Probably a bit left field?

[ste20man]

Hi.

My comp: Intel(R) Pentium Dual core CPU E5400@ 2.7Ghz
2 X 1Tb Hdriive
4Gb Corsair RAM

I am running FL Studio 9 and a lot of VST(instrument) plugins and the time is coming where it is finding it hard to handle it all.

I am thinking of buying a new PC(32bit - because some VST's need that, don't think 64 bit would work, not sure).

I looked at this on eBay:
AMD BULLDOZER 3.3 FX-6100 SIX CORE CPU 8GB DDR3 1TB PC COMPUTER TOWER SYSTEM | eBay

and wondered if this is gonna help? With the extra RAM and processing power is it enough to deal with FL application plus all that goes with is - plugins.

Or has anyone else bought a PC of late for that purpose for about the same price and could recommend me one?

Any advice would be great as it's been years since i bought one, cheers, Ste.

 

[fireberd]

I recently built a new PC for Sonar X2. Look at the "My System Specs" for my system specs. The Intel CPU's outperform the AMD's, according to two commercial DAW PC builders comments on the Sonar forum.

I have 64 bit OS and Sonar X2 Producer 64 bit. Sonar has a bitbridge to allow using 32 bit VST's. Don't know if FL studio has that. However, I also have ProTools MP9 which is a 32 bit DAW and everything works under Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Off the bat, you won't have extra RAM, because a 32 bit OS is still only going to see and use 3.3 GB or so.

Go to your proper manufacturers to check on 64-bit support for the VSTs. If a vendor doesn't support x64 by now, I'd consider dropping them for a competitor that does.

 

[ste20man]

That is a killer system fireberd, I would love that!

You are right Deacon, 32 doesn't go past 3.3GB usable which would mean i would need to buy Windows 64bit OS.

That, plus buying in new VSt's makes me think of sticking it out and working around the limitations of what I've got.

I guess it leaves me with a bit more money for some nights out, it's not all bad.

 

[DeaconFrost]

You are right Deacon, 32 doesn't go past 3.3GB usable which would mean i would need to buy Windows 64bit OS.

If you have a retail license, then you don't need to buy anything. You would just download the DVD image file for your appropriate version and language, and your existing license key would activate it.

As for your VST, at least check into the compatibility with the manufacturer. It's difficult to buy a PC these days with a 32-bit OS installed, so they should be supporting 64-bit OSes.

 

[ste20man]

Will do that Deacon, cheers,

 

[fireberd]

You can run a 32 bit DAW and VST's under a 64 bit OS. As I noted I'm doing that with ProTools 9 which is a 32 bit DAW program. Everything works fine under the 64 bit OS.

However, as noted 32 bit will not use (cannot address) a little less than 4GB.

I hear rumors that ProTools 11 will finally be 64 bit, like Sonar is now. But even with Sonar 64 bit, as I mentioned it has "bitbridge" which allows using 32 bit VST's. e.g. I have Antares autotune EFX and that is a 32 bit VST but works without problems in 64 bit.

 

[ste20man]

Thanks again fireberd.

If it is poss. to use FL 9 and my VSt's in 64bit I might just go ahead. I'll check it out in a bit.

Your system is something else. Can u have a look at this i found on ebay and give me an idea of what you think?

AMD BULLDOZER 3.3 FX-6100 SIX CORE CPU 8GB DDR3 1TB PC COMPUTER TOWER SYSTEM | eBay

£300 is basically my budget give or take. It's been that long since i bought a PC that I don't feel on firm ground if you know what i mean.

AMD? I've read some reviews and they all seem positive but have been told to go always with Intel.

Any and all advice would help

Cheers, Ste.

 

[fireberd]

That looks like a nice system, except I'm partial to Intel and don't know much about AMD Processors.

I didn't see any reference to what power supply is used in this system. If its there I overlooked it. I have a 650 watt in mine, which may be "overkill" but it also helps it run cooler (and thus less power supply fan noise). Some gamer cases tend to be a bit noisy because of all the cooling fans. For most gamers this is not a big concern but thiis can be a negative for a recording studio system, unless the tower is in a location that will not interfere with any recording.