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The RME Reference PC - Hardware
recommendations
The RME Reference PC - Dual CPU Audio Workstation (4/2001)
»Technical Information
Index
The Dual CPU Workstation offers a lot more performance
than our other Reference PCs. Although two CPUs do not double the processing
power, the multiprocessing takes some burden off the audio software. Even
without dedicated multi-processor software Windows 2000 spreads typical
'interrupting tasks' (disk I/O, graphics etc.) automatically on both CPUs,
so that the audio software is boosted to unknown and unexpected heights.
An example is the maximum track number which rises significantly.
Similar to the Athlon processor finally the market of dual CPU boards shows
alternatives - among them one which really amazed us. This caused us to
put together a very powerful Audio Workstation, which is still affordable
(no SCSI...). Be careful about the audio hardware: at least one (better
two) Hammerfalls should be inside.
The Case
 For
users demanding the full capabilities (8 hard drives...) several choices
are available. Still a compact version: midi tower in different colors with
three 5 1/4" slots. This case allows to install up to 2 CD-ROM drives,
one exchangeable frame and 3 internal hard disks.
If that isn't enough: true server case with eight 5 1/4 " slots behind
a lockable metal door having a nice dark glass window, stable roller feet
and a lot of free space inside.
If you prefer professional rack mounted 19" cases:
even here we found an ultimate model. It is a bit longer as you might expect
(this is normal for 19" computers), but offers huge space inside: 5
internal hard disks (!), 3 x 5.25 plus 2 x 3.5 on the front panel, plus
lockable wing doors of solid metal. This one is not only highly functional,
but also a real eye-catcher. Increases the price below by 300 DM. All cases
include the award winning
330 watt Enermax power supply!
The Motherboard
 The
MSI 694D Pro AI (also MS-6321) has all the features to become the successor
of the outdated Asus P2B-D, turning into the new standard for dual motherboards.
Although some benchmarks claim it to be a bit slower than the BX reference,
the differences are not noticeable in real life situations, and equipped
with PC133 memory they vanish completely.
The board thrills not only with an additional ATA100 controller for up to
8 hard drives, but also with two Firewire ports and 4 USB ports. With this
it is the ideal base for an already complete 'Workstation'.
The CPUs
 The
new Pentium III Coppermine series CPUs are not only Intel's most powerful
audio processors so far. They also offer their outstanding calculation power
at a very low power consumption - the CPUs stay cool all the time. Both
are important arguments to guarantee a reliable dual CPU operation.
The combination of 2 x internal 256kB full speed cache at 1GHz clock rate,
plus 133MHz memory clock allows to use lowest latencies and offers highest
performance at an optimal price point.
The Hard Disks
The successor of the popular 20MByte drive IBM DPTA-372050
is called DTLA-307030 Deskstar 75GXP, now equipped with an ATA100 interface.
But this is not the reason for the unbelievable average data transfer rate
of around 20.7 MByte per second (c't 16/2000). The same result is achieved
when using an ATA66 interface. This hard disk raises only an eye-brow when
performing 96kHz/24bit multitrack recordings. Further specs: 30 GByte, 7200
RPM, 2MByte cache, average current consumption and thus no critical temperature
reaction. Very quiet. SCSI? Never...
The Audio Workstation already includes two of those 30
GByte tanks. In addition, there is an (empty) exchangeable frame with fan,
which can be supplied with a hard drive at any time in order to move data
from or to the computer.
The Memory
The Dual Audio Workstation is equipped with 256MByte PC133
2-2-2 memory, for 133MHz memory clock at lowest wait states. This gives
25% more memory throughput than usual PC133 modules (3-3-3 or 2-3-3). The
modules used even pass the famous memory test of the German magazine c't
(ctspd: no error.)
The CD-ROM Drive
More or less by accident we ran into the ASUS CDS-500.
Briefly: a dream came true. This is definitively the most perfect CD-ROM
drive we ever tested. And we tested a few... For us simply the Hammerfall
among CD-ROM drives! The differences in comparison to many other drives
are:
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- Like most others this
drive is not inaudible, but the speed of rotation is being reduced in
several steps after few seconds without access.
