Building a Digital Audio Workstation

[toddamo]

Dear Hardware friends,

I am currently shopping for components for a digital audio workstation
that will run Pro Tools software.

I'm not super tech savy but have asked some folks to help me prepare
a component list. I'm posting the list here to see if you have any
other suggestions on how to get the best bang for my buck.

As far as processors go, I have listed...

Intel Core i7-930 2.80 GHz Quad Core Processor

Is there any reason to consider purchasing the 950 which is a similar price?
(or some other?) Is the 930 the best bang for my buck?

For the video card, I'm looking at the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290. This is one
of the cards approved by Avid for Pro Tools 9. I will ONLY be using this
computer to run Pro Tools. Is there any reason to spring for a more expensive
approved card such as...

NVIDIA Quadro FX 1800
NVIDIA Quadro FX 580

Last question...any suggestions on a case?

Here's my list...

Any other thoughts, recommendations or suggestions would be MUCH appreciated.

Thank you all very much!

Gigabyte LGA1366 SATA3 ATI CrossFireX ATX Motherboard GA-X58A-UD3R

Intel Core i7-930 2.80 GHz Quad Core Processor

CORSAIR XMS3 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model TR3X6G1333C7 G

NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290

OCZ Technology StealthXStream 2 600-Watt Power Supply

2x Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Lite-On DVD/CD burner

Windows 7 64

 

[Dangman]

Go with the i7 950. That CPU is actually a better bang for the buck CPU than the 930.

If you live in the U.S and can order from Newegg, I recommend this RAM set instead:
$125 - G.Skill Ripjaws F3-10666CL9D-8GBRL 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

It's only $5 more than the Corsair set but it gets you an additional 2GB of RAM and gives you room to max out the RAM on that motherboard later on. No, there is no real world difference between triple and dual channel RAM.

PSU wise, ditch the StealthXStream 2 PSU: it's very overpriced considering that significantly better quality PSUs don't cost that much more:
$85 - Seasonic S121II 620 620W PSU

Ditch the WD 500GB Black drives as well. The Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB Blue drive is actually faster than the WD 500GB Black drive:
Here's HDTune shots of a single platter WD WD5000AAKS 500GB Blue:
http://hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1035554754&postcount=377
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pJZ6uImDq...00/HDTune_Benchmark_WDC_WD5000AAKS-00M9A0.png

Here's the HDTune shots of the WD WD5001AALS 500GB Black drives:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/euro-kid/HDTune_Benchmark_WDC_WD5001AALS-00L.png?t=1245627083
http://img.publish.it168.com/2009/0622/images/1547280.jpg

Here's the HDTune shot of a WD WD6401AALS Black drive:
http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq96/mudkip777/HDTune_Benchmark_WDC_WD6401AALS-00L.jpg

Here's the HDTune shots of the single platter Samsung F3 500GB:
http://www.alphaq.org/enginurd/hdd/HDTune_Benchmark_R_SAMSUNG_HD502HJ_2.png
http://www.alphaq.org/enginurd/hdd/HDTune_Benchmark_W_SAMSUNG_HD502HJ_2.png

Here's the HDTune shots of the two 500GB platter Samsung F3 1TB:
http://www.alphaq.org/enginurd/hdd/HDTune_Benchmark_R_SAMSUNG_HD103SJ.png
http://www.alphaq.org/enginurd/hdd/HDTune_Benchmark_W_SAMSUNG_HD103SJ.png

I have not see any confirmation whatsoever showing that the WD Black 500GB drives are of single platter design. As shown above, the WD 500GB Blue drive as well as the Samsung F3 500GB and 1TB drives do outperform the WD 500GB Black and WD 640GB Black drives. If you can find any info stating otherwise, I'll be glad to read it.

Finally, here are my case recommendations:
$80 - Cooler Master CM690 II Basic ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K56 ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master CM690 II Advance ATX Case
$90 - Cooler Master HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$90 - Lian Li PC-7B Plus II ATX Case
$105 - Fractal Design Define R3 Black ATX Case (Fill in the ++++ with "N C I X" without the spaces)
$105 - Fractal Design Define R3 Titanium ATX Case (Fill in the ++++ with "N C I X" without the spaces)
$105 - Fractal Design Define R3 Silver ATX Case (Fill in the ++++ with "N C I X" without the spaces)
$100 - Lian Li Lancool PC-K7B ATX Case
$110 - Lian Li PC-7FN ATX Case
$120 - Velocity Micro GX2-W Silver Classic Aluminum Case with Side Window
$140 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT Black Full Tower ATX Case
$140 - Cooler Master HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP ATX Case
$135 - Antec P183 ATX Case
$160 - Corsair Graphite Series 600T ATX Case
$160 - Silverstone RV02B-W ATX case
$180 - Cooler Master Cosmos S 1000 RC-1100-KSN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$200 - Cooler Master ATCS 840 RC-840-KKN1-GP Full Tower ATX Case
$200 - Lian Li PC-B25F ATX Case
$240 - Silverstone FT02B-W ATX Case
$220 - Lian Li PC-A71F Black ATX Case
$270 - Corsair Obsidian Series 800D CC800DW Full Tower ATX Case
$330 - Silverstone Temjin SST-TJ07B Full Tower ATX Case

 

[toddamo]

Danny...

