New build for gaming/coding

MsStroggatrix

I'm looking at building a gaming/coding rig.

General:

I'm considering builing a microATX to save space, has anyone any experience with this? Right now I'm still going for a midi tower though.

I want to get something that will probably last 4-5 years. My current system is a Q6600 and it has served me well for the last four years.

I want something that will run Linux because it is nice to code on.

Case:

Bit unsure about what case to get - I don't want to spend over €100 on a case, because it probably isn't worth it, but my current case A+ cheap €30 case is does the job fine but I'd like something a little better. If anyone could suggest a good value case that keeps stuff cool. Here soem I've been looking at:

http://www.dabs.ie/products/antec-df35-dark-fleet-mid-tower-case-736Y.html?src=3

http://www.dabs.ie/products/antec-dark-fleet-df-10-mid-tower-gaming-case---black---no-psu-7KP0.html?src=3

http://www.dabs.ie/products/best-value-k5-715b-gaming-case-with-red-interior--side-window---led-fan-7XDM.html?src=3

http://www.dabs.ie/products/antec-900-nine-hundred-ultimate-gamer-case--black--49XS.html?src=3

Cooler:

Should I use the Intel CPU cooler or get another brand?

i5 or i7:

I can afford an i7 CPU but I'm not sure that I need one. The machine will be used for coding too, but I don't think I'll be doing anything that requires the power of an i7.

Budget:

I have €1,000 to spend, but if I can get a decent machine for less that will be great. Has anyone any good suggestions as to what is a good buy for €1,000?

Solid State Drive

Yay or Nay? Is getting an SSD worth it?

Will you be gaming or not?
If you will be, you'll need windows

Serephucus

i5 2500K, CX430, Z68 motherboard, 8GB RAM, cheap case, Windows - €400.

MsStroggatrix

Deleted User wrote: »

Will you be gaming or not?
If you will be, you'll need windows

No **** Sherlock :rolleyes:...

Ever hear of dual boot ?

theTinker

Regards your comment about coding, and also of not needing an I7.

Are compile times important for you? They're very cpu intensive, If you can afford a I7, i'd go with that, it will improve the performance of every basic task, and i believe the hyper threading will be very benefical to you.

Encrypted Pigeon

I would think an i5 is more than enough, I have compiled on far worse.

MsStroggatrix

MsStroggatrix wrote: »

No **** Sherlock :rolleyes:...

Ever hear of dual boot ?

Dual boot? whats that? :cool:

How are you willing to pay? Hardwareversand would work out over €50 cheaper than dabs.ie but you'll need to pay by bank transfer.
Scan.co.uk is also quite good with their prices and selection of stock

MsStroggatrix

Scan appears to be dearer than dabs, never heard of hardwareversand before - will check them out

The heaviest thing I'd probably ever compile is a Linux kernel (rarely). I'd mostly be compiling graphics or game related stuff and maybe some Android apps. May still get the i7, but I've a few days to think about it.

srsly78

theTinker wrote: »

Regards your comment about coding, and also of not needing an I7.

Are compile times important for you? They're very cpu intensive, If you can afford a I7, i'd go with that, it will improve the performance of every basic task, and i believe the hyper threading will be very benefical to you.

Makes no practical difference to compile times. Hyper threading doesn't really help for most stuff coz it doesn't give you real extra cores, it only helps with simd stuff like video encoding. I have use of an i7 in work, and an i5 at home for similar stuff.

Strangely SSD makes feck all difference to normal compiling tasks either (large solution, multiple projects in visual studio).

theTinker

srsly78 wrote: »

Strangely SSD makes feck all difference to normal compiling tasks either (large solution, multiple projects in visual studio).

Found that out too after a dissapointing test..

MsStroggatrix

Here is what I am think, of, I haven't figured out how to prettify it:

http://www.dabs.ie/products/asus-intel-performance-bundle--includes-p8z68-v-lx-motherboard--intel-core-i5-2500k-and-8gb-ddr3--7VJG.html

http://www.dabs.ie/products/ocz-technology-750w-zt-series-fully-modular-power-supply-7TM1.html

http://www.dabs.ie/products/antec-dark-fleet-df-10-mid-tower-gaming-case---black---no-psu-7KP0.html

http://www.dabs.ie/products/seagate-2tb-barracuda-green-sata-600-64mb-5900rpm-3-5--78H7.html

http://www.dabs.ie/products/evga-geforce-gtx-560-ti-900mhz-1gb-pci-express-hdmi-superclocked-7VQG.html

I priced this system up on hardwareversand.de and it was only cheaper by €3.00 not €50 after shipping was added.

What think ye?

Fluffy88

An SSD is a must in this build imo.
You have the headroom in your budget to fit an SSD and what other reason do you need

You may not notice the difference in compile times, but you certainly will in boot times(Ubuntu is just amazing for boot time on SSD(even 11.10)) and instead of making a cup of tea when I open Eclipse, now I can just get on with what I was doing.

I would get a Crucial M4 128GB, you could get a 64GB one if you want to be conservative.

MsStroggatrix

Fluffy88 wrote: »

making a cup of tea when I open Eclipse

My 2 work machines, personal laptop and 4 year old desktop take max 20 seconds to open Eclipse, none of them have SSD.

Anyway, I think I may wait a few weeks and save up some more cash. If I wait a month I can have a bigger budget for the machine.

I probably will get an SSD eventually.