Ok, I have a friend who went through h*** and back just trying to use Sonar on his custom PC.  In the end, it was his MoBo that was causing all the BSODs. 
 
A little background:  I have a simple home studio, basically just using it for my own artistic needs. I'm not saying I won't ever have others come in and record, but I'm basically just building a DAW PC for me. Having said that, I want this machine to scream, and I've been putting together a list of hardware.  I'll have a couple of 7200 RPM HDs, along with 16GB of RAM and Intel i7-3770K. I'll be using it mainly for audio production, but also for video editing as well.
So, can someone just throw me a bone here and tell me what MoBo will "play nice" with the Intel Processor I'll be using, as well as with Sonar??? 
 
Thanks in advance!

I just built a new system with an i7 3770.  I used a gigabyte Z77X UD5H motherboard and although its only been about 6 weeks I'm happy with it.  I'm not using a separate video card (but will eventually), but I would recommend a good video card for video editing work.

I'm also using an SSD (an OCZ Vertex 4, although Scott at ADK recommends Intel SSD) for the OS and Sonar (and associated recording software).  Everything else is on a 1TB 7200 RPM hard drive. 

The BEST!

Motherboard =ASUS Deluxe, socket 2011

Processor = I7 Intel socket 2011

Memory = Corsair 16GB or more and ----> 1333mHz and up

SSD = Intel

POWER = Seasonic GOLD-series 650Watt or up

Graphic card =  ASUS NVIDIA card
 
CPU COOLING = Corsair water kits
 
Fans Cooling = FRACTAL DESIGN SILENT
 
Case = Full Tower ;  Corsair  OBSIDIAN 800D EATX BLACK, Cooler Master , Fractal Design


 

Memory = Corsair 16GB or more and ----> 1333mHz and up

FWIW, Corsair DDR3 has been prone to failure...

Jim Roseberry

Memory = Corsair 16GB or more and ----> 1333mHz and up

FWIW, Corsair DDR3 has been prone to failure...

Thanks for the input!  Do you have a recommendation?

I'm using GSkill Ripsaw DDR3 memory in my new build.  The actual part number is one that is listed by gigabyte as compatible with my motherboard.

Jim Roseberry

Memory = Corsair 16GB or more and ----> 1333mHz and up

FWIW, Corsair DDR3 has been prone to failure...

I can confirm that from first-hand experience...

"Jonbouy"
I can confirm that from first-hand experience...

Was that the cause of the display corruption you mentioned quite a while back. If memory serves me right, you had temporarily solved the issue by reducing the voltage to 1.5v in lieu of 1.65v, or maybe I'm getting confused with something else? Did you eventually have to RMA the RAM?

Alegria

"Jonbouy"

I can confirm that from first-hand experience...

Was that the cause of the display corruption you mentioned quite a while back. If memory serves me right, you had temporarily solved the issue by reducing the voltage to 1.5v in lieu of 1.65v, or maybe I'm getting confused with something else? Did you eventually have to RMA the RAM?

That was it.

It was very intermittent and hard to hunt down, I messed with voltages and timings and it would look like it was cured, checks all came out fine and then all of a sudden it would recur out of the blue a few weeks later.

I've since swapped it out and no problems since.

FYI, in case someone has an opinion on this.  I think I'm going with GIGABYTE GA-Z77X-UD5H-WB ATX Intel Motherboard.  As always, feedback is welcome, but I think everyone's done with this thread :-)