Wanted Suggestions for Work PC for Programmer

bargain4all on 09/09/2020 - 20:08
Last edited 10/09/2020 - 16:23

I want to build a PC for .NET and front end programming. Budget with in $1000. Can increase the price if it lasts atleast 5 yrs.
Need i7 processor,
32gb RAM as I need this for multiple browser tabs as well as VS code and VS, SQL server apps.
Not sure about the graphics card. But it should support 3 monitors, one will be 32inches 4k.

I have spare storage devices like 1TB SSD m.2 and 1TB HDD(Need to buy other components).

Please suggest the Parts for the build. Or any other ready to use PCs.

As per the given suggestions i tried to prepare the PC Part Picker list.

https://au.pcpartpicker.com/list/Bb8WV7

Thank you.

Computing Computer Desktop Computer

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2020 - 20:55
    +6

    🤦‍♂️

    • DannyC on 09/09/2020 - 21:31

      I second that lol
      Be a bit more realistic mate.

      • toristo on 09/09/2020 - 21:43

        You'll do better checking out some of the bigger PC stores and seeing what prebuilt boxes they have which for the mid-range tend to be the slightly older hardware that has dropped a bit in price.. something like this https://www.msy.com.au/mpower-value-pack-amd-2

        You're going to struggle to get even an i5 tower for $1000, let alone monitors unless you're Gumtree/Facebook Marketplace skills are exceptional.

      • [Deactivated] on 09/09/2020 - 22:02
        +1

        Its like a mechanic asking how to fix a car… 🤷‍♂️

  • bobbified on 09/09/2020 - 21:27
    +5

    Budget with in $1000

    and

    But it should support 3 monitors…… one will be 32inches 4k.

    Interesting…. lol

  • websterp on 09/09/2020 - 21:29

    With this config and budget I'm sure you'd have enough cash left to buy a 4th 49" super ultrawide. Happy to suggest one if you are interested.

  • AndyC1 on 09/09/2020 - 21:32
    +1

    Which i7? How many cores?
    Do you need 3D graphics? (Aka real 3D real time rendering or playing games)
    Why is your data storage only 1TB? Think about image storage and data storage for SQL (MS SQL docker container or run on Windows). Think about web server and if it will be containerized or also run under windows. Think about how your rest API server is going to run in dev V prod and how you are going to do this.
    With K8S is 32GB enough? Think about what each component of the system will use w.r.t. ram as you may need more due to MS SQL being a hungry beast if you need to process allot of data or join allot of tables.
    What speed ram do you want? Cost's more for higher speed. At the moment the prices are starting to come down.
    Are you trying to minimise compilation time / docker image creation time and/or wanting to ensure all the components work at full speed on the one PC?

    For a DEV PC I think you will spend more than $1K for a decent setup.
    I suggest you have a look at something like the following, but it depends on the answers to the questions above as to if this is suitable:
    - AMD Ryzen 7
    - 32GB Dual channel (2x16GB) DDR4 3200Mhz
    - Samsung 1TB 970 PRO
    - 4TB HDD preferably 7200RPM
    - Motherboard with 4x DDR4 sockets and if you want future proof 2 x m2 ports
    - Good quality gaming mouse (MX-518 from USA or something of similar quality)

    • bargain4all on 09/09/2020 - 21:53

      I don't need 3D graphics. I already have SSD and HDD, Mouse, Keyboard and Monitors.
      I need other parts for PC that supports at least 3 monitors.
      Please suggest the parts and if it lasts little bit longer i can increase my budget.

  • dcep on 09/09/2020 - 21:40
    +1

    aliexpress x99 build

  • bargain4all on 09/09/2020 - 21:49

    Can you please suggest the part list for RAM, processor, case, power supply, graphics card for the build. So that i can see if I can increase my budget, if it lasts for at least 5 yrs

    • scrimshaw on 09/09/2020 - 22:29
      +1

      CPU: Ryzen 3700x $473.21
      32GB RAM $151
      X570 motherboard $225

      Storage: Re-use
      GPU: re-use
      Case: re-use
      Power supply: Re-use

      Total cost $849

      Graphics card if your current doesn't have enough outputs: Second-hand RX 570 graphics card from eBay. Should not cost you more than $150. But a new one is only $199 from Amazon.. Though technically speaking any modern graphics card will handle 3 monitors despite their price (even a basic GT1030), unless it's super old.

      • bargain4all on 09/09/2020 - 22:47

        Is Ryzen better than i7? So i can get the PC at $1500, which is fine for me. Please suggest case and power suplly as well.

        • scrimshaw on 09/09/2020 - 22:53

          It's better value than i7 and you don't need to spend $$ on a high end chipset just to utilize the faster memory speed

          Case? Mostly a subjective thing, but a 'safe' choice is a Phanteks Eclipse P400A / P300 or a Lian Li Lancool II. Whatever is fine. you're not gaming and it's not likely you're going to run into thermal issues, so it's just a matter of looks and budget

          PSU: as long as it's a known brand, as 5 year or more of warranty, 80 Plus rated (silver or higher) and at least Semi-modular then you're golden.

