Which CPU to use for software development pc build?

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danish_jpr

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Nov 8, 2013
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Hi everyone,

I am building a pc for my wife who is very much into freelance mobile app and cloud computing software development. I am looking at the following build

Processor: i7 - 4770k
cpu cooler: 212 evo
Motherboard: as rock z87 pro3
PSU: Seasonic 620W modular 80 plus bronze
RAM: G.skill ripjaws x 8Gb 1 stick, would go for another stick later
Hard disk: WD caviar blue 1TB
case: bitfenix merc alpha
optical drive: lg DVD RW 24x drive


I am taking a 620 w psu because I will be adding a r9 280x later. I am considering that she will be using couple of IDEs hence would be looking at 16GBs of RAM in the future. I looking to future proof this system for atleast 3-4 years.

My main question is do I really need a unlocked CPU for software development? Also should I save money and go for an i5 4670 locked and H87 mobo? I am looking at a similar price range to the parts that i have picked.
 
Solution
Tom Tancredi
As your running multiple VMs the use of 2x8GB would make more matter then buying into a SSD. SSD is limited in size unless your going to fork over alot of money for a large capacity. A 250GB SSD as the main OS and main software platform with the 1TB as the main storage / all other apps (7200RPM) HDD is best and most common solution. Think about it this way running two androids, each needs about 2-4GB each, then Windows Phone emulator, another 4GB, and this doesn't includes Windows + the actual programs in use to do all this.. So 16 would be the bare minimum in this case I suggest.

What sort of budget did you plan for this endeavour?
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Tom Tancredi

Tom Tancredi

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May 9, 2013
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Software development, last I seen, is NOT highly demanding on the CPU, but tends to be more memory oriented, UNLESS she is running multiple VMs on her machine to test against. Just coding out code doesn't take much 'horsepower', what comes in is the testing methodologies, and all depends what she is running them 'against'.

I would HIGHLY rethink going 1 stick of RAM. All multicore machines rely on DUAL Channel memory to operate as 'advertised'. So it is norm to do a 2x4GB rather then 8GB.
 
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danish_jpr

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Nov 8, 2013
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Thank You for that reply.
She would be running two VMs one each for Android(Genymotion) and the windows phone emulator that comes with the Windows phone SDK. So I should just go with an i5 - 4670, a suitable motherboard, 2X4GB RAM and maybe add a SSD?
 
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Tom Tancredi

Tom Tancredi

Judicious
May 9, 2013
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0
32,960
As your running multiple VMs the use of 2x8GB would make more matter then buying into a SSD. SSD is limited in size unless your going to fork over alot of money for a large capacity. A 250GB SSD as the main OS and main software platform with the 1TB as the main storage / all other apps (7200RPM) HDD is best and most common solution. Think about it this way running two androids, each needs about 2-4GB each, then Windows Phone emulator, another 4GB, and this doesn't includes Windows + the actual programs in use to do all this.. So 16 would be the bare minimum in this case I suggest.

What sort of budget did you plan for this endeavour?
 
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Solution
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danish_jpr

Honorable
Nov 8, 2013
3
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10,510


That clarified a lot of things. Thank You. I was looking at budget of 900-1000$. This does not include a graphics card.
 
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Tom Tancredi

Tom Tancredi

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May 9, 2013
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Well that is alot of money to do that, there is plenty to work with. You can simply look on www.slickdeals.net then pick up a i7 Desktop (use the search) for around $549 or higher. I seen some come already with all the stuff we mentioned around $900. If you only get a lower cost one, just remember to buy a replacement PSU (600W $90 from PCPickParts.com) as they are very low powered from factory, then add the GPU of choice ($149-$499) but your not needing much in a GPU power actually, so you dont' need to go all Titan / R9 (no reason from what you said), just make sure the card you get has (normally do) outputs for enough monitors. I suspect she is runnin 2 or 3 screens, all with DVI ports or HDMI. So juct shop appropriately. And then add the extra RAM you will need to meet her RAM requirements (I would ask her how large each VM will need for RAM, add that together then double that usage to allow for the system as well )
 
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