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Tested computer configurations -

Buying or building computers for Hauptwerk, recommendations, troubleshooting computer hardware issues.
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micdev

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Tested computer configurations -

PostMon Apr 13, 2009 10:33 am

Dear all,

For anyone looking for a new computer to use with Hauptwerk, choosing the right parts can be a problem, especially on the PC side with so many possibilities to choose from.

While I'm a PC guy, I have nothing against the MAC; that being said, most problems with PCs comes from the wide choice of parts and some incompatibilities between them.

I added a page on the wiki ( http://www.inspiredacoustics.com/wiki/i ... figuration ) and added my own configuration that I highly recommend for anyone looking for a new PC. While my system is almost 1 year old, all the parts are still available.

I invite everyone to add their configuration to this page so we can get a list of tested systems that will help future Hautpwerk owners or anyone looking for a upgrade to buy an already tested system.

If you're not sure how to edit this page, PM your configuration and I will gladly update the page.

Regards
François

P.S. Mac configurations are more than welcome also.
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GDay

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 10:50 am

Hello Francois,

What an excellent contribution to HW knowledge base!

G'Day
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ReinerS

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 11:25 am

Hello Francois,

really nice idea, I'm looking myself into upgrading my poor old PC very soon. May I make a suggestion that would make this even more helpful?

Please add the polyphony value you are reaching and perhaps loading times for one or two sample sets (initial load and loading from cache). I think those are quite important parameters for HW users.

Best regards
Reiner
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bcollins

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 1:17 pm

Hello François

I just got my new motherboard for Zion delivered this morning. After looking at all the different choices available from my distributor, I went with the ASUS P5QL-PRO. Hopefully this turns out to be a good choice.

RAM is Kingston KHX8500D2K2 - (2) 2GB DIMMs with heatsinks.

Video is ASUS EAH3450 (ATI Radeon) with 512MB DDR2, passive cooling.
Bob Collins
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micdev

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 1:33 pm

Bob,

Let us know how your system goes.

Reiner,

Very good idea; I added the columns.

François
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bcollins

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 2:04 pm

I will. MB, processor, RAM, and video are on the bench now - testing RAM.

My version of GoldMemory only recognized 3GB and apparently is only capable of testing in 32-bit mode. I don't knw how relevant the latter is.

My version of MemTest sees all 4GB, but misidentifies the chipset and busspeed.

Francois, do you have a really good late model memory testing utility?
Bob Collins
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bcollins

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 2:13 pm

BTW - I'm presently running MemTest+ 2.11.

Perhaps it just says P45 even though it knows it's a P43. Or perhaps there's no relevant difference.
Bob Collins
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micdev

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 6:26 pm

Francois, do you have a really good late model memory testing utility?


Bob, a long time ago I used to test newly installed memory (remember the days when you put chips one after the other). Parity error were quite frequent in these days.

But now, I'm putting the sticks in place, turn the computer on for days, load the more stuff I can to use as much memory as I can. I don't recall the last time I had to replace a memory stick.

For mission critical application, I will, just like you run memTest+ first, but most importantly, will have the server run under load for a certain period of time. I suprise that MenTest+ doesn't report the right chipset; the support for P43/P45 was added with version 2.10; maybe you should inform them of this problem.

I understand that your HW computer for Zion is kind of "mission critical"; a good ups will filter all those nasty spikes and protect also from the lows, but I'm sure you're already using something similar.

Let us know how it goes.

François
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bcollins

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PostMon Apr 13, 2009 9:21 pm

Hi Francois,

Yes, the PC is plugged into an APC Smart-UPS 1400va (rackmount).
It's a nice unit. We just got a fresh set of batteries last Sept.
Bob Collins
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bcollins

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PostTue Apr 14, 2009 7:29 pm

The Zion Hauptwerk PC upgrade is complete. Everything went perfectly (once I figured out I had forgot to connect power to the EMU PCI card to power the outboard MIDI/Audio dock).

Operating system is XP-64, EMU-1820 Audio, (2) Planar ELO compatible touch screens.

The toughest thing was finding compatible XP-64 drivers for the Moschip SD-PCI-2S dual serial port adapter.

The ELO drivers for XP/Vista installed and worked without a hitch - using serial cables.

[EDIT] So here is the complete system

Motherboard is ASUS P5QL-PRO - Chipset Intel P43 - 4 slots-DDR2 Max 16GB
Processor is Intel E6600 - 2.4GHz Core 2 Duo - 65nm
RAM is Kingston KHX8500D2K2 - (2) 2GB DIMMs with heatsinks -
Video is ASUS EAH3450 (ATI Radeon 3450) with 512MB DDR2, passive cooling.
Hard Dirve is Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 - 80GB - Plenty for 2-3 dry Sample Sets
MosChip SD-PCI-2S dual serial port PCI adapter (for touchscreens)
EMU-1820 PCI audio + Behringer ADA8000 (16 channels total)

I have no idea what the Polyphony capability is. It's more than adequate for a 40-50 rank dry organ loaded in mono. We used to use a 3 GHz P4 with no issues.