          Safe choice: EVGA. If you're too lazy to research you could just buy this one as it covers everything you'll need.

          • bargain4all on 09/09/2020 - 23:05

            @scrimshaw: Thanks a lot for the suggestions. RAM sounds reasonable price. I would buy that one now. Remaining parts i will check from time to time if lower deal comes up.

          • bargain4all on 14/09/2020 - 16:56

            @scrimshaw: I found this deal on TechFast. Is it better to buy this and the graphics card separately?
            https://techfast.com.au/products/amd-ryzen-7-3700x-gaming-de…

            • scrimshaw on 14/09/2020 - 17:05

              @bargain4all: If you know how to build it yourself it's better to pick out the components invidually and optimise the build

              techfast is okay but they need to make money in this pandemic too, and they are just throwing together some slower-moving parts like B450 motherboards, budget cases, no-name DRAM-less low cap SSDs and power supplies. Techfast option is mostly for convenience sake, for the people living a super-busy lifestyle and can't spare a weekend to build their PC.

              They do offer upgrades — e.g B550M mobo for an extra $99 dollars, a 1TB SSD is an extra $109. A bit too expensive in my opinion and essentially kills the deal.

              TLDR:

              Option 1: Build a PC yourself— longer to research get the best parts and take advantage of all the deals, Samsung SSD cashback, cashback offers etc

              Option 2: Buy a TechFast prebuilt — don't have to research and build yourself but the stuff you're getting is a little old (for base config) and may not be desirable in the long term. Upgrade offers are not good value. No cashback.

  • FoxJump on 10/09/2020 - 05:08

    I'm a programmer. You're over specking your computer.

    One monitor is enough if you use virtual desktop.

    32gb of ram yes for vms

    One nvme 1tb SSD should be enough.
    I5 is enough.

    I have an Intel nuc. With the above. It's good.

    • bargain4all on 10/09/2020 - 09:12

      This is not virtual desktop. Its for my Main work at home. I would take some trainings as well.I need 3 monitors.

      • FoxJump on 10/09/2020 - 09:41

        It is not a virtual machine.
        A virtual desktop lets you switch from one set of open applications in a particular layout, to a different set.
        I found that with more than one monitor, the amount of head turning required starts to become annoying after a while - not to mention there always being a border or a gap between the monitors.

        Nevertheless, my NUC can output 3 monitors, though not all at 4K. It has one HDMI out, and a DP (via USB-C) which can do I think 2 displays. I'm currently using a 28" 4K at 100% scale and it's magnificient. I dont even have the nvme drive, just a regular sata ssd.

        The only toptip i give you sir, is : Whatever computer you buy now - max it out with RAM from the getgo. For in the future when you want more ram, none may be available.

    • AndyC1 on 10/09/2020 - 10:09
      +2

      One monitor is NOT enough for 99% of developers. Once developers move from one to two monitors they never go back, unless they are traveling with a laptop. To maximize dev productivity you need at least two monitors, one monitor is used for the IDE and the other for the app. If you have more then it only helps if you need to debug complex issues with that is affecting multiple apps/components OR you also need to run a simulator, BUT the more you have then you start to have ergonomic issues and spare/mounting issues. I have used a 5 monitor setup spread across two PC's at once and it was very good for debugging and monitoring the system, but it was not easy to control via a KVM that was used so that I only needed one keyboard and mouse.

      The spec is not enough for modern up to date system development that uses K8S or containerization or multiple virtual PC/servers.

      I last used an equivalent of an i5 15 years ago for dev and moved to an i7 in order to minimize compilation time as the i7 has more cores (real + hyperthreading), but you need to look at where the sweet spot is for $/core and Mhz.

      All the NUC's I have seen are not very speedy compared to a full blown PC as they are designed to be small and as such have limited cooling and therefore you need to be careful what CPU you put in them.

      • FoxJump on 10/09/2020 - 11:49

        Feels nice to be the 0.1% who went from one to two and back to one, and then to three, only to go back at one again.

    • Ryanek on 10/09/2020 - 12:38
      +1

      Yeah developer here. Unless it's a 49" monitor, one is not enough. Definitely need to have multiple windows open at the same time.

      At a minimum, one for coding, one for teams and the other for NBA.

      • FoxJump on 10/09/2020 - 14:01

        yeah but its not just about physical size, its also pixels that matter.

        I can comfortably use a 28" 4K monitor at 100% scale so … for some people they would need a 43" 4K monitor instead.

  • OldSchoolHarry on 10/09/2020 - 10:48

    Have a look at used Dell Precision workstations

  • Magus on 10/09/2020 - 21:42
    +1

    VMs are certainly part of the life of almost every programmer.

    Having them on different monitors makes life easy. RDP is also common.

    Depending on the language, a second PC to rdp to is also usefull if compile takes while.

    Either way, most Dev tools now are multi threaded so will benefit from the higher number of cores on equal priced AMD vs i7

    Then again you could spend all your time looking for that missing bracket in a thousand lines of code….

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