Hello, would you mind if I asked for some advice/info in regard to a possible new AMD system purchase I'm about to make? I work a lot with audio (Vegas and Pro Tools 8 mainly, in WinXP Pro) but also do some video work as well.
I'm looking for advice on any pitfalls and possible problems as it relates to my audio hardware and driver (which I want and need to keep intact).
My current system:
AMD athlon 64 X2 4400+
Gigibyte GA-K8NS Ultra-939 mobo (Nforce 3, fwire is TI chipset)
4 gigs of PC3200 ram
3 modified Delta 1010s (not 1010 "LT") audiio interfaces (PCI audio - I will not go Fwire audio).
1 dvd burner, 2 IDE HDDs
4 Sata HDDS
Nvidia 7600 GS (no gaming here btw)
2 panasonic GS500 cams for personal video, but I've worked with other SD and HD before.
Looking to upgrade for:
faster processing, handle more RTAS/VST instruments and plugins, and rendering.
This current system is still working as is....but as I'm sure you know an upgrade should help at this point.
*I will be keeping this system as a 2nd system and I am curious about any possible overclocking (really moreso, a more "safe overclocking settings", on air that is).
if anyone in the know might be able to help in providing safe and sane OC settings for the above I'd sure love the help.
** The above system has never been run OC'd and the new system will likely not be run OC'd as well. Just curious about a little OC boost as it will be a 2nd system
PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM:
(yes, I've decided I'm going to stay with AMD, not that Intel isn't better/bad but cost is a factor right now. Plus I've been happy with this current AMD):
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor ($199)
GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H ATX AMD Motherboard ($105)
Has onboard video (a first for me btw): ATI Radeon HD 4250
*again - no gaming here, no need or desire.
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($109.00)
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply ($79.00)
**more on the motherboard is below. Feel free to snip anything in replies of course**
QUESTIONS:
Can you tell me how much of a performance jump I'm making with the new sys vs old (just a rough estimate)?
Will I be able to take advantage of all six cores in vegas, Pro Tools 8, Adobe CS3, and more?
WINXP PRO AND THIS NEW SYSTEM:
I really think, unfortunately, that I will have to remain with WinXP pro and this is due to my PCI audio cards which I still need and want to utilize (modded delta 1010s)...and....because my delta driver of choice is a rather dated but full featured version which offers the best overall usage for my needs (Pro Tools, Vegas, and other apps).
So, will there be any loss of performance, beside a possible ram limitaion :( with WinXP pro with the new system?
*I'd love to go Win7 but Pro Tools 8 (vegas kills pro tools imo...but you know the drill, the client wants the PT choice, etc.), but...Pro Tools still has some issues (hardware limitations and more) with Win7...and...I don't believe I can install my deltas with the old driver (which has become a MUST in my weird case).
Maybe one day, hopefully sooner than later...but it's WinXP Pro for now.
I just want to know if you might forsee any issues with a newer system like this and installing Win XP with it all (driver issues, performance loss, etc.).
How about the hardware I've chosen....you forsee any red flags or issues with these?
I chose the mobo because I like Gigiabyte, i NEED at least 3 "regular" PCI slots, and the Fwire, I believe, is once again T.I. chipset based. It only has 1 IDE port (most new mobo do) but that's ok, I'll be moving to all SATA anyway.
I just want a painless install, get things up and running, be able to use my deltas and old driver of choice (all of which is working great on my current sys btw)....but with the gain in the processing and I/O upgrade.
Thanks so much for any advice!
Howard
MORE ON MOBO:
Model
Brand GIGABYTE
Model GA-880GA-UD3H
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type AM3
CPU Type Phenom II / Athlon II / Sempron 100 Series
FSB 2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)
Chipsets
North Bridge AMD 880G
South Bridge AMD SB850
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR3 1866(OC)/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Channel Supported Dual Channel
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
PCI Express x1 2 x PCI Express x1 slot (The PCIEX1_2 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX4 slot.)
(Note) The PCIEX1_2 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX4 slot. When the PCIEX4 slot is populated with a x4 card, the PCIEX1_2 slot becomes unavailable.
PCI Slots 3
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA133 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 2
SATA 6Gb/s 6 x SATA 6Gb/s
SATA RAID SATA 6Gb/s: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and JBOD
SATA 3Gb/s: RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset ATI Radeon HD 4250
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC892
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Realtek 8111D
Max LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 1
Video Ports D-Sub + DVI
HDMI 1 x HDMI
USB 1.1/2.0 4 x USB 2.0
USB 3.0 2 x USB 3.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
S/PDIF Out 1 x Optical
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 8 x USB 2.0
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 2 x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin 24 Pin
Features
Features Supports new generation of AMD Phenom II X6 processors
Supports newest NEC SuperSpeed USB 3.0 with superfast transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps
3X USB power delivery for greater compatibility and extra power for USB devices
Exclusive Auto Unlock technology provides hardware-based solution for unleash CPU performance
Ultra Durable 3 Classic Technology with copper cooled quality for lower working temperature
2 PCI-E 2.0 x16 interface with ATI Hybrid CrossFireX support for ultimate graphics performance
I'm looking for advice on any pitfalls and possible problems as it relates to my audio hardware and driver (which I want and need to keep intact).
My current system:
AMD athlon 64 X2 4400+
Gigibyte GA-K8NS Ultra-939 mobo (Nforce 3, fwire is TI chipset)
4 gigs of PC3200 ram
3 modified Delta 1010s (not 1010 "LT") audiio interfaces (PCI audio - I will not go Fwire audio).
