How about an Xite spec'd desktop?

borg · Post by **borg** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 3:12 am

I know it's probably a bit early to come with details, but i thought i'd start off with asking for some basics...

I suppose that with Xite you wouldn't need to break your head as much as with scope cards when it comes to finding the right case and mobo. It seems that its not that easy to find the right size/model of these if you want to make a setup with 3 scopes (of which two are Pro and one is Project).

With some of these (big?) disadvantages of PCI-DAWs removed, how would a Xite-powered DAW look like?
Of course one will need/want:

Mobo
CPU
GFX card
HD
RAM
FW
USB
Cooling System
...

In my particar case I wouldn't include an internal DVD writer/burner as I have an external one.

I suppose you could easily make a compact 2U rackmountable DAW. Add 1U for the Xite and you have a pretty portable system. A screen and keyb/mouse should not be a problem to find when going out.

I'm still working with an old Mac G3 with scope being used as Standalone device (connected to laptop), and see the times fit to make a big jump.

Anyone thought about this also? Someone has some suggestions?

Thanks!

voidar · Post by **voidar** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:24 am

By legacy bias, I'd definitely avoid any laptop with an ExpressCard chipset not made my Texas Instruments.

borg · Post by **borg** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:33 am

I know that was the case with PCMCIA cards like the RME Multiface and Magma. So it has moved on the express cards now? Good to know then. Thanks

Does this also apply to desktop systems?

voidar · Post by **voidar** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 5:44 am

I don't know. I just don't trust those other brands

.

Maybe the RME forum has some info.

Desktop systems don't use controllers like that. ASUS boards have been good in the past. Intel boards are probably rock solid.

kylie · Post by **kylie** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 11:41 pm

stardust wrote:I would wa it until it gets clear which PCI-E (lanes) is best and then decide on the Mobo.

speaking of lanes...
did anybody (while being at MusikMesse) ask SC what type of PCIe card will be used for the XITE? the choice of mobo might depend on that...

-greetings, markus-

Shayne White · Post by **Shayne White** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:08 am

Well, according to Wikipedia, ExpresCard operates over a PCI-E x1 interface. So I would assume Xite only needs a PCI-E x1 slot in a desktop.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExpressCard

Of course, x1 cards can work in slots of larger sizes, so it should be compatible with everything.

Shayne

kylie · Post by **kylie** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:10 pm

stardust wrote:I assume that a 4x slot is expected that allows also 1x downward compatible but this is just guessing

we guessed that before, afair. now it's time for the facts!

(anyone else?)

husker · Post by **husker** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:26 pm

voidar wrote:By legacy bias, I'd definitely avoid any laptop with an ExpressCard chipset not made my Texas Instruments.

the ExpressCard/PCIe port is typically part of the motherboard i/o standard chipset (we're not talking Firewire here, where TI chips feature) - so the advice is really make sure you have an Intel chipset in desktop or laptop and all should be OK...

husker · Post by **husker** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 4:33 pm

stardust wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExpressCard

any particular point?

husker · Post by **husker** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:05 pm

Yes, my 2 year old ASUS has been waiting patiently for something to plug into its ExpressCard slot...

husker · Post by **husker** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 1:40 pm

Yes, I can see my future setup: quad core laptop, Xite-1 and my trusty Andromeda - everything else must go!

stardust:: I seem to remember you and the Andro also? Still lining up for the Solaris, or does the Xite take it's place (or both!?)