Newbie Building a developer box - questions

[FlyBy]

Hi Guys,

I am very new to building and I will be building my first desktop. Glad I found this forum.

The following are my answers:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Ans: Software development that uses multi-threads and heavy computing plus some browsing.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Ans: around $800

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Ans: Seattle, WA, US

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word
"Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Ans: Case, CPU, RAM, Case, SSD, power source, DVD reader

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Ans: will not be reusing.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Ans: Reading more about overclocking, don't know what that is.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Ans: Planning to buy a 21" with higher resolution.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Ans: Currently doing some research and trying to understand better and best hardware components.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? UEFI? etc.
Ans: USB3.0, SATA 6GB/s, what is RAID?, video doesn't have to be onboard, can also use a video card.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Ans: Will be installing Linux (CentOS) or Ubuntu. These are free OS.


Following are the components that I have already decided:
1) 120GB SSD
2) Intel Core i7 processor
3) 32GB RAM (4 slots)

Need to decide on MB, RAMs, power supply, Case, screen.

Thanks in advance.

 

[FlyBy]

Update:

Did some reading on the overclocking and looks like I don't need it. I will not be doing any gaming on the machine

I am looking for a case that has led and lot of blue light to it.
I am planning to buy an after market processor cooling fan.

Don't know what motherboard to go with.. any suggestions ?

I am not worrying about the screen yet, I can buy that one used a 21" or 24" 1080p would be just fine.

Thanks.

 

[GhostCow]

If you like blue LEDs, this is the case for you: http://www.neweggbusiness.com/product/product.aspx?item=9b-11-119-213

I used to have that case and it is definitely the best case I've ever owned. It looks very nice and has lots of room for components and cable management.

 

[Dangman]

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word
"Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Ans: Case, CPU, RAM, Case, SSD, power source, DVD reader

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Ans: will not be reusing.

.....

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Ans: Planning to buy a 21" with higher resolution.

So is the monitor part of that $800 budget as well?

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Ans: Currently doing some research and trying to understand better and best hardware components.

Not quite the answer we're looking for. Can you please gives us a time-frame for when you're planning on buying the parts? One thing you should keep in mind when doing computer hardware research for a PC purchase is don't plan or research more tahn 1-3 weeks ahead of when you're planning to buy. Due to the fast changing pricing and availability of computer hardware, a PC that we recommend one month may not be the same PC we'd recommend in the next month. There have been times where we've had to completely change recommendations after only a week. So yeah, if you want an up-to-date build list, your best bet for that is to ask for advice on that 1-3 weeks before you buy.

If you like blue LEDs, this is the case for you: http://www.neweggbusiness.com/product/product.aspx?item=9b-11-119-213

I used to have that case and it is definitely the best case I've ever owned. It looks very nice and has lots of room for components and cable management.

Unfortunately, I don't think the OP can afford that case with his $800 budget without serious compromises on the rest of the parts.

 

[tiraides]

I'm going to assume that you plan on buying everything this week:

$110 - AMD FX-6300 Socket AM3+ six-core processor
$90 - Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P Socket AM3+ ATX motherboard
$220 - 4x Kingston HyperX blu KHX1600C10D3B1/8G 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$90 - Gigabyte GTX 640 2GB video card
$75 - Crucial M500 120GB SSD
$55 - Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB HDD
$20 - Asus DRW-24F1ST SATA DVD burner ($5 off with promo code EMCPFPB53, ends 4/14)
$50 - Corsair CX500 500 watt power supply
$60 - Corsair Carbide Series 200R ATX mid-tower case
= = =
$770 - Total before taxes (all have free ground shipping)

With your requirements for an SSD and 32GB of RAM right off the bat, you can't afford an Intel Core i7 processor and keep the cost of the PC tower under $800. I went with the hex-core AMD FX-6300 to give you some "additional" CPU cores for your needs. But the AMD FX series processors don't have onboard video, so I paired the FX-6300 with the GTX 640 video card.

