Genos all great everything 100% then OH No!!

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi

I know this is Genos total , but my computer has gone dead.
After all that I have fixed up ,Genos Speakers and all, the damn computer dies!!!

I need a quick recommendation for a music production computer 2017 quad core fast and 16 to 20 gig of ram and reliable for at least 6 years.
Any suggestions will do as I want to get all fixed up before Christmas
Thank god I imaged my drive.!!

All the best
John

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi John,

Why not go for a Mac ?

Jeff

[Michael R]

I agree with Jeff. After years of using a Windows pc I switched to a Mac, or should I say, I got a Mac as well as the pc.  Best thing I ever did!!

Michael

[Pianoman]

I too agree with Jeff.

A Mac is more musician friendly. But if you want to stick with Windows, there was a  PC from Asus that I had read about a long while ago. It seemed like a powerful machine, if I remember correctly.
Good luck.

Best Regards,
Pianoman.

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi John,

I understand you want Cubase 9.5 now, right ?
Great prog for Mac ! 

Jeff

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi to all

The mac pro seems quite an expensive job  and I am looking for using a few  vst synths and  a good daw for editing the Genos
I have been looking at  the dell XPS tower and Acer Aspire TC 780 desktop pc.
They seem to recommend gaming computers as they are faster and can handle the processing power of some vst instruments.
What sort of mac computers do most use . I do not want a laptop. Rather have a tower.
I also changed  my cmos battery on my i7 (6 years old) and still the thing will not power up DEADED! all over!!KAPUT!!!
Asus are good  as Pianoman suggests and will have a look at them.I do have an Asus that i do all my Internet stuff on and that is quite perky for general use.


All the Best
john
jOHN

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi John,

Buying a Mac depends on your budget and your needs and wishes. Go to google.

Installing win10 on a Mac is also possible.
See : https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204990

If you cannot start up your i7 at all, it looks like you have a power problem.
Their might be a lot of reasons.

See : https://www.lifewire.com/fix-a-computer-that-shows-no-sign-of-power-2624442.

Good luck, Jeff

[hammer]

John,
take a serious look at the ASUS line of computers if the Mac is not an option.  For decades ASUS supplied components for manufacturers and now they sell their own brand.  I used ASUS parts to build about 8 computers the last 10 years.  Very reliable and better than you are going to get with other brand names except Apple. 

Here is a link to the website:
https://www.asus.com/us/

Deane

[Rick D.]

Ugawoga,

It sounds like a bad power supply, which is a common problem with Dells if that is what your old computer is. They cost about $130.00 from Dell. Not sure if you know how to check the output of the power supply or not. I'm sure you can find something YouTube.
It's pretty straight forward and will require an AC/DC volt meter.

Rick D.

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Deane
Which Asus is the one you would recommend as they look a little odd some of them
Needs to have 16 gig ram
If dells have power problems and all others seem to have quirks according to the various write ups I have read it is UGGGHH!!
This Is going to be a headache to sort out
I have given up on my old computer now  DEAD!!.power supply

[pjd]

It sounds like a bad power supply, which is a common problem with Dells if that is what your old computer is. They cost about $130.00 from Dell. Not sure if you know how to check the output of the power supply or not. I'm sure you can find something YouTube.
It's pretty straight forward and will require an AC/DC volt meter.

Rick's suggestion is worth following up. John, if you don't trust Dell power supplies (and at this point maybe you shouldn't), there are several reputable brands of replacement power supplies. Since you're in the UK, I don't know what brands are specifically available to you. In the US, I've been using the same Antec supply in my machine for 6+ years. I recommend buying a new supply which exceeds the rated demands of the Dell. A little extra capacity doesn't hurt.

Best of luck -- pj

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Pj

I have had it with my pc as It is also nearly 7 years old and things like graphics card and bios are not updatable any more.

What do you think of this  £1099 -------Bad or Good ??

Looks like we get a different selection of computers than the USA in our stores

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[pjd]

Hi John --

I can't really say up or down since I don't follow computer product or pricing in the UK. Plus, your compute requirements are most likely different from my own. I don't use a lot of VSTs and even a fairly slow single core (!) machine can get my work done.

However, I see your point about fixing a seven year old machine. I would be inclined to get a new machine, too -- probably a very petite engine like an Intel NUC. I usually assemble my own configuration and haven't bought an HP, Acer, etc. for years! (And I used to work for HP, and AMD, ...)

All the best -- pj

[zionip]

Hi pj,

I am glad that you are satisfied with your Intel NUC, which seems to be excellent choice for doing light duty tasks.

Like you, I used to build my own computers, from DOS, Windows, to Hackintosh.  At one point of time, I built a desktop from scratch and finished assembling everything in about 45 minutes.  I am now done with desktops because of the lack of portability, and it is always tempting to upgrade hardware components on the desktops continuously.

