BlixYZ
I'm looking at 2 PCs
One has an 17 @ 4Ghz with an intel HD graphics 530
the other has
i7 @ 3.4Ghz with GeForce GTX  1060
 
same RAM.  both have ssd.
 
Which is better for running Splat?

1st one - DAW no doubt
2nd one would be more for gaming and use more power consumption.

As for the USB ports - they may be going to sleep.
Check the power plan settings:

I've been building my own PC (and for others) for quite some time, at least since XP days.
 
It keeps getting easier.
 
You should do your homework, for example, checking Tom's Hardware guides for motherboards and some of the overclocking sites.
 
I would get the fastest possible motherboard PCI lanes, memory chips and unlocked CPU. Use water cooling and a good power supply.
 
Gets lots of memory, at least 16 GB or more.
 
I use some really power hungry VSTs (Reaktor, in particular), I run at 4.3 GHz and wish I had more.
 
 

arachnaut
I've been building my own PC (and for others) for quite some time, at least since XP days.
 
It keeps getting easier.
 
You should do your homework, for example, checking Tom's Hardware guides for motherboards and some of the overclocking sites.
 
I would get the fastest possible motherboard PCI lanes, memory chips and unlocked CPU. Use water cooling and a good power supply.
 
Gets lots of memory, at least 16 GB or more.
 
I use some really power hungry VSTs (Reaktor, in particular), I run at 4.3 GHz and wish I had more.
 
 

totally agree. I can relate to what Sharke (James) is saying as well but building computers now a days isn't like it was even 5 or 6 years ago. they are so simple to assemble. and info is widely spread every where in videos and forums all over the internet. not to mention it takes literally sometimes less an hour to build.
 
I can understand where your coming from James but the only time involved is research so it all depends on how you choose to throw your money away. Not for nothing but this same research is crucial when problems arise.
With knowledge you can track down hardware problems in minutes when you have built your own PC.
and it gives you a feeling like.. "I have more control over what's going on". vs "I don't know, I bought it like this".

So, for those of you still following this thread, how much money did I waste?
I paid $900, and got:

• Intel Core i7-6700K Processor 4.0GHz
• Intel HD Graphics 530
• MSI Z170A PC Mate MB
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD
• ASUS 24x DVDRW Drive
• Multi-in-One Memory Card Reader
• 10/100/1000 Network
• 802.11ac Wireless
• Display Not Included

The PowerSpec G404 desktop computer is a powerful gaming machine featuring the Intel Core i7-6700K Unlocked processor, a 512GB Solid State Drive, 16GB of GSkill High Performance DDR4 3000 memory, and the MSI Z170A PC Mate system board powered by a 600W Bronze EVGA power supply providing an excellent value loaded gaming platform for the most demanding games on the market today! Note: This system is preinstalled with Windows 10 Professional software and also comes with a license and media for Windows 7 Pro software. 
 
 

Thanks for posting ... I've added this to my short list for later this year

BlixYZ
So, for those of you still following this thread, how much money did I waste?
I paid $900, and got:

• Intel Core i7-6700K Processor 4.0GHz
• Intel HD Graphics 530
• MSI Z170A PC Mate MB
• 16GB RAM
• 512GB SSD
• ASUS 24x DVDRW Drive
• Multi-in-One Memory Card Reader
• 10/100/1000 Network
• 802.11ac Wireless
• Display Not Included

The PowerSpec G404 desktop computer is a powerful gaming machine featuring the Intel Core i7-6700K Unlocked processor, a 512GB Solid State Drive, 16GB of GSkill High Performance DDR4 3000 memory, and the MSI Z170A PC Mate system board powered by a 600W Bronze EVGA power supply providing an excellent value loaded gaming platform for the most demanding games on the market today! Note: This system is preinstalled with Windows 10 Professional software and also comes with a license and media for Windows 7 Pro software. 
 
 

This looks pretty good. I would add a second SSD for audio.

I'm not sure you wasted money with that price without watching for bargains and sales on the components but I am too lazy to price all that stuff out right now.
 
The other plus for a DIY system is you control *exactly* what is put in the box, where with an off the shelf PC or even a customizable one your choices for sizes and brands may (extremely) limited.

It's possible to beat a good prebuilt PC's sales price with your own build, but not easily. Time is money, etc.