You gotta get your Motif music somehwhere. My preferred destination is still the computer. Here is a list of companies I recommend after having done business with them for the past ..geez.. 13 years. Hope someone benefits from it..
CPUs:
Stick with Intel. Windows developers (the ones who make your favorite plugins and soft sequencers and DJ applications) generally code their applications against Intel processors, not AMD. You now need an Intel Pentium D at about 3GHZ+ or better yet a Duo Core or Extreme Core processor at 2.66GHZ+ to be safe.
RAM:
Corsair XMS RAM. OCZ is right up there with them. But Corsair's RAM is the fastest, most reliable on the planet. If the gamers demand Corsair, so should we.
CDROMS
Plextor. They are the best in the business. Pioneer right behind them.
MOTHERBOARD:
Intel or Asus. Gigabyte bringing up the rear. There is no more reliable motherboard on the planet than Intel. It will go 24x7, 365 days a year and never fizzle out on you. I run my computers (and Motif ES) around the clock and never turn them off, and both are always ready to dance. I've also used Asus motherboards with great success (and fried a few too). Beware: stay away from Abit; their quality control sucks
VIDEO CARD
I'm using an nVidia 7900 GS right now. 512mb. Works exceptionally well with Apple Cinema display.
SOUND CARD
Low budget M Audio. High budget, technical RME FIREFACE 800. Turnkey M-Box bundle
MONITOR
Apple Cinema displays. The new generation play with PC's and get along just fine. HIGH QUALITY monitor.
HARD DRIVES
Seagate barricudas. Tried and true.. and ever so silent. Thank you Seagate for quiet drives :)
POWER SUPPLY
Antec Neo-HE. An achievement in power-efficient power supply design. Top notch unit, whisper quiet--truly. Environmentally conscious company deserving of our dollars.
COMPUTER CASE
I can't stand any of them. I should get a box by Sweetwater. Have you seen them? http://www.sweetwater.com/creation_station/rackdual34.php
Happy computing