I basically need to build a beast of a machine to be able to open more audio tracks in a certain programme (a programme for which I intend to run a music production business). I therefore need this computer to be EXTREMELY powerful. the software (Pro Tools 7 by Digidesign) now supports hyper threading and dual core/dual processor systems. A person on the Digidesign forum I belong to says that he has a machine with two dual AMD processors (4 theoretical processors) and he can get a VERY high track count. Basically can anyone please recommend a most powerful PC its possible to build with say 8 gig of the best RAM and 2 or 3 hard drives. Is this poss for around the 1500 quid (UK pounds) mark. Are there any bigger or better processor possibilities, which are the most powerful and what is likely to come out in the next year that is worth waiting for, I am talking really powerful to the point of nhardly ever needing to upgrade within 4 or 5 years building it. MANY MANY thanks to any replies. By the way people are saying that AMD is the way, but is P4 or what about these D processors L.Dudley

For that sort of work, I'd be looking at a Mac. As much as I hate to admit it, neither a P4 nor for that matter any AMD can match the Macs for the sort of grunt you're talking about. Lessons learnt the hard way are not easily forgotten.

Hmm, Try the same question at www.Audiominds.com Might find a lot of opinions there. I record Audio on the PC but since I seldom do more than 12 tracks, my PIII 800 Mhz suits me fine.