The RME Reference PC - Hardware recommendations
The RME Reference PC - Dual CPU Audio Workstation (9/2000)
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The Dual CPU Workstation offers a lot more performance
than our other Reference PCs. Although two CPUs do not double the processing
speed, 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
Of course the Dual CPU Workstation can also be built into
our popular Reference PC
mini tower. This 'compact' version offers exploding calculation power
over imploding space. Unfortunately not all components listed below can
be included then, either the second CD-ROM or the exchangeable frame will
be missing.
 For
users demanding the full capabilities (8 hard drives...) two choices are
available. Still a compact version: black midi tower with smoothly gliding
front door, three 5 1/4" slots and award winning 330
watt Enermax power supply. This case allows to install 2 CD-ROM, 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 door, roller
feet and a lot of free space inside.
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of the outdated Asus P2B-D, turning into the new standard for dual motherboards.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 800MHz 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 Audio Workstation is equipped with 256MByte PC133 memory,
for 133MHz memory clock. According to our experience more memory than 256MByte
is far more expensive than efficient.
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
 Currently
Plextor's 12/10/32A lacks any competition. 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. Unique is the new Burn-Proof technology. 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 is the only one in the market which 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.
Like the 8/4/32A the 12/10/32A suffers from too long read-in
times (CD content). Additionally the wait command is not handled correctly
(causes the un-popular message box 'Drive not ready'), and the internal
digital output (SPDIF) does not offer bit-accuracy. Thanks to the combination
of Plextor and Asus CD-ROM these negative points don't matter, the writer
will only be used as writer here.
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 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 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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