Value CPU's...What should I do?

[Mündo]

Gentlemen, gentlemen and ladies if there are any...

How are you all doing? That's great!

Here's my situation.

My goal is to have a system that can smoothly run all my midi-related programs (NUENDO with plug-ins, Band in the box, Full VST libraries, etc) in addition to having many firefox tabs, MSN windows, and possibly encording all taking place in the background.

I realize doing multitrack records is going to require some nice drive speed, but I'd like to stick with an 80gb 7200x8

The machines currently at my disposal are: Compaq SFF (pictured in sig)
Duron 900 256x40
Athlon 1800+ @ 1.6 512x80

I'm going to be using the M-Audio Audiophile 2496 card and I'm willing to listen to whatever suggestions you might have for expenditures...I've been looking at the celeron d's, low end a64s and the pentium d 305 as viable options should i decide not to go with my 1800+.

Let me know what you think i should do...and money IS a concern...the less money spent the better!

Thanks!

 

[Lord AnthraX]

Welcome to Tech Forums


First of all tell us your budget...

 

[Mündo]

as low as possible...im willing to consider a few different options should you have the time to provide them.

and thank you thank you...my other forum died...needed a new place to ask stupid questions...giving a few a try.

 

[Mentali$T]

As you are going to be doing so much multitasking then i would suggest getting a dual core cpu but then you will have to upgrade your mobo and prob your case. This is going to be quite pricey but its the best option. Where are you from?

 

[MrZucchiniHead]

Welcome, first of all dont ask stupid question here, go to off topic.

second of all your sig is too **** huge, read the rules on sigs.

third of all i would go with a low end opteron 144 or 146 and a MSI K8N Neof-4 mobo. and if you want to get a little more performance out of it opty's overclock like a monster.

BTW Lord Anthrax: when are you going to oc' your 175?

 

[macdude425]

The less the better...let's see...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
WD Caviar SATA 80GB HD, 7200RPMs and 8MB Cache - $53

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104245
AMD Sempron 64 2800+ - $73

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130494
MSI K8MM-V mATX motherboard - $50.99 (great board...my dad has one)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
Corsair ValueRAM - 1GB - $77

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164063
Generic Linkworld case - $24

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953
FSP 400W Power Supply - $39.99

That comes to $317.98. Hope I didn't miss anything.

Note that this is a VERY VERY lowend machine. Don't expect any miracles from it.

 

[bum]

I would have to recommend alot of ram and a dual core processor. If you won't be doing a ton of gaming intel is probly your best bet. You can get an Intel dual core processor for around 130 USD. AMD costs like 300.

 

[Green Radience]

The less the better...let's see...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
WD Caviar SATA 80GB HD, 7200RPMs and 8MB Cache - $53

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819104245
AMD Sempron 64 2800+ - $73

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130494
MSI K8MM-V mATX motherboard - $50.99 (great board...my dad has one)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
Corsair ValueRAM - 1GB - $77

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164063
Generic Linkworld case - $24

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104953
FSP 400W Power Supply - $39.99

That comes to $317.98. Hope I didn't miss anything.

Note that this is a VERY VERY lowend machine. Don't expect any miracles from it.

Seconded. Amazing for $315.

 

[Mentali$T]

This isnt going to give much performance at all though. Mundo said he does a lot of multitasking so if he wants it to all run smoothly then i agree with 'bum' to get a dual core intel.

 

[adam02]

Its not VERY VERY low end, it's just low end.
I would advise a new build but a low end build (shown above).
Dual core is not necessary for running Firefox and a midi app.
Although that encoding may take up your entire CPU. So if encoding is not a priority then single core will do fine.