By MICHAEL MILLER
Computer Requirements to Play Music on a PC
Posted: 2007-06-11 16:34:26
Almost any PC can be used to play CDs and music you download from the Internet. But if you want to get the most out of your music, you need to make sure that your PC has the proper components and adequate storage capacity.
Just what equipment do you need to play back music on your PC? Here's a short list:
1. Microprocessor
The good thing about playing music on a personal computer is that it's a relatively undemanding application. Unlike other applications, such as playing graphics-intensive games or editing digital movies, you don't need a lot of horsepower to listen to music.
Even the most barebones computer with a slow microprocessor should have enough "oomph" to play back any type of music you throw at it, so there's no reason to upgrade the computer you have.
If you're starting from scratch, look at a PC with an Intel Celeron or P4 processor running at 2.4 GHz or higher, or the AMD equivalent.
2. Memory
Similarly, you don't need a lot of memory installed on your PC to play back digital music. Even a low-end PC with just 256MB RAM has enough memory to play back digital audio files and CDs.
There's no reason to upgrade your computer for this task, although if you're buying a new PC, I'd recommend going with 512MB to start.
3. Hard Disk Drive
While you don't need a fast microprocessor or a lot of memory to play back music on your PC, you probably do need a lot of hard disk capacity. That's because you'll be storing a lot of music on your PC, and all that music takes up hard disk space. For example, if you're storing your music in WMA format at the best possible quality (192Kbps), you'll need 86MB to store a typical CD. If you have 100 CDs (or the equivalent number of individual songs) in your collection, they'll take up 8.6GB or hard disk space. And if you have 500 CDs to store, you'll need 43GB. Naturally, the amount of storage space you need depends on how many songs and CDs you have, as well as what file format and bit rate you use to create those files. (The table below details storage requirements based on several popular file formats/bit rates.) If you have a healthy musical appetite, I'd recommend going with a minimum 200GB hard disk.
Just what equipment do you need to play back music on your PC? Here's a short list:
1. Microprocessor
The good thing about playing music on a personal computer is that it's a relatively undemanding application. Unlike other applications, such as playing graphics-intensive games or editing digital movies, you don't need a lot of horsepower to listen to music.
Even the most barebones computer with a slow microprocessor should have enough "oomph" to play back any type of music you throw at it, so there's no reason to upgrade the computer you have.
If you're starting from scratch, look at a PC with an Intel Celeron or P4 processor running at 2.4 GHz or higher, or the AMD equivalent.
2. Memory
Similarly, you don't need a lot of memory installed on your PC to play back digital music. Even a low-end PC with just 256MB RAM has enough memory to play back digital audio files and CDs.
There's no reason to upgrade your computer for this task, although if you're buying a new PC, I'd recommend going with 512MB to start.
3. Hard Disk Drive
While you don't need a fast microprocessor or a lot of memory to play back music on your PC, you probably do need a lot of hard disk capacity. That's because you'll be storing a lot of music on your PC, and all that music takes up hard disk space. For example, if you're storing your music in WMA format at the best possible quality (192Kbps), you'll need 86MB to store a typical CD. If you have 100 CDs (or the equivalent number of individual songs) in your collection, they'll take up 8.6GB or hard disk space. And if you have 500 CDs to store, you'll need 43GB. Naturally, the amount of storage space you need depends on how many songs and CDs you have, as well as what file format and bit rate you use to create those files. (The table below details storage requirements based on several popular file formats/bit rates.) If you have a healthy musical appetite, I'd recommend going with a minimum 200GB hard disk.
| File Format | Bit Rate | Space Required per CD (typical) | Space Required for 100 CDs (typical) | Space Required for 500 CDs (typical) | Space Required for 1,000 CDs (typical) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMA Lossless | 470-940 Kbps (varies) | 300MB | 30GB | 150GB | 300GB |
| MP3 | 320 Kbps | 144MB | 14.4GB | 72GB | 144GB |
| MP3 | 256 Kbps | 115MB | 11.5GB | 57.5GB | 115GB |
| MP3 | 192 Kbps | 86MB | 8.6GB | 43GB | 86GB |
| WMA | 192 Kbps | 86MB | 8.6GB | 40.3GB | 80.6GB |
| WMA | 160 Kbps | 69MB | 6.9GB | 34.5GB | 69GB |
| MP3 | 128 Kbps | 57MB | 5.7GB | 28.5GB | 57GB |
| WMA | 128 Kbps | 56MB | 5.6GB | 28GB | 56GB |
| WMA | 96 Kbps | 42MB | 4.2GB | 21GB | 42GB |
| WMA | 64 Kbps | 28MB | 2.8GB | 14GB | 28GB |
4. CD drive
Naturally, if you're going to listen to CDs on your PC or rip them to files on your hard disk, your PC needs to have a CD drive.
If you plan on burning your own custom mix CDs, you'll need a drive that doubles as a CD recorder/burner. The faster the drive speed, the faster you'll be able to burn each CD.
5. Speaker system
The better the speakers you have attached to your computer, the better your music will sound. All PCs come with some sort of speaker system included.
Better systems have a separate subwoofer in addition to the normal left and right speakers.
Alternately, you can invest in a good set of headphones, so you can listen in private.
6. Internet Connection
Of course, to download music from the Internet, your computer needs to be connected to the Internet.
Since music files are big, a fast broadband connection speeds up the whole download process. And since your PC needs to connect to the Internet whenever you play a CD to download track and album info, an always-on connection is nice.
7. Music Player Software
Finally, your computer needs a quality music player program installed. You use this software to play back all your digital music, including both CDs and files you download from the Internet.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
Naturally, if you're going to listen to CDs on your PC or rip them to files on your hard disk, your PC needs to have a CD drive.
If you plan on burning your own custom mix CDs, you'll need a drive that doubles as a CD recorder/burner. The faster the drive speed, the faster you'll be able to burn each CD.
5. Speaker system
The better the speakers you have attached to your computer, the better your music will sound. All PCs come with some sort of speaker system included.
Better systems have a separate subwoofer in addition to the normal left and right speakers.
Alternately, you can invest in a good set of headphones, so you can listen in private.
6. Internet Connection
Of course, to download music from the Internet, your computer needs to be connected to the Internet.
Since music files are big, a fast broadband connection speeds up the whole download process. And since your PC needs to connect to the Internet whenever you play a CD to download track and album info, an always-on connection is nice.
7. Music Player Software
Finally, your computer needs a quality music player program installed. You use this software to play back all your digital music, including both CDs and files you download from the Internet.
Michael Miller is a writer and commentator on technology and digital lifestyle topics.
2006-07-10 10:25:00
