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AMD Quad 64 bitmachine with accellerator 8 gigs memory 1 TByte hard drive Windows 7 It only took 7 hours to reinstall all those files starting from 2007 and I'm still setting stuff up. It'll be awhile before this cookie is put to use recording. A lot of new stuff to deal with and I haven't kept up with the technology. I tried installing a sound card but ran into a slight problem. It doesn't fit this computer. No PCI slots.   Ah well. It's a new world coming and I'd better get ready for the learning curve. Probably will have to goto USB soundcard. No? 
Russ Anyday above ground is a good day Computer is Hp Pavillion Vision 6 Ghz quad core AMD processor 8 Gig memory 1 TB hard drive 6 GB hard drive Windows 7 Premium Loose nut behind the keyboard 
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Try the built in soundcard first, Russ.
Many of them today tout some rather good specs, time marches on.
I think that the majority of PC users want to be able to have good sound for multimedia uses, and the designers and mfrs have been responding to that.
Playback with the newer built in sound devices is pretty darn good -- and many of the newer boards have *much* quieter and otherwise better Inputs on them as well, especially the Line Inputs.
Only reason to go aftermarket is if you really need multiple channels in many instances now.
--Mac
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
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Hi Russ. When I got my new PC a year ago I made sure I had at least one pci slot to save my emu 1616 pci audio interface. But was surprised while shopping that there were lots of PCs with no pci slots, being replaced by pcie slots.
So, check out tweakheadz.com. He has a good section discussing and comparing usb, pci, and firewire audio interfaces - with charts. A good starting point.
Also,if your new computer has pcie slots, google "pcie to pci" to look at a pcie card you install in your computer, into which you can plug a pci card, saving your existing interface. I shyed away from that 'cause I could see more, new, problems. But just so you know.
Good luck.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Journeyman
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Kelso:
Where did you find an off-the-shelf computer that had a PCI slot? Brand, model, etc.?
I've been having a hard time finding one.
Thanks.
John
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Hi Kelso. Thanks for the info. From what the computer tech is telling me the PCI type of computer is no longer out there, unless, you can find an older one on the shelf. I have plugged my recording system into the AC97 plug in the front. I was surprised at how quiet it is. The old Creative card was just a bit noisy and I had to clean up after it when I did a recording. So maybe I don't need to worry about a soundcard just yet. We'll see. And, thanks again.
Russ Anyday above ground is a good day Computer is Hp Pavillion Vision 6 Ghz quad core AMD processor 8 Gig memory 1 TB hard drive 6 GB hard drive Windows 7 Premium Loose nut behind the keyboard
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Congrats! I'm excited about what I just ordered a Micro Express Micro Flex 23B. Has Intel i5, sandy bridge, 2500K, 8gb ram, 500gb sata 6gb hd, Creative SB x-fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 PCI express + some other extras. Lots of room for expenasion. This is sort of custom and you buy direct from the manufacturer. Buying the Dell p-2011H 20" monitor via Amazon. I was going to get a Firewire jack, but it comes with some 3.0 usb ports.
I have kept moving my laptop around on the desk with the usb cables attached and messed up a couple of ports on it. This toshiba has held up very well and is 7 yrs old now. I won't be getting my new desktop until week after next. Not looking forward to the setup, but.....
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Journeyman
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John, Russ - Mine is 15 months old - Dell Studio XPS 8100. It was one of the few with an PCI slot at the time. Maybe it was the last.
kelso
Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk
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Russ, Quote:
From what the computer tech is telling me the PCI type of computer is no longer out there, unless, you can find an older one on the shelf.
The tech guy is lying to you, although it may be unintentional. "Off the shelf" computers typically have the cheapest compnonents they can get by with. That means no extra PCI slots or expansion capability.
MOBO's with expansion room are readily available but they cost more. If you buy directly from the mfg'er, you can configure your own and choose every component from a list. I got mine a couple of months ago and chose a MOBO with lots of room.
http://www.ibuypower.com/
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Right you are, Bob. The sound card I got was 1 of 4 options available in addition to the stock one. It even says that I have extra pci slots.
Cornet Curmudgeon
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I based my system around Bob's processor and mainboard. It has 2 PCI slots. See his post "Happy Camper" for full details.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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Bob is right on it here. When I embarked on the "quest to climb Mount MOTU" some time back, I did not have a computer with the form factor I needed to handle the interface card. The options there are to upgrade or buy new. If you buy new, you take what "they" give you. If you don't have the experience and skills to upgrade, you have no other option. In my case, I bought a motherboard, CPU and RAM and put it in the existing case. I also bartered for a 1tb hard drive, cloned my existing 60gb drive to the 1tb, and off I went, with a new motherboard that had the PCIe slot I needed for the MOTU interface card.
What I did for $110 dollars and a well executed barter would have cost someone $300 at a computer shop. And when you hit the $300 mark, you are only $50-100 from a new off the shelf model, and most people hear the call of the "new" and go that way. They they get a minimum amount of RAM, onboard video that shares that minimum amount of RAM, lower end CPUs.... Really is a vicious cycle.
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