[WeaselFlix]

Hey guys,

I've been piecing together a build for a desktop PC (mainly for video editing with Avid Media Composer but I do some gaming/movies as well)

Have a look at my list and tell me if these components seem squared away or let me know if there are any problems or pitfalls on this list. Any experience with these hardware combos or any better suggestions are welcomed. Thanks!

[waldojim]

The only suggestion I have is moving away from the Antec Neo series power supplies. Antec does have several series of power supplies that are stable, and worth going with, the Neo isn't one of them though. Moving to an EarthWatts, or High Current Gamer series will net you a far more stable power supply. If the cost is an issue, go with a smaller unit. The system you are building has very modest power needs. A 450 watt power supply is more than enough.

[mjd420nova]

I'm not acquaited with the mobo. does it have on-board audio?? Any way, few on board will provide enough power or control to get a realistic sounding gaming environment. Creative makes a couple dozen levels to fit the specific needs.

[LiveBrianD]

Honestly, onboard audio is good enough for most people. I wouldn't worry about it.

[waldojim]

mjd420nova, on 08 December 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

I'm not acquaited with the mobo. does it have on-board audio?? Any way, few on board will provide enough power or control to get a realistic sounding gaming environment. Creative makes a couple dozen levels to fit the specific needs.

It does have on board audio. Though what does it matter how much power it puts out? Once run through a receiver, it really doesn't matter. The issues I have with on board audio have more to do with complete lack of quality, and instability.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 08 December 2012 - 01:44 PM

[WeaselFlix]

waldojim, on 08 December 2012 - 11:13 AM, said:

The only suggestion I have is moving away from the Antec Neo series power supplies. Antec does have several series of power supplies that are stable, and worth going with, the Neo isn't one of them though. Moving to an EarthWatts, or High Current Gamer series will net you a far more stable power supply. If the cost is an issue, go with a smaller unit. The system you are building has very modest power needs. A 450 watt power supply is more than enough.

Thanks! How does this look? http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817371051

Not to much price difference and it has room for upgrading to more power intensive hardware.

I appreciate the tip.

[waldojim]

Perfect. That should last you a good long time.

[WeaselFlix]

waldojim, on 08 December 2012 - 05:23 PM, said:

Perfect. That should last you a good long time.

Thanks for checking it out. Added it to my list.

[waldojim]

Glad I could help. Let us know how the build goes!

[mjd420nova]

waldojim, on 08 December 2012 - 01:43 PM, said:

mjd420nova, on 08 December 2012 - 12:26 PM, said:

I'm not acquaited with the mobo. does it have on-board audio?? Any way, few on board will provide enough power or control to get a realistic sounding gaming environment. Creative makes a couple dozen levels to fit the specific needs.

It does have on board audio. Though what does it matter how much power it puts out? Once run through a receiver, it really doesn't matter. The issues I have with on board audio have more to do with complete lack of quality, and instability.

That's my feelings exactly. If the onboard audio is lacking and sometimes has a driver interference issues, a pluggin PCI-e card say, will provide adequate outputlevels to drive some nice powered speakers or input to an amplifier. But if the onboard is poor quality, you'll just amplify it even more and sound twice as worse. GIGO.

[LiveBrianD]

To be honest, for most people it's not an issue. For instance, I don't have particularly expensive speakers, and onboard audio works fine for me.

[WeaselFlix]

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I'm not acquaited with the mobo. does it have on-board audio?? Any way, few on board will provide enough power or control to get a realistic sounding gaming environment. Creative makes a couple dozen levels to fit the specific needs.

Quote

It does have on board audio. Though what does it matter how much power it puts out? Once run through a receiver, it really doesn't matter. The issues I have with on board audio have more to do with complete lack of quality, and instability.

Quote

That's my feelings exactly. If the onboard audio is lacking and sometimes has a driver interference issues, a pluggin PCI-e card say, will provide adequate outputlevels to drive some nice powered speakers or input to an amplifier. But if the onboard is poor quality, you'll just amplify it even more and sound twice as worse. GIGO.

Quote

To be honest, for most people it's not an issue. For instance, I don't have particularly expensive speakers, and onboard audio works fine for me.

My thoughts on audio are, I can always add a card if need be. Most of the audio intensive stuff I do is in music recording or editing, in which I'm using ProTools and it's own I/O device that acts as a sound card. No problems there as that software does not run off of on-board. Editing picture in Avid, sound matters but not really quality. The only aspect that will likely be lacking would be watching movies and gaming which I do, but not solely on the PC.

FYI - These are the speakers I use for the PC http://www.dabs.com/...otal--43J0.html
They aren't super high-end as you can see.

That said, if there are thoughts as to a legitimate reason why a sound card needs to be in the equation immediately, (for instance, the one on the MB is really problematic) I will look in to adding one.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[waldojim]

WeaselFlix, on 09 December 2012 - 11:24 AM, said:

My thoughts on audio are, I can always add a card if need be. Most of the audio intensive stuff I do is in music recording or editing, in which I'm using ProTools and it's own I/O device that acts as a sound card. No problems there as that software does not run off of on-board. Editing picture in Avid, sound matters but not really quality. The only aspect that will likely be lacking would be watching movies and gaming which I do, but not solely on the PC.

FYI - These are the speakers I use for the PC http://www.dabs.com/...otal--43J0.html
They aren't super high-end as you can see.

That said, if there are thoughts as to a legitimate reason why a sound card needs to be in the equation immediately, (for instance, the one on the MB is really problematic) I will look in to adding one.

Thanks for your thoughts!

My brother uses those. They sound pretty decent, and work well enough with the integrated audio. I would start off with the integrated card, and if you find that games don't work well with it, then grab an Asus Xonar DS or DX depending on your budget at that time. The DS will do quite well in games, and should be much more stable. The DX brings with it Dolby digital live encoding, and a far superior 24bit dac.

[WeaselFlix]

[/quote]
My brother uses those. They sound pretty decent, and work well enough with the integrated audio. I would start off with the integrated card, and if you find that games don't work well with it, then grab an Asus Xonar DS or DX depending on your budget at that time. The DS will do quite well in games, and should be much more stable. The DX brings with it Dolby digital live encoding, and a far superior 24bit dac.
[/quote]

FYI -- I still own this card http://www.amazon.co...lectricapp05-20

It's old but it was a very good card when I bought it. I really don't know if it's worth installing or if it even has compatibility with Win7-Win8 or the hardware I've chosen, but I thought I'd mention it in the event that it will do.

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The specs of the card: 24bit Dolby Digital 6.1, Asio support for 16bit 48K, THX, EAX Advanced HD

[waldojim]

It does work in both Windows 7 and 8, just not well. I have that card myself, and it works, but recording at 24bit is impossible.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 10 December 2012 - 12:20 PM