Thank you very, very much for your incredibly helpful and comprehensive response!
I really appreciate it.

Regarding the power supply...

Does the Seasonic emit about the same (or less/more) noise than
the StealthXStream 2?

Also...I'm wondering if you have any insight about the video card.

As I'm not a gamer (or a video-er) but just an audio person,
will the NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290 be fine for me?

It's the cheapest of the Avid approved video cards:

http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/selfservice/search.jsp?DocId=380591

Thanks again for your kind help!

 

[Dangman]

Yes that Seasonic will be quieter than the StealthXStream.

THe NVS 290 should be ok for you.

 

[E4g1e]

Does the Seasonic emit about the same (or less/more) noise than
the StealthXStream 2?

Although both of those PSUs emit about the same amount of noise, the reason why Danny does not recommend that OCZ StealthXStream2 is that it is still of lesser quality than several other PSUs of the same wattage and price class. (Remember, our PSU recommendations are based on quality and performance first, quietness second.)

 

[Dangman]

Although both of those PSUs emit about the same amount of noise, the reason why Danny does not recommend that OCZ StealthXStream2 is that it is still of lesser quality than several other PSUs of the same wattage and price class.

Yeah can't deny that.

 

[toddamo]

You folks are kind people.

I'm really over my head with this stuff and your advice is incredibly helpful!

Lots of good karma points for you...

Thank you!

 

[toddamo]

Ok a few follow up questions here as I'm having a similar discussion with folks on the Avid/Pro Tools discussion board...

1. Regarding drives (and really I have don't understand this stuff, but they are still recommending the Black drive for my audio drive. Maybe they haven't seen your test results?)

Blue drive will be fine for system drive (black is better, but blue will be ok for OS), but black drives for your audio and library drives.

2. Regarding RAM and an aftermarket cooler -- (I don't even know what overclocking is or if I will be doing it...)

Are you planning on Overclocking your CPU by any chance? I noticed you didn't have an aftermarket cooler listed in your previous list, you'll need one if you want to overclock. Would still be a good idea even if you're not going to overclock as the stock cooler isn't all that great. But the main reason I'm asking about if you want to overclock is your RAM choice. If you want the potential to overclock then I'd suggest getting 1600MHz RAM. Gives you more headroom and better performance. Something with XMP profiling is always nice. With the GA-X58A-UD3R you have the option of being able to run 4 modules in triple channel mode which is nice. So your 8gb option would work. But I would check to make sure that exact kit is listed on the motherboard supported memory list, trust me on this I had a lot of trouble with unsupported RAM! You can also check on each memory companies website, they usually have kits that they have tested with your motherboard.

Once again...thank you very, very much for your input!

 

[Dangman]

1) Yeah those people probably are still stuck on Western Digital's marketing: Blue for best price to performance and Black for performance. Problem is, this is not true at all as shown in my results. Stick with the WD 500GB Blue drive. I would not buy any Black drive at all at this point since there are faster drives for less:
$55 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$55 - Western Digital WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$70 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Any of the above drives will be faster than a WD Black drive. Just look at my results.

2) Just gonna quote Wikipedia here:

Overclocking is the process of running a computer component at a higher clock rate (more clock cycles per second) than it was designed for or was specified by the manufacturer, usually practiced by enthusiasts seeking an increase in the performance of their computers

If done improperly, it'll kill the CPU, motherboard, or RAM. If done properly, it'll extend the life of your PC by a year or so and provide increased performance as well. So it is risky but the payoff is pretty good IMO.

If you want to overclock later down the road when you feel more comfortable with your computer skills, then I recommend this RAM:
$158 - G.Skill Ripjaw Series F3-12800CL9S-4GBRL 4GB DDR3 1600 RAM

As for HSF, if you live in a warm or hot place/room that doesn't get much air conditioning, then yes it might be a good idea to get a 3rd party HSF. Not to mention if you plan on overclocking as well. I recommend this 3rd party HSF:
$30 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus HSF for LGA 1366 and LGA 1156