New Computer or Gear?

Every day I see the thread on the best computer for under XXX appear and I sit back and wonder ... Whatever happened to being practical? What happend to using what gets the job done?? Do people actually sit around and test their computers for total number or tracks or do people actually use the system for it's intended purpose? At this point, I'd rather spend $2000 on a new preamp than another piece of computer hardware that's going to be outdated in 2 years. Am I the only person who feels this way??

Well, you need to make that decision based on what your needs are. Is your computer giving you the ability to run as many plugins when you want to run them? Are you getting slow performance as your session get deeper? Are you experiencing glitches or problems? If the answers to these are all NO, then you don't need a new computer. But if you need more processing, more stability, etc... then getting a dedicated system designed for the needs of audio are absolutely valid. As far as preamps go, do you feel you need to upgrade what you have? etc....

Hello. Kevin all technology has a built in obsolescence. The rate varies from product to product. Automobile technology has basically stayed the same for a solid 70 to 80 years. If you buy a car today and take care of it, it could last you 20 or 30 years. Theoretically, that one car could last you forever. The thing is, the cost required for maintenance and replacing parts will start to mount to the point that is almost silly to keep using the same car. So you buy a new one. Also, the more time goes by, some parts may not be available anymore. Theoretically again, you should be able to buy one car, maintain it, replace parts and keep it going. But eventually what you are paying for and the performance you are getting just doesn't add up. As you well know from your experience with computers, the rate of obsolescence goes up exponentially. Can you buy some computer related technology and use it for 5, 7, 10 years. Yes. You just have to look at your price-performance ratio. Some needed parts may not exist anymore after 3 years. In my personal view, computers have become so affordable the thing to do is upgrade your CPU every two years or so. Actually, a good option is if you can lease the item instead of buying it. Do a two year lease and by the time that is up, you lease the newest, fastest CPU available.

I guess where I go down a different road is when it comes to input vs. computer. To obtain a preamp, a mic, some other required item in the studio that can be interfaced with the cpu, at the cost of processing power, would be the choice I would make, in as much as I was able to track the total number of tracks I required. In my case, like I said, I'm at overkill, which is why I started asking this question. You guys have all answered with good comments, but you know how it is ... I know how "I" use my system, what's it like for "other" people at this point. Kevin

Kevin, Your point is well taken here. I started the "Best System for PTLE for under 1K" thread for two reasons. One to get the most powerful, stable computer for PTLE, and second to save people a couple thousand dollars in computer building so they have more money to spend on recording equip., instruments etc. I've upgraded my computer twice in the last two years and my total cost is still around $1500.00 (after selling old equipment) even with the upgrades. I am not limited by my computer anymore when I want to insert CPU heavy plugins or do multi-tasking. The best part is I saved 2000.00 dollars over buying the most powerful dual G4 Mac and used this towards the purchase of a great Pre, converter, mic, and monitors. You can build one of the most powerful WinXP machines now for under 600.00 that will get you the full 32 Tracks and 160 simultaneous effects. So it is like getting a Mac dual G4 (only twice as powerful) with the Waves Platinum bundle and a Rode NTK thrown in. Allen

I agree with you Allen. (BTW, I`ve just ordered a new 2100 palo, Volcano 9Coolmod, and Artic Silver Paste III. ) But next time, you REALLY have to work hard to convence me to still go AMD Svein Egil.