A:AnswerIt depends a lot on which DAW you use, the size of your projects and the number and type of VSTs you use. This system can handle very large audio only projects if most/all of your processing is down with outboard gear. If you use a lot of VST instruments and effects or very large sample libraries you will be better server by the 8 core/16 thread version with 16 or 32GB of RAM.
A:AnswerThe answer is both. It uses the same motherboard as the more expensive models it just uses a different CPU, less RAM and a different GPU. It can be upgraded with the same parts as the more expensive models though.
A:AnswerNo it can not be upgraded to an i5 as this system is designed to use AMD socket AM4 CPUs. You can upgrade it to a Ryzen 3, 5 or 7 if you want i5 level of performance. The GPU can be upgraded though and it actually has 2 slots in order to run crossfire and possibly SLI as the $1049 version with the Risen 7 and RX 580 does support SLI.
A:AnswerHonestly I would pursue getting a different machine for that. I've only owned this one for a couple months now, and it's incredibly buggy and unreliable. I've swapped out mine once already within warranty.