Am I being misinformed?

[Drailing]

Hello,

Before I order a computer build, I have a question.

I've been informed by my friends that for programming and development, Intel/NVIDIA is the way to go completely. However, I plan on doing those two and games. They say that for my needs (light programming and light graphical work), AMD/ATI will just not work.

Is any of this true? Will I actually be hampered by using AMD/ATI for programming?

Thanks.

 

[englandr753]

What type of programming are you doing?

AMD/ATI is very good at the gaming perspective so no problems there. Some cpus have features that are better for certain tasks so I am wondering what kind of programming and software is involved to better help you with that answer.

They are probably referring to the CUDA features of the Nvidia cards. This may prove truthful in certain applications. Theres no reason you can't pair up an Nvidia card with an AMD cpu IMO.

Some AMD cpus are better than others at certain things just as Intel chips are too so give more info and also a budget and you will get some suggestions...

 

[hunter315]

It doesnt matter which way you go. Programming works on any system, and games perform similarly on Intel or AMD based systems. Unless you are programming specifically for CUDA it doesnt matter if you have an nVidia or an ATI card.

Not sure who told you that AMD/ATI wont work but they are full of it. You can also do Intel/ATI or AMD/nVidia if you want, it doesnt matter what you pair up.

 

[hade123]

Hello,

Before I order a computer build, I have a question.

I've been informed by my friends that for programming and development, Intel/NVIDIA is the way to go completely. However, I plan on doing those two and games. They say that for my needs (light programming and light graphical work), AMD/ATI will just not work.

Is any of this true? Will I actually be hampered by using AMD/ATI for programming?

Thanks.

Not really, either would be fine for development. And I don't think the gpu would play a big part if its just light dev & graphics work. I do basic modeling on 3ds, work with photoshop on my laptop (AMD) with no dedicated gpu & some c++/java programming as well. There have been no problems.

Intel/AMD & ATI/NVIDIA have almost similar features and either would be great for gaming, I guess it would all just boil down to your budget and personal preference.

 

[loneninja]

There is no such thing as Intel/Nvidia because AMD/ATI can't, even if Intel has an advantage at something, AMD could still beat it on price. Yes Intel has more powerful processors right now, if your looking at a $300+ processor, and well Nvidia is just about inferior in every way except CUDA compared to ATI right now in my opinion.

 

[Drailing]

I'm doing this as a hobby right now, and I'm focusing on Java, C#, Python, and XML.

Most likely, I won't be doing anything too heavy duty. Right now, I was sort of looking at the i3 530 and pairing it with a GTX 470. Would this be a good combo? My budget for an overall computer (including monitor, mouse, keyboard, OS, etc.) is only $1400.

 

[englandr753]

If I were you I would build a system on the x6 1055 AMD cpu. You can easily fit that in that budget and the extra cores could come in handy especially down the road.

 

[hade123]

If its just Java/.net stuff, it doesn't matter.

ATI have Stream, nVidia have CUDA.

Prices from newegg,

i3-530 - 114$ / i5-750 - 195$
GA-h55m-ud2h - 100$ / ga-p55m-ud2 - 105$
gtx470 ~360$

ram 2x2gb ~120-140$
wd black 1tb - 100$

19" wide screen ~120$

tx650 - 90$ / tx750 - 110$

Mid tower case around 140$? Not sure about the case
mouse & keyboard ~50$
speakers ~ 50$

total ~ 1284$ / 1370$

If you get a cheaper gpu you could probably get a better monitor & windows 7 within 1400$

Also, the i3 might bottleneck the gtx470

 

[Drailing]

If I were you I would build a system on the x6 1055 AMD cpu. You can easily fit that in that budget and the extra cores could come in handy especially down the road.

Any recommendations as to where to start?

I will be doing minor gaming on this system. Will I be hampered by 6 cores or aided? I heard the 965 beats the 1055, but I think for my needs it should be fine.

 

[englandr753]

Will you need the following:

keyboard & mouse
speakers
monitor

This list is assuming you have these things:

The 1055 will oc well to make up a lot of the difference but I don't think you will need to worry about overclocking anytime soon but its good to know its there when you need it. I have the x6 1090 and love it.

I would do the following:

CPU: 199 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851&cm_re=x6_1055-_-19-103-851-_-Product

Mobo: 219 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644&Tpk=asus%20crosshair%20iv

Ram: 149.99 free shipping ( you want two kits)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231282&cm_re=gskill_trident_ddr3-_-20-231-282-_-Product

Power Supply: 109.99 free shipping (89.00 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&cm_re=corsair_power_supply-_-17-139-006-_-Product

Case: 61.95 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_300-_-11-129-042-_-Product

Hard Drive (boot drive): 144.99 free shipping ( 114.99 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139133&cm_re=ssd_64gb-_-20-139-133-_-Product

Hard Drive (storage): 79.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_hard_drive_spinpoint-_-22-152-185-_-Product