- The drive handles the
wait command properly. The infamous dialog box 'drive not ready' when
reading in the CD's content thus doesn't show up.
- With an audio cd inside,
the drive doesn't even go to maximum rotational speed, shortly: silence.
- Grabbing works properly
and bit-accurate at 8- to 18-x (average 13-x).
- The only drive known
to us with a proper digital output, perfectly suited for internal connection
to our cards. Other drives maintain the digital output signal only after
inserting AND playing an audio CD, even at pause the carrier is lost.
Here we have a constantly valid S/PDIF signal, which contains digital
zero for data CDs.
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The CD Writer
 Our
new reference: the Teac CD-W512E! Already announced in mid 2000 it now hits
the market 6 months later. The good news: it comes with 3 MB internal memory
and Burn-Proof* (don't get fooled from Teac's website or the packaging -
it's both true!). Besides 12x write CD-R, 10x write CD-RW and 32x read CD-ROM
it also grabs audio with bit-accuracy and up to 24x. Compared to the Plextor
12/10/32A the Teac offers an UDMA2 interface, handles the wait command correctly
and has a much shorter read-in time (CD content). Operating noise is very
low under all conditions. The writer comes bundled with the latest Nero
5.0, a powerful, professional writer software, which excited us already
after the first minutes of usage.
*Even when the internal cache runs empty (Buffer Underrun)
and Windows freezes for minutes the writer will continue with highest precision
at the exact sector where it stopped. Thus this device can guarantee to
finish the CD-ROM writing and to produce a valid CD, no matter what you
do with your PC while in the writing process. A must have for professionals.
The Graphics Card
 The
Matrox G400/450 Dual Head with 32MB memory, capable of feeding up to 2 monitors
and TV, had no competition so far. Meanwhile the Asus V7100 V2D1 showed
up as interesting alternative. Its Geforce MX chipset offers full 3D and
DVD acceleration at a maximum resolution of 1024 x 768 per monitor. The
Matrox can even run two 17" flat panels at full 1280 x 1024 resolution
each. Both cards are working very well and come with up to date drivers,
even under Windows 2000.
You don't need a second monitor? Everyone who has worked in 'stereo' for
at least 1 hour knows it better. A second monitor is no luxury, but actually
worth every single penny. Considering the cost for a complete system (computer,
RME DIGI card and software cost more than 5000 DM / US$ 2500), another 700
DM / US$350 for a 19" monitor is not that much more. Even when it is
required later or when you intend to use an additional monitor that you
already own, the Matrox Dual Head will be the basis for flexibility and
sensibility.
Please note: Although we have set up and tested everything
ourselves, we can still make mistakes. We would like to clarify that all
information included in this Tech Info is both our subjective opinion and
subject to permanent change. This Tech Info is not to be understood as a
do-it-yourself instruction, any request on this behalf can not be responded
to and will be deleted immediately.
RME is not selling computers and will not be. In case you want to avoid
buying and assembling of all the parts our German based customers can get
in touch with:
Retail source
All RME Reference PCs are available completely assembled
and pre-installed. Tillmann Computer in Hannover are assembling the systems
strictly according to our instructions and test them prior to shipment.
Prices
Workstation, parts as described above, incl. mouse, keyboard
and Windows 2000: 5500 DM incl. VAT
Attention: prices of 04/30/2001, subject to change
Address:
Tillmann Computer
Krumme Str. 3
30559 Hannover
Tel.: 0511 / 952 62-97
Fax.: 0511 / 952 62-98
Email: info@ticomsys.de
Web:
www.ticomsys.de
Please note again: This offer is limited to residents of Germany!
Copyright © Matthias Carstens, 2000/2001.
All entries in this Tech Infopaper have been thoroughly checked, however
no guarantee for correctness can be given. RME cannot be held responsible
for any misleading or incorrect information provided throughout this manual.
Lending or copying any part or the complete document or its contents is
only possible with the written permission from RME.
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