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Any advice on WHERE (or WHAT) to buy a PC for software development?

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June 15, 2013 8:34:30 PM

I’m looking for a PC for developing software.

There are lots of high end systems for gaming but I don't do gaming, I use it for software development.


I've put together a "wish list" (I think the kids these days call that a "spec") and submitted that to Dell.com HP.com and TigerDirect.com.

But they're sending me quotes on systems that only vaguely resemble my spec and getting them to tell you the *actual* parts in the system is like pulling teeth. And I can see why, b/c when they do tell me I find that (for example) the SSD drive is a pretty poor performing one.





Prime requirements in order of decreasing importance:

1. reliability
2. cpu + disk speed
3. quiet
4. value for money

Here is my wishlist of components:

-i5 or i7- CPU (faster is better. I'm not using any software that takes advantage of multiple cores/hyper threading so perhaps a faster i5 is beter than the same money spent on an i7. Open to suggestions.


-for Primary (C: ) Drive: an SSD (at least 128 GB) or a comparably fast alternative (maybe a hybrid SSD/HDD). Open so suggestions

-Secondary HDD: a fast and reliable HDDs (7200 rpm, at least 750MB, preferably 1 TB)


- motherboard supporting USB 3.0 and SATA/600.
-16 GB of fast RAM
-Windows 7 64 bit professional
-quiet is highly desired, open to suggestions on sound insulation, fans and/or passive cooling
-Dual monitor card, compatible with an AMD Radeon HD 3450 graphics card. (I already have one of those cards and I am planning to have 3 or 4 monitors. so I'll install that card (which I already own) and I'm told that the other card should be the same make/model. Please advise if that is NOT the case.
If you don't have a card that is compatible with that one then just spec out no video card (I assume I can use the built in video on the motherboard til I install the above card).

-at least 2 USB ports on the front and 2 USB ports on the back (ideally more, ideally including USB 3.0)
-DVD drive
-Gigabit ethernet
-full size case
-I do NOT need a monitor, keyboard, mouse etc
-I do NOT need WiFi
-I do NOT need high powered video cards. I don't play video games on this computer.
-It has to be *super reliable* – I want reliable SSD + HDDs, good quality motherboard, good quality branded power supply etc.



-What support and warranty do you provide?


-target price, not more than $1,500, less is better obviously

More about : advice buy software development

June 16, 2013 12:37:02 AM

Here's what I came up with, based primarily on reliability and speed. Since you're not a gamer, and won't need to OC the CPU, you won't need more than the stock CPU fan. This will help with a quiet build. This does not include a video card but leaves room of almost $500 for one which not even most gamers spend on theirs. As you said, you will be able to use integrated graphics until installing your existing card.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/16Vyz
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/16Vyz/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/16Vyz/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI ZH77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($85.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($67.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.23 @ Outlet PC)
Case: NZXT Phantom (Black) ATX Full Tower Case ($102.68 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($72.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($129.97 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1026.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-16 03:23 EDT-0400)

Hope this helps.
The parts I chose are some of the most highly rated and recommended parts and will fulfill all of your needs.
Case has two front USB ports (you can also add a 3.5" bay 4-port USB header) and the rear will have 4 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports.
Between the mobo, CPU, RAM and SSD, this will SCREAM and will be whisper quiet due to not needing bulky CPU fan or extra cooling.
The power supply is probably a bit of overkill but again, reliability-wise, it's a good choice.

Here is a link to a similar thread regarding a Software Development build....just as a 2nd opinion
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1633496/1400-build...


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