has anyone built a cheap baby ATX daw for VSTi?

[kensuguro]

Just wondering if anyone's done a cheap, simple box just as a VSTi companion for scope? AMD dual cores seem darn cheap, so I was thinking of putting together a near dedicated kontakt box with small OS disk, and another disk for samples. Seems like I might be able to pull it off way under $1000. And then I'll just slap on a cheap M-audio interface. It's not for gigging or anything, just to use big piano libraries on kontakt when I practice.

[Mixtremist]

Just wondering if anyone's done a cheap, simple box just as a VSTi companion for scope? AMD dual cores seem darn cheap, so I was thinking of putting together a near dedicated kontakt box with small OS disk, and another disk for samples. Seems like I might be able to pull it off way under $1000. And then I'll just slap on a cheap M-audio interface. It's not for gigging or anything, just to use big piano libraries on kontakt when I practice.

Yep.

Antec Aria case (Now called NSK1380 - no longer has builtin card reader)
Gigabyte GA-M61PM-S2 MicroATX mobo - discontinued -
AMD A64x2 4600+
Mixtreme Classic - discontinued
2 X Hitachi HDD
Multi-format Card Reader

Great little box - I use it as a backup for the rackmount, which is now being rebuilt.

[Nestor]

I don’t have it Ken, I haven’t built one myself, but I know it has enough power for what you want to do. It is a great idea I think.

[kensuguro]

hmm, athlon dualcore isn't so bad after all eh. Seems to fall quite far behind in benchmarks, but I guess considering the price, guess it's great as an "auxilary" firepower unit.

[Nestor]

The benchmarks are quite specific and tend to measure odd aspects of CPUs sometimes, and yes, we all want the fastest CPU available in the market and all that. But I can assure you that an Atlhon Dualcore is not to be disregarded if the only thing you want to do is to run a few heavy load VSTi. It should be more than enough, particularly if you plan to install a reduced XP version of Windows. My only concern about it is the need for high quality fans so to keep your box cool enough, as Atlhons get quite hot when working hard for long periods of time.

The amount of money you save is so much, that makes of it a wise choice.

[Mixtremist]

The benchmarks are quite specific and tend to measure odd aspects of CPUs sometimes, and yes, we all want the fastest CPU available in the market and all that. But I can assure you that an Atlhon Dualcore is not to be disregarded if the only thing you want to do is to run a few heavy load VSTi. It should be more than enough, particularly if you plan to install a reduced XP version of Windows...

Absolutely true.

.... My only concern about it is the need for high quality fans so to keep your box cool enough, as Atlhons get quite hot when working hard for long periods of time......

I can tell you this is absolutely NOT the case with my A64x2 4600+. This 65watt Windsor cpu runs quite cool for extended periods of time.

...The amount of money you save is so much, that makes of it a wise choice.

A wise choice indeed.