I am looking at building a new computer for Sonar x2. The computer will also be used for gaming (Flight Simulator) and video editing.  Noise is not critical, I live next to a busy highway and have access to a studio when needed. Most of my work is done with MIDI instruments.
 
I'm looking at:
Gigabyte Intel Z77 LGA 1155.
Corsair Vengeance 32GB (4x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800).
Intel Core i7-2700K Quad-Core Processor 3.5 GHz 8 MB Cache LGA 1155.
PNY GeForce GTX 680 Graphics Card VCGGTX680XPB.
Crucial m4 256GB 2.5-Inch (9.5mm) SATA 6Gb/s Solid State Drive.
 
I currently have an E-MU 1616, which has beta drivers for Windows 7 and none for Window 8.  The Windows 7 Beta drivers do work for Windows 8.  I am looking at getting a USB device as a replacement.
 
I went with the i7-2700K to stay with the Sandy Bridge. Is it that critical for DAW purposes? Or would the i7-3770K be a better option?
 
I am not a fan of overclocking. Done it, crashed it, over it.
Is this a good system or are there some tweaks I can make? And no I'm not a nuclear physicist. Although my mother, brother and sister work in the industry. I just want to make music and fly.
 
 TIA
 
-JJ

My new DAW build (last summer) is listed in my signature.  I went with the i7 3700 rather than the i7 3700K as I don't plan on overclocking. 

Initially I just used the built in Inte HD 4000 graphics (in the CPU).  I ran into a problem with the DVI output so I went with a separate video card.  But, I had no problems with Sonar X2 or any other program with just the built in Intel graphics.

I have an Inel 256GB SSD for the Win 7 installation (I also dual boot with Win 8 and have a separate OCZ Vertex 4 128GB SSD for Win 8).

You have a nice setup. I like the i7 2700K for the Sandy Bridge. I read someplace that the Sandy Bridge is better for Sonar.
 
Thank you.
 
-Julian

Why update now? I think next year Windows 8.1 will come out - codename Windows Blue.

I plan to stay with Windows 7.  At least until I can figure out how to run Sonar and Flight Simulator under Slackware.  

-JJ

The leaked Widows Blue appears to just be more of the same Win 8.  I have Start8 for Windows 8 which restores the start button and my desktop functions just like Win 7. (Win 7 is also my "operational" OS.  I have Win 8 installed with the $39 download version and have Sonar X2 installed but just to see if it works - and it does).

Lets's see Windows 95 - awesome; 98 sucked. NT - awesome; Vista, sucked. Windows 7 - awesome; Windows 8, looks like Windows 8 is heading the same direction as Vista. I'll stay with Windows 7.
 
-JJ

jjthomas


I plan to stay with Windows 7.  At least until I can figure out how to run Sonar and Flight Simulator under Slackware.  

-JJ

Flight Simulator (FSX) works fine here under Windows 8.

The only complaint I had with Windows 8 was the lack of drivers.  Specifically for the E-MU 1616.  The Windows 7 drivers worked, admittedly.  I also had a program start throwing segment fault errors, it was not supported under Windows 8.
-JJ   

Case:  http://www.fractal-design.com/?view=product&prod=68
MB: http://www.gigabyte.us/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4279#ov
CPU:  Intel Core i7-3770K Quad-Core
RAM:  32GB Corsair’s Vengeance  SKU# CMZ32GX3M4X1600C10.  I run VM's, edit video and play sim games.
PSU: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2949
DVD: https://www.asus.com/Optical_Drives/BW14D1XT/
SSD: http://www.crucial.com/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=CT240M500SSD1
4 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1 TB HDD SATA 6 Gb/s
Cooler: Intel Thermal Solution Liquid.  (Subject to revision)
Video: PNY GeForce GTX 680 4 GB Graphics Cards VCGGTX6804XPB
PreSonus AudioBox 44VSL USB Audio Interface
PreSonus FaderPort USB Automation Controller
And finally: Anti-Static Wrist Band (Old one wore out)
Total about $3000.
 
I've jumped back and forth between the LGA 2011 and LGA 1155 and finally settled on the LGA 1155.  I looked at the AMD FX-8 and not seeing too many recomendations for a gaming computer. 
 
I'm also undiceded about using Windows 7 or Windows 8. Since I'm getting all new hardware, I should be able to get current drivers.
 
Is this a good system for Sonar X2?  Any changes or recomendations? 
 
TIA.
 
-JJ