Rehashed old stuff..sorry, but I'm worried
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Posted on Aug 23, 2004 05:31 pm
TallChap
Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member Since: Jun 24, 2004
Ok, about three weeks away from a PC for music only (and occasional trip here to HRC....). I've pretty much narrowed it down, but I need to keep costs down for now. I will get something that can be expanded as my needs increase. I've found a system that will work for me (barebones + customized to my specs...oh, and CHEAP), but I have concerns on a couple of items:
1. Graphics Cards: Do I absolutely need one? Is there a minimum spec - 64MB, 128MB? Will the integrated graphics offered with many systems work for now, with hopes of upgrading later? If I don't get a graphics card now, am I screwed later? (This assumes that an AGP port is available on the motherboard).
2. Sound Cards: If I get the offered (gasp) PCI soundcard (usually a cheap SB of some kind), will it work for a few weeks/months before I get a real one (Delta44 or the like)? Will I get latency issues that will break my heart? Similar to above, if I order with integrated sound (to avoid even having the dreaded SB cards), will I be able to bypass the integrated sound when I install a sound card (this will force me to buy the Delta44 earlier - and increase the risk of really pissing-off "Her Indoors" who is the family exchequer)? I know it's so easy for people to say "Just go and buy a soundcard, they're only $150!" but it's a little tight right now. I want to expand as I go.
3. Will my current 15" monitor be enough for now?
I'm looking at an Athlon 3000 to 3200 or similar with 512 RAM, CD-RW, and 80 gig HD, running with Windows 2000. Hope this will be enough. I'll be running Krystal & N-Tracks for now, hoping to upgrade later.
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSEEEEE HELP!
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flame...bringing sexy backMember
Since: Jul 01, 2002
Aug 23, 2004 06:24 pm im no expert but as i see it :
1) without a graphics card you wont be able to see anything (i believe) so its kinda necessary i think...mines a 32meg one and works fine for me
2) ive been using a soundblaster for 3 years now, not done me any harm. however, if you can run to a better one, so much the better.
3) my monitors 14", and while not ideal, more than capable. as always though, the bigger the better.
setup looks cool to me, based on what im used to...
hope this helps!
Aug 23, 2004 06:32 pm Tallchap...aye - you'll get away with that setup you describe but you will need some kind of gfx card. Id go for the bare minimum tho (you often get em on the motherboard).
I would NOT recommend using the onboard soundcard tho as the latency is likely to be worse than awful. You can maybe just sneak by with a SB - as Flame says - he uses and gets away with one. I have a Delta 44 masel and never looked back since...
I used a 15" monitor for 6 years...aye - twil do tho 17" is better :-) !
Good luck ("Her Indoors" - you been watchin Minder again!!)
Coco.
Aug 23, 2004 06:33 pm 1- you need a graphics card to run a PC. Integrated chips can do the trick...
2- Yes it will work, but there is better
3- yes.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Aug 24, 2004 12:29 pm I feel much better now!
I know that integrated graphics suck, but I'd like to hold out for the graphics card if I can. It looks like the DAW programs will work OK with them. I'll likely get a better card later (just in case I feel a sudden urge to install a flight sim....). As for the SB cards, I'm glad that I can squak by for a little while on that.
Is there a minimum you'd recommned on that? They can be anywhere from $20 (basic PCI card) upward (about $50-ish for the LIVE! thingy), and I figure that my money would be better spent on a Delta 44 when I can get it. Don't want to shell out $50, only to pull it out after a month or so. The $20 I can live with....My concern was having an integrated sound module that would cause problems when I installed a PCI sound card. I've heard there are some that can't be overridden.
Thanks again for all you sage wisdom.
I feel the force.
'er indoors? Yes, Coco, from "Minder." It's kinda stuck. Just can't get that "Little Britain" Dennis Waterman skit out of my head.....
Aug 24, 2004 12:35 pm they don't all suck, some of Intels integrated video stuff is pretty good, I used one for quite a while until I got into some serious video editing...then I needed a better one. Some Mobo integrate ATI chips, NVidia and others.
They don't all suck...
As for sound, get the best one you can afford.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Aug 24, 2004 02:48 pm Didn't mean to generalize, dB. I apologize. I know there are some integrated graphics modules that are relatively good, I'm just not totally comfortable with the ones provided with the barebones systems - could be anything. I was looking at it from experience only with highly detailed flight sims (ok, so I'm a geek...), which don't do too well if you don't have a good graphics card (hard to see that MiG bearing down on you...).
As for sound cards, I fully intend to go with something like a Delta 44 (following sage advice from yourself and others), but I do want to work inside a budget. Just want something to tide me over without latency problems. It's a waste to put in a $50 SB, only to tear it out later.
Aug 24, 2004 08:18 pm Minder is one of my most fav progs..along with Fools & Horses and the like.
Yi canny whack 80's comedy! And I wish I had a cool auld Capri!
Coco.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 25, 2004 09:55 am just as an added point, the higher graphics cards can have a cooling fan built in, which could introduct it's own hum/static/noise into the audio.
I purchased a 16m matrox g450 from ebay (~28$ us). This gives me two monitor ports to work with. You may not be needing it now, but it sure is a time-saver / frustration-quelcher for me. I'm geeking to purchase more for all the PCs I work at (2@home, 1@work)
I've done some recording with the integrated sound, then with a PCI 128, the noise went down alot with the PCI 128, and something like that would be very cheap nowadays (probably ebay ~ 15$us).
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Aug 25, 2004 11:47 am Great stuff.
I just got the new Musician's Friend Catalog which has an E-MU sound card on sale for $99.00 US. It has 1/4", optical and coax digital plus midi. Should be the answer to a lot of my worries. CHEAP, plus versatile. It has A/D D/A converters on board, but I though that running the BR-532 out to it via an optical digital cable would take some of the strain off the A/D D/A converters in the PC. This would, I assume, help with any latency problems I may encounter. I may need some help with linking to Musician's Friend through HRC. Gotta support this website.
Has any one heard anything about this sound card? It's a 2 in, 2 out (I think). This should be enough for my needs (one-man-band).
Goo dadvice, pjk, on the fan noise on graphics cards. I'll keep that one in mind.
Thanks again.
TallChapAnswer:On a good day, lipstick.Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004
Aug 25, 2004 11:48 am Coco, off the theme......
"Grandad's upstairs calling everybody 'man' !"
Classic stuff. Makes me laugh until I stop.
