Building a daw, need input.

I've been searching the forum all morning, and reading similar posts with recommendations. This is mind boggling to say the least LOL...
I'm just looking to build something solid. It's for audio only. No gaming, no internet.
I am definately keeping my motu 896hd which is firewire, and my Mackie pro control (USB) 
 
Need input for:
MoBo
CPU
Memory 8 gis will do it.
Power supply
Case
Video card
Hard drives
Operating system
 
Again. I typically do maybe 20 to 25 tracks total, using sonar producer 8.53. Have no interest in X1. EZ drummer, very rarely use libraries.
 
Thanks again.
 
 

+1 for studio Cat

PapaBear

Some suggestions:

1. GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
2. Intel Core i5-3450 Ivy Bridge 3.1GHz (3.5GHz Turbo) LGA 1155 77W Quad-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2500 BX80637I53450
3. G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL8D-8GBXM
4. Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Continuous Power Supply
5. LIAN LI Lancool PC-K7B Black Aluminum/ SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
6. No Video Card needed (MOBO has Onboard Graphics)
7. Intel 520 Series Cherryville SSDSC2CW120A3K5 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
8. Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
9. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit – OEM
10. ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS – OEM

Everything above for about $994 at Newegg.

Good luck! 
 

+1 for Newegg, they have good people there to help you out with any questions tht you might have.

a) The mobo I suggested has a firewire port (1 x IEEE - 1394a - 400Mbps)
b) Radeon HD5450 should be fine (and silent enough)

Cactus, This isn't for live work.  

NEGATIVE 1 for newegg.  I, and from other posts on the internet others, have suffered the "CPU socket bent pin" response from newegg.  I bought a new AS Rock motherboard for use on a new build.  After assembling it and powering on, it came up with a memory error, which turned out to be two out of four memory slots.  I contacted AS Rock and after some troubleshooting they told me to contact the seller for a replacement.  I removed the motherboard and carefully and properly installed the CPU socket cover.  I got an RMA from newegg and sent the motherboard back.  Newegg responded that there were "bent pins" in the CPU socket and would not honor the warranty and sent it back.  I contacted AS Rock and was eventually able to get it replaced by AS Rock.   I did some investigation and the "bent pin" reject has happened to others with newegg.   Because of this, I will no longer buy from newegg, and I USED to buy most of my computer parts from newegg, and recommend newegg.

fireberd


NEGATIVE 1 for newegg.  I, and from other posts on the internet others, have suffered the "CPU socket bent pin" response from newegg.  I bought a new AS Rock motherboard for use on a new build.  After assembling it and powering on, it came up with a memory error, which turned out to be two out of four memory slots.  I contacted AS Rock and after some troubleshooting they told me to contact the seller for a replacement.  I removed the motherboard and carefully and properly installed the CPU socket cover.  I got an RMA from newegg and sent the motherboard back.  Newegg responded that there were "bent pins" in the CPU socket and would not honor the warranty and sent it back.  I contacted AS Rock and was eventually able to get it replaced by AS Rock.   I did some investigation and the "bent pin" reject has happened to others with newegg.   Because of this, I will no longer buy from newegg, and I USED to buy most of my computer parts from newegg, and recommend newegg.

That's a bit disturbing to hear about NewEgg as I always get my parts from them as well/recommend them. I'm surprised that they didn't honor the warranty as their customer service has always been very good.
What other vendors do you recommend?  

That's a bit disturbing to hear about NewEgg as I always get my parts from them as well/recommend them. I'm surprised that they didn't honor the warranty as their customer service has always been very good. What other vendors do you recommend?  

Obviously not good if the pins weren't bent...
But *all* suppliers will inspect the CPU socket for bent pins upon return.
If the pins are bent, you're SOL

actually i have no issues returning bent pin boards.. but then i buy thru disties..

 
Doubt many one-off builders will be buying thru Ma Labs...  

The CPU socket bent pin excuse is not limited to newegg.  According to a post on the Windows 7 forum from a user in Australia they are having the same issue with Australian component sellers.  After I got the motherboard back from newegg, I examined the CPU socket with a magnifying glass and could not see any bent pins.

I didn't make a big issue with newegg over my motherboard, since AS Rock made good on it, but I did write newegg off for future purchases. Which brings up another issue, AS Rock support told me to contact the seller to get it replaced as it was less than 30 days from when I got it from newegg.  If they would have told me to send it directly to them initially, after they diagnosed (actually confirmed what I already knew) the two memory slot problems,  newegg would have never been involved.