Many of times, there are debates about which desktop offers the best option for music production. Mac? Intel-based
PC? Desktop with AMD processor?
Although many swear by the sheer power of MAC, its price factor is enough to make many enthusiast
(Producers and DJs) to look the other direction - a Windows PC desktop. That direction too doesn't offer
an easy solution. Music producers are burdened with the dilemma of deciding upon which desktop is better.
An AMD or Intel CPU?
Life is really that complicated.
Bufore buying a new desktop, please take note that if your current desktop is manufactured in the last 18 months,
including the current budget models, then it still has the ability to deliver a credible computer based personal
studio. Of course, there are measurable differences but if 'Four Tet' is able to produce an incredible album with
a 2.5GHz Pentium 4 desktop then your current desktop's limitations can be overcome. There will always be studio
techniques to conquer them and helping you to unleash outstanding pieces.
CPU muscle never fails to grab one's attention but getting the fastest CPU that is available in the market is
not the most important thing. Simply because the CPU speed is just a planet in a solar system - a 2.4GHz desktop
is still powerful enough for normal studio use.
Instead of investing your money on a faster CPU, I suggest that you take a moment and look at other 'Soft'
issues which are also important. Issues such as, buying a second display monitor, reducing your system noise,
upgrading your current soundcard or obtaining a better midi controller. So before running of to Sim Lim Square or
Phnatip Plaza, ask yourself: "Will the computer upgrade increase and change my workflow?". If your answer is "NO!"
then keep your hard earned money and get back to making music.
But ... the itch to upgrade your desktop still lingers! Good, we shall continue then!
SHOULD I AMD'd?
AMD with its Athlon brand offers the music community great performance for less money. Currently serving the
market from it's stable are, the low-end Sempron, the mid-range Athlon 64, and the new Athlon 64 X2 dual
core. All, except the Sempron, are 64-bit capable. Also according to AMD, the HyperTransport™ technology built
into its Athlon CPU reduces system bottlenecks and allows the processor to use memory more efficiently and combined
with the integrated DDR memory controller, you are able to get maximum performance and system efficiency.
AMD uses names like 'Athlon 64 3400+' to dictate its performace. The '+3400' means that the processor is as fast
as a 3.4GHz Pentium 4 CPU. You can safely use it for general comparison but don't bet your money on it.
Buying a AMD-powered desktop can't get any better than the dual core Athlon 64 X2. The CPUs are really top
performers but sadly it retails at a very high price. So if funds are very tight, then opt for the cheaper
Athlon 64 CPUs but try to stay away from the Semprons. The inexpensive Athlon 64 has performance improvements
that lets it do more work than an equivalent Sempron CPU.
When choosing a motherboard for your AMD CPUs, buy a motherboard that supports a "socket 939" CPU and has Nvidia
NForce 3 chipset. The logical explaination is that you can always upgrade your current Athlon 64 CPU to an Athlon
64 X2 when it's cheaper and the newer Nvidia NForce 4 chipset has problems that is in dire need of some ironing.
SEEKING VALUABLE INTEL?
The latest Intel CPUs with Pentium 4 processor cores are 64-bit (EM64T) technology ready to help handle
the applications of tomorrow. The Celeron D, alternative to AMD's Sempron, are respectable CPUs, but the smaller
cache and lower FSB bandwidth make them slower than same speed CPUs with higher FSB bandwidth. If your funds only
allows you to buy a 500 series CPU, do save a little bit more and get the 600 series which, in return, offers a
better performance at the same clock speed. But if fund really permits, then the dual core 800 series CPUs are
fantastic.
Pair your chosen CPU with any motherboard that has a 945/955 chipset but if you don't forsee the need a dual core
CPU, then buy the cheaper motherboard with a 915/925 chipset. Please take note that latter motherboard doesn't
work very with the 800 series CPU.
FRIES WITH MAC?
Mac G5 is the machine that almost every budding music producer wants to have. Who wouldn't, when a single G5
processor is able to out perform the fastest G4 by a healthy margin and a dual G5 processor desktop gives a
significant improvement over the former. The G5 also brings 64-bit processing to the Mac platform, allowing an
exponentially greater ability to handle integers than the previous 32-bit processors. With 1.25GHz front-side
bus (FSB) per processor and a total FSB bandwidth of 8 GBps, you can load a G5 with up to 8GB of 128-bit,
400-MHz DDR SDRAM.
One can never go wrong with PowerMac G5 desktop. With dual processors, three PCI-X slots for soundcard or DSP
upgrades and the possibility of expanding your RAM, the PowerMac offers maximum performance and incredible
expansion dexterity. Apple also claims that the PowerMac G5 is "twice as quiet" than its predecessor.
If can live with limited expandability then the iMac G5 is for you. What's very cool about the iMac G5 is that
when you populate the slot with matched pairs of memory module it automatically provides the same memory
bandwidth as the PowerMac G5. In layman's term - it will perform better. And that is not all, the 96KHz/24-bit
built-in soundcard is capable in handling most studio demands and the fans that cool the iMac are very quiet too.
Apart from being cute and small, the MiniMac is an excelent budget Mac and being small does have its limitations,
for instance, the built-in soundcard. The soundcard is ok for normal usage but you'll need to add an USB/FireWire
external audio interface i.e. Behringer FCA202 to record external sources. Its CPU, however, is powerful enough
in handling the punishment of fair number of plug-ins and software instrument polyphony.
WHAT SHALL IT BE THEN?
Go with Mac if you can afford it but you can't go wrong with either AMD or Intel. While AMD's CPU are
plugins and software instrument friendly, Intel CPUs are comfortable in working with software samplers and reverbs.
Before buying it's often wise to visit computer forums and get more information about the stuff which you want
to buy. Also be sure to scrutinize the specification of your vendor's current model and avoid buying it when
in doubts.
THE BASIC NECESSITIES!
• RAM
1GB is the good but 2GB is better - if your motherboard allows it.
• RAM SPEED
Dual channel 400MHz (PC3200) or faster.
• HARDDISK
160GB/7200RPM or higher. If you need a lot of simultenous audio tracks, or high streaming sampler
polyphony, add a second internal, or an external FireWire, drive.
• GRAPHICS CARD
Any previous top 128MB model is sufficient. Do not use your motherboard
built-in graphic card that uses 'shared memory'. Using a AGP or PCI-Express card is highly recommendable.
• EXPANSION SLOTS
Make sure that your motherboard has enough PCI slots for soundcard
and DSP card upgrades. Buying a motherboard with both PCI and PCI Express slots will provide you with current and
future flexibility.
• Peripheral I/0
Two or more USB 2.0 connections and at least one FireWire 400 port.
