Sucsessful Conroe E-Series Set Ups Thread

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sun Aug 13, 2006 11:51 am

This is the cheap way into the new Intel Conroe DAW's. This has been tested and used with Nuendo/Luna only. I shall ask GaryB to post all IRQ tricks and ULLI settings here when he finishes my DAW #2 here in Las Vegas on the 5th of September. But here is a little information on my cheap approach to the new platform, using results from the Nuendo testing.

Intel E6400 2MB cache/2.13GHz/1,066 FSB
Intel DP965LT w/ 3 x 32 bit PCI slots
eVGA GeForce 6800GT PCI-e 16x w/ 256MB DDR2
OCZ Gold PC2 6400 2GB DDR2 5-5-5-12
Western Digital WD360G O.S.+Apps.
Western Digital WD1500X Audio HDD
OCZ ADJ-520 Powerstream P.S.U. ATX
Servercase CK-480 4U ATX
3Ware SATA RAID Cage 4 in 3
Plextor External USB/Firewire 16x DVD-R

This particular set up with Nuendo 3.2 achieved 10 instances of IR1 @ 2.9ms. I was told by tester/producer/friend, that this was a little speed demon 4 cheap. As I will use the Overclockable CPU 4 my sons gaming/SFP DAW. I can use this cheap little buggar 4 my SFP DAW #2. I will only need to use EnergyXT VST Host and a couple of VSTi's. So this w/ 3 x 15 DSP cards should work well. No need to buy the super expensive Conroe 4 my chores. I spent 1300 USD on this set up listed above, this doesn't include the 1900 USD 4 2 x 15 DSP booster cards, and the Scope Professional.
I hope this is encouraging 4 all looking to upgrade to the new powerful Conroe CPU. I am sure that the E6600,E6700, and the E6800 will smoke my set up. But I wanted a cheap stable dual core VST host with a long upgrade path.

Strength And Honor,

Jimmy V.

[ This Message was edited by: scope4live on 2006-08-13 12:52 ]

alfonso · Post by **alfonso** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 7:16 am

Very interesting, as you have the setup with the 3xScope cards, do a Masterverb test,that will reveal the pci strength.

Ciao.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 1:57 pm

Can't wait for the results. We want pictures (screenshots) please!

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Mon Aug 14, 2006 3:05 pm

GaryB will be installing the cards 4 me 4 I am a weak man when it comes to any of this stuff. I prefer to think of my SFP rig as a Porche. Now do I really want to tune it up, and change the oil, or should I hire a pro? Well I guess you guys know the answer. I will make sure he has an internet connection while he stays on the strip in September. He has a room with a view, and 2 SFP DAW's to play with. Plus I am leaving my SE-1x's, and all hardware that will be linked to SFP. Lexicon, Line 6, MIDI 8 x 8, etc. I think he will have a festive time here. Afterall, it is a modern day Babylonia. Remember this will be the meagher 2.13GHz Conroe, but I will probably let him play with the ES w/ the unlocked multipliers and see what it does in respect to VST stuff. I will sneak him in to one on our pre production shows to let him hear the FAT BASTARDS which I will be cranking. He is not a synth addict as some of us are, but maybe I can part his hair with my Barbettas, and Pro3t just to let himfeel these obese toys of mine.

Till Then, Strength And Honor,

_________________
Jimmy V.

The infamous MV test it is then, I shall see to it myself.

[ This Message was edited by: scope4live on 2006-08-14 16:07 ]

DSP ADD!CT · Post by **DSP ADD!CT** » Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:00 am

Im realy interested in the results cause im also ready to go dual core. I use alot of native vst plugins and im not happy with the results i get from my P4 3.00 with a Asus P4P800 SE. A friend is running a AMD Athlon X2 4200 and those results are sick to say the least.

Cheers
DSP ADD!CT

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Sat Aug 19, 2006 1:51 pm

I've seen lots of good dual core AMD results w/ NF3 boards. These are really cheap now, and as you know 64 bit capability 4 future upgrades. The E6700 Conroe is a fast SOB 4 VST/VSTi set ups. I will be using the slower 2MB version at first. Then if the need nescessitates, I might put the E6700 back in it. We will soon see about that matter. Check the thread on the 6th of Septembner, after the SFP DAW building Guru does his magic 4 me.

DSP ADD!CT · Post by **DSP ADD!CT** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 1:56 am

Hi Jimmy,

Thinking bout buying this setup:

Processor: Intel Core2 duo E6300
Mobo: Asus P5B
Ram: Corsair 2048 TwinX DDR2 6400
Videocard: Asus EAX300 SE/T, 128mb
HDD: WD 200GB SATA2(x2)

Not sure yet, want some advice here 1st before buying.
Possible is also i keep my old P4 3.00 for Creamware and will run Cubase on the Core2, hook them up through midi and adat.

