Off Topic Computer Question: HP Pavilion p6-2100 Desktop PC

  • Thread starter Thread starter Charvel1975
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Charvel1975

Charvel1975

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Hey guys right now I have an old Dell Dimension 8300 desktop that I'm looking to replace with either a new desktop tower or laptop and I just ran across this HP desktop-only on Staples site:

http://www.staples.com/HP-Pavilion-p6-2 ... uct_444697

Has this model been out for a while and does anyone on here use this model HP? The Dell I have right now can't handle running Mixcraft recording software, Line 6 POD Farm or Gearbox and opening up other virtual plug-ins and Internet Explorer and multiple windows. It pretty much freezes up the whole computer.
 
I'm a Mac guy but HPs are pretty good PCs for the $. I believe that model has a 2.8 or 3 GHz AMD proc which is plenty powerful and probably 4G of RAM. 4 is decent for running music applications but if you can upgrade to 6 or even 8G, you'll be golden. :thumbsup:
 
The link doesn't work so I just checked out the HP P6 desktops that Staples has on their website. I don't think you'll be happy with any of these. There are certain guidelines for scoping a DAW that you'll want to follow:

Do not go below quad-core with either Intel or AMD. You'll be buying old technology and the hardware will struggle with upgrades. Go with a high-speed 6, 8, or 10-core processor that has been on the market for less than six months.
Do not go below 1333 MHz DDR3 RAM--6 GB is good 8GB and above is better.
Much of the latency comes from the disk I/O. You'll probably have a hard time finding a consumer computer with a SAS or SCSI hard disk, so make sure you get SATA II running at 7200 RPM MINIMUM. If you can find something with faster disk, go for it. If you can't, make sure the computer has MINIMUM USB 2.0.(USB 3.0 or FireWire 800 is better) and see about getting an external hard drive. Keep the program files and the music files on separate physical disks.
Don't buy the computer from Staples. It'll have a ton of bloatware installed that you will need to remove or it will take valuable space and slow down the system. Buy from HP direct.
When you get the computer, DO NOT CONNECT IT TO THE INTERNET, EVER!!! Install updates and patches via a USB stick from another Internet-connected computer that has an up-to-date virus scanning program installed.

You want your DAW to run lean and mean, devoting all of its available resources to your music program of choice, not thrashing the disk because there's not enough RAM, or having latency issues that negatively affect your performance or editing due to resource contention.

Read up on the 'net and do your homework. Save up more money if you have to, but get something that will do it right, all the way, instead of something that will just meet the minimum requirements.

Feel free to PM me if you have more detailed questions.

Cheers,
 
I'm on kind of a budget but I still need to get online to check mail, do band business, etc.
 
Charvel1975":mpa3cjgv said:
I'm on kind of a budget but I still need to get online to check mail, do band business, etc.
Click to expand...
just get a ipad
 
You should really have separate machines for DAW and everything else. The more you put on your DAW the worse it's gonna perform. If you're going to connect it to the Internet, you will need to have virus protection which can slow things down brutally.

If you need an all-in-one machine, go with glassjaw and get a Mac.
 
Staples just dropped the price even lower on the HP Pavilion p6-2100 Desktop PC to $279.99, looks like a good computer, I already have a Dell 20" flatscreen monitor and the HP already has a built in wireless desktop network card too. I think it should be alright for general use, recording with my Line 6 Toneport UX-1 and running whatever recording software that's easy to use. I'm only going to be recording guitar tracks for the most part, etc.
 
HPs in that price range are dog shit. Good luck, you will need it.
 
glassjaw7":2tdjuajb said:
I'm a Mac guy but HPs are pretty good PCs for the $. I believe that model has a 2.8 or 3 GHz AMD proc which is plenty powerful and probably 4G of RAM. 4 is decent for running music applications but if you can upgrade to 6 or even 8G, you'll be golden. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...


Well I bought it and so far so good but Staples online tech support recommended getting a 1 GB aftermarket sound card installed, they said the factory realtek integrated sound card isn't good enough
 
call me crazy (or worse :lol: :LOL: )


but I use 2 pc's

both are Dell Pent 4 2.6ghz / 1gb ram / windows xp home

I run GR5 (and sometimes TH2) on one pc (output sent from Line 6
UX1 into tube power amp / 4 X12)

I mike the cab and record on the other pc



both pc are just factory XP OS specs (no updates, no BS, nothing !!) the only thing running are the progs - rarely
do I have issues with freeze ups/crashes

its as stable as XP gets IMO :rock:
 
I don't even know why I posted 1 GB soundcard?! LOL!! Anyway from what I was told was pretty much get a decent aftermarket sound card installed like a $25-$30 Creative Labs Soundblaster sound card or something
 
The HP already came with 4GB of RAM and it's expandable with another 4GB RAM stick
 
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