Get the RAM and the DVD burner tonight. They're both on sale and those sale prices expire on Monday.

The Corsair 200R doesn't come with any blue LEDs. I chose it because it has a lot of space and an additional case fan compared to cheaper (or even some similarly priced) cases. You can compensate by buying a couple of cheap fans with blue LEDs or some blue LED strips.

I didn't include a third-party CPU cooler to save some upfront costs. Since you aren't overclocking, you don't really need anything better than the stock HSF. If you insist on "needing" something better, then I recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.

What did you mean by "higher resolution"? You can buy a 1920x1080 LED monitor for upwards of $110. What features do you need on the monitor?

 

[Dangman]

I went with the hex-core AMD FX-6300 to give you some "additional" CPU cores for your needs. But the AMD FX series processors don't have onboard video, so I paired the FX-6300 with the GTX 640 video card.

Why the GT 640 card? Couldn't he drop down to the HD 6450 and use the savings towards the FX-8320?

 

[tiraides]

Why the GT 640 card? Couldn't he drop down to the HD 6450 and use the savings towards the FX-8320?

Uh, yeah... I didn't fully realize that he could do that and stay under budget....

(Uh... oh yeah... Linux... but, uh....)

$152 - AMD FX-8320 Socket AM3+ eight-core processor
$40 - MSI GT 610 1GB video card

 

[Dangman]

Uh, yeah... I didn't fully realize that he could do that and stay under budget....

(Uh... oh yeah... Linux... but, uh....)

$152 - AMD FX-8320 Socket AM3+ eight-core processor
$40 - MSI GT 610 1GB video card

Ohh..yeah....Linux.....totally forgot.

 

[cyclone3d]

If you are going to do any serious development, you are going to want to add more monitors down the road.

I use 3 monitors at the moment and usually wish I had at least 4-5 monitors.

 

[FlyBy]

If you like blue LEDs, this is the case for you: http://www.neweggbusiness.com/product/product.aspx?item=9b-11-119-213

I used to have that case and it is definitely the best case I've ever owned. It looks very nice and has lots of room for components and cable management.

Yup totally agree with you, that is a very beautiful case but bit higher on the price.

So is the monitor part of that $800 budget as well?

Not quite the answer we're looking for. Can you please gives us a time-frame for when you're planning on buying the parts? One thing you should keep in mind when doing computer hardware research for a PC purchase is don't plan or research more tahn 1-3 weeks ahead of when you're planning to buy. Due to the fast changing pricing and availability of computer hardware, a PC that we recommend one month may not be the same PC we'd recommend in the next month. There have been times where we've had to completely change recommendations after only a week. So yeah, if you want an up-to-date build list, your best bet for that is to ask for advice on that 1-3 weeks before you buy.

Unfortunately, I don't think the OP can afford that case with his $800 budget without serious compromises on the rest of the parts.

The monitor is not part of the $800 budget.

My time frame is around one month to two months. Wow I never knew the prices change that quick.

Uh, yeah... I didn't fully realize that he could do that and stay under budget....

(Uh... oh yeah... Linux... but, uh....)

$152 - AMD FX-8320 Socket AM3+ eight-core processor
$40 - MSI GT 610 1GB video card

Uh.. oh yeah Linux, don't have to pay for windows license

If you are going to do any serious development, you are going to want to add more monitors down the road.

I use 3 monitors at the moment and usually wish I had at least 4-5 monitors.

I totally agree with you, I have 4 screens at work and I am so totally used to it. I will add screens but slowly .. Would start with the first one. Any suggestions for good screens ? LCDs ?

Thanks for all the responses guys ! I am just getting my feet wet in the world of building..

