PC question

[popbaby]

Could I just purchase an internal ssd to replace the 5400rpm hd that comes stock with the laptop, rather than using an external 7200rpm via usb 3.0? If I used the internal ssd would I have a need to for an external other than backup? I would use the internal ssd for everything then, including os, programs, audio, midi, sound libraries, plugins, etc. Or is it necessary to have two drives regardless?

[outteh]

The problem you'll have with the SSD is the price of one that would give you the size of the regular hard drive. SSD's in the gigabyte range are expensive. If the laptop you are thinking of getting has room for two drives, then you can get it with an SSD and a second drive giving you the storage Space you'll need. I have a 256 MB SSD and a 500 GB 7200 RPM hybrid drive on my laptop. For long term storage I have an external drive that I move files to periodically.

[popbaby]

Thanks for the reply. Lets say I can get an internal 256gb ssd for around $100 to replace the 1tb 5400rpm. Would I then need an external 7200rpm at all? If I plan on transferring sessions over regardless, having a 1tb internal would be a moot point no? I could always replace the internal with a 7200rpm, but would I still need another hard drive for the OS and such?

The bottom line, is running an internal SSD with everything on it, just as good, if not better than running an external 7200rpm via usb 3.0?

[outteh]

In my opinion, go for the SSD (256MB) internal drive. Then you can decide how you want to store or move files off to whatever you want, speed won't be as much of an issue then. Does the laptop your thinking off have room for 2 drives?

[popbaby]

I think I can replace the dvd drive with another HD if I wanted to, but I was planning on taking out the 5400rpm 1tb internal and buying an enclosure for backup. That way the thing doesn't go to waste. I can then clone my current windows 7, software, plugins, etc to install on the SSD.

I haven't seen anything cheaper and I imagine it's worth the extra $100 for the i7 and bigger screen? There's a model below this with an AMD a10 and same specs.

http://www.costco.com/HP-ENVY-17t-Lapto ... 31695.html

[outteh]

Look up the specs and other reviews on this laptop. Not too bad for the price. It appears you will have a 2.5 inch extra drive bay, so you could get this laptop with the 1 TB drive and buy an SSD drive later and install it. In other words you have space for 2 internal drives. The I7 and larger screen is a good idea also.

[popbaby]

Should I be able to do everything with the SSD? I'm not recording more than one track at once, but I will be using amp modeling, ez drummer 2, and plenty of plugins. Probably won't be running more than 30 or so tracks including the sampled drums. I see that everyone says to have a second drive for audio, but is that necessary given my parameters? It kinda defeats the purpose of me getting the ssd if I need to buy an external 7200rpm regardless. I'm not worried about windows boot times or loading of software/projects, than I am a PC that can handle what I throw at it with no issues.

[outteh]

The drive is only one aspect of recording using a DAW. The audio drivers, audio capability, effects on tracks, etc. all add up to a good recording. I would suggest you do some more research to make sure you understand what you need to have to do what you want. Look at some articles on what encompasses a good audio recording computer. Should help you to decide on what you need.

[popbaby]

So, I ended up with an HP laptop and was about to swap out the HDD for an SSD only to find out it was not the computer they had said it was. Doing any sort of work under the hood would be a nightmare. Needless to say, I was just going to return the laptop when HP told me they would exchange it for one with an SSD for $100 more. Considering this is a $200 upgrade I was about to jump all over it when they told me that because if has an SSD it now will have a different i7 processor, which is 2 cores instead of 4. It has a nVIDIA GTX 850M 4GB graphics, but I don't do any gaming. Should I not pull the trigger on this and get a different quad core i7?

These are the two options.
4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4710HQ Quad Core Processor + Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
OR
4th generation Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4510U Dual Core Processor + 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 850M Graphics

[outteh]

HP is trying to sell a product and not take care of the customer. I don't know of any reason an SSD won't work with an I7 quad core. Stick to your guns and get what you want. Don't do the dual core, that is an older model processor.

[popbaby]

That's what I figured, thanks. It's the only way to get the laptop with the ssd, and is actually considered an upgrade of another $150, but they're waiving the fee. I imagine I would notice a difference between the two right?

[outteh]

You might not really notice a difference until you put a load on the laptop. Then anything could happen.

[clavguy]

Hi,
I haven't kept up with this thread.. But here is my take on things.

First these guys are right for the most part on processor selection. i7 is probably better than AMD. That being said, I recently upgraded my computer to a AMD fx-8320 8 core processor and I am quite happy with it. This is good competition for the i7 at wayyyy less the money. The AMD 10 you were originally looking at is an entry level processor. I should mention also that when I upgraded the CPU, I also increased my RAM to 16 Gig.

On hard drive stuff, these guys are right on. You need 7200 RPM. Don't try to use an external drive for anything other than backup. In my real job, I design and build devices that have embedded SSDs. With the new technology out there, they won't "wear out" as fast as they used to. I have one in my machine that use for samples.

Cheers
Pierre

[Ianpb]

I am awaiting delivery of the components for a new i7-4790k system, and looking forward to experiencing an easier time making music with its 8 threads, as well as producing a few videos to go with some of my work, including a planned animation. So I shall be there for all to see!

[BremenCole]

Congrats! Hope it works out great, and I bet it will.

I strongly recommend a SSD. The new ones will out last the useful like of the computer, and will make everything snappy.