All is fine if you are not into the DIY computer build. Grab an off the shelf and it just might serve you well for a few years. I'm not totaly against off the self, I have a 2002 HP P4 in my office, it does need replacing  but it still runs. But for the same money you can  usually build with better components. Starting with the power supply on up. Everybody looks at the same specs, the size of the hard drive, the RAM and the CPU speed and figures that is all there is to know. Thanks to the gaming world, there are many better hardware components at competitive prices. And for some of us, it's a hobby and we like to build or own. Bet that HP has a 250 watt Power supply! 

Just wanted to say I have two systems from Jim Roseberry at Studiocat Computers - best machines I have ever had and worth every cent as far as I am concerned. I just wish some of the software we use ( no names!) was put together as well as Jim's computers!
Nigel
 

Nice comments.   To answer a few questions. it did NOT come loaded with much junk at all.   Probably as clean as you're going to get from an off the shelf (essentially) machine.    I ordered the 430 Power supply and didn't really think I needed the 650 version.  I am powering a few extra drives and a UAD duo card directly in the machine and I have the expansion box that is self powered for others plus a Satellite that is also self powered so I mainly needed to make sure it handled the drives and the higher end NVidia 2 GB graphics card.    Its been about 2 weeks now and still running great.   I installed Norton but only enable it when I need to connect to the internet, otherwise I keep it off.  Again, only 800 bucks and if I were truely an expert, there are likely ways to tune it even better.   I imagine time will tell but I don't expect any major issues.  I tend to run it with the side panel off so cooling hasn't been an issue anyway.  I could always blow a small fan on the whole thing.  I'm happy!

UPDATE -- Machine still kicking butt!

I would also like to commend Jim Roseberry  - I have reviewed his build specs, and have seen many many posts of his - all are spot on, and I cannot recall a complaint of his work.
 
I build computers for folks, when asked, as I have been a programmer for my whole career, and I have seen good techs and bad techs - same as any profession, really.  (Jim is a good one).
 
The pre-loaded off the shelf ones can be OK, but most times most or all of the software should be removed before even bothering to install Sonar.  Most things are trials, and then there are usually a bunch of vendor-specific 'helpful' apps, like remote access for their techs, and easy-tune this or that.
 
A couple of other observations on the pre-built ones are: power supplies are often marginal, and if additional drives or liquid cooling added or that sort of thing, the included power supplies may not be robust enough to cut it.  Also, check out the brand of components included, as these are often older clunky on their last legs versions of things.
 
If you know what you are doing, or take the time to do the research, you can also build a good one from scratch.  You will not have a system-level warranty in that case, unless you by all the parts at the same time and the store offers a warranty that covers it all - some stores, like Micro Center do have things like that.  Make sure you get a decent power supply - figure out the component needs for what you are putting in the case.  You also do not need gaming-level video cards.  Sonar does not need that.  You want to maximize memory, storage, and CPU. 
 
Anyways - all that aside - congrats on your HP delivering the goods for you!  Really nice to hear.  I had a Dell laptop that I gigged with, that handled Sonar quite nicely, and I got the on-site next day 3-year warranty.  THAT was a good thing, because they ended up replacing parts throughout that period, but it did its job.
 
Bob Bone
 
 
 

HP makes good stuff, tho you have to get rid of the "crap." Sony makes good computers, and they are starting to have the option of loading a clean copy of win 8.  Both have served me well.
 
But in a professional studio running all  day, every day, it is worthwhile to have a custom-built computer.  Time is money, and the time one saves hopefully is worth the money, plus having to learn (and re-learn) all the optimizing.  I wish I could justify buying one for home use.  However, my kids have always made good use of my "old computer" when I upgrade here at home, so it is a win/win.
 
If you have more time than money an HP or Sony (I've used both) are good choices.  In fact, if you are starting out in recording, learning some of the basics is good (if frustrating).  If you have more money or are serious, a studio-cat etc. is great relief.  And as Craig noted, you personally don't have fix software update problems, etc. to get your main piece of hardware running sweet again when MS decides to change something that only causes problems for musicians.
 
First world choices.  LIfe is good.
 
@

I looked at off the shelf (e.g. Dell, HP, etc) before I built my last PC for recording.  Nothing they had fit what I wanted.  I was looking at top line consumer models, such as the Dell XPS 8700.  I also considered commercial (business) systems but they too didn't have the expansion capability I wanted, although the commercial systems tended to have better components.
 
My DAW system build was about the same price as the top model (with options) Dell XPS8700 but I got more with my own build such as a better case (quiet and more cooling), a Liquid CPU cooler, more USB ports, etc.
 
However, if the off the shelf will do what you want I'm not going to argue.  My start in computer recording was with a Dell Dimension E510 that had a D925 CPU and 4GB RAM (max it would hold) and Vista 32 bit. 

I've got a StudioCat DAW and it has been a great performer for several years now. I did recently add an SSD (and OS upgrade) and replaced a HD (need to update my specs). Highly recommended.
 
Regards,

My son has always built his own going back 15 years now. I get his toss outs and use them for another 5 or more years.
The big difference I see is the case. Flexible, easy access, quite and solid. 
Big power supplies, Lots of drive bays. 
So easy to swap out a drive or add another DVD drive. 
Best of all is using a full version of the OS without bloatware. 
 
But then sometimes I think we obsess over that stuff which in the past was a pain, but now? Does it really get in the way?  
 
Last week I was was visiting and so downloaded and installed X3 studio on my In Laws brand New Hp desktop. HP H8-1212c  i7-2600 @ 3.40 Ghz  10 G RAM 64 bit W7 home premium. 
 
First thing I did was download and run the DPCLAT meter. Not bad, it was at around 120ms ( steady in the green) and there was 89 processes running. Nobody had optimized this machine yet. I did have to disable the on board card to get my Scarlett to stay put in sonar. But other than that. no problems. I think it's a crap shoot from machine to machine. But a modern computer is certainly up to it. 
 

On major thing I had to do though was disable CPU parking (or something like that) it was a little problematic in the very beginning (cpu was spiking) but after that the machine runs smooth as glass and I run some moderately heavy mixes (some virtual instruments but many plugins, 50 - 60 tracks max).   I have 17-4770 Quad core 3.4 ghz and the thread in the cpu meter barely register so it appears to have tons of horsepower.   I  did get it ordered with Win 7 and removed all the junk it came with as some others have suggested.  I also did get the 450 powersupply which handles an extra drive or two and UAD card in the slot.  One major accessory I have that works great is the Startech PCI extension case.  400 buck vs Magma 1200 dollar unit.  I run an UAD card and a laptop solo (through expresscard adapter) on there as I needed more PCIe slots.   Again, I paid 800 and all works great.  It also came with beats audio which I disabled and haven't even tried LOL.  The was likely something I paid for that I will never need.    I think my RME and Focusrites are probably a bit better.....