First build DAW

[Zneval]

First build computer dedicated to being a digital audio workstation. Working mostly with keyboard MIDI input linked to various high end software synthesizers running through Sonar 4. Needs to be quick for low latencies and quiet for recording. I will plan on oc'ing a bit. I want to emphasize this is also a college bound computer, so needs to be as durable/reliable as possible. Here is my plan:

DFI NVIDIA nForce4 939 $133
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 64-bit $190
OCZ PowerStream 420W $102.50
Zalman CNPS7000B-ALCU Heatsink $40.00
Lian-Li Black Aluminum Case $139.00
G.skill Dual Channel 1GB DDR PC3200 $98.99
WD Raptor 36.7GB 10,000RPM SATA $113.00
Seagate 120GB 7200RPM SATA with NCQ $93.00
MSI nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT $184.00
MAudio Audiophile 2496 $99.99
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black $51.99
Computer $1,245.47

ViewSonic VA712B-1 17" LCD Monitor $240.99 (or Samsung 710N)
Edirol PCR-M50 MIDI Keyboard $219.99
Alesis Monitor One MK2 $199.95
Peripherals $660.93

Total $1,906.40

Any suggestions/edits/comments to this would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
-Tim

[fabulouscoops]

:welcome: To the fourm

Tim: You will hear other opinions, but for a college bound computer (ie. homework + DAW + OCing) I think the multitasking benefits and proficiency with audio and video encoding of a P4 system should be considered.
Other suggestions:
If budget allows, I would opt for the 74 gig raptor which is better, not just bigger than the 36 gig. Be aware that raptors are not the quiestest drives. You might be better served with one 300 gig maxtor diamondmax 10 with 16 MB buffer and NCQ instead of a raptor and a second drive. Also, you would not get the noise to two drives working together at times.

The zalman 7000 is nice and quiet for AMD or Intel CPUs

[David]

fabulouscoops makes a good point - Pentium4s generally tend to be quicker at encoding audio and video files, and general AV processing.

However A64s tend to have the edge a little for gaming, so if you plan to game an A64 should do well for you.

I cant speak for the Maxtor Diamondmax drives, but Seagate and Samsung drives are very very quiet. So quiet that I cannot hear either of my hard disks over the hum of fans (and my PC is quite quiet to start with).