$650 Audio Workstation PC

[bep209]

I am looking to build a PC that I can use for audio recording/mixing, along with limited gaming, watching movies, etc. This is my first time building a system, but I do plan on attempting to overclock it at least a little. This is what I have picked out so far, but I am very open to suggestions:


Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80580Q8400 - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115057

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.187097

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS24G6400LLKN - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220335

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

SAPPHIRE 100255HDMI Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102820

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.187097

CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX 450W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152


Right now the total price is about $610 including rebates, so I am willing to move up in price a little if the improvement would be worth it. Any help with this would be much appreciated.

 

[batuchka]

Hmm my usual quad DAW set up for peeps hehe. About $469.90 free ship Cheaper if the person has HDDs all over the place to reuse i guess. In fact most just use that HDMI out to hook up to there LCD TVs anyways to double up as HTPC and nab a 500GB or a TB more 😛 Oh ya in case peeps are up in arms at me recommending a PSU+Casing bundle: its an 80+ Earthwatts 430 people!

 

[Transmaniacon]

As far as Intel processors go, you have probably the best choice for the money. There is the Q9400 which has a bigger L2 Cache, but the clock speed is the same, so the $40 could be better spent elsewhere. You will not see any significant improvement in performance unless you step up to something like a Q9550.

Everything looks good, all solid components in the build. Depending on what "light gaming" means, you could use that $40 to upgrade to a HD4770, which would do well in today's newer games, and most likely cover your needs for a while.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150366

Alternatively, you could go with batuchka's build with the Deneb CPU. I am not sure of what programs you are using for your audio editing, but it might be worthwhile to check some benchmarks and see if the AMD II X4 BE outperforms the Intel Q8400.

 

[bep209]

I use Cubase SX3 right now, but I will be updating to Cubase 5 soon. From what I could find, Intel CPU's seems to have an edge over AMD's in running Cubase.

batuchka, since you seem to have experience with DAW's, have you seen any difference between the two?

 

[batuchka]

Yes Cubase benches were either based on Phenom 1 Agenas or (gasp) K8 architecture last i saw so these aren't updated There are now specialist PC makers doing up 4ghz + liquid cooled Phenom 2 Deneb DAWs for professionals (but being propriety jack@$& rigs , they murder u with prices)
http://rainrecording.com/products/element-x/
Hail DIY i say!