Need help: First time builder

[Philemon]

Okay, here it goes....

I recently just switched from a career in accounting to computer science. Long story short, I'll be starting a long path towards getting a computer science graduate degree soon.

Since I was a kid I've always wanted to build my own pc - I know you can build them to last longer, and get more for your money. But right now this seems like such a daunting task. Years ago, I was on top of everything and could have done it easily but never pulled the trigger.

So I need a computer for the following things:
Gaming
Possibly developing applications
With both Linux and Windows - if possible on two separate hard-rives
And with the option of using the Linux hard rive for web development...

I'm also considering possible using a windows server development environment instead of a lamp, whichever is more clever, as I'm fresh on both. So maybe each hardrive will have a different windows os....although I hear that windows is failing in the server department.

I don't know if I should spend 1,500 on one computer, or 800 on two computers.....I'd rather just have one computer for 1,500...although I'm willing to go up to 2,000 if need be - if someone shows me some good hardware set ups.


I was also wondering if anyone good drop a parts list for me or give me some tips or make some suggestions.

Thank you very much for any help at all.

 

[TheBigTroll]

windows home server is fine by iteself but the problem is that the license costs around 1800 dollars (well in canada). better off just using Linux as it is free. the drawback is that nvidia hates Linux so running linux with a geforce GPU might be a problem. then again you can use onboard video for that purpose

ill set the system up using 2 hard drives and a SSD. one hard drive can be used for Linux while the other one can be used for Windows Storage. the SSD is specifically for the Windows OS as it is the one that needs the speed

if you want overclocking and upgradablity (you can add more GPUs), here you go
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/c53Q

if no overclocking and no upgrades, here you go
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/c55N

 

[TheBigTroll]

and btw, what do you do in computer sciences. theres so many careers that sound almost the same.

im asking as im 14 and would like to know more about these careers in computing

 

[Philemon]

Wow. You just saved me a month of catching up on hardware. Thanks a mucho. I'm going to take brief look at the products and user reviews and place orders in soon. I'll probably be back should I run into any issues. Thanks for the heads up on the licensing fees...that's a huge issue right now. I need to learn a linux/unix based os anyways. Thanks a billion. I'm probably going witht he overclocking and upgradability set-up.

 

[TheBigTroll]

no problem

 

[Philemon]

Well....right now I have an accounting job, but when I switch over into computer science I'm considering project management, general theory -to become a professor, and or programming.....

Computer science is more theory based
I.t. is more hands on...

and I've heard that software engineering is mostly software and more programming intsensive?

I think it goes like this

On the software extreme, you have software engineering
On the hardware extreme, you have more IT
and in the middle you have computer science?

There are millions of things you can do with computer science...
Bioinformatics, software design etc....the main reason I'm choosing this is so as not to pigeon whole myself into something....it's more of a generalist degree...but I could specialize in certain things....like project management, which is less about coding and more about management.

It just depends what you want to do...I would go by what you want and think you can do rather than what you're already good at, if what you're good at isn't something you want to do...you can train and learn new skills...

Some people say school is for fools, but it just depends...what are your opportunities. If you can go to school and stay focused, a computer science degree looks great in any respect....you could use it to be a trader - it looks better than finance, or you could go into software design...

Most of it depends on your university....here's an example of what one university may offer..that isn't hard to get into but still relatively comprehensive. My experience is going to a top notch university isn't necessarily the best idea - big fish get noticed in small ponds easier...I'd rather go to a school with smaller classrooms and a big budget with a comfortable building or room rather than a big state school with desks built for small people....

http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Prospective%20Students/Pages/MastersDegreeStudents.aspx

 

[rockstar_7]

Heres a potential parts list:

Processor ($340):
Intel Core i7 3770K -- Hyperthreadinga and overclocking; good for intensive tasks and future-proofing.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

GPU ($400) :
Gigabyte GTX 670 2GB -- one of the best on the market currently, and will outlive a whole generation of games @1080p and up (max settings)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116501

Ram ($90):
G.Skill 16Gb Ram -- Use the extra 8GB as a ram drive (if you wish to) or just keep it for future-proofing
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231429

Motherboard ($190):
Gigabyte Z77x-UD5H -- Best Mobo for overclocking and feature-set; also very reliable for long-term usage ("Ultra-Durable" as they call it)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128545

SSD ($130):
OCZ Octane 128GB -- For that high speed Write/read itch. Buy two of these if need be.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227766

HDD ($90):
WD 1TB Caviar Green -- Make 2 partitions if you dont need that much space or just buy 2 of these.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236070

PSU ($160):
Silverstone 80 PLUS GOLD 850W Power supply -- Gold for the efficiency and 850W for the longevity.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256067

Case ($150):
Cooler Master Storm Trooper -- Full Tower Goodness for flexible space and red curvy goodness.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119245

Dvd/Bluray ($60)
LG Bluray Drive Writer -- Bluray Writing for future goodness
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136250

Total ($1610) Woohoo!!

If you wish to bring it down to $1500, cut $45 from the ram, and cut $40 by not getting a bluray-drive and get a simpler case like the Antec Nine Hundred or Eleven Hundred.

Enjoy!!

 

[Philemon]

Nice another sweet build. Thank you!

 

[Philemon]

Can I ask about the SSD? They weren't really around before. Is this basically a hard-rive with a super kick? Would I install windows on the ssd...and then linux on the other hd? So is the SSD basically a hard-rive?

 

[TheBigTroll]

SSDs are basically very large USBs on steriods

you install windows on the SSD along with important apps and games and you install linux in another hard drive. the second hard drive can be for random storage

thanks for the knowledge