Power supply:
450W minimum
Antec, Coolmax, Zalman, Seasonic, ThermalTake, Coolermaster, Fortron, OCZ, Enermax, etc… Check that it meets ATX12 V2.0 spec (best) and that the 12V+ rail(s) provides 30A or more in total.
Memory:
Memory:
Check that the memory brand you intend to buy is compatible with your motherboard. Most can be checked on the web in motherboard manufacturer’s site or in memory manufacturer’s site. Note that information about memory compatibility in motherboard manufacturer’s site is often outdated. If both the memory or motherboard manufacturer’s site don’t say anything about motherboard with your intended memory, you can still ask in the manufacturer’s support forums or even this one
Choose Dual Channel kits of DDR400-DDR500/ DDR2 533 depending on your board supporting DDR1 or DDR2.
Recommended for audio only DAWs: 2x 512M kits, or 2x 1G kits if it makes you happy.
Audio + Midi DAWs: 2 x 1G Kits
Hard Disk Drive:
All should now be 7200rpm or more.
They can all be IDE, SATA or a blend of both.
Best to use an IDE disk for OS. A small one 40-60G will do.
Keep a separate fast drive for Audio and/or one for VSTi data folder.
Audio drive: IDE/SATA any size, 7200rpm 8M cache for modest track count, SATA 36-74G, 10,000rpm for high track count.
VSTi data folder: SATA or IDE 120-300G, 7200rpm 8M cache.
Video card:
Matrox P650/750/APVe
Nvidia/ATI: check for issues with motherboard on motherboard manufacturer’s support forum. Best to stay with basic cards, 6600 and X700 is more than enough for DAWs, there is no return in performance by using more expensive gaming cards from Nvidia/ATI. The ATI professional range is overpriced.
Box:
Brand boxes have less razor blades inside them. Check the adequacy for the type of cooling you wish to go for (120mm quite fans, water cooling) and that it has the slots & sitting for your burner, HDDs. Important also is the spacing inside. If it is a cramped-up minibox, chances are that the cables inside will interrupt the flow of air and cause a heat build up.