System Requirements for X2

Quick question for someone much more computer savvy than I:
 
Currently using Sonar Home Studio 7 and am thinking of upgrading to Sonar X2, if that's even possible (seems like a lot of Sonar jumps).  In any case, if it is possible to upgrade from SHS7 to X2 is anyone able to tell me if it will run on my now quite dated computer (8yrs old):
 
Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz  2.99 GHz
2.00 GB RAM
32-bit Operating System
Windows 7
 
Thanx

Thanx for the info.  Encouraging (except for the $399 part).  Guess it's multiple steps above SHS7 and much more recent, so it's nearly an install from scratch....and I may not have to buy a new computer right away.  The joys of technology.  I just ran a diagnostic tool from Focusrite to ensure the FireWire port I have installed on the computer will work with the Saffire Pro 40 I just ordered.  All seems good in the land of T.I. TSB43AB23.  So now it's hurry up and wait........or download X2. 

Thanks again!

samuuri, its more than multiple steps above, its like light years away, I jumped from home studio 7 xl to sonar x1 because the studio I was working in at the time wanted to upgrade the whole studio from amateur to professional.
and o boy did that work.
it was a little learning curve but well worth it.
session drummer compared to studio drums is like o my god, then the pro channel is another huge favorite.
heres a video I made of session drummer and its capability's:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjZS61Wg-XY

this is compared to studio drums:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k83UVo1OiKA

if I were you I would download the trial, why not what have you got to lose?
its 30 days of heaven :)
 
ps-once you upgrade once,that 399 dollar price tag(I think its more like 350.00)
then every upgrade after that will only be 99.00
 
heres the thing though, wait for a deal,keep your eye lids peeled, often I see deals for sonar as low as 200, even 100 for first time users.

  I would recommend testing X2 before buying it. Especially on your computer. It's getting to be like a lot of modern software. It likes to be unpredictable at times and eat away at the CPU. There are spikes. That's not an issue IF your CPU is good enough. But on a system where under normal circumstances the cpu would run okay, it might not run okay during the spikes. Which then, you would end up with hanging. I have seen this problem reported on several forums on other websites. I have also witnessed it myself. Except that my processor goes beyond the system requirements. X1 does NOT show this behavior a bit. And that really puzzles me. 

I would very much recommend an up to date computer.  

John/ Dave,

Thanks for your advice.  This is confirmed by Cakewalk Support in their following response:

"Yes, you would need to upgrade your system to a multi-core processor. This is definitely one of the basic requirements for a system that is compatible with SONAR X2."

Looks like I have some decisions to make (that may involve "de Wife").

Thanks for responding.

Your computer will not handle very much in any modern DAW, especially if like me you load up a lot of VSTs. How much? I don't know. I did try Sonar x1 on a dual-core Athlon 64 chip by AMD - made in 2005, socket 939, 3Gb RAM, and it was a dog. But then, so was Reason and Fruity Loops. Then I built my own rig, a Core i7 with 16Gb of RAM, and got an external sound card (Focusrite Saffire 14), and my whole music creation life changed. I have yet to reach a point where Sonar x1 overloads my computer; it just runs and runs with no crashes or pops as long as I stay around the 48khz and 24 bit region, with about a 512 - 1024 buffer size depending on the project. I make experimental and industrial / metal stuff, so at any time I could have 60-70 tracks on a longer song, each with their own VSTs. Sonar x1 usually handles it just very well - sometimes I will need to turn down a VST's setting to low quality (they render at high qualities) for monitoring to eek out some extra performance. I would not recommend Sonar X1 for your computer unless you are just straight tracking - but if you are just straight tracking then Studio 7 should meet your needs...

LordElpus


Build your own system.  It's pretty straightforward and you save quite a bit of money too.

+1   :)

My apology for the "system seems ok" response. I was jumping into conclusion by just reading your chip's GHz speed.

I would say any new computer with i7 onwards would be a solid platform. I've built mine 2 years ago and is still going great and will serve me well for many years.

I'm currently on the look out for an all-in-one (AIO from Dell, MSI) type of PC as a notebook alternative, for site use, and probably some live gigs. Not in a hurry to buy now, just curious to find out if it's suitable for DAW as well.