Software Dev - Current PC specs

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ashiirza

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Hey guys,

I'm studying software development next year and will primarily be coding (as far as I know)..
My current specs are:
i5 4570 3.2GHz
8gbs Corsair 160MHz RAM
2.5TBs HDD (no SSD)
AMD R9-270x 2gb GPU
ASRock XTreme3 MB
650W PSU

Will this be sufficient enough for a 3 year course? It's a desktop PC so I'll only be using it at home. Currently it's used for Photoshop and gaming (I don't play newer games, but I can play most games on Ultra - 1600x900)
But at the rate that technology is progressing, I really don't want to have to spend loads of cash again on a massive system overhaul, for quite some time..


Thanks!
 
You don't need much of a machine for software dev, unless you use VM dev environments or run staging server VMs on your machine. In that case all you'd need to do is bump your ram. Photoshop and gaming generally require better kit than development.
 
Put it this way. There are thousands and thousands of devs working on Apple Macbook airs
 
SpoonTech said:
You don't need much of a machine for software dev, unless you use VM dev environments or run staging server VMs on your machine. In that case all you'd need to do is bump your ram. Photoshop and gaming generally require better kit than development.
Click to expand...
Depends on your tech stack and the size/complexity of your solutions.

I jump between a desktop i7 Gen 4, XPS 15 i7 Gen 3 and XPS 13 i5 Gen 3.
All with SSD's and plenty ram.

The two i7's are pretty close, but I can definitely feel the performance hit on the i5.

That said - while still studying, an i5 would suffice. I mainly wanted to add my 2c as your statement is a bit broad.
 
Having a high screen resolution also helps a lot. Like either having 2x Full HD screens or a single 2560x1600 can make you a lot more productive. While you're still studying, I suppose a single screen would suffice.

Also, when your projects are getting bigger, you may want to get at least a 128GB SSD, because it would dramatically decrease your project loading & compilation time.
 
Pada said:
Having a high screen resolution also helps a lot. Like either having 2x Full HD screens or a single 2560x1600 can make you a lot more productive.Also, when your projects are getting bigger, you may want to get at least a 128GB SSD, because it would dramatically decrease your project loading & compilation time.
Click to expand...

This. Nice specs, btw :)
 
Pada said:
Having a high screen resolution also helps a lot. Like either having 2x Full HD screens or a single 2560x1600 can make you a lot more productive. While you're still studying, I suppose a single screen would suffice.

Also, when your projects are getting bigger, you may want to get at least a 128GB SSD, because it would dramatically decrease your project loading & compilation time.
Click to expand...

Where could I get 2560x1600 screen in SA?
 
Impulse_One said:
Where could I get 2560x1600 screen in SA?
Click to expand...
If you're prepared to pay R17k: http://www.wootware.co.za/dell-ultrasharp-u3014-30-2560x1600-usb3-0-desktop-monitor.html
I was fortunate enough to buy my Dell 3008WFP screen (2560x1600) for R7.5k a couple of years ago.

The 2560x1440 one's are a lot cheaper at around R9k: http://www.wootware.co.za/asus-pb278q-27-wqhd-2560x1440-lcd-pls-5ms-wide-screen-desktop-monitor.html

I actually wonder how a 28" 4K screen would work for software development, but its still quite expensive at ~R10.5k: http://www.wootware.co.za/samsung-u28d590d-28-4k-uhd-3840-x-2160-1ms-gtg-desktop-monitor.html
At this stage I very much prefer my single 1600p screen over 2x 1080p screens that I have at my office.
 
ashiirza said:
Hey guys,

I'm studying software development next year and will primarily be coding (as far as I know)..
My current specs are:
i5 4570 3.2GHz
8gbs Corsair 160MHz RAM
2.5TBs HDD (no SSD)
AMD R9-270x 2gb GPU
ASRock XTreme3 MB
650W PSU

Will this be sufficient enough for a 3 year course? It's a desktop PC so I'll only be using it at home. Currently it's used for Photoshop and gaming (I don't play newer games, but I can play most games on Ultra - 1600x900)
But at the rate that technology is progressing, I really don't want to have to spend loads of cash again on a massive system overhaul, for quite some time..


Thanks!
Click to expand...


