I recently oredered a new computer so in the same boat. I use my computer for day to day home stuff plus music (BIAB and Sonar). Going from 8 year old Pentium 4 to Core i5 760, XP to W7/64.

Here are just a few things I found needed due consideration.

I don't go for "Buy all the computer you can afford". I could afford $10,000, but spent $900, and probably would have been good spending $500. I have more RAM and HD than I'll ever need and the processor is pretty good bang for the buck."Get the best value that meets your current and future needs. Then go a bit future" is my advice.

1. Whatever OS you decide on, check the websites of all your hardware manufacturers to be sure they have drivers for that system. All mine were good except the audio interface. But the manufacturer and others on forums agreed that the Vista 64 drivers work perfect with X7/64 machines - so I have my fingers crossed on that one.

2. Know if you can expand RAM in the future. Some machines are pretty tight.

3. Know what "slots" you may need and what are offered. My audio interface needs a PCI slot. Some computers I was considering had no PCI slot. That would have been a bummer.

4. Think of the future needs. Are there other programs (DAWs, video editing, etc) you think you may be getting into that need faster CPU and more RAM? RAM and HD can be expanded, CPU speed - no. So think about buying a CPU above current needs.

5. If your thinking two monitors in the future, be sure your Vid card supports this (most do, I think) - and pay attention to needed and offered VGA and DVI ports. My approach to Vid card was - since I can't tell exactly the performance spec I need, I got the get the stock "cheapo" (GeForce GTS 240) that comes with the base computer. I think (hope) it is adequate. If it turns out is wanting, I'll deal with it later by swapping it out.

6. Ask at this forum. Lots of experienced help here.

Good luck.

kelso

Dell Desktop XPS 8100 W10 HomePrem/64 / Core i5 760 (quad, 2.8GHz) / 8GB DDR3 / 1 TB SATA / ViewSonic VG2428wm / EMU1616 PCI / Event ASP6 Active Monitors / BIAB 2019 64 bit (609) / Cakewalk