New DAW - need opinions

Hello all,

I'm currently running a Dell XPS M1530 laptop (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.00GHz). It runs Sonar X2a Producer fine until I start upping the complexity a bit, so I'm going to build my own desktop machine. The machine will exist purely for running Sonar X2 Producer. No dedicated video card, no unnecessary trimmings. The most extravagant extra will be an internal WiFi card. This PC will be powered on just for recording.


Here's what I'm thinking of putting in:

Processor: 
AMD FX-8320 Eight-Core
Memory:
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9 8GB 1600MHz CL9 DDR3 Vengeance Memory Two Module Kit


Motherboard:
Asus M5A78L-M

OS:
W8 64-bit

I'm not an absolute pro when it comes to custom builds, but I'd say I'm definitely not a newb either. My main concerns with these components are:

- will it run projects in Sonar without a hitch? I'm talking 20 tracks of audio with processing on a lot of it.
- will I experience DPC latency at annoying levels?
- will I be able to keep the ASIO latency reasonably low from start to finish?

If anyone can give insight on any of the above I'd massively appreciate it, especially if you have experience with these components. The whole DPC latency and processor/mobo choice thing is somewhat of a nightmare as there are so many conflicting opinions! I'm not fussed about the OS (if W7 64-bit is known to be better then fine), and if there is a good reason for an alternative motherboard and processor choice then I'm all ears. I don't belong to a 'religion' where AMD or Intel are concerned, if it's a better choice it's a better choice. My budget limit for CPU, Mobo, RAM, OS is £400.

Thanks a lot!
TMG

I'm not convinced that running without a video card is a good idea.

Something's got to do the graphics work and surely this will place more load on your cpu, leaving you with less resources for music.

Latency will ultimately depend on your choice of interface which you make no mention of so it's difficult to comment here.

IMHO Win7 64bit is definitely the way to go.

Hi Jonesey and Goddard,


Thanks a lot for the replies and your thoughts. Having done a lot more research this afternoon I'm now considering shelling out the extra for an Intel i7. It looks like the general consensus is that their processors do a better overall job with Sonar. The bundle I'm looking at also comes with a dedicated Nvidia graphics card which supports dual monitors, so I can use that if I experience problems coming off the motherboard.


I am using an Edirol UA-25 USB interface (sorry I forgot to mention it above!) which, although old, I have always found reliable and does exactly the job I want it to.


I am curious to see how my latency will drop with a new machine. With my current machine I get a round-trip latency of about 30ms. I can lower it but start to experience crackling and the usual things. The whole latency thing in general I find quite confusing, especially getting my head around the difference between the DPC and the audio stuff. I'm hoping I won't have any issue with DPC spikes any more by keeping the number of drivers to a minimum.

Windows 7 it is then Jonesey! Glad to hear it to be honest, I don't like the presentation of 8..

I'll certainly bear the WiFi advice in mind Goddard.. I guess if I get issues I can just take it out? I think I'd find it quite frustrating if I wasn't able to send a quick email directly from the computer now and then.