We just sent out a machine today that had a hex-core CPU running at 4.4GHz, 128GB RAM, three SSDs that sustain 500+ MB/Sec, two PCIe SSDs that sustain 2500MB/Sec, supports three 4k monitors, all while being super quiet.
This client composes for many video games... and often uses 2500+ notes of simultaneous disk-streaming polyphony from numerous advanced sample libraries.
 
There's a reason why clients come to us...
We've been in business 20+ years.
I've been a Cakewalk user myself since the forums were on CompuServe.
 
If you're talking high-performance, I've given numerous examples why a custom machine is the best option.
The harder you push the machine, the more important the details.
ie: Off-the-shelf motherboards don't expose parameters necessary to achieve lowest (most consistent) possible DPC Latency.  It is what it is... a general-purpose machine... tailored for the general-purpose user.
A high-performance machine is optimized from top-to-bottom for high-performance use.

I'm about ready to make a Great Leap.
 
How soon can one of you fellas build me one of these? 
 
I'm saving for next year's BF sale.  What do you think CCLarry? Doable?
 
Please Santa?
 
http://www.technologyreview.com/news/537041/ibm-shows-off-a-quantum-computing-chip/
 
Jesse Q. Screed
 

Jim Roseberry
We just sent out a machine today that had a hex-core CPU running at 4.4GHz, 128GB RAM, three SSDs that sustain 500+ MB/Sec, two PCIe SSDs that sustain 2500MB/Sec, supports three 4k monitors, all while being super quiet.
This client composes for many video games... and often uses 2500+ notes of simultaneous disk-streaming polyphony from numerous advanced sample libraries.
 
There's a reason why clients come to us...
We've been in business 20+ years.
I've been a Cakewalk user myself since the forums were on CompuServe.
 
If you're talking high-performance, I've given numerous examples why a custom machine is the best option.
The harder you push the machine, the more important the details.
ie: Off-the-shelf motherboards don't expose parameters necessary to achieve lowest (most consistent) possible DPC Latency.  It is what it is... a general-purpose machine... tailored for the general-purpose user.
A high-performance machine is optimized from top-to-bottom for high-performance use.

Price, Jim?  Looks like what I'm saving for going into the new year... although I don't need the 3 4K monitors...Three hd monitors are fine. And will be moving to VEP... Plan to continue using my Forte interface.  While not the best latency (at least with my current setup) I love it's pres...and it suits my needs.

Since this is an old thread originally, I was using an off the shelf Dell, which was doing OK.  Previously I had a custom built back in the 90's, but spent about $3k and didn' want to go that route.  That said, I bought what is probably a "typical" StudioCat computer about a year ago.  It has totally been rock solid, I NEVER crash with Sonar, just get the updates and roll on.  It has been BY FAR a superior machine, than what I had ever used in the past, and probably to Jim's specs...isn't all the glamorous anymore.  But it's great.

Any rate...just reading some of my old comments back in 2013, I felt the need to update my opinions on this thread.

btw...off on a rabbit trail, I thought I'd upgrade from 16 gigs of RAM, but looked at my RAM/performance/memory  meter during my heaviest sessions...  it's barely grunting.  I guess I'll save some Christmas money.

I think its better to build your own PC, that way you have complete control over your build and if you ever need to replace hardware now you know how, is not hard as some people may think. Also its a lot cheaper and you learn something new.

I thought that too, but after pricing parts, I wasn't really saving over a purchased StudioCat.  Plus a couple of extra phone calls with Jim more than made up any price differences.  Plus, I'm sure StudioCat would put in whatever you want, unless they thought it to be junk.  Yeah...I opened it up...actually swapped out my C drive and was a piece of cake, getting all my "stuff" back on the C drive...thanks to the Acronis .tib file that Jim had installed on one of my audio drives.  Yeah...probably save $100, as a guess, but had I got bad RAM, CPU, etc..   eh...I would have to send it back to Newegg or whoever.... or figure out that was the problem.  His pricing isn't really more than buying from a parts online dealer.  I imagine he gets better pricing(wholesale), so he can be competitive, as I do in my own self employment business.

Vastman
Price, Jim?  Looks like what I'm saving for going into the new year... although I don't need the 3 4K monitors...Three hd monitors are fine. And will be moving to VEP... Plan to continue using my Forte interface.  While not the best latency (at least with my current setup) I love it's pres...and it suits my needs.

In the extreme example I gave, the SSDs alone cost more than most DAWs.  

haha yes it was an extreme example...but still not out of the reach of folks with a reasonable amount of "nous" (not to mention a big fat wad of cash!!!)  and I mean it's not like you guys actually MAKE any of this gear, you buy it just the same as everyone. But for those that meet that criteria and are a tad lazy...well lazy needs to be paid for somehow hey

javiercorre
I think its better to build your own PC, that way you have complete control over your build and if you ever need to replace hardware now you know how, is not hard as some people may think. Also its a lot cheaper and you learn something new.

I tend to lean this way as well. Understanding that you also own the headaches if they happen. I have been very fortunate. It really isn't rocket science. I also realize that some people have neither the interest or the inclination to attempt something like that. My background fits right in with this type of thing, so I never looked back in building my own system. I don't begrudge anyone in business building computers. I think there are lots of folks here who don't want to "look under the hood". And these are the people who they can depend on to buy computers.
 
I believe that in some cases certain individuals don't give themselves the benefit of the doubt. Anyone with expertise in using tools and who can grasp basic instructions can build their own computer. On the software end of things, computers are powerful enough now that a person could omit a few of those tweaks made by builders and not ever notice a problem. I could be wrong but I highly doubt that any of these system builders are hacking into windows at the kernel level. They are doing the same things you can do by simply finding the information you need online. Keep that second computer handy for surfing to find answers. the answers are out there.
 
Concerning hardware. No builder is buying anything you can't find at a good supplier. Simply research your hardware, buy something with at least a years good run. 
 
OTOH if you have a short attention span and become frustrated when it doesn't work the first time, I recommend you don't even attempt it.