Building PC for DAW use vs. VSTi host use? Any difference?

[astorian]

Hello Folks. A am currently looking in to building a PC to host VSTis. My Mac laptop is feeling slugglish, and I don't have the dough to buy a new MacBook Pro.

I've done a lot research, and have seen a wide variety of configutarions. I'd like to host a variety of VSTis, including ones that stream samples, and ones that do a lot of math and modelling. I don't itend to "use" the machine for anything other than hosting VSTs. So, my question ...

What are the main differences between building a machine to use as a DAW, and to use as a VST host? Can you skimp more with a VST host? Are the requirements different? In most cases, I'll run a search on "DAW computer" and read people's specs. The prices range a great deal.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated ... John

Realized it might help to mention what I was considering. Wonder if I'm going overboard for a VSTi host?

System
MOBO: Intel D975XBX2KR LGA 775 Intel 975X ATX - $199
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6600 2.40GHz - $329
CASE: Antec Take 3 - $344
RAM: Kingston Dual Channel 2048MB ECC, PC6400 DDR2 800MHz - $349
OS DRIVE: Seagate / Barracuda 7200.9 / 160GB - $64
MEDIA DRIVE: Seagate / Barracuda 7200.9 / 320GB - $79
VIDEO: Radeon X300 SE / 128MB DDR / PCI Express - $74
OS: XP PRO - $139
MISC: $100