 

[FlyBy]

I'm going to assume that you plan on buying everything this week:

$110 - AMD FX-6300 Socket AM3+ six-core processor
$90 - Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P Socket AM3+ ATX motherboard
$220 - 4x Kingston HyperX blu KHX1600C10D3B1/8G 8GB DDR3 1600 RAM
$90 - Gigabyte GTX 640 2GB video card
$75 - Crucial M500 120GB SSD
$55 - Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB HDD
$20 - Asus DRW-24F1ST SATA DVD burner ($5 off with promo code EMCPFPB53, ends 4/14)
$50 - Corsair CX500 500 watt power supply
$60 - Corsair Carbide Series 200R ATX mid-tower case
= = =
$770 - Total before taxes (all have free ground shipping)

With your requirements for an SSD and 32GB of RAM right off the bat, you can't afford an Intel Core i7 processor and keep the cost of the PC tower under $800. I went with the hex-core AMD FX-6300 to give you some "additional" CPU cores for your needs. But the AMD FX series processors don't have onboard video, so I paired the FX-6300 with the GTX 640 video card.

Get the RAM and the DVD burner tonight. They're both on sale and those sale prices expire on Monday.

The Corsair 200R doesn't come with any blue LEDs. I chose it because it has a lot of space and an additional case fan compared to cheaper (or even some similarly priced) cases. You can compensate by buying a couple of cheap fans with blue LEDs or some blue LED strips.

I didn't include a third-party CPU cooler to save some upfront costs. Since you aren't overclocking, you don't really need anything better than the stock HSF. If you insist on "needing" something better, then I recommend the Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO.

What did you mean by "higher resolution"? You can buy a 1920x1080 LED monitor for upwards of $110. What features do you need on the monitor?

That configuration looks great but my question is, if I am going with 120GB ssd then do I need the Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB HDD ?

 

[Dangman]

That configuration looks great but my question is, if I am going with 120GB ssd then do I need the Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 1TB HDD ?

Well...yes if you plan on storing lots of data like music, videos, large code bases, etc.

However, since you're 1-2 months away from buying, don't keep that list in mind. As noted earlier, it may be oudated in that time.

 

[tiraides]

The monitor is not part of the $800 budget.

My time frame is around one month to two months. Wow I never knew the prices change that quick.

We oftentimes use sales and bundle deals to reduce costs. The length of many of those deals varies from a month to a day.

Uh.. oh yeah Linux, don't have to pay for windows license

Your use of Linux actually plays a role in the video card selection. Nvidia generally has better Linux drivers than AMD/ATI.

I totally agree with you, I have 4 screens at work and I am so totally used to it. I will add screens but slowly .. Would start with the first one. Any suggestions for good screens ? LCDs ?

Here's one that we normally recommend, the Asus VS247H-P. It has a diagonal length of 23.6 inches (which is usually rounded up to 24 inches), runs at a 1920x1080 resolution, uses an e-IPS panel (that offers better color reproduction and a wider viewing angle than the TN panel used in many inexpensive monitors), and is usually available for less than $200 (depending on where you buy it from).

Now, do you want a larger screen or a greater resolution? Do you want something with a faster refresh rate? Do you need very accurate color reproduction? Do you want something cheaper? While I believe that the VS247H-P is a good monitor, it may not be the "perfect" one for you.

 

[FlyBy]

Well...yes if you plan on storing lots of data like music, videos, large code bases, etc.

However, since you're 1-2 months away from buying, don't keep that list in mind. As noted earlier, it may be oudated in that time.

so when you say outdated, does that mean the models change completely ?

the basic components like processor, RAMs, hard drives pretty much remains the same for at least some time right ?

 

[Dangman]

so when you say outdated, does that mean the models change completely ?

the basic components like processor, RAMs, hard drives pretty much remains the same for at least some time right ?

The models may remain the same but their pricing and availability may change. That's what I meant by outdated. For example, at $75, that Crucial M500 120GB SSD is a good deal. However, if the better/faster Samsung Evo 120GB was at that same $75 price point, the Crucial M500 would no longer be the best choice. Or say that CX500 jumped up in price to $60. At that point, it's no longer a good deal. Now RAM, that's one of the more volatile in terms of pricing and availability. So recommended models for RAM can change quite quickly.

So yeah, there are certain situations where there might be better models altogether.