Hi friends,
I have been going thru this forum for quite some time now and have actually learnt a lot by reading your suggestions and advices. However not being a techie, it does get a little confusing sometimes.
I have noticed that there is a certain bias towards AMD based rigs as they offer VFM as compared to an Intel, but most recommended configurations appear to be keeping in mind the gaming enthusiasts and not other types of users like me. Even the high end Intel based rigs that have been recommended in the forum have MoBos that support over-clocking etc and that often brings the cost up.
Noticing this I did a lot of reading/research to understand the two competing products, and I have come to a conclusion based on my personal requirements which primarily is for AUDIO RECORDING & PRODUCTION, mostly in stereo format and not multi-channel. I may also do some designing work using CorelDRAW/Photoshop, and a little bit of movie watching on a larger screen than that of a laptop. For most stuff I will continue to use my laptop.
My conclusion is that an INTEL CPU matches my requirement to the max as all Intel processors come SSE2 enabled. A SSE2 enabled processor, is a key requirement for running my audio production and supporting softwares and the compatibility is better with dedicated sound cards, no matter how low cost they are. Plus there are other factors that are important for me in sound recording/production.
So help me friends in deciding a good Intel based rig. I have tried to write down my requirements below and need your support to complete it.
Once again, please DO NOT recommend an AMD rig.
Thanks
Questions
Q: What is your budget?
30K (Max 35K)
(I have done some 1-0-1 chat with vendors and have been told that it's possible to get a decent rig at approx 30K)
Q: What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
N/A as work on my HP laptop.
Q: Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
N/A
Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
CPU - Intel i5-750 or 760
I could have gone for a i5-6xx series and saved some money there too but those aren't available. I am open to going even lower if you can convince me to
MoBo - Preferred brand is MSI XXXX
(Open for suggestions)
GPU - Suggest a low cost one as I am not into gaming.
(For my software to run I need 32-bit video card and 16MB of VRAM
RAM - Corsair 2 X 2GB minimum or 8GB or more preferred if I choose to go for a 64bit OS
MONITOR - Would like a 20" monitor and not more. Require a 1,280x900 monitor resolution, but would certainly like to watch movies
SMPS - Suggest a good one without any wastage
CABINET - CM USP100 preferred
SOUND CARD - ASIO compatible sound card required > Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2*/ Audigy 2 Platinum
HDD - 500GB
(Already have an old Segate 250 GB HDD which I would prefer to use for my boot drive and want a new 500 GB HDD as my storage for recorded audio files)
OPTICAL DRIVE - Combodrive preferred, please recommend
MODEM - Do not know if I require it, but certainly would like to use net
Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
Most probably will not be upgrading it for the life time of the products unless something is drastically wrong.
Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE*Dealer)
New Delhi - Nehru Place
Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the*TE*market
No
Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
I have been going thru this forum for quite some time now and have actually learnt a lot by reading your suggestions and advices. However not being a techie, it does get a little confusing sometimes.
I have noticed that there is a certain bias towards AMD based rigs as they offer VFM as compared to an Intel, but most recommended configurations appear to be keeping in mind the gaming enthusiasts and not other types of users like me. Even the high end Intel based rigs that have been recommended in the forum have MoBos that support over-clocking etc and that often brings the cost up.
Noticing this I did a lot of reading/research to understand the two competing products, and I have come to a conclusion based on my personal requirements which primarily is for AUDIO RECORDING & PRODUCTION, mostly in stereo format and not multi-channel. I may also do some designing work using CorelDRAW/Photoshop, and a little bit of movie watching on a larger screen than that of a laptop. For most stuff I will continue to use my laptop.
My conclusion is that an INTEL CPU matches my requirement to the max as all Intel processors come SSE2 enabled. A SSE2 enabled processor, is a key requirement for running my audio production and supporting softwares and the compatibility is better with dedicated sound cards, no matter how low cost they are. Plus there are other factors that are important for me in sound recording/production.
So help me friends in deciding a good Intel based rig. I have tried to write down my requirements below and need your support to complete it.
Once again, please DO NOT recommend an AMD rig.
Thanks
Questions
Q: What is your budget?
30K (Max 35K)
(I have done some 1-0-1 chat with vendors and have been told that it's possible to get a decent rig at approx 30K)
Q: What is your existing hardware configuration (component name - component brand and model)
N/A as work on my HP laptop.
Q: Which hardware will you be keeping (component name - component brand and model)
N/A
Q: Which hardware component are you looking to buy (component name). If you have already decided on a configuration then please mention the (component brand and model) as well, this will help us in fine tuning your requirement.
CPU - Intel i5-750 or 760
I could have gone for a i5-6xx series and saved some money there too but those aren't available. I am open to going even lower if you can convince me to
MoBo - Preferred brand is MSI XXXX
(Open for suggestions)
GPU - Suggest a low cost one as I am not into gaming.
(For my software to run I need 32-bit video card and 16MB of VRAM
RAM - Corsair 2 X 2GB minimum or 8GB or more preferred if I choose to go for a 64bit OS
MONITOR - Would like a 20" monitor and not more. Require a 1,280x900 monitor resolution, but would certainly like to watch movies
SMPS - Suggest a good one without any wastage
CABINET - CM USP100 preferred
SOUND CARD - ASIO compatible sound card required > Creative Labs Sound Blaster Audigy 2*/ Audigy 2 Platinum
HDD - 500GB
(Already have an old Segate 250 GB HDD which I would prefer to use for my boot drive and want a new 500 GB HDD as my storage for recorded audio files)
OPTICAL DRIVE - Combodrive preferred, please recommend
MODEM - Do not know if I require it, but certainly would like to use net
Q: Is this going to be your final configuration or you would be adding/upgrading a component in near future. If yes then please mention when and which component
Most probably will not be upgrading it for the life time of the products unless something is drastically wrong.
Q: Where will you buy this hardware? (Online/City/TE*Dealer)
New Delhi - Nehru Place
Q: Would you consider buying a second hand hardware from the*TE*market
No
Q: What is your intended use for this PC/hardware
- Recording and production of Music (Most important)
- General use like Browsing, Desktop Processing, Watching HD movies
Q: Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them and the reason for your preference/dislike.
Not really
Q: If you will be playing games then which type of games will you be playing?
May be some light weight strategy games
Q: What is your preferred monitor resolution for gaming and normal usage
Required a 1,280x900 monitor resolution, but would certainly like to watch movies
Q: Are you looking to overclock?
No. Never
Q: Which operating system do you intend to use with this configuration?
Windows XP 32bit may upgrade to Windows 7 64/32 bit