DVD rom: 25.99 1.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&cm_re=dvd_burner_sata-_-27-135-204-_-Product

OS Win 7 64 bit: 99.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116752&cm_re=windows_7_oem-_-32-116-752-_-Product

CPU Cooler: 39.99 2.99 shipping (stock fan is VERY loud)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057&cm_re=coolermaster_cpu_cooler-_-35-103-057-_-Product

CPU Thermal paste: 9.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007&cm_re=arctic_silver_5-_-35-100-007-_-Product

Video Card: 159.99 7.56 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-150-462-_-Product

Total before rebates: 1465.39
after rebates: 1415.39

This is a starting point. I recommended 8g of ram, a good rule of thumb is apprx 1g per cpu core, if you did 6g I think it will run in single channel mode so using 8g should keep it running dual channel mode. Also the 64bit OS will allow you to see and use more than 4g of ram. If you have a compatability issue with the 64bit OS you can get the 32bit version for the same price and drop 1 kit of ddr3 ram saving apprx 150 bucks.

I recommended the 750 watt psu as I do like to overkill a little but the price makes it easy to overkill and I only recommend adding up to a 2nd identical video card later if you crossfire. Going 3 or more doesnt usually scale that well so to me its not really worth it but looks good to brag with, lol.

The SSD card will definitely give you a faster boot time and snappier feel. The samsung hard drive is quite fast and will serve you well for a fair amount of data storage so I think its worth the extra money. If you need a monitor and have a 64bit OS issue you will save enough on the 4g kit and dropping the ssd to pick up a decent monitor.

I need clarification if you need the items in question and I can suggest another setup. This is overkill for what you need as far as the mobo is concerned but I learned a long time ago if you build with quality components you will feel good about your hardware choices for a bit longer down the road and will possibly be upgradable for a longer period of time.

I nodded off about 4 times trying to calculate the price so I will recheck myself tomorrow when I get back on, lol. You can reduce the cost in the motherboard as well if you need peripherials. Let me know you need these things listed above and I will make modifictions when I get back on...

 

[arterius2]

your friends tell you that you can't program on AMD/ATI?
LOL, if I were you I'd lose those garbage friends of yours first.

Its like saying you can't drive a car because you own a Honda

 

[Mousemonkey]

AMD/ATI will just not work.

AMD & ATi not working together would be a ****-up of the highest order were it true :lol:, did the person who told you that manage to keep a straight face when they said it?

 

[randomkid]

AMD & ATi not working together would be a ****-up of the highest order were it true :lol:, did the person who told you that manage to keep a straight face when they said it?

Probably Intel/nVidia fanboys. Good that the OP asked around here first...

 

[englandr753]

Imagine how many people get told stuff like this and take their word for it. I'm sure it happens more than you can imagine. The OP has 64 posts on this site already so he smelled a rat and knew well enough to come here and ask.

 

[Drailing]

Thanks for the advice! I had just assumed they were right.

Now, I do need a monitor and keyboard/mouse, but I can get Windows 7 Professional for $65 through an educational discount. I have an older Dell system that has a Microsoft ball mouse, old keyboard and extremely old monitor (probably under x700 resolution).

 

[englandr753]

I can make some adjustments that will slightly impact performance but will likely still be leaps and bounds over your current rig and will be upgradable in the future if your up to doing that. I'm dropping the SSD card as your boot drive, dropping 1 ddr3 4g kit (you will want to add this later, if you can do it now that is better), adjusting your price for the OS, adding a decent keyboard and mouse combo, 22" monitor and speakers that get great reviews. You can search for speakers that you think will suit your taste for sound. If its not that important then spend less than I suggested, thats up to you.

I will readjust a little:

CPU: 199 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851&cm_re=x6_1055-_-19-103-851-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Mobo: 219 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644&Tpk=asus%20crosshair%20iv&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Ram: 149.99 free shipping ( doing 1 kit, add 2nd kit later for future upgrade)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231282&cm_re=gskill_trident_ddr3-_-20-231-282-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Power Supply: 109.99 free shipping (89.00 after rebate) enter promo code: EMCYSNW38
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL052810&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL052810-_-EMC-052810-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139009-LM1C

Case: 61.95 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042&cm_re=antec_300-_-11-129-042-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Hard Drive (boot & storage): 79.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185&cm_re=samsung_hard_drive_spinpoint-_-22-152-185-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

DVD rom: 25.99 1.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204&cm_re=dvd_burner_sata-_-27-135-204-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

OS Winhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116752&cm_re=windows_7_oem-_-32-116-752-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID= 7 64 bit: 65.00 (your educational discount)


CPU Cooler: 39.99 2.99 shipping (stock fan is VERY loud)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103057&cm_re=coolermaster_cpu_cooler-_-35-103-057-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

CPU Thermal paste: 9.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007&cm_re=arctic_silver_5-_-35-100-007-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Video Card: 159.99 7.56 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-150-462-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Monitor 169.99 8.99 shipping ( 149.99 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050

