Building recording computer

[glibson1]

Hi, new to forum. Actually my kids would laugh to know I even joined a computer related forum. I'm going(or my son is) to build a computer for audio recording with Studio One software.
It may be too much to ask but if my budget is UNDER $500 is anyone willing to take the time and list the parts I will need?
I currently have a Dell 760 but am thinking I can do way better with a self(son) built one.
Thanks for your time.
Mike

 

[imsqam]

Hi,

Only too glad to help another father with a musician son. My son collects guitars like they were baseball cards. At least I get to play them.

Not a huge budget but I think I am able to give you something. Here is the link to the Studio One hardware requirements.
http/www.presonus.com/products/studio-one/tech-specs

In order to save money I did not add a discreet video card, from the looks of the Studio One specs you should be able to get by with the integrated graphics on the processor. I also did not add a Wifi card, wasn't sure if one was needed. Used a Pentium G4560, it is almost as fast at the i3-7100, it should do the trick.
http/cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-7100-vs-Intel-Pentium-G4560/3891vs3892

I did add a sound card albeit a budget one but it had a good review. Assumed that you would be using studio monitors so I added the Asus Xonar DSX.
http/techreport.com/review/23358/asus-budget-xonar-dgx-and-dsx-sound-cards-reviewed

Let me know if you have any questions about the build. It went over budget by $25 but I wanted to make sure that you had an SSD for programs/OS and lots of HDD space. And yes, it is definitely worth it to build your own.

PCPartPicker part list: https/pcpartpicker.com/list/yvymHN
Price breakdown by merchant: https/pcpartpicker.com/list/yvymHN/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($59.48 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI B250M PRO-VD Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($63.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($71.02 @ Newegg Marketplace)
Storage: Plextor M7V 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($55.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.89 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cougar MX200 ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($89.98 @ NCIX US)
Sound Card: Asus Xonar DSX 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $524.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-05-02 18:21 EDT-0400

 

[glibson1]

Wow!!!!, I am so grateful. Thanks a million for the help. Actually, I'm the musician and my son is the computer guy...
Time to start buying!! I'm hoping to do it as I wait in the bushes for sales to pop up as even 528is alot of dough for us. Thanks again. I'll let you know how it's going

 

[imsqam]

You are most welcome.

Yeah, that's what I would do, shop the deals. If you have any questions about if a particular make/model that is on sale is good just ask. Watch the daily deals at Newegg, especially the shell shockers. You can get email notifications if you want.
https/promotions.newegg.com/nepro/17-1504/index.html?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL050217C&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL050217C-_-EMC-050217-Latest-_-SSearlyaccess-_-LB0A

 

[glibson1]

Is it worth my while to get a quad rather than dual core?

 

[imsqam]

The wonderful thing about the Kaby Lake Pentium's is that Intel introduced hyperthreading which means that two threads can run on one core, so four threads total. I5's on the other hand do not have hyperthreading so with four cores, four threads. So no advantage except for speed and if the recommended CPU is an i3 then I don't see an issue there And you will you will never get an i5 on a $500 budget, they start at $170. And not that much faster.

https/pcpartpicker.com/products/cpu/#s=12&f=75,57&sort=a7&page=1
http/cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Pentium-G4560-vs-Intel-Core-i5-6400/3892vs3512

 

[glibson1]

Ok, please bear with me....my friend offered me an XW HP4600 workstation. Is that the best way to go or add to?
Again, thanks for your time,
mike

 

[imsqam]

I supposed it depends on what your friend wants for it. Here in Canada the complete system is being sold for $125 (90 USD).
http/www.kijiji.ca/v-desktop-computers/city-of-toronto/hp-xw4600-workstation-3-16ghz-core2duo-6gb-ram-250-gb-hd/1084838148?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

The HP4600 is based upon the LGA 775 Intel Core Duo E8500 CPU using DDR2 RAM and a 250GB hard drive. It looks like it does come with a NVidia Quadro 1700 GPU but the HD 630 graphics are way faster
http/gpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Nvidia-Quadro-FX-1700-vs-Intel-HD-630-Desktop-Kaby-Lake/m9158vsm178724
https/www.cnet.com/products/hp-workstation-xw4600-core-2-duo-e8500-3-16ghz-4gb-ram-250gb-hdd-vista-business/specs/
http/h50146.www5.hp.com/lib/doc/manual/workstation/hp_workstation/WS_UG_xw4600_STRG_453080-001_screen.pdf

This will make this workstation about twice as slow as my build with the G4560 although it will run Studio One, just slowly. If the price was right it might be worth cannibalizing the workstation for the case, PSU (475W 80+) and DVD but replacing the CPU, RAM and storage.
So three paths come up.

■ Stick with the brand new LGA 1151 G4560 build. This is the newest platform and has upgrade potential for the future. Most expensive path.
■ Buy the workstation and cannibalize it. But the PSU is old and they do wear out, usually between 5-10 years. Case is top mount for the PSU and there is a small chance that you could run into interference/compatibility issues. What you pay for the workstation should not be much.
■ Buy the workstation and replace the CPU. You can get a Intel Core2 Quad Q9650 for about $60 off Ebay. But this system will have no upgrade capability and parts will be hard to come by/expensive.

If lowest possible price is an issue and you can get the workstation for cheap, then this is the path to choose. Say $75 for the workstation and $60 for the CPU, total $135. The Q9650 is a bit slower than the G4560 but should still do.

Otherwise brand new is the path to choose.

 

[glibson1]

He'll sell for $50 but it sounds like, big picture the build is best way to go,..so be it! thanks so much

 

[imsqam]

You are most welcome.