Hello all,
The time is rapidly approaching when I will need to replace my studio computer. My apologies in advance for the lengthy post, I'm looking for insight, suggestions, etc on the configuration. I hope that at least some of my research will be helpful to others as well.
 
1) It is time to go to a 64 bit environment. I need access to more memory, and I'm down to only one or two frequently used tools that are not native x64. So it's time. I am replacing a system based on a Q6600 & Asus P5K-c that has worked well for me, but it is running out of steam!
 
2) My work is about equally divided between 'conventional' recording projects, composition using mostly virtual instruments, and sound design using anything and everything I can get my hands on. A typical (is there such a thing) recording project is usually 24 to maybe 32 tracks max. A composition is currently limited to two or three instances of Kontakt4, maybe an instance of Aria or Engine. Electronic projects may use a dozen software synths. I also use a lot of plug-in processors, mostly on a UAD-2.
 
3) I use Cakewalk Sonar X1, Dimension Pro, and Rapture Pro, Sony Sound Forge V9 (might upgrade), Steinberg Wavelab 7, NI Komplete7, Waves V9, a UAD-2/solo, Toontrack Superior 2, Rayzoon Jamstix, and a bunch of other plug-ins from companies like PSP, dbAudioware, gForce, Voxengo, etc. My audio interface is a Frontier Design Dakota/Montana - it still works well, and it has 64 bit drivers. I also have a Presonus Firebox which I may or may not continue to use.
So, knowing that I need to figure out what to use for the next computer... factoring in that the budget is especially challenged this time around!
 
CPU
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The price/performance sweet spot seems to be the i7/Sandy Bridge, probably the 2600 family, but the i7-3770 (Ivy Bridge) provides better memory bandwidth, would I use it? Sandy Bridge-E (i7-3820)provides quad memory channels, which means much greated memory bandwidth, which is probably a big deal, but is there a real benefit for music production? I can't tell. It also uses a different socket, not sure if that is critical.
 
Motherboard
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My motherboard requirements are pretty simple - at least two PCI slots (side by side), and then as many PCI-e slots as feasible. I'd like a TI based firewire solution on-board, but that is difficult to find. So I'll go with nothing, or maybe with the VIA firewire chip, and add a card if I have to. I also want at last four memory slots and one 1000BT network port. I used to need two network ports, but I am trying to get away from slave machines!
 
It looks like the Z68 chipset is a good choice, it provides the over-clocking (which I can't imagine I'll really need) of the P67 with the graphics support of the H67, and it's mature.
 
In the past I've used Asus and Abit motherboards without a hitch, and I've built a couple systems around both Gigabyte and MSI products, again with no problems. Asrock is a new name, to me, but they get consistently positive reviews. Any reasons not to use them in a DAW?
 
Memory
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Memory is cheap! I'll go with the fastest rated memory that is supported by whatever CPU/motherboard I choose. The big question becomes how much, and in what configuration? I know I can make use of 8GB, do I need 16GB? I'm thinking start with two 4GB sticks, and add two more when I need them. 8GB more than doubles what I can access today, making it difficult to judge!
 
GPU
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Do I need one? Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge both offer on-chip graphics capabilities. Sounds good on paprt, but you run into issues using system memory for graphics. Is there a differnce between HD Graphics 2000, 3000, and 4000? Is anyone using on-chip graphics as their primary graphics card? Does it work well for multiple (at least two) displays? Is there any advantage to slaving it to a PCI-e graphics card using SLI or Crossfire? Or is it simpler to get a basic GPU like the Radeon 5450?
 
Drives
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I will replace my current SATA/3GB drives with SATA/6GB drives. I may add a small SSD drive to do the disk caching thing that the P68 provides. I'll continue the three drive setup - OS/Apps, Data, & Samples.
 
The rest
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I'm re-using my case, power supply (500W should work), optical drive (unless there is no PATA port), UAD-2, Dakota/Montana, etc. I will get a Zalman CPU cooler for whatever CPU I end up with. What am I missing?
 
And thanks for your assistance!
 
Bill

A couple of points:

Depending on what you end up with, you may want to consider a better power supply, possibly in the 700W range.

The PCI slots will be a major problem, as most new MOBO's have only one legacy PCI slot, and that is typically bridged, not native.

IIRC, there may also be real problems getting the older Frontier cards to work in the bridged environment.  Jim Roseberry would be the expert there.  The problem is that the architecture has changed with the introduction of the Sandy Bridge chips.

Also, TI based firewire chipsets are now very rare (unfortunately).

Given things, IIRC Jim Roseberry does offer consulting in adddition to system builds and it might be worth contacting him and paying him for a consultation.

If you end up wanting someone to build the system for you, Scott at ADK is also excellent and would be strongly recommended.

I've had not problems identifying MOBOs with two PCI slots, the trick is to find MOBOs where they are next to each other! But I've found a number of candidates. I will have to dig into the bridging vs native issue, and I've fired off a question to Frontier Design Group as well. Thanks for the heads up! I'm not at all worried about my current power supply, at least as long as I stick with my current parts list. But I will remember to double check. These things can sneak up on you! The TI Firewire thing is bizarre, but you are correct, I haven't found a board that supports it yet, and have accepted that I'll probably need an add-on card. I'll give the VIA solution a spin, and if it doesn't work well I'll figure out what to do next. I know Jim! I have his StudioCat drum library and recommend it to anyone that asks. I've also benefited from his generosity here, and plan to pay for a consultation before I pull the trigger. I had really hoped that this time around I'd be in a position to just have him build me a machine, but alas, that looks very unlikely right now. Really appreciate the info about the Dakota PCI - I probably would never have thought to look into that!

If you have Jim build the system, that quite possibly would alieviate the need to pay him for consulting.  IIRC he normally charges the consulting fee for someone who then goes on to build their own system, rather than have him build one.

As for the Dakota cards, it would be wise to confirm things with him.

So, what did you end up with for a MB? 

I'm entertaining the ASRock x79 extreme4 MB for my Dakota/Montana cards and a 3930K processor, but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Still trying to find someone that has used this MB with these cards. 

I think you'll need "real" PCI slots in order for your Dakota card to work properly. By that I mean not the type of PCI slot that's the norm these days - most are now bridged to the PCIe bus. If you go with a Z77 style mobo, then I think they're all like that. Probably won't work. I've read that some B75 style mobo's are fine as they have true PCI slots.

It's a bummer, but unless you pick the right motherboard, your Dakota card might become a paperweight. I'm currently in the same boat with a daw upgrade on the horizon. I may bite the bullet and pick up an RME interface to avoid any potential pitfalls..

I recently built two new systems, one for Sonar and the other for general use (and a backup for the Sonar system).  One system is using a Gigabyte Z77X UD5H board (my Sonar DAW system) and the other an ASRock Z77 Professional motherboard.  Both have "bridged" PCI slots.

X79 does have "native" (non-bridged) PCI, but that is not to say a Dakota will work in any particular X79 board.

OTOH, it has been reported that the Dakota works ok in some Z68 boards (which only have bridged PCI, not native), so who knows? See this forum post:

http://forum.cakewalk.com/fb.ashx?m=2628795