To add some balance here, I'm not worrying about my hardware here either.
Cheers...

Thanks Mesh!
"The i7 is generally a common favorite for a DAW and it's favored much more over the AMD. 
If your budget can afford it, go i7 I say. :))  "
 
I need to get a new computer for music.
I will get  i7 for sure!   Thanks!
I will get  i7 in an ASUS Desktop PC.
 
My music computer just died and I need to get a new one now - Sept. 9, 2015
 
I have been using my writing laptop as my music computer to get by until I get a strong music computer going again.
 
We have been using Cubase for our last 25 albums, but I am now switching to using SONAR Professional.
 
I also do much of my software music through Reason 8.3
 

Couple of things.
 
1. Sure took some time to track down Jim's website. "Purrrfect" has THREE 'R's in it.
http://www.studiocat.com/open_cart/
 
2. Now that I've figured out how to turn the audio off, I'll take a look at it.
 
3. Whatever PC you pick, even if it's got the latest and greatest Intel chip set with Thunderbolt 3 support, make sure you are clear on the USB ports and their configuration (how many hubs; how many ports; which ports attached to which hubs; USB2 v USB3; etc.).
 
4. Just a recommendation, but...whatever PC you pick? Don't plug an iLok into it.

Just a quick nod to us "regular" PC users.  I have a Dell XPS with a i7 processor.  It is not in the same league as a custom built DAW from either of the great companies mentioned here, but it has taken everthing I have thrown at it (giant projects heavily loaded with synths and plugins) and has never even hiccupped.  I did nothing to it other than get rid of the crappy stuff Dell preloads. 
 
I mention this simply because it is a cheaper alternative and is a perfectly viable solution if you can't afford a custom DAW.

+1 for Jim here  - I have a couple of his computers - both been 100% reliable and DO exactly what they say on the tin!!
Oh and he's a good guy and very knowledgeable......
Nigel
 
 

If your mic'ing up near the PC, you may want to think about getting a silent case, power-supply, and CPU fan.  Mines too loud and I'm trying to deal with it.

My last computer had an AMD processor and when it died I replaced it with a new computer with an i7 processor.  Huge improvement and not really all that much more expensive.

Doktor Avalanche
I use Dell but I'm liking a lot the HP Z workstations. I will probably upgrade in a year when USB-C and Thunderbird 3 is out,and Windows 10 has stabilised. If I were to make one big recommendation it would be to wait.

I took a look at the I7 HP Z recommended configuration workstation and it was only a couple of hundred less on the front end of the purchase than Jim's Pro Studio DAW - but you also get quite a bit less.
 
Tangible $$ benefits:

• HPZ = lower rated power supply 
• HPZ = cpu stock cooler vs. larger quiet cpu cooler
• HPZ - no second HD vs 1tb audio 2nd drive
• HPZ = 8gb RAM vs 16gb RAM
• HP/Dell, etc = installs bloatware

 
Subjective benefits:

• Jim has shown me no hassle, no waiting on hold, no computer generated messages requesting I push 3, 7 then 9 to speak with an out of the country rep reading from a service cue. :)
• Installed all the music software I requested (I provided serial numbers)
• Tweaked and streamlined the DAW for my primary uses
• Peace of mind knowing I had premium components installed / setup by a daw expert
• DAW almost too quiet - I have to look at the tower lights sometimes to see if it's running
• My time

 
What's not to like? Very fair, honest pricing by a skilled craftsman (check pricing for quality components - no way there are huge amounts of profit in these systems). Either way, nothing to bash or deter others based from my experience.
 
 
 
 
 
 

musicroom
 

• DAW almost too quiet - I have to look at the tower lights sometimes to see if it's running

When I first turned mine on, I didn't hear anything. I was cursing, because I thought it was broken. I was just about to call Jim, when I saw the windows logo appear on the screen.

TheMaartian
Couple of things.
 
1. Sure took some time to track down Jim's website. "Purrrfect" has THREE 'R's in it.
http://www.studiocat.com/open_cart/
 
2. Now that I've figured out how to turn the audio off, I'll take a look at it.
 
3. Whatever PC you pick, even if it's got the latest and greatest Intel chip set with Thunderbolt 3 support, make sure you are clear on the USB ports and their configuration (how many hubs; how many ports; which ports attached to which hubs; USB2 v USB3; etc.).
 
4. Just a recommendation, but...whatever PC you pick? Don't plug an iLok into it.

Not exactly sure what you mean about the usb hubs,do iloks mess up sonar?