The stock Silent Mid-Tower case (acoustically treated to minimize noise) is sturdy and roomy with a total of 7 drive bays.

The stock 650w power-supply is quiet.

The 750w, and 850w units are ultra quiet (fan only runs under heavy loads).

12400 (6 cores, 6 processing threads, 4.4GHz max turbo)

12600k (10 cores, 16 processing threads, 4.9GHz max turbo)

32GB is sufficient for most users.

For hard-core composers, the Project Studio allows up to 128GB.

Small SSD as OS drive is what we recommend for most clients.

With a SSD, the machine boots quicker, apps open quicker, and navigating the OS is a little more "snappy".

A conventional HD can sustain over 100 solid/contiguous 24Bit/44.1k tracks of audio.

No need for SSD as Audio drive... (unless you're working at higher sample-rates).

Disk-streaming sample libraries is where SSD really shines.

2.5" SSDs sustain over 500MB/Sec (three times the speed of a conventional HD).

Disk-streaming sample libraries is where SSD really shines.

m.2 Ultra SSDs use 4 PCIe lanes and sustain 3200-7000MB/Sec (17-35 times the speed of conventional HD).

If pushing the limits with disk-streaming sample libraries, m.2 Ultra will yield absolute maximum polyphony.

24x DVD/RW handles all CD/DVD burning needs (which is fine for most users).

If you're working with high-res or video projects (huge files), 16x BDR (Blu-ray Burner) is convenient.

UHD-770 is fine for straight up audio production (can run a pair of monitors).

For editing/rendering video, you want a GTX/RTX card (provides hardware accelerated processing/rendering).

To run three or four monitors, you'll want to select one of the GTX/RTX cards.

To run multiple 4k monitors, select one of the GTX/RTX cards (connect via HDMI or Display Port).

If you're using a Firewire audio interface or external HD, add a TI chipset Firewire controller.

Most Firewire audio interfaces and HDs work well with the lower cost "For all others" option.

If using a Tascam, Mackie, or Universal Audio unit, you'll need to select the more expensive controller.

On the PC, we now have complete "PCIe via Thunderbolt" support.

You must be running an up-to-date install of Win10 and have a motherboard that provides Thunderbolt-4 via USB-C port.

Antelope, RME, MOTU, Presonus, and UA have full "PCIe via Thunderbolt" drivers available.  

If the audio interface is Thunderbolt-2, you'll need a Thunderbolt-3 to Thunderbolt-2 adapter.  (Thunderbolt-4 can use the same adapter)

All major audio software/hardware is working well with Windows 10 x64.

Most major audio software/hardware is now working well with Windows 11.

"Pro" version has Group Policy Editor (easy to shut down OneDrive, Cortana, etc)... and can fully disable all automatic updates.

Safest route is to go with Win10 x64 (for now)... and upgrade (free) to Windows 11 in the future.