As for the ideal system: more CPU = more voices/DSP's. More mem = more samples, faster HD = more streaming samples, bigger HD = more space to store samples. So, there's really not much to tell here, except: "more is simply more".
Interesting. whilst more is better, I also found the bus latency played a big role in output latency. I would idealy want a super-efficient motherboard and a good, low latency sound card. I am using my laptop at the moment, does what I need but the latency is stopping any live performances.
I use FLStudio after many years of trying the other options, and they were all too clunky, though FL is probably just as bad now as it has evolved. I can say that it is quick though. I tried Orion pro a while back and found it to be way more slow than FL.
Wonder how much a supernova II costs these days, would really love to get one. I don't understand why they stopped making them.