Help on buying new computer

Hi Steve,

Sonar 7 will run just fine under Win7x64 Pro.
If you could provide more details on the scope/type of projects you're working on, you'll receive more hardware advice that matches your needs.  
ie:  If you're working on extensive/dense mixes, an i3 CPU isn't going to deliver.  However, if you are just using the machine to track audio (like a virtual tape machine), an i3 would be ok.

• How many tracks is a typical production?
• Do you make use of virtual instruments?  If so, how extensive?
• Do you want/need to work at ultra low latency (64-sample ASIO buffer size or smaller)?

Bigger is always better. Even if you're only doing solo peices. Headroom and unused resources are a good thing. Don't get anything smaller than a Quad Core and 4Gb of memory if you're going to install 32bit. Get 8GB of mem if you're going to use 64bit. The possible configs of harware are numerous, so it is best to buy from a known DAW builder who knows and offers what works in terms of motherboards, processors, etc. I'm familiar with Sonar 7 and you'd like 8.5.3 even more if you can still get a copy. People are saying good things about X2 also.
I don't know what you're using now but the jump to a Quad core will make you very happy.

If you could, please explain the advantage of a low latency.

 
Basically, the advantage of a low latency is that you can play, record, and hear what you're playing in real time through the DAW, as if it were an actual amp or live sound system.

I highly recommend Jim's services. In the past I have built my own but am too busy to research and build at the moment so I had Jim build me one. Some people on the board are not very supportive of Jim ( or Scott). It may be prudent to be cautious of those that may poo poo their services without having used them. 

As someone who has done both, I can't recommend Jim's services enough. Do a search on the forum and you will find many threads/posts dedicated to praising Jim's services.  That being said, if you have the knowledge, time and patience you could build your own. Only YOU can decide what is best for your situation.

This is the spec list I put together to get a DAW PC built.  I'd welcome comments and also like input on the type of mainboard that would compliment this stuff

Chip Core i5 3.1GHz I would take a recommendation on this.   O/S 64-bit Windows 7     RAM 16Gb     Drive 1 500GB       Partition 1 Contains O/S & program files 460   Partition 2 SWAP (not dynamic) 16GB   Partition 3 Print Spool 8GB   Partition 4 %TEMP% 8GB   Partition 5 SPARE 8GB Drive 2 1Tb       Partition 1 Blank 100GB   Partition 2 Blank 900GB Video Dual 512 MB AMD FirePro 2270, To allow quad monitor   Power Supply 635W quiet would be good   DVD /CD Any decent unit     Case Rack Mount 4U or 2U     USB Typical 4-6     Firewire 400 & 800 Add in PCI card is acceptable
 

Bigger is always better. Even if you're only doing solo peices. Headroom and unused resources are a good thing.

Really?