If I had the budget, the most pressing concerns would be:

To upgrade the audio to 24 channels. If anyone wants to donate $1400 for a MOTU 24/io, please let me know! I'll trade the EMU 1820 with (2) Behringer ADA8000 units straight across!

To replace the SATA hard drive with a 60GB SSD drive.
Bob Collins
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gingercat

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PostMon Apr 27, 2009 7:35 am

Might be useful to add what buffer/latency settings are being used, as polyphony is pretty much irrelevant if you need to use e.g. 500ms latency to achieve it.
Regards,
Chris Blaylock
i5 4670k, 32GB RAM, Win7, 2xELO 1280x1024 Touchscreens, Focusrite Saffire, MIDISport 4x4
4 Manual Console, 32 R&C Pedalboard, 3xExpression, Solenoid coupler tabs
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Re: Tested computer configurations -

PostSat Jun 20, 2009 10:06 am

HAUPTWERK ORGAN
Computer – Custom Assembled
Motherboard – Intel Extreme Series (D975XBX2)
Processor – Intel Core 2 Quad (Q6600) 2.4 GHz
Memory – DDR2 – 8GB
Operating System – Microsoft Windows XP Pro 64
Sound Processor – E-MU 1212m
Graphics Processor – NVIDIA GeForce 8400GS
Hard Drive – 300 GB
DVD/CD Rewritable Drive – Sony DRX-500ULX (External)
Keyboard/Touch Pad – Adesso WKB-4000US (Cordless)
Programs – Hauptwerk Virtual Pipe Organ v. 3.2.2
ArpSchnitger-Cappel
StAnnesMoseley
StAnnesWithAllFrills
Miditzer Virtual Organ Style 216 & Style 260SP
TouchKit Touch Screen Drivers v.4.3.8
Winamp Media Player v.5.552
E-MU PatchMix DSP
Cakewalk Sonar LE
LoopBe 1 Internal MIDI Virtual Cables
JBL Pro LSR 4300 Control Center v.2.1.1
Console – Schober Recital (circa 1976) – totally gutted
Monitors – (2) Miracle Touch 15” TFT-LCD Touch Screen
Keyboards – (2) All wood manuals from a Schober Consolette (circa 1957)
Key switches &
MIDI interface from M-Audio Keystation 61es*
Pedalboard – from the Schober Recital
Key switches – Peterson Pedal Key Contact System
MIDI Interface – from M-Audio Keystation 49e
Pistons – MIDI Interface – ittyMIDI Discrete Encoder
Sound System – JBL Professional Studio Monitors
Main Speakers – (2) LSR4326 6.25” Speakers with 150 watt amplifiers, digital input
Subwoofer – LSR4312SP 12” Speaker with 450 watts, digital input

Auxiliary Speakers – (2) JBL L20T Speakers
Amplifier – AudioSource AMP One/A 80 watts per channel, analog input

*M-Audio Keystations are excellent for MIDI conversions. Remove and dispose of the outer case and keys and use the internal circuit boards. The key switches are on a circuit board mounted perfectly spaced for the organ keyboard. The other circuit boards plug into the key switch board and provide a convenient USB connection to the computer.
Marv Lundberg
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ian99

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Re: Tested computer configurations -

PostTue Sep 22, 2009 2:27 pm

This setup works faultlessly and is built into the organ console with a remote power button and a 4port usb hub under the keyboard shelf for the dongle, mouse, external dvd drive, memory stick as required.
It was too noisy until I fitted the quiet cpu cooler and psu, now its inaudible.

Gigabyte ga-ma69g-s3h AM2 M/bd. I use the onboard video (via hdmi to dvi adaptor)
AMD 64 x2 6000
Zalman CNPS9700 LED ultra quiet cpu cooler
AKASA 500watt ultra quiet psu
4 x 2G corsair PC6400 ddr2 memory
2, WD 10k rpm 500gb SATA300 hard disks in raid 0
ELO ET1528L 15" touch screen
Focusrite Saffire
Windows Vista 64 business edition

Disabled as much as possible in 'Services' including all the network services and security etc.
I occasionally get some graphics corruption on boot - a few lines across the screen - I think I disabled one of the services used by the ATI graphics controller. I haven't pinned down why its intermittent though!

Ianj
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oliver_mayes

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Re: Tested computer configurations -

PostMon Sep 28, 2009 3:18 pm

Unable to edit page so here is what I have been using for 3 months with excelent results.

Using the following:
Motherboard - ASUS P6T
Chipset - ?
Processor - Intel Core i7 2.66 GHz
Memory details - 6 slots DDR3 1066 PC3 unbuggered
Memory used - Crucial 3 X 2 GB by t sets - 12 GB total
HD - Western digital Caviar 640 GB X 2
Slots - PCI -2, PCI X1 - 1, PCI X16 - 3
Sound card - EMU 1212M external
OS - Vista 643 bit Home Premium
Polyphony - greater than 9000
Load time 1st - St Annes Mosely - 75 seconds
Comments - excellent results and sound
Name - Oliver_Mayes

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