Help with custom built PC for programming (upgradable for gaming later)

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mtilink

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Apr 9, 2015
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I have to use software like Matlab, Eclipse (Java, Android, C++), Office, Latex ... etc.
I'm currently using (i5-3470, 8GB RAM, 120 SSD) system at the university, and it's perfect for my needs with the above software, but I want one like it at home that would perform nearly as good.
Since this would be a home PC, I want it to be upgradable to have some gaming capability in the future, and I intend to upgrade it in 6-9 months with dedicated graphics cards (possibly 2 in SLI or crossfire setting).
My budget is around 400 $.

I read that i5 4460 is equivalent to my current processor, so I made the next build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.75 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($52.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Logisys CS369BK ATX Mid Tower Case w/480W Power Supply ($40.85 @ Directron)
Total: $427.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-09 12:24 EDT-0400

I also played a little with another build using FX-6300 that was listed in one of the articles on this websites as gaming CPU, but I'm not so sure about its ability to run my current software.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.88 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($56.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($52.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 6450 1GB Video Card ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Logisys CS369BK ATX Mid Tower Case w/480W Power Supply ($40.85 @ Directron)
Total: $332.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-09 12:23 EDT-0400


Any ideas which one should I choose/change?
Thanks
 
Solution
Bossyfins
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($21.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $458.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
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RatedEDinHDonYT

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Apr 10, 2015
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http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Vf2KRB
Hey man! I hate to burst you're bubble but there is NO way you are going to be able to do what you want with those 2 builds because you low balled on the video cards which is most needed for what you want to do and you should consider this because its really hard to game on a $500 budget hate to break it to you but you cant cheap out on any PC that even dreams of being gaming optimized and programming is usually in the $700-$5000 range depending on what you do and to what scale it is not trying to be mean but you cant cheap out on PC's now and days again not trying to be mean but this is all I could come up with (here is my build for the future if you would like to build it its amazing but pretty costly but can do all the things you want for time to come http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JFbnrH) (=
 
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iGrafx

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Apr 9, 2015
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oh right :D Thx
 
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mtilink

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Thanks for your reply.
I don't intend to use it for gaming for now.
That's why I didn't include any serious graphics card, and in the first case (i5), none.

I was just wondering if my built would make it easy for me to upgrade later on to a gaming PC. That's why I included a mobo that should capable of crossfire, and I'm not sure I chose a good one.

I was also wondering about the PSU, and how much power should I prepare for a later upgrade, or should I just get a normal one, and then when I want to upgrade, I can change my PSU, and add two graphics cards (crossfire).
 
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mtilink

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Apr 9, 2015
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Thanks.

I can see that your build (apart from Windows since I can get it from my school for free, and keyboard/mouse) would be around 610$ in the US.
As a first step before buying a graphics card in few months, I can eliminate that to get the price down to 400$ which is great.
Do you know how will the i3-4160 perform with matlab or eclipse?

 
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Bossyfins

Bossyfins

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Dec 27, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($71.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($21.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $458.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-10 18:52 EDT-0400


compiling the code can sometimes use a lot of CPU so the i5 was a good choice.
 
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M

mtilink

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Apr 9, 2015
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Thanks for your reply.

I have a couple of questions:
Will the new PSU "Antec Basiq 430W" be able to handle a graphics card if I wanted to upgrade later?
Can the i5-4460 handle two graphics cards if I wanted to still go with the Z97 motherboard since it supports crossfire?


 
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Storm-cooled72

Storm-cooled72

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Jan 23, 2015
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All the upgrades you will need can fit this, just save a little more:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nfH9Q7
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nfH9Q7/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core OEM/Tray Processor ($218.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Respire T20 68.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A (NFC Express Edition) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial MX100 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($64.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT S340 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $550.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-11 11:49 EDT-0400
 
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mtilink

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Apr 9, 2015
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Thanks for the specs.
Will this PSU be able to support 2 crossfire GPUs in the future? or will I still need to go up to ~750W, or find one with more connectors?
 
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0x1eef

0x1eef

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i5-4460 and higher would suffice for casual programming and I do mean casual, because I build my C++ work project on i7-4770 for about an hour and that's not the slowest build in our company (though on HDD).

And I don't get why you want to SLI later on such a cheap build. All expenses, no benefit.

Eclipse is RAM hungry, Android emulators, probably, too. Multitasking or Vagrant/Docker (if you use those in your programming) – and you may be looking on 16 GB RAM build. Just for example, 15 Chrome tabs + Visual Studio, my memory consumption goes slightly above 5 GB. But if you say your university machine satisfy you with 8 GB, go 8.

Stick to H97 platform, I guess, and save 20-30 bucks with box cooler. Or better, save some more money, cause I don't know how you would survive with 120 GB disk space having that much software & work.
 
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mtilink

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Apr 9, 2015
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I was thinking about getting a regular HD later on but I think I will just go with Bossyfins build. It has 250 GB SSD.
I just need to make sure that I can add something like GTX 970 in few months to this build.
Thanks
 
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M

mtilink

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Apr 9, 2015
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One last question. Will the PSU (and overall build you listed) be able to handle GTX 970 or equivalent GPU?
Or should I use the PSU from "Storm-Cooled72" build:
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
 
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