Thanks ,
Im just piddling about with an older core duo as well ,my focus is very much on simplicity though as opposed to track counts or megaflop number crunching power.
Id be happy if I could boot my computer from usb ,into a dedicated HD recorder OS , a small control surface with record arm/monitor mode button per channel ,transport controls , on screen metering thats literally all I need from it ,
Maybe Im dreaming for thinking glitchless operation is even an achievable goal , Im not sure Ive ever heard a PC based audio system that didnt glitch , even if it is only on rare ocassions or when the operator does something wrong .
I know modern windows with modern hardware is better than ever in terms of latency for audio, processing power and just about anything else you can think of , but I absolutely refuse to get onto this technological escalator thats hauling the planets insides out .
I dont know maybe Im wrong in expecting a computer to be able to do what standalone hardisk recorders do.
Akai DPS-24 is still the mothership for me , getting on for 20 years , thats not likely to change anytime soon , the Konnekt 24D is a welcome addition though ,realtime standalone operation with no giltches and a VST like interface for reverb/ eq/dynamics via TCnear if you want it .
RME interfaces, there one of the marques thats holding price well because they still rub shoulders with the best in terms of spec.