thinking of buying a new computer - is this good?

[Aiakos]

im able to build my own computer, however as far as a good computer for music production goes, i was just wondering if this would be good

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1858574&CatId=4149


the only thing it needs is an operating system which i would be putting windows 7 64bit on, i use reason 6, my main concern is now that im learning to do more in the program , i keep getting your computer is running to slow when i start to use lots of track lanes and such, so i really want to get a new computer before rack extensions comes out , any advice on if this would be a good way to go or what else someone could recommend would be much appreciated
thanks

[Dr. Krunklehorn]

16 GB of RAM? You only need that much if your doing things with After Effects.

Literally, I hear a lot of inexperienced guys flapping their lips telling people that more RAM = better; not true.

Look for one with 8GB. That's more then enough and will secure you for the future.

[runemopar]

I have 9GB of RAM, and I've never had problems with running programs ever. I even use After Effects and do complex particle effects that requires hours and hours of rendering, and 9GB do not fail me. 16GB is overkill for music as VSTs do not use as much RAM as they do CPU, just make sure your processing power is solid. My 2 cents.

[Rmonik]

just make sure your processing power is solid.

[Nequissimus]

The bottleneck with computers isn't the RAM and neither the CPU. You need a FAST Harddrive. At least if you work with bigger samplebanks and stuff... One VST doesn't need much of your RAM... 4 Instances of Massive use some... But much more they use CPU, that's right...
VST --> CPU
Samplebanks, big samples, etc --> FAST HDD or/and a lot of fast RAM (keep in mind, that a good string ensemble can be about 2 Gig big alone... and that's where RAM and a fast HDD come handy...

And about "RAM-Overkill": Does "too much" RAM harm tha system? Isn't it nice if the DAW has it's RAM for it's own that's not shared with the systems own RAM-Usage? Sometimes you run more than one prog at a time and what's minimizing the slowdown if you do so? RAM and HDD...

A lot of RAM does not speed up your system (as many people say...) but it prevents from slowing down if there is a bit more going on.

Audio workstations DO need a fast CPU, a fast Harddrive and a good bit of RAM. In that order...

I hope nobody took offence by this, but this "too much RAM"-stuff is just BS... RAM is not expensive and it doesn't harm you system... why would you take a PC with less if these 30€ for the extra 8 GB RAM could help you out when you start using orchestral Samplebanks or something like that?

[Dr. Krunklehorn]

Audio workstations DO need a fast CPU, a fast Harddrive and a good bit of RAM. In that order...

Exactly...RAM is the least concern here.

That's why I suggested he save money. You even described the need for a faster harddrive so why not use the money there?

[runemopar]

@Nequissimus, "too much RAM" just means that RAM costs money, and if there's 7 gigs of RAM that will probably never be properly used, then save yourself the cash. Plus, you can just add it on later if you need more.

[Aiakos]

thank you for all the responses, it sounds like this computer will be able to do everythign i need it to, as far as the ram goes, i dont mind having extra ram, im sure evenutally i would just upgrade anyways, so might as well just get it now, the processer is an i7 3.4 ghz ( will be overclocked to 4ghbz once i install liquid cooling) so that shoudl be really good, and with a 120gb solid state hard drive, it should be quite fast for that, as id only use that hard drive for my music software and then install another 2tb one just for everything else. i think i will be getting this computer, my main concern is i wanted to make sure i dont get the your computer is running to slow message anymore which it seems that i shouldnt really get that with this new computer.

[Gastly]

4gb of ram here, everything runs fine, tried it with 10 different instances of massive running at the same time and it still ran fine
You don't even need to spend much on the internal hard-drive as you can pick up an ExHD thats like 500gb for £30 and portable

I'd look around on Gumtree or Similar for a cheap macbook and wipe the hard drive so it's as good as new and then you can install windows XP on it and you'll have all the hardware goodness of a mac; but with the best OS

[trojanmantony]

8 gigs is plenty, 16 is like pro tools tier ram usage

hdds are usually the bottleneck but once the program is running inside the ram that doesnt matter as much

the unlocked i7 is a bit much imo since unlocked cpus are designed for overclocking, this is a gamer build with a budget gpu essentially. i suggest this kit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBund ... mbo.956668

it is great, just needs a gpu, a radeon 5450 will do for dual monitor set ups, but its integrated video will do fine on one monitor fine.

for just reason this will run great!