Upgrade...How much will I gain?

[Just Mike]

My old Dell XPS 600 is getting tired and I found a deal on a Dell Precision T7400.
XPS specs-processor Pentium D 840 dual core 2G RAM running XP

T7400 specs-Windows 7 professional 64bit
2x Quad Core Xeon Processors X5430, 2.70GHz, 12Mb L2 cache, 1333MHz
12G RAM.

I record live bands, 6-8 tracks live and end up mixing 12-24 tracks with EQ,COMPS,Addictive drums, and reverbs. Whe I add more than 2 'verbs, syatem starts to stutter.

Is the new PC significantly better and will it allow significantly more plugs etc?

Thanks

[Just Mike]

Let me rephrase;

Will I notice any improvement?

[Stipes Vigilo]

I'd be surprised if you didn't.

[JGrabowMST]

I agree. If you don't notice a difference with the new machine, I'd be at a complete loss.

That said, the Precision T7400 is way more than what you would ever need going by what you describe, it should last you at least 5-7 years, even with an increased workload over time, it will be more than enough. When you start losing count of your plugins, it'll be time to add more RAM, but that's about it.

[Just Mike]

Excellent! I found a great deal on one and I think I'm gonna snag it.
Thanks!

[Just Mike]

I want to have a dual DVI video card in this PC now. Is there anything I should look out for...ie, conflicts, etc? I don't need gaming quality, just 2 decent DVI outs.

[karbomusic]

Dell XPS 600 is getting tired and I found a deal on a Dell Precision T7400.

Some quick math shows a gain of: 6800


T7400-XPS600=6800

That's a lot. :)

[Stipes Vigilo]

I want to have a dual DVI video card in this PC now. Is there anything I should look out for...ie, conflicts, etc? I don't need gaming quality, just 2 decent DVI outs.

Just off of what I've gathered from being around here, I decided on this new system I should be receiving in the next few days to go with 'cheapest and passive' for my video card. Of course they called me and told me that NVIDIA slated it for the end of its life, and moved me to the next one up without charging more.

It does somewhat depend on your casing and open slots though. Single or double rack; low profile or standard, etc. But you can always move up from there as it seems to me the most important thing is to just make sure its a separate and not integrated card and that it handles your monitor. This v-card I'm getting has two DP display ports with adaptors for VGA/HDMI/DVI. 512mb as the 1GB cards also added a fan and took an extra slot. At the very least - it should be good enough to start. Might even be all that's ever needed.