Apple MacBook Pro used to be my favorite notebooks but its limitation on 16GB RAM, the lack of ports (the need for dongles, and more dongles), lack of support for touch, lack of user hardware expansion options, and slow CPUs, drove me to the Windows 10 side for 'serious' computing.  I still have 2 decent MacBook Pros in the backpacks, not being used at all for more than half a year.

I personally have had very bad user experience with Intel Skull Canyon NUC due to its hardware issues with DIMMs - it recognized 2 x 16GB DIMMs (within its specs) for a while, then crashed, could only boot with 1 x 16GB DIMM.  I tried several brands and models of DIMMs with the same results.  Then I searched and found a lot of users with the same complaints.  I wasted a couple of weeks in troubleshooting, exchanges, and finally had to return it.

While the Intel NUC was working, I noticed its little fan screamed very loudly when playing 4K 60fps Youtube videos, and its CPU usage was about 90%.  Now I am using a Sager NP-9876 notebook with a quad core i7-7700K desktop CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 GPU - it is quiet when playing 4K 60fps videos due to the dedicated GPU. 

Our compute requirements are definitely very different.  I just want to share with you my bad experience with Intel NUC, and rant about Apple laptop limitations. 

Thanks,
Paul

[Rick D.]

Once it is in your head to get a new computer, there is no stopping you!
In the States Aces is not considered top of the line, but from the specs it looks fine if not overkill for what you need.
I have always owned Dells, granted they aren't as good as they used to be, but at least if you do have a problem, their customer service is great.

Rick D.

[AndrewKeyz]

I would get an i7 iMac 27 inch.
You definitely wouldn't need a Mac Pro for music production, perhaps if you ran a studio and recorded a different band each day I could see the need. But even in tests they concluded a new i7 iMac was better for 4K rendering than the current model Mac Pro.

If you get 3 year applecare you would have peace of mind till 2021 pretty much.

Windows is simply atrocious to use compared to Mac OSX. I had a recent small Dell machine I will be trying to sell ASAP. It was sitting on my digital piano for use with Flowkey. I part exchanged that piano for the Genos. Now the PC has no use as my Macs are simply superior for everything. The PC was simply unusable with the amount of background processes for updates that constantly hog the hard drive. I never felt comfortable booting it on and starting to use it, I was always wondering what the hell the computer was actually doing in the background as I could see the HDD light come on. Should have had it with SSD I guess but it still would have been messing about for sure. The touch screen is good on Windows if you have one but unnecessary really and can understand Apple haven't cared about it.

[pjd]

Hi Paul --

I'm actually still using my 7 year old AMD machine. Part of my old duties before I retired from AMD was testing our software product on virtually everything we made. Thus, I got to the point where I could build, swap, and troubleshoot various combinations of things in my sleep.   

Your comment about the NUC is helpful. I will eventually go with something in that form factor (e.g., micro ITX). I still find it hard to actually buy an Intel processor... 

Thanks -- pj

[Kokoriz]

Would recommend building your own PC workstation as you can get quality parts and cheaper than a pre build PC. I did mine going on two years now and so far running smoothly. Also doing heavy video editing and running Cubase 9.5 at the moment and not a problem so far.

[markstyles]

I have a 2015 Mac Pro 6 core..  Not cheap.. especially after two RAID systems.

The next generation of Mac Pros are going to go back to some kind of cabinet/box.  Apple rather sheepishly admitted in their rush to be stylish,   the little Darth Vader head was not the wisest choice..  The cables are packed in so close, it's almost impossible to extract one, without upsetting others..   I do like the computer..

But who knows when the  next version of a Mac tower will come out.. They are worse than Yamaha when it comes to secrecy.

I use Logic Pro with Mac, since they own Logic, we're somewhat assured of it staying around but DAWS and computer platforms are all pretty well designed now..  But I think all DAWS and PC Platforms are not that different anymore..

After using Logic for 25 years now, I would NOT want to learn a new DAW at this point..  I personally would always use the more powerful mac, because of large amount of tracks, plug-ins. But the Laptop Pros are pretty capable.. 

If you get a mac, get the 3 years AppleCare.  It gives you three years of pretty decent tech support.. instead of 90 days..

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi John,

I am almost sure it is absolutely not your intention to go for a MAC, right ?

Since you want a WIN pc only it is up to you to find out which WIN desktop hardware is the best choice for all your personal applications.

IMHO it is very important to know which software you will need to make your dreams come true before ordering any hardware.

Jeff

[Spirit of the old South]

Hi John,

I am almost sure it is absolutely not your intention to go for a MAC, right ?

