I have X1 & X2 installed but I use 8.5 which for me, is stable and great. I want to support the cause so I will be purchasing X3 tomorrow with the current sale.
 
Is there any need installing it? I have Dim Pro and Rapture (full), I use EZ Drummer (and won't switch) and I have Celemony Melodyne. I don't want to impact my current setup to the negative.
 
I'm sure my system is too old to run X3 on full productions but I do help some young people who just want to do karaoke or "small m" master a file or two and I would then use X3 for the fun of it (learn the pro channel, layout, etc). However, if I continue to outlive the Doc's semi-annual prognosis (I'm on palliative care), I may be able to afford a new pc next year and switch to X3 (or X4) for good so I am happy to just purchase it now.
 
So should I install it or just keep it in the bank?
 
Thanks! RK

Personally I'd install it just for the improved comping workflow. What do you have to lose, you can still use earlier versions if you don't like it. 

 X3e is very stable. I waited it out using 8.5 while people struggled with X1 and 2. X3e is just as stable as 8.5 so no issues at all. And my computer was about the same as yours, a Pentium D duo core 2.5 and only 4 Gigs of RAM. Fast Hard drives make a bigger difference than power if your only recording basic stuff. It's those hungry VST's that will even bring a 8 core machine to it's knees. 
The cool thing is all your old VST's will still run in X3. 
I still install 8.5 Pro just to get a few of the Plug ins like true piano's. 
I recommend X3 Studio as all you need. 

I don't know if you know it or not but you can just do a custom installation and uncheck any of the synths or audio plugins you already have in your older versions so you don't have to re-install those in X3. Be forewarned, with the installation done this way if you ever delete any of the older versions you will deep six X3 because it is tied in to 8.5, X1, and X2. Just keep in mind that some of the plugins included in X3 are the updated fixed versions if you are using the older Directx plugs. The Blue Tubes plugs and the Console Emulators are a no-brainer! There are enough features in my opinion that it is well worth the upgrade. I have installed on my studio computer every version of Sonar since Sonar 8. Everything is running like a champ!

All right, thanks to all!
 
And thanks as I had forgotten about comping, I do a LOT of that! Also forgot about the Blue Tubes plugs (they will run in X3?) and I didn't think about X3 Studio rather than Producer. I'll check that out tomorrow before buying.
 
Thanks also for the tip regarding de-installing older versions after a custom install. I did not know that either.
 
Hopefully all will go well tomorrow (and quickly before Green Bay plays)...

Yes, the Blue Tube plug-ins bundled in X3 only run in X3 (or above).

scook
Yes, the Blue Tube plug-ins bundled in X3 only run in X3 (or above).

OK, that's what I thought, thanks for the info :)

"Be forewarned, with the installation done this way if you ever delete any of the older versions you will deep six X3 because it is tied in to 8.5, X1, and X2."
 
Can you explain what you mean about what you've written in the quote above? I know 8.5 depends on SONAR 8, and I can understand that the R-Mix SONAR is available from X2, but how is X3 tied to X1, and how is X3 tied to X2 beside the R-Mix Prochannel module?

I believe it was in the case of performing and advanced install skipping plug-ins already installed. In that case, uninstalling the version tied to the plug-ins would result in remove of the plug-ins.
 
There is related issue. One of the first screens shown during a SONAR install is a message advising previous versions are detected. In the message is a warning about removing older version possibly removing programs needed for proper operation of the new version. This is why it is a good idea to remove old version prior to installing a new version. That said, it is easy enough to recover should an uninstall remove a critical component by re-running the current installer.

Thanks scook.