Subject:VIA Chipset

Posted by: DKeenum

Date:1/10/2004 8:38:32 AM

I keep seeing VIA chip sets refered to as potential problems with DAWs. Well, I'm getting ready to build a DAW computer so I think I need some education in this area. Up until now I've had very little problems with any audio software so I have to consider myself as fortunate, but I know almost nothing about motherboards and chipsets. Can you help?

I'm thinking of going with an intel motherboard and processor, but my son has done well with AMD (for gaming-not DAW) and he wants me to go that way. So I would like a little feedback. I would rather spend a little more money and avoid problems. This is for a single purpose DAW, no games. Have I given enough info?

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: MyST

Date:1/10/2004 10:10:26 AM

I currently have an AMD Athlon 850 T-Bird mounted on a Chaintech mobo that has a Via chipset.
I've never had a problem with it...until recently.
I was getting fatal errors in XP. Windows was telling me it was shutting down to protect the PC.
When I looked at the different possible causes, it ends up that the errors stopped when I unplugged my M-Audio UNO midi to usb interface.
I still recommend AMD, and I'd actually replace mine with another if I was to upgrade right now. HOWEVER, I'd get an ASUS board with an nForce2 chipset.

M

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:1/10/2004 10:12:15 AM

The advantage an AMD system has over an Intel system is certainly price. You get more bang for the buck with an AMD system. And they're much better at gaming vs. a few years ago.

Also, not every AMD system with a VIA chipset experiences the problems that usually plague others. I can't say what kind of combo actually does it.

However, if you want peace of mind, I'd personally spend the extra money for an Intel system.

I should note Sony's apps take advantage of certain features of systems. ACID Pro takes advantage of dual-CPU setups (you have to have an OS like Windows XP Professional to enable full support), while Vegas takes advantage of the HT technology in the latest Pentium 4 processors. (I'm not sure offhand if Vegas takes advantage of dual processors as well.)

HTH,
Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
mD's ACIDplanet Page

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:1/10/2004 11:12:09 AM

Dual processors! Kinda gets your blood flowing doesn't it? But it sounds like it could get pricey. So let me come back to reality. ACID 4.0 works fine on my 1.25mHz system with 128 megs of RAM. Do I really need that much power? If I went to something like Sonar or Nuendo would I? I guess it would have something to do with # of tracks and plug-ins wouldn't it?

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: Spheris

Date:1/10/2004 2:17:58 PM

Nothing more stable than the intel platform, I got my wife an HT 2.6 system with intel motherboard over the holidays in order to get her off gaming with my development system. Cost was 290, so it isn't out of the affordable range

They offer stability, quality and performance at a 1:1 ratio for the money, vs whatever AMD is offering as their next best thing in their equal to megahertz advertising (never have gotten how they get away with that). As far as VIA, AVOID at all costs. There have been rumours of them being great for some things after a hysterical amount of setup and futzing, but I have yet to actually see one of those at work or elsewhere.

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: teknik14

Date:1/11/2004 7:39:29 AM

AVOID VIA chipsets... especially if you plan to use a MidiMan (MAudio) card!!
Although MAudio does pretty well at releasing drivers and patches, the problems with VIA just never seem to go away. I speak from experience here.
Insofar as AMD / Intel... despite the VIA nightmares, I've had pretty good results with both. My current DAW is Intel, and my next one will also be Intel.

Hope that helps...
teknik14
www.voiceindustrie.com

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:1/11/2004 9:59:48 AM

That's certainly a decent processor speed. You could certainly never have too much RAM, so I'd upgrade that to at least 256 or more.

I'm not sure how efficient SONAR or Nuendo is in comparison. There's a number of different factors as well, like what bit-depth and/or sample rate you would use for projects. Going to 24-bit/96 kHz, for example, is a lot more taxing than going 16-bit/44.1 kHz. Using FX plug-ins in real-time at 24-bit just exacerbates the situation even more.

In these cases, having a speedy CPU and lots of RAM helps out a lot. Using the latest in computing technologies helps out even more (like RAM that uses a faster architecture).

Also, note how, for SONAR 3, the trend for Windows XP/2000 as an OS requirement is getting common for DAW apps now.

I'm going out on a limb and saying that the next version of ACID Pro might be XP/2000 only. I said the same thing over in the Sound Forge forums for the next version of Sound Forge and I was right (and I was just guessing)—Sound Forge 7.0 was XP/2000 only.

As a result, there was a little mini-war going on over in the Sound Forge forums. But quite frankly, since XP/2000 outperforms 9x/Me, it's only logical to go with the platform that performs better (and is more stable) rather than hold everything back for the sake of compatibility.

It was also somewhat amusing, due to the fact there were users over there threatening to switch to something like WaveLab if Sound Forge 7.0 didn't support 9x/Me. Apparently, they were overlooking the fact that Steinberg's other products were also gravitating towards XP/2000.

So, basically, when you build your system, seriously think about also picking up Windows 2000 or Windows XP as well.

HTH,
Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
mD's ACIDplanet Page

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: ATP

Date:1/11/2004 10:14:12 AM

there are non-VIA AMD boards out there. check out the nVidia nForce2/nForce3 motherboards like the Asus A7N8X or the EPoX 8RDA3+ to name but a few.

no VIA, but still AMD. :) i have an AMD XP3000 cpu running on an Asus A7N8X DeLuxe with an M-Audio Audiophile 2496 for about 6/7 months now, and i haven't experienced a single problem yet.

however, if your pc is going to be just music, well. .. you can't go wrong with an Intel, if you're willing to pay the extra pricetag.

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: DKeenum

Date:1/12/2004 7:35:41 AM

Thanks. I have XP Pro and am planning on a fast RAM (I thinking a gig at this point). I'm going to get the fastest processior I can reasonably afford. I guess where I'm the least educated is with the motherboards. I'm guessing that an intel motherboard would not have a VIA chipset. Is that right? Also, is it practical to give my direction and even suggestions on Mo Bos? I guess I'm still thinking intel.

Subject:RE: VIA Chipset

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:1/12/2004 11:07:20 AM

Try taking a look at Motherboard Express. Their staff is really good at answering questions you may have.

HTH,
Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
mD's ACIDplanet Page