Computer Techies! HELP!

[djt820]

So, Im getting a HP computer other than the one Im using now. This computer is going to be specifically for music and recording. I want to see if I can get some recomendations for upgrading this thing. Its used but has:
Inter Pent. 4 Processor 2.8GHz
3 gb RAM
NVIDIA GeForce4 MX
160gb Hard Drive
It is coming to me with a blank hard drive, which I will install Windows XP with. Im putting FL Studio and Adobe Audition on here along with many GB's of VSTi's. Im going to be using my M-Audio Firewire solo to record. So what do you guys think I should upgrade? I got all the RAM I need.

[Zombbg4]

Uhhh...a really cool mouse pad? Sounds like you've got a nice set up. See how it works out for a few weeks then think about what needs upgrading.

Congrats on the computer!

[Chunk-O-Funk]

Looks pretty good to me.

Hard drives are pretty cheap now and depending on how much recording you plan on doing you may want more. You should be able to get 500GB for about $60.00 at new egg. Maybe look into an external HD.

[djt820]

Thats another thing I was thinking of as well. I will basically be transfering ALL of my music software from this computer to the new one. Adds up to around 60gb+.

[D.Don]

Looks good as is, just make sure you don't use the system drive, nor a partition of the same physical disc, as your recording drive ie. get a second and/or a third (maybe external) drive for the audio files you record ..

D.Don

[rcarraher]

Only thing I see that could use "upgrading" is maybe a larger hard drive. Make sure you know whether you need a SATA drive or and EIDE but they are about the same price and are cheap now a days.

[Ampeg SVT]

Get a Seagate FreeAgent External drive, they are very nice and I store most of my stuff on a 500 GB one.

You can get one here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148240

[Nick Kay]

+1 to second drive for recorded material, preferably a big one (320gb+). If you're feeling saucy, set up a RAID array for that second drive - they're super easy with modern controllers. I'd prefer to lose software than lose the perfect take.

[awakefie]

+1 on the additional hard drive. Use the system drive for everything else.

I have 2 extra hard drives. One internal to record to, one external to back everything up. Let the system drive run the system.

It may be overkill but hard drives are cheap nowadays. To me it's worth an extra <insert currency of your choice> to not to have to re-do tracks because my recording drive failed.

[djt820]

What exactly is a RAID array and why would I use it?

[D.Don]

Unless you are to setup a commercial studio, I wouldn't bother about RAID. Just get at least one disk for the audio data files, and get yourself a big external disk for backup purposes (and don't forget to use it!!)

D.Don

[rcarraher]

RAID= Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks. You really don't need this as long as you keep your music on a seperate disk than the OS and back it up. But in its simplest form the disk will automatically "mirror" themselves, there are many other forms of RAID but they can get expensive an a bit too redundant for a home user.

[RobertPaulson]

Multi-Core processors help a lot if the software you are using supports it. Not really necessary if you're not running a ton of tracks, but I had some stuff I had to mix down on my work computer (quad core) that my single core with the same ram couldn't handle.

Also I second the raid, well worth the peace of mind. With how cheap hard drives are i'd suggest a RAID 5 which will use 3 drives, you'll have a backup and striping to improve performance.

[Revmizery]

RAID would be a bit on the overkill side for his situation. The external HDD is a great Idea especially if you want to bring it to a studio for mastering. Another thing that would help your performance is keep it off the internet if you can.