I guys.
I need to replace a 7 year-old Core 2 workhorse before it carks. Can someone recommend a tried and true i7 MB and CPU? It needn't be the swishest thing out, just another solid workhorse for Sonar, SF, RX3, CDA etc. TI Firewire would be nice. No gaming.
Many thanks
David
 

Depending on your budget and features you need, MB's can vary. I've seen a lot of Sonar users having the Asus Sabertooth and Gigabyte's GA UD5H (which I also considered before building). however, I chose the AsRock Z77 OC Formula as it had all the features/quality which the higher end Asus boards came with, plus very good user reviews on stability, and all at a lower price. :)
 
Here's a review of 5 MB's under $220 (US). http://www.tomshardware.com/print/z87-haswell-motherboard-review,reviews-3524.html
 
Good luck with the build, you'll be extremely happy with performance (I certainly was.....my old system was also about 7 yrs. old). 

Many thanks Mesh. I'll take your specs to the local shop and see what of these they can get.
Cheers
David

Counting Coup
Many thanks Mesh. I'll take your specs to the local shop and see what of these they can get.
Cheers
David

You're welcome...
If you're building this yourself, make sure all your components are compatible (it'll save you a lot of headaches down the line). You can post your prospective system in here as there are qualified people in here who can help with your build (instead of relying on this amateur's 2 cents :)). 

I went with the Gigabyte's GA UD5H because I have a Glyph external HD that is FireWire only with loads of stuff I needed access to. The UD5H was the only one that fit my needs.
Not sorry in any way, shape or form.
 
Mike

Chefmike, your setup is very much like what I'm planning to build, except don't need so many audio ports.  I have a big investment in old Gigastudio 3 stuff, though, 32bit application ... any ideas about whether I could run that on something like what you have?    Also, anything you'd do different if you did it again? 

Hi Counting coup.
Well to say from experience...i7 2011 X58 Sabertooth was a pain in the butt...Seems there are updated firmware for Micron controllers...but not for the onboard Micron controller...cause it cannot be updated...so issues arise when firmware for ssds and usb 3 eternal drives kinda stuff happens...and you get odd behavior after updating the  firmware and drivers...on that board....ect.
 
So beware...

guglielmo2
Chefmike, your setup is very much like what I'm planning to build, except don't need so many audio ports.  I have a big investment in old Gigastudio 3 stuff, though, 32bit application ... any ideas about whether I could run that on something like what you have?    Also, anything you'd do different if you did it again? 

Not sure about the Gigastudio 3 stuff although I don't see why not.
As far as doing anything different.....Nah, extremely happy. 
 
 
Mike

I'm considering  the Asus P8Z68-V PRO/GEN3, LGA 1155 But I don't really know what the best CPU I need and will work. With all these versions of the i7 processor I really have no idea what does what or why one is more desirable than another. 
 
I just use this computer for music. Sonar X3 and Komplete 9 Ultimate and a few other soft synths. I'd like to be able to put something decent together for about 600 bucks or less. RAM included.
 
Do I need an 8 thread i7? Do I really need more than 8Gigs of Ram? I've been running a Gateway dual core q8200 and 8 gigs of ram with some success. I just got a SSD drive for my Op sys. I don't know what I need versus the money. I don't have 1600 bucks to spend on a computer. This all makes my head spin. In fact, I think I'd rather be kicked in the head that search for computer equipment.
 
Any suggs would be splendid!

There are quite a lot of really good MB's available. Most users that haven't had a bad experience with a particular brand will be willing to give that brand a good wrap. I've found over the years that staying away from the cheap end of the scale will give you a good start, and most of the well known brands will get you something that will work just fine for a music PC.
If you needed a gaming PC then that's a totally different kettle of fish and would need a whole new forum to discuss, but a music PC just needs to get the audio in and out cleanly, quickly, quietly and to some extent, coolly.
Spend your money on good quality RAM, HDD's (or SSD's if you wish), a silent GPU, and a good quality, silent PSU.
My personal preferences are Gigabyte and Asus, and after building many hundreds of systems over what feels like just as many years, these brands have stood the test of time.
The Ivy bridge I7 is a great CPU, you won't need the k series unless you need to overclock for some reason other than music production, I have yet to build a Haswell system so I can't offer any thoughts on that setup.
Good luck and good music making.