I am in a process of upgrading my platform for Sonar, and i am confused about what processor to choose. Intel i7 6700k - newer platform, 4 cores, 8 threads, 4000 Mhz or better to use processors with more cores, such as I7 5820K with 6 cores and 12 threads? Most of benchmark almost useless, because they are not reflecting our usual scenarios. I use a lot of VST and Kontakt libraries, so it seems better to have more cores platform. Is there any testing with what type of processors bring most power for Sonar? Any ideas?

Similar question was discussed here recently :

http://forum.cakewalk.com...1-4-core-m3277217.aspx

If you put your sample libraries on a second SSD. And your OS on a first SSD you will gain a lot of system stability in your scenario. I think the latest greatest processor would matter a lil less. So plenty of memory (16 GB) two SSd's and a single HDD for recording audio and an external disk to backup to would matter in my opinion. Allso the soundcard used will matter.
 
This scenario would give you a very stable system. If you go over 128 channels of audio in one recording I would urge you to simplify the project in severall steps. This would make it easier on the system. But allso force you to make decisions. Going back a step is simply a nice way to make decisions. 64 channels is nessesary if you would like to make classical music with a simulated orchestra. In any other case i make it a habit to simplify way before I go over 50 channels. It eases my mind. Maybe it will help you too.

Thank you for very detailed answer. But in my case, placing all samples on SSD is not an option - too big size of all libraries. So may be some RAID array is better. But thank you for advice. 

Muziekschuur at home
If you put your sample libraries on a second SSD. And your OS on a first SSD you will gain a lot of system stability in your scenario. I think the latest greatest processor would matter a lil less. So plenty of memory (16 GB) two SSd's and a single HDD for recording audio and an external disk to backup to would matter in my opinion. Allso the soundcard used will matter.
 
This scenario would give you a very stable system. If you go over 128 channels of audio in one recording I would urge you to simplify the project in severall steps. This would make it easier on the system. But allso force you to make decisions. Going back a step is simply a nice way to make decisions. 64 channels is nessesary if you would like to make classical music with a simulated orchestra. In any other case i make it a habit to simplify way before I go over 50 channels. It eases my mind. Maybe it will help you too.

More cores will future proof your system more. SONAR takes full advantage of multiple cores. If you have 8 tracks with fx by default they will get allocated to 8 cores if available. Also if you are multitasking with other programs having more cores is a plus. Keep in mind that if you have a 6 core Intel with hyperthreading you are actually getting 12 cores.
I have a 5960X with 8 physical/16 virtual which is good for a variety of things. The 6 core Intel's are also a great value.

Thank you for answer. That's what i need - answer from those, who really know how all things works inside Sonar. 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
More cores will future proof your system more. SONAR takes full advantage of multiple cores. If you have 8 tracks with fx by default they will get allocated to 8 cores if available. Also if you are multitasking with other programs having more cores is a plus. Keep in mind that if you have a 6 core Intel with hyperthreading you are actually getting 12 cores.
I have a 5960X with 8 physical/16 virtual which is good for a variety of things. The 6 core Intel's are also a great value.

Also remember that your VST has an impact on how cores are used. EW Play for example tends to perform better with multiple instances to best utilize multiple threads.

LumenMedia
Thank you for very detailed answer. But in my case, placing all samples on SSD is not an option - too big size of all libraries. So may be some RAID array is better. But thank you for advice. 

I would put samples on regular drives or pick ones you use the most for SSD.