AMD or P4 for music?

Akuma · Post by **Akuma** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:08 pm

I'm looking into a getting a new PC for music making. Now having seen what AMD can do in terms of processing speed I want to knowany opinions as to which would be better.

Here's my scenario, not a huge software setup I will be using Cubase, Reason, a Soundsampler, couple of Soft Synths. I intend to also use 2 soundcards. Now I have heard that it would be better for compatability issues as well as software to use a Pentium Processor as opposed to AMD.

Now does anyway have experience with using AMD and 2 soundcards?

Any help much appreciated as well as opinions as to which would be the best for my situation.

Also, I have heard that the Creamware Cards have certain compatibility issues with certain motherboards? Is it true as I own a Powersampler Card.

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:31 pm

Think it's gonna come down to the motherboard you buy. I believe there are a number of people with Intel or AMD solutions, happily making music.

I'd recommend a motherboard from ASUS, due to the great BIOS. Myself, I chose to use a P4 2.4 Ghz on an ASUS mobo. Get a fast FSB and matching memory and your system should hum.

next to nothing · Post by **next to nothing** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 9:46 pm

i second that ASUS opinion. and if u go for AMD, ppl have good experience with the ASUS a7n8x. ive not used that one myself, but i know a guy running 25dsps on it, no probs as far as i know.

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:47 am

27 on my P4...

braincell · Post by **braincell** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:49 am

Asus/Intel works for me.

Zhoo · Post by **Zhoo** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:19 pm

tyan Thunder K8W and 2 opteronz
and 4 gb of ram
all need to work without any problemz
amd rulez!!!

Akuma · Post by **Akuma** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:15 pm

So has anyone installed two different manufacturer cards, i.e. in my case at the moment I am running a SBLive card alongside my Powersampler card.

Also another question, whats Windows XP like for music? Better than Win98 or would I be better off sticking with Win98, I heard 2000 is better than XP as there are a few bugs in XP?

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:01 pm

XP! You should be able to use two cards with no problems. Don't install ACPI when you start the XP installation (disable by holding down F5 or F6, until you get the menu, then choose standard PC).

[ This Message was edited by: interloper on 2004-01-23 19:02 ]

Akuma · Post by **Akuma** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:05 pm

I managed to get hold of a friends computer and he has a SB Live 5.1 card and we installed the Powersampler in on Version 3.1 drivers and it seemed to work fine on the Athlon! What is this ACPI driver thingy, because that came up when I ran the installation? I didn't d/l the drivers for it and continued as normal.

AndreD · Post by **AndreD** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:16 pm

On 2004-01-23 19:01, interloper wrote:
XP! You should be able to use two cards with no problems. Don't install ACPI when you start the XP installation (disable by holding down F5 or F6, until you get the menu, then choose standard PC).

with xp, you need to install the system in acpi-mode.

"standard pc mode" was a win 2000 related issue...

[ This Message was edited by: Andre Dupke on 2004-01-27 17:18 ]

interloper · Post by **interloper** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:41 pm

You'll get some extra floating IRQ's with ACPI. I think it's also more of a performance issue and most technical literature I've read recommend leaving it off your xp machine if you're making music.

However, there are many people that use ACPI and it doesn't affect their machine negatively.

[ This Message was edited by: interloper on 2004-01-27 17:41 ]

valis · Post by **valis** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:25 pm

WindowsXP + a modern motherboard = ACPI should be fine. Just disable any unused onboard devices in your BIOS (onboard sound, unused serial & parallel ports, Promise/Highpoint RAID chips, etc).