The RME Reference PC - Hardware recommendations
The RME Reference PC AMD - Standard (7/2000)
»Technical Information
Index
The RME Reference PC standard version has a very practical
and nicely designed case, a fast AMD Thunderbird processor, a motherboard
with 5 PCI-slots, 128 MB RAM, a WD hard disk with 13 MByte constant data
transfer rate, an unbelievable 50x CD-ROM drive with Hi-Fi like digital
output, and a dual monitor graphics card. All this does certainly cost a
lot of money, doesn't it? It doesn't. The complete system including 19"
monitor, keyboard, mouse and pre-installed Windows 98 Millennium (ME) costs
around DM 3000 (German price, around 1500 US$). This is probably more than
you would pay at your local discounter - but it will run fast, reliably
and without unpleasant surprises - and outstanding performance.
The Case
 A
compact mini-tower with clever features and an appealing design. Portable,
thanks to its size and an integrated handle on the top. Like with the new
Macs, the side panel including
mainboard and PCI cards can be folded down after moving two latches.
Servicing, reconfiguration and test turn into real pleasure.
The user is thrilled by a temperature controlled 330
watt Enermax power supply, screw-less mounting of CD-ROM and hard drives.
The complete plastic enclosure damps the internal PC noise, lowering the
audible operating noise.
The Motherboard
 There
are a lot of motherboards available using VIA's KT133 chipset - but no one
can compete with the feature-packed Asus A7V. An additional Promise ATA100
controller allows to use up to 8 hard drives, an integrated USB hub offers
7 USB ports. Additionally Asus is the only manufacturer building its own
BIOS. As one result this board offers a more reliable memory detection than
other KT133 boards. The version officially distributed from Asus Germany
(the one we recommend) includes no on-board soundcard.
The CPU
 Finally
it happened: For the first time an AMD processor is faster than an Intel
one, not only in specialized benchmarks, but in real life operation. Based
on the same concept as the Coppermines (integrated 256kB full speed cache),
but with a faster calculation unit, the AMD Thunderbird offers at least
the same performance at a much lower price. Note that the 'Reference PC
Intel Standard' is 100 MHz slower, has less features, but is 100 DM expensive...
Currently the 800 MHz Thunderbird offers the best value
for money, thus is the ideal processor for the Asus A7V motherboard. Fitted
with PC133 memory this dream team satisfies even the most critical user.
The Hard Disk
As IBM's DPTA-372050 Deskstar 34GXP isn't manufactured
anymore we now use a nearly identical replacement: Western Digital WD205
BA, just smiling at 24bit / 96kHz multitrack recording! Specs: Ultra ATA66,
7200 RPM, 2MByte cache, average current consumption and thus no critical
temperature reaction. Very quiet. Maintained data transfer rate according
to c't 4/2000: 13.5 MByte per second. SCSI? Dead...
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 Graphics Card
 No
choice, but an unequaled must: the Matrox G400 Dual Head with 32MB memory,
capable of feeding up to 2 monitors and TV. This card doesn't have to fear
competition. It is working very well and the drivers are up to date.
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 around 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.
The RME Reference PC - Professional
The professional version differs from the standard version
in a couple of points. When you work with audio, you usually need a CD writer,
lots of space for projects (including a backup possibility) and lots of
memory. Violà...
The CD Writer
 Even
here, SCSI is not necessary anymore these days. Modern devices with 4MB
internal memory can handle cheap blanks at 8x also as E-IDE devices. We
chose the surprisingly inexpensive Plextor 8/4/32A. 32x read CD-ROM, 8x
write CD-R, 4x write CD-RW, approx. 20x grabbing and WinOnCD 3.6 included
- and it's also very quiet. Thanks to the high reading speed often no additional
(pure) CD-ROM is necessary.
There are a few disadvantages though. Plextor has already
decreased the time needed for reading in the contents of a CD significantly
with firmware 1.7. The wait command is still not handled properly. The interface
is only ATAPI instead of UltraATA 33. This can (but doesn't necessarily
have to) cause problems with fast hard drives on the same controller.
The Hard Drives
The professional version contains already 2 WD 20GB drives.
In addition, there is another (empty) exchangeable frame below the CD drive
behind a lid, which can be supplied with a hard drive at any time in order
to move data from or to the computer.
The Memory
128MB is pretty nice to start with. Using many tracks or
a RAM sampler like the LM4 requires significantly more. Therefore the Pro-version
is equipped with 256MB RAM.
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.
Even the drivers for all RME cards and DIGICheck are preinstalled. Note
that RME digital cards are only available through authorized dealers, thus
not included in these computer systems.
Prices
- Standard, parts as described above, incl. mouse, keyboard
and Windows 98 ME: 2500 DM incl. VAT
- Same, plus 19" monitor: 3200 DM incl. VAT
- Professional, parts as described above, incl. mouse, keyboard and Windows
98 ME: 3600 DM incl. VAT
- Same, plus 19" monitor: 4300 DM incl. VAT
Attention: prices of 09/22/2000, 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.
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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