So, I planned, OK wished more like, getting a new DAW in 2014. My current system is way beyond its life expectancy. Funds are limited, but my current DAW took a huge dump and although I'm very grateful I was able to repair it, it doesn't feel stable any longer.
 
So, I looked into Rain and Sweetwater's Creation Station--only to find Rain is out of business and the CS appears to be over-priced and under-powered.
 
I did some research and started looking at ADK or Studio Cat. I heard great things about Scott at ADK, and the email seems to support that, except he seemed to miss a few details about my requirements. I was surprised that the system he quoted was about $600 over my absolute maximum, and he said my current sound card may not be compatible. Card is about 3 years old. If he's right, the cost of a new card comes out of the DAW budget. I emailed the card's tech support for their .02c
 
I emailed Studio Cat and haven't heard back yet. That thing called Christmas, ya know.
 
Anyone have any good pointers like AMD is better, etc?
 
Anyone have any pointers about what to stay away from? I typically buy a little above what I need so the system stays around for a long time--
 
Thanks! 

ah...you've got the 3G like me.  Unless you get a custom build from Studio Cat or ADK, you'll need to either build it yourself or get a Layla replacement, as the PCI slot is basically defunct....and required by your Layla.  However those two high end builders mentioned above, have and use motherboards with one PCI slot available, I believe.  I'm due myself in 2014 and been holding off, just like you.  I've got a "not broke, don't fix" system (as you can see my specs below), but I feel I'm slipping into the dinosaur age and would love a clean computer with X3 and basically nothing else....cept my Toontrack and a small number of other things.
 
Otherwise I've looked at the HP computers just as of recent and for around $1k can get a pretty beefy system. $1200 gets you a lot from HP.  Seems that you'd need to spend another $500 or so from custom builds for the same specs, but I'd think good value and insurance for sure, not to mention you should feel comfortable it'll work immediately upon arrival.
 
Seems Ebay will get you $200+ for the 3G and put that towards something similar to ease the pain of the extra funds.  That's my thought, wearing the same shoes you are. 

mixmkr
ah...you've got the 3G like me.  Unless you get a custom build from Studio Cat or ADK, you'll need to either build it yourself or get a Layla replacement, as the PCI slot is basically defunct....and required by your Layla.  However those two high end builders mentioned above, have and use motherboards with one PCI slot available, I believe.  I'm due myself in 2014 and been holding off, just like you.  I've got a "not broke, don't fix" system (as you can see my specs below), but I feel I'm slipping into the dinosaur age and would love a clean computer with X3 and basically nothing else....cept my Toontrack and a small number of other things.
 
Otherwise I've looked at the HP computers just as of recent and for around $1k can get a pretty beefy system. $1200 gets you a lot from HP.  Seems that you'd need to spend another $500 or so from custom builds for the same specs, but I'd think good value and insurance for sure, not to mention you should feel comfortable it'll work immediately upon arrival.
 
Seems Ebay will get you $200+ for the 3G and put that towards something similar to ease the pain of the extra funds.  That's my thought, wearing the same shoes you are. 

Yeah, ADK will have to give me a compelling reason why I should buy from them if their prices are highly than pre - built machines like HP.

Seems like the pre - built systems won't have the type of quiet fans and high quality power supplies like a custom build, or other quiet factors like fanless video cards.

$200 for a used G3 seems high. I think I paid around that for a new one.

I definitely don't want any legacy gear to set the standard for my new DAW.

Thanks for the help.

the G3 was about 4- 450 new I think...which is how I got mine... replacing my Layla 20s.   Looking on Ebay, which I've done recently, they go for around that in great shape with ALL the stuff...PCI card, connector cable and the breakout box.  Half that for just the box, etc...  
 
I suspect they'll be worth nada in a couple more years.
 
I will say I've ONLY heard great things about the custom builds around here, but when I go price my computer on their sites...I start pushing $2k without trying too hard.  But, I'm very hesitant to say anything about pricing, as I don't know the details and like I say...the reputations seem to be 200% with MANY happy customers.   I'm not sure why HP can offer the stuff they do, with similar or what seem to be better specs....unless it's garbage or they're selling soooo much volume...  I don't know, to be honest.

razor

I definitely don't want any legacy gear to set the standard for my new DAW.

EXACTLY...  I posted a thread about hesitant with PCI or Firewire on another thread...I think in the computer forum...  same reasoning.   But I know talking about this stuff, probably shows how much I don't know.  At least I can play guitar pretty decent ! :-)

btw...you're computer looks half decent now...  I've been holding mine together A LOT longer than you !!
 

I think the other thing you get with the custom DAW builders is a higher level of tech support and tech support that is specifically tailored to DAWs.
 
HP and Dell and the others will not be able to give you very good support for specific audio issues.  Also, they are buying the cheapest components which may or may not be adequate for audio recording and production.  Audio interfaces and programs are quite demanding (and often picky) of the system and a weak link in an inferior mb or video card can bring performance down to unacceptable levels.  The off-the-shelf comps are a little bit of a crap shoot because you don't know exactly what's in them.  They are also not optimized for noise reduction.
 
What you are paying for with the custom build is the builder's knowledge and expertise about what components are best for DAWs and the fact that your system is 1 of a few instead of 1 of 1,000,000 (or more).
 
Good luck with whatever you decide.

You haven't said anything about your UAD-1 card.  It's PCI too.
 

Kev999
You haven't said anything about your UAD-1 card.  It's PCI too.
 

Yeah, that's definitely got to go, but it's real old and end of life. The sound card isn't that old which makes it harder to deal with.

ADK said that UAD card won't work--period. The sound card was if-y

Razor...don't be dumb! 
 
Give Jim a jingle to compare with Scott... or do your own research and buy all quality components and build it/have someone do it for you.
 
They use **** in those store bought pieces of crap... I've been there.  Everyone here that's serious will tell you the same...
 
You aren't getting the same computer as a dell, comcrap, or hpuke... it'll cost a bit more.  and you won't be in here whining about why things are all fracked up...
 
OY!