR2 800Mhz

There is almost 200$ difference, Do you think its worth the extra $$?

Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

Tomer.

[garyb]

what kind of work does it need to do?

unless running the maximum number of rompler voices is the goal, i'd probably save the money. i know the 33 and 35 chipset boards run great and they're probably cheaper(dp35dp and dg33). i don't know about the 43, but the 45 chipset should work well(i'd guess the 43 does too).

[TomerTTB]

My computer needs to handle about 60-70 channels.
70%-30% Audio/Midi channles.
In each track I have about 15 different VSTi and each channel have 1 or 2 Plug Ins effects on it.

My current computer (5 years old) can not handle this, its either my RAM goes out or I reach 100% cpu.

I have no problem taking P35 based Motherboard if its proven to be good i will be happy to save the money.

but that means that I am going with DDR2 800Mhz and not DDR3 1333Mhz and I wonder if it will be smart ?.

THX Tomer.

[garyb]

if your bodget can afford cutting edge, then go for it!
either way, it will be a major upgrade from what you currently are using.

always, if you can wait, the price will come down, but then you may want an even newer, more powerful rig...

[kylie]

if your bodget can afford cutting edge, then go for it!

where's AndreD to shout Core i7 when we need him to ?

[kylie]

btw gary, any hints on the DP43TF? since it has PS2 again, I think about selling my (still wrapped) DP35DP, which seems similar otherwise...

-greetings, markus-

[garyb]

i would expect it to be good.
i have no experience with it, however.
still, i'd feel confident building with it...

[garyb]

yes, there will be things to disable because of irq assignments. that's just how it is with a modern motherboard that has a lot of onboard devices. it's not at all hard, however.

[kylie]

still, i'd feel confident building with it...

thanks, I somehow had the hope you would say something like that...
seems like I will have a spare brand new DP35DP and 4GB memory soon...

-greetings, markus-

[TomerTTB]

Hi all again
Hi stardust, Is there a reason to choose P45 instead of P35 ?
(For me taking P45 + DDR3 is just 2 too expensive)

I think that i will go with the following setup.

Intel DP35
Munshkin 1.8V DDR2 800 2GB set.
Intel E8400
WD Raptor 36GB for operation system.
1T WD Caviar Black for my projects.
1 WD 250GB for VSTi
1 WD 250GB for Samples

And I am thinking of taking the SONATA 3 as a case but not sure yet.
And my project card .

[kylie]

Is there a reason to choose P45 instead of P35 ?
(For me taking P45 + DDR3 is just 2 too expensive)

since I had to look into this again, I discovered that, provided we talk about intel boards, the main difference between the DP35 and the DP45 is the DDR2 vs. DDR3 memory support.
too expensive for me, as well. ah, yes, the DP35 has no PS/2 legacy support, which is irrelevant if you keyboard and mouse is already usb.
the DP45 offers another PCIe x16 slot (with 8 lanes) that _might_ come handy if you have some peripheral that requires PCIe > x1.
for a DAW PCIe v2.0 might not offer major improvements over v1.0, so I see no specific reason for going DP45, especially if the price matters.

-greetings, markus-

[TomerTTB]

Thx

[kylie]

And if we are not talking about intel, but the Asus pk5 for example (which uses p35 chip), what's the difference beyond the bells and whistles of the pk5 (sophisticated cooling in built in wireless)?

I hope I'm just adding to the conversation, but I feel ignored.

well, I for one just concentrated on genuine intel boards since there are lots of hints here on PZ that asus isn't the quality king anymore, like it was before. so I can't contribute concerning asus boards (other than looking up information on their website).

(and since you mentioned to go for the Intel DP45SG I did not discover your wish to hear about the PK5 within your desired configuration )

-greetings, markus-

[kylie]

I'm pretty much resigned to buying a used DP35DP for Kijiji locally. Everything on PZ seems to warm me off the P5K. The DP45SG seems like extra expense for nothing. I realize I'm ping-ponging around on this MB decision. It feels very important and perhaps I'm trying too hard to make the right decision. It's got me stressed. Please pardon my paranoia!

come on, you just want to end up with a proper machine. there's nothing wrong with it.
if you can't find enough reasons not to buy the DP35DP, you might just grab it. it seems quite safe
(though I will sell mine because I feel the strong urge not to run my keyboard and mouse via usb. the DP43TF seems quite the same thing, but has PS/2 )

-greetings, markus-

[dawman]

Kylie is right about the USB QWERTY & Mouse.
Intel changed their design for a reason.
Too many experiences w/ sticky mouse moves, etc.
I had to get a USB hub and disable certain ports to get everything running smooth.
But I use many more USB devices than most.
But if you have lots of USB devices and dongles, I would go for the newer Intel w/ the PS2 ports.
They seem to have had their nose up the wrong trail w/ all USB design.

[Neutron]

Dont let not having firewire make you decide against an otherwise great board.
there are plenty of firewire cards, and they are not expensive.

[kylie]

the other thing is, jimmy, that I have a very fine heavyweight Compaq keyboard without windows keys (resulting in a bigger space bar) which I will give up only if it breaks (something I don't expect to happen too soon).
and even if so, I will give my wife a new one and grab hers (got her one, too, back in the old days).
also my old logitech wireless mouse has PS/2, too (came with an adapter to DB9).

using a converter would be possible, but looks silly to me, if I can just go and get the other board. kinda curios if I manage to assemble that machine finally, then...

btw, all three intel boards have firewire, neutron.

-greetings, markus-