To be swift and certain, I would research the hardware requirements from your software tools and applications developers. The know best what works and what works "well". Their forum would be where the most experienced can be found and their support pages prolly list exact minimum and preferred system configs.
Lotta genius talent, 'round here, too, tho ... At least 50% of the builds, here, are for gaming ... another 10% for HTPC or media apps.
Wish I could be of more help ... all *I* can do is point you in the best direction I can.
= Al =