Gigabyte UD5 for PowerDaw system

[Mikelo]

Hi (Pete),
Just following on from our conversation from KVR Audio concerning the 3XS motherboards.
I am very eager to have a Gigabyte UD5 installed when I purchase a 3XS PowerDaw, but as I don't have the luxury of " testing or trying one out", I would be very great full if you could let us know any findings you have.
I see the MSI on the current configuration is not "Texas Instrument" firewire chipset, which one admits, one can install a TI chipset firewire but as the current configuration shows, this adds more cost to the system. Plus it does seem, after trawling through many web site pages that the UD5 seems to be the DB's for audio systems.
If you do get round to testing the UD5's, would there be a chance of it being standard installation in the PowerDaws's configurations?
Thanks in advance,
Michael.

[PeteG@Scan]

Hi Michael,

Yeah, I know a few firms have been going with it and I know some of the pro's are finding it fine. The feedback i've had is from end users (self built systems) rather than builders so the chances are it will be something I can resolve quickly and easily. I need to build a test i7 rack config this week ideally. When I do it, I'll do it with the UD5 and give it a test to see how it performs here for me. If it's fine then it'll go on the system spec as the default

[Mikelo]

Hi Michael,

Yeah, I know a few firms have been going with it and I know some of the pro's are finding it fine. The feedback i've had is from end users (self built systems) rather than builders so the chances are it will be something I can resolve quickly and easily. I need to build a test i7 rack config this week ideally. When I do it, I'll do it with the UD5 and give it a test to see how it performs here for me. If it's fine then it'll go on the system spec as the default

Pete... Will you marry me? lol!!!

Na seriously... Thanks Pete, yeah it does seem that the Gigabyte UD5 is the no#1 choice for audio systems and I've seen nothing but praise for it.

[Mikelo]

Ah, actually Pete, while Im here can I pop a few more questions please?

1) I can't wait to purchase my new 3XS Power Daw, but Im think I could wait an extra month for Windows 7 64. Can I ask if there is a date for when Scan will start installing the OS? I know you can get Vista with upgrade offer but I would like a "ready to go" system, so waiting a little longer might be worth it.

2) CPU Coolers. I see there is a choice of the Thermalright True Copper and the Prolima Megahalems Super 6 Heatpipe Tower Cooler. Which would be the best option for the system? the True copper seems more of an option for an over clocked system, which I'm not going to do. Or is the Thermalright 's just better? I'm not worried about the extra cost in this department as I think this is an important part.

3) The new Barracuda drives Pete, why are they £££ ? Are they much higher spec than, for example, the Samsung Spinpoints or the other Barracuda's?

Thanks in advance Pete,
Michael.

[Mikelo]

Hi, Pete. I see that the UD5 made the grade then! ;-)
Any chance of answering some of my queries above please Pete? Cheers!
Michael.

[Mossy]

Hi Mikelo

We can only install Windows 7 when it is officially released, In regards to the CPU cooler I would recomend the Megahalems as this has proven to be overall the best option. Samsungs have always been well priced I just hink the Seagates are Petes preference but I am sure he will comment on Monday why he choose these.

Regards

[PeteG@Scan]

Hi Machael

Hi, Pete. I see that the UD5 made the grade then! ;-)
Any chance of answering some of my queries above please Pete? Cheers!

Yep I had it benched for a few days and tried it with pretty much all the card I could get my hands on without anything adverse happening so it's been swapped in. Sorry I was supposed to post back here on Friday but got sidetracked towards the end of the day.

1) I can't wait to purchase my new 3XS Power Daw, but Im think I could wait an extra month for Windows 7 64. Can I ask if there is a date for when Scan will start installing the OS? I know you can get Vista with upgrade offer but I would like a "ready to go" system, so waiting a little longer might be worth it.

The offical release date for it is the 22nd of this month. As we sell OEM windows with systems these are normally permitted to be installed a few days prior to this but we have to get this clarified by M.S. as to when we are able to do this. So I guess my answer here is sometime in October but i'm not sure as yet. Sorry.

2) CPU Coolers. I see there is a choice of the Thermalright True Copper and the Prolima Megahalems Super 6 Heatpipe Tower Cooler. Which would be the best option for the system? the True copper seems more of an option for an over clocked system, which I'm not going to do. Or is the Thermalright 's just better? I'm not worried about the extra cost in this department as I think this is an important part.

The true copper was on the original spec as it was pretty much the most effective cooler we had. The Prolima through is pretty much on a level peggin with it and costs a whole lot less which is why it has been added to the system. I'd stick with the prolima and you'll be more than fine

3) The new Barracuda drives Pete, why are they £££ ? Are they much higher spec than, for example, the Samsung Spinpoints or the other Barracuda's?

Those drives that are now the default are the larger versions of the system drive I use for that rig. The reason they are more costly than the samsungs are that they are enterprise class drives designed to be run 24/7 in servers. They are fast and come with a 5 year warrenty which ensures they've been tested enough to promise a long working lide.

The reason I've changed them is not because the is anything wrong with the samsungs which are great drives and in a home studio enviroment will be absolutly great performers but because I was trying to reposition the machine in the wake of the release of the socket 1156 systems. Before it's launch I had the 1366's up there with all the cheap components selected as default to make the price more appealing. Since the launch 1156 which is more of a budget system set up I've adjusted the 1366 rig so that all the higher performing componants have been defaulted and those drives do make sense if the system is being installed in a studio which is being used to record commerically and is in constant 24/7 use.

Has to be said through if your running a home project studio the samsungs are certainly fast enough and will have a working life that is more than fine for your system

*Edit* I've just looked over the base prices for the systems now. Those barracudas do seem to push up the price a bit! I've swapped the samsungs back in as default now

[Mikelo]

Hi Pete, I can't thank you enough for the great and detailed answers. Wow, you guys seem like something out of a beer commercial.. "if Carlsberg made ..." ;-)