Dell Precision for DAW?

Hi all,

I've been recommended to buy a Dell Precision 4800 with the i7-4800MQ processor for a DAW, likely using a good deal of VSTi's and plugins, but I've read numerous complaints about terrible driver issues and bad DPC latency and latency spikes with Dells. Any idea if this is true? Are drivers for Dell still terrible?

No point in spending $1500-2000 on a machine that runs into really basic issues.


Edit: I ordered a refurb'd Dell Precision M4800, but I'm starting to wonder if I should send it back, as the vast majority of what I read about them is along the lines of atrocious latency for instrument tracking (i.e. 10-100ms), complete lack of driver support for audio production, poor tech support mostly done over the phone, etc. I really don't want to spend hours screwing around with a PC, I want to record and create.

 

So you’ve already ordered one? Do let us know how it works out, then.

 

Dell, schmell. Latency is more of an interface issue than anything else. A computer's a computer, so focus on the interface and ports if you have issues with latency and/or bandwidth.

USB 2.0 can handle 64 tracks and can power the interface on the go. But good old firewire is better. Just look for an interface with a firewire port (yes, they're becoming more rare since Apple abandoned them), and get a firewire card and you'll be fine.

 

I used PreSonus Studio One with an older Dell M6600 with 32GB RAM and it ran like a dream. However, I have read the complaints that you reference. It is bizarre in that some people ended up with dud machines with high latency problems no matter what they did while others had no issues with the same model of machine! Same thing with HP's Z series. The machine with the least complaints that I could tell was the Apple MacBook Pro. I have no idea why that may be.

 

Its drivers would be my guess. Because of Mac's proprietary software they can be much more precise with compatibility standards for external hardware -- since everyone must conform to the same standards. The obvious advantage over the open platform of the PC.

 

That is so true, though Windows has been getting much better with regard to good drivers. Also, most of those latency complaints involved Windows 7. I know that MS overhauled the core audio engine in Windows 8 to make it easier to get bit perfect playback.