I have a pretty much similar rig as yours, except i have a 550W PSU, other than that i5, 8gigs ram, same gpu, same cpu and no SSD.

Applications that i use are as follows:

VS2013, (2 - 3 instances)
VS2008,
DreamWeaver,
Notepad++
waterfoxx/chrome/firefox Dev edition
VMware with a linux partition (this does takes a lot of strain, so this has to be run on its own),
Sometimes i have a php server running, but very seldom unless it turns itself on during bootup but i usually kill it.

Anyway, the point is. The PC is perfectly capable of running a few instances of each program, it does take some strain when you have all of them open. I5's aren't known for the massive hyper threading capabilities. But its more than adequate if you dont mind a bit of delay between switching through the applications if you really want to have everything open in one go. If you do plan on using VMs (i have a few which i use as test benches), i'd recommend only using 1 at a time and keeping them on pause when you dont need them. If you want to get more out of your PC, you could look at adding another 8gigs of ram which is what i'm planning on doing in the New Year.

On the other end, my work pc is ridiculously overkill. I have the following:
i7-4770 3.4 ghz,
16gigs of 2400mhz ram,
120gig ssd,
1tb sshd
No gpu, use the onboard,
and 2* 24" IPS Dell monitors.

We use the i7's for their ability to multithread. I have everything open including photoshop and multiple Visual Studios and there is never an ounce of lag. Basically, for general usage and for single use applications, your PC is 100% :). Good luck in your ventures as a coder
 
Pada said:
If you're prepared to pay R17k: http://www.wootware.co.za/dell-ultrasharp-u3014-30-2560x1600-usb3-0-desktop-monitor.html
I was fortunate enough to buy my Dell 3008WFP screen (2560x1600) for R7.5k a couple of years ago.

The 2560x1440 one's are a lot cheaper at around R9k: http://www.wootware.co.za/asus-pb278q-27-wqhd-2560x1440-lcd-pls-5ms-wide-screen-desktop-monitor.html

I actually wonder how a 28" 4K screen would work for software development, but its still quite expensive at ~R10.5k: http://www.wootware.co.za/samsung-u28d590d-28-4k-uhd-3840-x-2160-1ms-gtg-desktop-monitor.html
At this stage I very much prefer my single 1600p screen over 2x 1080p screens that I have at my office.
Click to expand...

This screen is also a winner: http://www.wootware.co.za/lg-lg-25u...de-full-hd-ips-2560x1080-desktop-monitor.html

I keep putting a notification on it for when it comes in stock. Its never in stock for more than 1 day. And its only R3.2k for an ultra wide 25" screen.
 
Lostears said:
This screen is also a winner: http://www.wootware.co.za/lg-lg-25u...de-full-hd-ips-2560x1080-desktop-monitor.html

I keep putting a notification on it for when it comes in stock. Its never in stock for more than 1 day. And its only R3.2k for an ultra wide 25" screen.
Click to expand...
That is a fantastic price of R3.2k for that 25" 21:9 (2560x1080) screen! 2 of those would do very nicely: cheaper than 4x 23" FHD LCDs and take up less space too.

I don't know if you can ever go overboard on your office PC, when it directly influences your productivity and can lead to less frustrations :)
Like my office PC is: i7 860 @ 3.2GHz, 32GB 1600MHz CL10 RAM, 2TB+500GB HDDs + 128GB SSD, HD5670 1GB + EVGA USB3 to DVI+HDMI (for 3rd/4th screen), Asus Xonar DX, 2x Samsung 23" (FHD) + Dell 30" IPS (2560x1600)
 
Last edited:
Pada said:
That is a fantastic price of R3.2k for that 25" 21:9 (2560x1080) screen! 2 of those would do very nicely: cheaper than 4x 23" FHD LCDs and take up less space too.

I don't know if you can ever go overboard on your office PC, when it directly influences your productivity and can lead to less frustrations :)
Like my office PC is: i7 860 @ 3.2GHz, 32GB 1600MHz CL10 RAM, 2TB+500GB HDDs + 128GB SSD, HD5670 1GB + EVGA USB3 to DVI+HDMI (for 3rd/4th screen), Asus Xonar DX, 2x Samsung 23" (FHD) + Dell 30" IPS (2560x1600)
Click to expand...

Nice office !!!
 
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