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DAW with SFF case

E

enarmonico

n00b
Joined
Feb 8, 2010
Messages
7
Hi guys,

it's my first post here.
Nice forum!!!

I need your help for defining my next DAW with a SFF case.

I need to replace my current PC which is based on a Shuttle SN25P fitted with 3 HDs.

For the moment I just want to focus on the PC case, which as written above, I want it to be as smallest and lightest as possible (and transportable in a suitable bag). Well, a silent configuration would be fine also.
For some reasons, I’ve decided not to go again with Shuttle, and so I am looking at small cases for mATX motherboards. I’ve made some investigations, principally among Silverstone a Lian Li cases, but I am not sure about the possibility of installing properly 3 separate HDs on some models.

So, I’d like to receive some feedback for example on the Silverstone SG03, especially on the matter of the possibility of 3 HDs. The manufacturer website mention some improvement for the HDs bays with the updated model SG03F (even if seems to be difficult to purchase this one in Europe).

Considering my requirements above indicated, other ideas about other models (and makers too) of cases would be fine also.

Thanks,
enarmonico
 
DAW as in digital audio workstation?

I just built one for my brother this weekend!!

But his requirements are not as big, he's studying music production and wanted a silent fast PC/Mac to take to the stage sometimes and do some recording while not at the studio.

So I built him one inside a Sugo SG05 with a Zotac 9300, a passive GeminII cooler, 2 500GB 2.5" drives and an ESI Maya44-e soundcard.

It's dead silent, has great performance, the Mayy has great preamps (he says) and it runs my retail copy of snow leopard and Logic 9 just fine with some minor caveats.
 
Yes fr500,
I mean digital audio workstation.
I'd like to build on a miniATX board too (and relative super small cases), but I have the feeling that with my requirements I'm forced to adopt microATX boards.

The reason why for the 3 HDs is the following:
HD 1: OS (windows 7 64bit)+programs (WD velociraptor)
HD 2: Audio data (audio tracks) (WD black or green)
HD 3: plug-in Samples (direct streaming from disc) (WD black or green)

That is arrangement I already have with my current PC (but with different HDs).

It would be nice to put a SSD for HD1, but it seems such devices are not really affordable yet.
 
If it's "only" windows you have more choices of course, I already had experience with the Zotac 9300 and OSx thus I selected that one, my brother couldn't be happier.

Seems you're doing big projects thus the sotrage requirements, I think a Sugo SG04 would be my case for a mATX case, plenty of space but small enough in the same time.

Making it silent is of course up to your PSU, and processor and HS selection so you should post what processor or at least processor family you want to use.

I think Lynnfield Core i5 750/i7 860 should be a wise choice.
 
Yes, I need to manage from medium to large audio projects (many audio tracks/VST instruments).
I am on PC/Windows side here, with Cubase 5.

Here is a rough list of the other parts of the PC I am thinking about:

CPU: socket 1156 / i7 860
MB: from Gigabyte micro ATX (chipset P55 or H57). I'd go for Gigabyte because of the firewire which is from T.I. and won't give issues with the Firewire external audio cards (now I've got a Presonus).
What about the new GA-H57M-USB3? I'd like to have already the option of the USB3. I think many audiocards will move to USB3 in the near future.
RAM: to start 4GB, even if I'm already tempted to go for 8GB. Brand and model?Uhh, I've no idea at the moment here, but I guess something on average. Suggestions?
VIDEOCARD: something cheap, I don't care for 3d & gaming. The only option I care is for passive cooling.
HDs: see my post above.
PSU & Cooling: I've no idea at all. I think something about 450/500 W. Please suggestions here!
DVD: anything, not important here.

For the case, again I like both Silverstone SUGO SG03 & SG04.
Now, I am not really expert in computer stuff, so I would appreciate someone could confirm or not whether is safe (cooling/vibrations) to install a HD in the external 3.5" which is located in vertical position in the botton left side of the case.

Cheers,
enarmonico
 
Yeah it is fine to do this...in fact, the SilverStone website states you can place one there.

PSU, get modular SS makes a nice one ST75F-P with short cable kit. I highly recommend the short cable kit...then again, you won't need 750w of power
RAM: I like the low voltage RAM from Gskill but that is because it is nice with mini-itx
cooling: NT06

Looks good to me :) i7 860 may be overkill for you. I dunno what kind of audio you do.
 
fr500 said:
DAW as in digital audio workstation?

I just built one for my brother this weekend!!

But his requirements are not as big, he's studying music production and wanted a silent fast PC/Mac to take to the stage sometimes and do some recording while not at the studio.

So I built him one inside a Sugo SG05 with a Zotac 9300, a passive GeminII cooler, 2 500GB 2.5" drives and an ESI Maya44-e soundcard.

It's dead silent, has great performance, the Mayy has great preamps (he says) and it runs my retail copy of snow leopard and Logic 9 just fine with some minor caveats.
Click to expand...
How on earth did you make the PSU silent! The thing is loud haha.
 
The SG05's power supply is not noisy, not for me anyway and my bro thinks so too. It gets noisy under heavy load but that is not the case here. And noisy or not is always subjective
 
Steeeeve said:
Looks good to me :) i7 860 may be overkill for you. I dunno what kind of audio you do.
Click to expand...

I'd like to build a PC which hopefully could last for some time...
I use many plugins and VST instruments which are indeed CPU hungry. You figure out if you use many of them at the same time.

I would like a confirmation by someone who is currently using a third HD in the external 3.5" bay of a SUGO SG03/04, especially whether there are cooling/vibration issues.

Ciao
 
fr500 said:
The SG05's power supply is not noisy, not for me anyway and my bro thinks so too. It gets noisy under heavy load but that is not the case here. And noisy or not is always subjective
Click to expand...
The supplied SG05 fan is a little loud as well...both of these are nothing compared to the stock 5770 fan (any suggestions?) and the intel cooler I have currently in my DFI setup. The intel cooler is annoying. I hate it. 2 minutes of OCCT and the thing overheats haha duh :)
 
enarmonico said:
I'd like to build a PC which hopefully could last for some time...
I use many plugins and VST instruments which are indeed CPU hungry. You figure out if you use many of them at the same time.

I would like a confirmation by someone who is currently using a third HD in the external 3.5" bay of a SUGO SG03/04, especially whether there are cooling/vibration issues.

Ciao
Click to expand...
I've had an SG03...you can use it for HDD. Trust me. I run a small form factor review site and have had almost every SFF case (other than shuttle) out there. You can use it!

No cooling problem..vibration is what you make of it.
 
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