Keyboard & Mouse: 49.99 8.95 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126047&cm_re=keyboard_and_mouse_combo-_-23-126-047-_-Product

Speakers: 84.99 10.64 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16836121036&cm_re=logitech_speaker-_-36-121-036-_-Product


Total before rebates: 1468.97
after rebates: 1415.39


I could drop the price even more with subsituting with this motherboard:

139.99 free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435

This will work but I prefer the board I suggested. If you can stick with my original suggestion I think you will be a little better off for it in the long run but its not the end of the world if you want to save a few bucks and go with this one, it should do fine. It would bring your cost to the following:

1388.97 before rebates
1333.97 after rebates

I also found a promo to upgrade the 750 watt psu to an 850 watter for the same price. You may never need that much psu but since its the same price it only makes sense to get it. Its better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it as the old saying goes...

 

[Drailing]

Probably should mention I pay tax on all purchases from Newegg.

That looks good, but most of the links are broken. Think I could do any better on Amazon?

 

[fazers_on_stun]

^ You could try Tigerdirect.com or zipzoomfly.com as alternatives, or if there's a Microcenter near you, they usually have some pretty good in-store sales pricing.

 

[englandr753]

I repaired the links. I had copied and pasted in which I now realize they are abbreviated and arent complete.

You can shop amazon to see how the prices compare. I would prefer Microcenter if you have one locally as fazers_on_stun suggested. Let us know what you find...

 

[Drailing]

I repaired the links. I had copied and pasted in which I now realize they are abbreviated and arent complete.

You can shop amazon to see how the prices compare. I would prefer Microcenter if you have one locally as fazers_on_stun suggested. Let us know what you find...

There is a Microcenter and a Fry's near me. I think Fry's, last time I check, had a Crosshair IV Formula motherboard that had been repaired but maintained the same warranty (3 years) and was guaranteed to work for something like $150.

 

[randomkid]

I will readjust a little:

Monitor 169.99 8.99 shipping ( 149.99 after rebate)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050

You recommended a 1680x1050 monitor. Is there a reason why not a full HD at 1920x1080?

 

[englandr753]

Not really. Find one at a good price point and post it for him. Thanks for catching that...

 

[randomkid]

What about this? I recommend an LED backlit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824116442

I just got an LG 2250V-PN but I am not too happy about it. The color is not that nice. I still have not play around it much but my first impression is that since it does not go spectacular out of the box, it is not worth recommending highly.

 

[Drailing]

With the LED monitor, it comes to $1422 with taxes/shipping, but without speakers or OS. I'll see if I can do better on Amazon.

I have some questions. Would I be able to drop in another 5770 in the future? Can I add another PCI-E card to the machine? (I need to connect to a wireless network from it; plugged ethernet doesn't work due to how my house is wired).

This is all without speakers, by the way. I would connect with earphones (assuming I don't need anything special for that).

Sorry for the last minute details. Just need to make sure this is perfect.


EDIT: Just need to say I can't really go at all above $1400. Even $1400 is pushing my budget.

 

[englandr753]

For now, go to Microcenter and get the cheapest wired keyboard and mouse. It will work fine and will cost you around 10-12 bucks for both. You can always upgrade later to wireless or a nicer wired set.

If you can handle the noise and don't intend to OC anytime soon you can also use the stock cpu cooler. Its noisy so hopefully its not going to be in your bedroom, if it is then turn it off before you go to bed. You can get a nice cooler later when more funds are available. It will cool perfectly fine at stock settings.

As for the speakers, you can use a headset just fine by plugging it into your pc directly into the speaker ports in the front of the case above the cd rom. No problems there but you will want speakers later I would think. I actually have a headset I use on my main rig as its next to my bedroom and the wife cant sleep if I have speakers on at night. I even use the headset during the day so you should be fine with that for now.

This should save you another 70 bucks so take some of that and order this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=4431453&sku=N100-2169&srkey=N100-2169

Download the driver for it from here so you can set it up on your pc:
http://kb.netgear.com/app/products/model/a_id/2603

Download it now and save it so you will have it later.

I ordered 2 and they both work just fine. This should put you well under 1400.00.

Also, you have a power supply that will handle two of the top end video cards currently available and you have 4 pci-e slots for crossfire. I don't recommend going with more than two cards as crossfire doesn't usually scale well past 2. This motherboard, ram and cpu paired with the right cpu cooler will later allow you to overclock this cpu near 4.0ghz. This is the best of the best with AMD on the motherboard options right now so I didn't want to cut the base system as you can always upgrade the ram by adding more of the same type later, another video card (if you even need it), speakers, SSD boot drive, nicer keyboard and mouse at a later date.

Is this including the motherboard from microcenter for 150? I'm not a fan of using returned hardware, especially motherboards. If you use that board, or even if you get brand new you will need to go to the asus website and register it and save your receipt for an easy RMA prodedure if you need to do so later. Do the same for your video card...