1 dvd burner, 2 IDE HDDs
4 Sata HDDS
Nvidia 7600 GS (no gaming here btw)
2 panasonic GS500 cams for personal video, but I've worked with other SD and HD before.
Looking to upgrade for:
faster processing, handle more RTAS/VST instruments and plugins, and rendering.
This current system is still working as is....but as I'm sure you know an upgrade should help at this point.
*I will be keeping this system as a 2nd system and I am curious about any possible overclocking (really moreso, a more "safe overclocking settings", on air that is).
if anyone in the know might be able to help in providing safe and sane OC settings for the above I'd sure love the help.
** The above system has never been run OC'd and the new system will likely not be run OC'd as well. Just curious about a little OC boost as it will be a 2nd system
PROPOSED NEW SYSTEM:
(yes, I've decided I'm going to stay with AMD, not that Intel isn't better/bad but cost is a factor right now. Plus I've been happy with this current AMD):
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor ($199)
GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H ATX AMD Motherboard ($105)
Has onboard video (a first for me btw): ATI Radeon HD 4250
*again - no gaming here, no need or desire.
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory ($109.00)
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply ($79.00)
**more on the motherboard is below. Feel free to snip anything in replies of course**
QUESTIONS:
Can you tell me how much of a performance jump I'm making with the new sys vs old (just a rough estimate)?
Will I be able to take advantage of all six cores in vegas, Pro Tools 8, Adobe CS3, and more?
WINXP PRO AND THIS NEW SYSTEM:
I really think, unfortunately, that I will have to remain with WinXP pro and this is due to my PCI audio cards which I still need and want to utilize (modded delta 1010s)...and....because my delta driver of choice is a rather dated but full featured version which offers the best overall usage for my needs (Pro Tools, Vegas, and other apps).
So, will there be any loss of performance, beside a possible ram limitaion :( with WinXP pro with the new system?
*I'd love to go Win7 but Pro Tools 8 (vegas kills pro tools imo...but you know the drill, the client wants the PT choice, etc.), but...Pro Tools still has some issues (hardware limitations and more) with Win7...and...I don't believe I can install my deltas with the old driver (which has become a MUST in my weird case).
Maybe one day, hopefully sooner than later...but it's WinXP Pro for now.
I just want to know if you might forsee any issues with a newer system like this and installing Win XP with it all (driver issues, performance loss, etc.).
How about the hardware I've chosen....you forsee any red flags or issues with these?
I chose the mobo because I like Gigiabyte, i NEED at least 3 "regular" PCI slots, and the Fwire, I believe, is once again T.I. chipset based. It only has 1 IDE port (most new mobo do) but that's ok, I'll be moving to all SATA anyway.
I just want a painless install, get things up and running, be able to use my deltas and old driver of choice (all of which is working great on my current sys btw)....but with the gain in the processing and I/O upgrade.
Thanks so much for any advice!
Howard
MORE ON MOBO:
Model
Brand GIGABYTE
Model GA-880GA-UD3H
Supported CPU
CPU Socket Type AM3
CPU Type Phenom II / Athlon II / Sempron 100 Series
FSB 2600MHz Hyper Transport (5200 MT/s)
Chipsets
North Bridge AMD 880G
South Bridge AMD SB850
Memory
Number of Memory Slots 4×240pin
Memory Standard DDR3 1866(OC)/1333/1066
Maximum Memory Supported 16GB
Channel Supported Dual Channel
Expansion Slots
PCI Express 2.0 x16 1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, running at x16 (PCIEX16)
1 x PCI Express 2.0 x16 slot, running at x4 (PCIEX4)
PCI Express x1 2 x PCI Express x1 slot (The PCIEX1_2 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX4 slot.)
(Note) The PCIEX1_2 slot shares bandwidth with the PCIEX4 slot. When the PCIEX4 slot is populated with a x4 card, the PCIEX1_2 slot becomes unavailable.
PCI Slots 3
Storage Devices
PATA 1 x ATA133 2 Dev. Max
SATA 3Gb/s 2
SATA 6Gb/s 6 x SATA 6Gb/s
SATA RAID SATA 6Gb/s: RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10, and JBOD
SATA 3Gb/s: RAID 0, RAID 1, and JBOD
Onboard Video
Onboard Video Chipset ATI Radeon HD 4250
Onboard Audio
Audio Chipset Realtek ALC892
Audio Channels 8 Channels
Onboard LAN
LAN Chipset Realtek 8111D
Max LAN Speed 10/100/1000Mbps
Rear Panel Ports
PS/2 1
Video Ports D-Sub + DVI
HDMI 1 x HDMI
USB 1.1/2.0 4 x USB 2.0
USB 3.0 2 x USB 3.0
IEEE 1394 1 x IEEE 1394a
S/PDIF Out 1 x Optical
Audio Ports 6 Ports
Onboard USB
Onboard USB 8 x USB 2.0
Onboard 1394
Onboard 1394 2 x 1394a
Physical Spec
Form Factor ATX
Dimensions 12.0" x 9.6"
Power Pin 24 Pin
Features
Features Supports new generation of AMD Phenom II X6 processors
Supports newest NEC SuperSpeed USB 3.0 with superfast transfer rates of up to 5 Gbps
3X USB power delivery for greater compatibility and extra power for USB devices
Exclusive Auto Unlock technology provides hardware-based solution for unleash CPU performance
Ultra Durable 3 Classic Technology with copper cooled quality for lower working temperature
2 PCI-E 2.0 x16 interface with ATI Hybrid CrossFireX support for ultimate graphics performance