Since you want a WIN pc only it is up to you to find out which WIN desktop hardware is the best choice for all your personal applications.

IMHO it is very important to know which software you will need to make your dreams come true before ordering any hardware.

Jeff

Did you ever look at the current prices of a MAC?

A macbook is almost €3000
An Imac over €2000

A MAC pro? which is the dedicated way to go for a powerfull music computer called DAW
that is €6000 to €7000

I guess the price is enough for most people to buy a Windows machine.
First you need to decide laptop or desktop
then you go to the Dell website and make your choice.
Dell is a decent choice, with good support
And they have the broadest range of choices

I personally would go for a laptop
With a quadcore CPU
and 16 Gigs (32 if you want to run sample based VST's)
And a fast SSD atleast 500GB's

[Oldden]

Hi,
It's worth looking on the Internet, there are loads of reviews and reports out there, but some seem to be biased towards to one make over another. Many magazines have a web page with reviews, and then when you pick a machine out compare the prices.
Oldden

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Jeff and all

Well , thanks for all of your suggestions and a mac is way too expensive and I would have to change all of my software.
I had a guy suggest PC SPecialists here in the uk and they have got a good reputation for building pro audio computers.
I have done an online build from their skeleton and It comes to £1070.
It has a good power supply an ASUS motherboard and 16 gig of Corsair ram.
I did an online check of all main components and all check out good quality
I will give them a ring Monday and get an order in If happy


All the best
John

[Jeff Hollande]

Hi John,

Happy to hear you will solve your pc problem soon, John.
Congratulations !

Jeff

[jgriffin]

My Dell XPS18 died one day.  It was because I tried to put the headphone plug into the UPS port on the side panel.  I nearly cried because I don't have everything backed up (still don't).  I called Dell and the fix was very simple.  Just hold the power button in for 20 seconds.  I'll be danged if the damn thing didn't power right back up.  Since then I've only done that one more time and the fix worked again.  You'd think after the first time I would know better. 

That reminds me I was driving home from work in my new red Mustang and passed a speed trap that caught a car two lanes over from me.  The motorcycle cop hit him with the speed gun and stepped right out into the lane and motioned for him to turn in.  That was a couple of weeks ago - in fact it was exactly two weeks ago from last Tuesday when that same cop pulled me over in the same spot.  REALLY....I could not believe my own ignorance! 

[Spirit of the old South]

My Dell XPS18 died one day.  It was because I tried to put the headphone plug into the UPS port on the side panel.  I nearly cried because I don't have everything backed up (still don't).  I called Dell and the fix was very simple.  Just hold the power button in for 20 seconds.  I'll be danged if the damn thing didn't power right back up.  Since then I've only done that one more time and the fix worked again.  You'd think after the first time I would know better. 

That reminds me I was driving home from work in my new red Mustang and passed a speed trap that caught a car two lanes over from me.  The motorcycle cop hit him with the speed gun and stepped right out into the lane and motioned for him to turn in.  That was a couple of weeks ago - in fact it was exactly two weeks ago from last Tuesday when that same cop pulled me over in the same spot.  REALLY....I could not believe my own ignorance!

We have a saying in Holland, even a donkey doesn't step two times on the same sharp stone.

[pjd]

That reminds me I was driving home from work in my new red Mustang and passed a speed trap that caught a car two lanes over from me.  The motorcycle cop hit him with the speed gun and stepped right out into the lane and motioned for him to turn in.  That was a couple of weeks ago - in fact it was exactly two weeks ago from last Tuesday when that same cop pulled me over in the same spot.  REALLY....I could not believe my own ignorance!

Got nailed that way myself -- on a stretch of road that I drove every day and KNEW where the speed trap was. Arg.

-- pj

[jgriffin]

WE BAD!

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Jeff
Settled for a Pc Specialist UK computer as they build them for Audio. Another company here in Uk that are good is Scan uk for computers specializing in audo
I was warned off of getting an off the shelf pc in the local stores!!!
It cost me £1750 , and hope this will last for the future
I got my old receipts out and my failed computer was purchased in 2009.
Due for another . This company have a good reputation and email me on every stage of build
It is in testing now and they test for a day to bed everything in and if ok goes through quality control for a day ,and then dispatched.
Also a good Guarantee and offer at a late stage advice and upgrades if necessary.
I hope now my Arturia synths and Fm8 and Sample Tank 3 and Korg Collection will run great with my Focusrite Scarlett  6i6.
The internal one was included, but I will use the Focusrite for music.
Should be good enough for using Magix pro and get some home movis done In 1080 quality.

This is the spec

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[Jeff Hollande]

GREAT, John !🐹
I am very happy you have found what you need.👍

Enjoy, Jeff