My current system specs:

Gigabyte GA-8ihxp (rev 3.0) with 512 MB of pc1066 RDRAM (intel i850e
chipset (northbridge))
I bought the intel 3.06 ghz with HT cpu (socket 478) right when it came
out and have been using this setup since.

4 some years later... I am using this computer as a DAW with the TASCAM
1884 firewire audio interface and Cubase, Nuendo, and Reason as
software. I use alot of VST instruments like EWQL Symphonic Orchestra
and the like. My 512 MB of RDRAM, stalwart thought it may be, is not
cutting it.

I need at least 2 GB of RAM, and since RDRAM is no longer sold AND is
inferior to new DDR (so I'm told...), the motherboard will need to be
upgraded as well as the RAM.

I am not very up-to-date on current hardware, and was wondering if
anyone has any suggestions for a "hot" and modern motherboard that is
tried and true in a DAW environment? My "studio" is very much a project
studio, and my budget reflects this

Thanks,
Philip

I've used the Asus P4C800-Deluxe with a lot of success...Intel 875
chipset, onboard everything, but I don't know if it's been discontinued
or now. The P4P800 is used a lot, but I personally have no experience
with it.

Good luck.

--Vas

wrote:

I need at least 2 GB of RAM, and since RDRAM is no longer sold AND is
inferior to new DDR (so I'm told...), the motherboard will need to be
upgraded as well as the RAM.

I am not very up-to-date on current hardware, and was wondering if
anyone has any suggestions for a "hot" and modern motherboard that is
tried and true in a DAW environment? My "studio" is very much a project
studio, and my budget reflects this

I'm not really up on building computers so I probably have no business
responding, but isn't this a bit like saying:

"I have a 1987 Buick. The engine still works well, but I no longer need
to impress my Real Estate clients amd besodes the body is shot. I need
to drive the kids to soccer practice three days a week, plus haul
lumber to build my new studio on the weekends. Can someone suggest a
body that I can put this engine in?"

I think you should probably look at the hundreds of threads that
discuss "what computer hardware should I buy?", close your eyes, and
pick something. They all work unless you get one with graphics hardware
that's incompatible with something.

wrote in message
oups.com...
My current system specs:

Gigabyte GA-8ihxp (rev 3.0) with 512 MB of pc1066 RDRAM (intel i850e
chipset (northbridge))
I bought the intel 3.06 ghz with HT cpu (socket 478) right when it came
out and have been using this setup since.

4 some years later... I am using this computer as a DAW with the TASCAM
1884 firewire audio interface and Cubase, Nuendo, and Reason as
software. I use alot of VST instruments like EWQL Symphonic Orchestra
and the like. My 512 MB of RDRAM, stalwart thought it may be, is not
cutting it.

I need at least 2 GB of RAM, and since RDRAM is no longer sold AND is
inferior to new DDR (so I'm told...), the motherboard will need to be
upgraded as well as the RAM.

I am not very up-to-date on current hardware, and was wondering if
anyone has any suggestions for a "hot" and modern motherboard that is
tried and true in a DAW environment? My "studio" is very much a project
studio, and my budget reflects this


I can't recommend a specific motherboard, but here are some tips that may
help in choosing one:

- AMD's are generally considered to be superior for sound processing thatn
Intels (others can explain better than I the tecnical reasons). They are
also cheaper.
- Make sure you get a modern board with Raid SATA connections as well as
dual IDE connections. That way you can eventually add mirrored SATA drives
as your active recording medium. These will be on a different bus than your
program (favorable) and being mirrored, will make sure you don't loose any
recorded material due to hard disk failure, even prior to archiving.
- ATX boards generally can have up to 4gb of memory; smaller and cheaper
micro ATX boards top out at 2gb as a rule. Memory is getting cheaper and is
good - go for the 4gb capacity. (Also be aware that many micro ATX boards
are now cutting back to one IDE header (not good for your purposes, as you
will need your current HD plus built in burner).
- Socket 939 boards for AMD processors can usually (perhaps always) handle
the newer dual-core AMD chips. While they currently are expensive, prices
will drop in the future and they will represent a reasonable upgrade -
especially useful in mixing/running a bunch of plug-ins. Accordingly, don't
be tempted by price to buy any other kind of socket/AMD chip combo.
- Video will be less important to you. Right now PCI Express is replacing
8x AGP as the technology of choice. Many, many motherboards are out there
at reduced prices that otherwise meet the prior criteria and can save you a
bit of money.
- Ditto, many 8x AGP video cards are being closed out. Buy one with 256
memory so you will be able to run Windows VISTA when (whenever) it finally
is made commercial.

Tiger Direct (www.tigerdirect.com) and Newegg (www.newegg.com) are good
sources for "deals" on this type of equipment.

Hope all this helps. Good luck.

Harry Lavo

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am not very up-to-date on current hardware, and was wondering if
anyone has any suggestions for a "hot" and modern motherboard that is
tried and true in a DAW environment? My "studio" is very much a project
studio, and my budget reflects this

Thanks,
Philip

Hi,

You should check out the Nuendo computer/hardware forum :
http://forum.nuendo.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=7

And look at www.allstarshop.com/ They are a good place to buy
computer parts and they list about 10 different motherboards with socket
478.

And NewEgg is also a good place to buy computer parts. Check out this
motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131484


Best of luck!

John L Rice