Any sugestion welcome

Cheers DSP ADD!CT

[ This Message was edited by: DSP ADD!CT on 2006-08-30 03:05 ]

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:45 pm

In just 4 days we will have the ultimate DAW man 4 SFP here in Las Vegas putting this DAW through the MVPRO tests and such. Hang 4 a few more days as he will even have the IRQ settings 4 us, and how fast Core 2 Duo can pour our coffee.

Patience Is A Virtue,

Jimmy V.

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 2:52 pm

DAW #2 is a complete sucsess. I watched GaryB load up 10 MV's, and many synths with 16 voice polyphony!! This dog will hunt.
GaryB and Saki looked like a giant John Lennon and Yoko as they strolled through the airport like celebrities. The Brotha's were all saying WTF, how long did it take to grow your hair. They are a fine and considerate couple I wish them the best here in Las Vegas, as I will get them booked as a Reggae group here. Saki and the Spirochetes sounds catchy 'eh.
We shall await his exact IRQ information, and other valuable information related to the new platform. I am extremely happy with this FAT BASTARD as it came with Pro One, Profit 5, Prodyssey, and other goodies I was unawre of. Thank You Brotha'Man Sinix for a great deal.
BlackBoxII.FlexorII.ProWave Modular, and Solaris Modular now will have a home worthy of their greatness. This is the synth DAW from hell.

_________________
Jimmy V.

[ This Message was edited by: scope4live on 2006-09-05 15:53 ]

AndreD · Post by **AndreD** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:45 am

same here:

-Inte E6600 togetehr with ASUS P5B Deluxe.
Seems to double the power of my D940

Post by **garyb** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:35 pm

thanks for the kind words, Jimmy!
i did disable a few controllers, but otherwise, no big deal. Jimmy has 2 type1 scope srbs(15dsp) or we'd have gotten better results from the masterverb test. still, 10 is pretty good for a type2 with two type1 cards.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:11 pm

sounds like a poor result if people are pulling off 20 MVs with a single Scope pro or 14 MVs with 12 DSPs on alfonso's MV thread. To clarify, an actual MV test & post would be sound.

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:00 pm

I agree Shroomz, but this is a live synth DAW 4 SFP, and in that respect it loads more synths than I expected, and has no issues with the new chipset CPU combo. It is also very, very quiet. My first DAW is great, but the P4/865 combo needs a good fan, and lots of power. This baby runs quiet, and I can load ProWave,Solaris,Prodyssey,OBX-c modular,. and BiOsc 4, all with 8 voices. So my synth DAW will actually do more than I expected. I wish it had some super MV results to show, but that is not the case. However the CPU can give me double the instances of convolution reverbs than the P4 3.4EE did, using GS3 Orchestra with Gigapulse. That is good news as on all my acoustic instruments I can now save them with my choice of resonant body impulses, which make them sound so much more realistic, and then add my favorite Lexicon reverb patch to each patch. P4 3.4EE wouldn't allow that much choice, where as the E series CPU's really show great leaps with the reverb instances, probably due to the 2MB, and 4MB of L2 cache. and much faster IPS.

My Dog Will Hunt,

_________________
Jimmy V.

[ This Message was edited by: scope4live on 2006-09-06 17:01 ]

Post by **garyb** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 5:25 pm

Shroomz, 10 MV is very good for 3 cards, 2 type1. that would be 17-20 if all cards are type2

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:28 am

Thanks for explaining. So, why specifically is there such a massive difference in pci performance between type 1 & 2 cards? Yes, the hardware must be different, but in what way exactly to make such a huge difference? It sounds like combining 1st & 2nd gen boards is a waste of the 2nd gen boards' superior pci performance, is that right?

dawman · Post by **dawman** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 3:15 am

While everyone is debating that point, I am getting astonishing results with Gigastudio 3 Orchestra, and Gigapulse, all while loading massive amounts of Scope synths at unconservative levels of polyphony. So if this is poor performance for many SFP guys, I will cherish this performance live, and my wallet is still fat from the cheap prices which I paid for these poor performance boards. I'm not sure where I stand on this topic other than I am extremely happy with GaryB's work and this setup. It will pay 4 itself by the middle of October, as I will start building FOH / Monitor DAW's for live gig, and also drum submixer. These will be using all new Type II cards though. Fot the prices of those cards brand new are inexpensive, and will only requiure enough for mixing and FX. Also I am loading alot of FX per patch in John Bowens ProWave, and Solaris modulars. The DSP meter is at 90 - 95%. For a board with poor PCI performance, it sure has rich sounds spewing from it. Can't wait for the FOH / Monitor experiment to unfold.

Post by **garyb** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 8:14 am

why the diff?
well, because the newer cards have better pci performnce than the old ones..

for Jimmy's use, there's no disadvantage to the type1 cards. he still gets the type2's lower operating latency.

Shroomz~> · Post by **Shroomz~>** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 9:11 am

Thanks, but I already knew that. I want to know WHY there's such a difference in PCI performance. If you don't know why, then fair enough

Post by **garyb** » Thu Sep 07, 2006 1:00 pm

newer cards=better architecture/design.