I currently use an HP (AMD ATHLON X2) under Windows XP and running Sonar X1. It is still running OK but I'm starting to get some problems with CPU usage (Guitar Rig 5 for example) and I would also like to upgrade to X3. So I guess it's time to change my computer. I have 2 questions though:
1- Is an i7 worth the price (performance wise) over an i5 with the same amount of memory (12GB)?
2- My audio interface has a Firewire output (and I really like that unit) but no PC's seem to have that input anymore. Could you suggest a card (PCI X1 preferably).
 
Thanks
 

1 - Yes.
 
2 - A quick Google search for 'Firewire Card' brings up hundreds of results. Just make sure you get one with a TI (Texas Instruments) chipset

I agree with Bristol Jonesey.  However, is the firewire interface unit you have compatible (have drivers) for Win 7 or Win 8.1 (not Win 8 as Win 8 drivers in many cases are not compatible with Windows 8.1).   If not, its time to also upgrade to a USB connected unit - less problems and many USB units have lower latency than firewire.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

+1
 
Be sure to do research and ask questions before purchasing a new PC. Many "off the shelf" models use the cheapest components they can get away with, but advertise it a only I3, I5, or I7... there is a lot of variation in "I7" alone, and much of the variation in the machine is much more than just the CPU. Depending on price point you are looking at, and comfort with custom building a machine, you can often get more bang for the buck having a machine built for you.
 
X3c runs very nicely on this machine, but I am also running the minimum supported O/S requirements, which may affect me on future X versions.

If you're using your DAW as your livelyhood, I highly recommend contacting Jim Rosebury or Scott at ADK. They're the DAW guru's here and are exceptional at what they do.

If you're a hobbyist (like me), then building a DAW by yourself gives a lot of control in using the hardware components (future compatibility) and also the satisfaction of accomplishing a stable build. Of course, there's a bit of research on your part that needs to be done, but totally worth it IMHO.
 
If you're buying an off the shelf PC, (like Mettelu said) they use the cheapest components. Of course, you "might" get a very stable system off the shelf, but when you consider all the higher end auido (software & hardware) that you've invested into producing music, I'd certainly want a solid machine to house all of this.  

Not all "off the shelf" computers use the cheapest components, but it can be a real chore to find out what components they do use. Even if you are buying bare components at retail, getting fine grain information about stepping/version or even manufacturer's model number can be hit and miss.
 
Assemblers  often throw in some very expensive "famous" components, like a pricey CPU and brag about it, and then use much less useful or reliable components for the rest. The most common problem is to find an expensive CPU hobbled by a purpose made motherboard that lacks the expansion capability commonly found on retail boards.
 
On the other hand sometimes you will find components selected that add considerably to the cost of the system, but are not at all necessary for your own use. The most common problem here for a DAW is a very pricey video card included to lure gamers.

Thanks guys for the responses.
 
As far as cheap components, I'm looking especially at the Dell XPS870 mostly because Dell seems to have a good reputation for quality machines and also they are the only one who still offer pre-built machines with Win7 in Canada (I don't want Win8). The only thing that bugs me is that it comes with a gamer video card and I don't need it so I'm paying extra for nothing.
 
As for building my own, building it doesn't scare me (I have a background in electronics) but what does is if it doesn't work. Then it becomes a fight with your parts supplier as to wether it was defective or you blew it yourself.
 
Also thanks for the tip about the Firewire TI chipset. I knew there was a better one than the others but could not remember which.

DELL is about the only COTS (customer off the shelf) PC I hold faith in, which I threw into this thread a short while ago.
 
+1 to slartabartfast on "unnecessary components." When I built this machine I made a very conscious decision to go with a high-end video card so I could do "8G RAM" comfortably; and I rarely exceed 50% RAM usage, since much of the processing is graphics. For a DAW, my card is very much "excessive overkill," but I do use this machine for everything.

alain999
As for building my own, building it doesn't scare me (I have a background in electronics) but what does is if it doesn't work. Then it becomes a fight with your parts supplier as to wether it was defective or you blew it yourself.

It's also sometimes difficult determining which component is the faulty one if you don't own any test equipment or a stock of spare parts to use as substitutes while you try to diagnose the problem.  My last build failed shortly after its first bootup, but I couldn't tell whether it was the PSU, CPU or motherboard that was causing the problem.  Fortunately someone offered to test it for me free of charge and identified the faulty component - the PSU.  The vendor eventually replaced the defective item and the computer was up and running several weeks behind schedule.

My two earlier attempts at building a PC went much more smoothly.

With PSU's, your best bet for a DIY build is to leave it until last. When you've identified all the other components, just add up the total power consumption needs of each board/drive etc, then add 50% for safety.
 
This way you'll never run out of power.