Best of 3 builds. Opinions needed.

[tmorehead]

I have three separate builds I am wondering about. Two Intel and one AMD. I am a computer science major and an engineering major so here are a few programs I'll be running either frequently or occasionally.
Virtual Studio, Android Studio, Solid Works, Adobe CS and maybe others. I will be doing a whole lot of programming (probably forever) as well as a good bit of video editing and somewhat rare game playing. Id like the options for multiple monitors for programming and networking for sure.

I would like room to upgrade and I've been told the amd build would have no upgrade path. Not 100% sure what exactly that means or is referring to but I believe the person was seasoned enough to know. I think its got to do with system requirements for upgrading OS and other things but I know nothing other than what I've read on forums and google. I am here to learn. Anyways, by upgrade, I just want the option to get a better gpu (maybe even use crossfire or sli options), add ram, and im not real sure what else you can even do there.

I have no clue what programs use how many cores or threads as far as CPU. So please feel free to educate me with links or better yet your own words. I prefer human interaction over just reading on wikipedia or whatever.

So here are the builds.
Please tell me what you think and what your opinions on changes are! I know I am not good at this yet so you can call me a moron but I already know!

AMD:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bnnChM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bnnChM/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($164.00 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X31 69.5 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($71.89 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cougar Archon ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $892.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-14 13:01 EDT-0400

Intel 1 (given to me by a very helpful forum member after I asked for revisions to my original AMD):
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Kftkt6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Kftkt6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: *Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.95 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $962.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
*Lowest price parts chosen from parametric criteria
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-14 13:04 EDT-0400

NOTE: This intel 1 is the build my gut is now leaning towards simply because it came from someone who definitely seemed to know what they were talking about.

Intel 2:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/384jxr
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/384jxr/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Crucial BX100 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.95 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $1009.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-14 13:03 EDT-0400

 

[g-unit1111]

Yeah that's correct that AMD has no upgrade path. There really is no viable option - the FX-9590 is a joke of a CPU, and that's essentially a factory overclocked 8350 that requires a monster power supply and cooling system in order to operate.

I would go with a variation of build #3, but why do you need a BD-R burner? Physical media is becoming more obsolete by the day.

Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($294.00 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.86 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($109.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($88.88 @ NCIX US)
Total: $908.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-14 14:09 EDT-0400

I took out the BD-R burner and added an SSD which will be more beneficial. Then you can add whatever monitor you want.

 

[tmorehead]

Yeah that's correct that AMD has no upgrade path. There really is no viable option - the FX-9590 is a joke of a CPU, and that's essentially a factory overclocked 8350 that requires a monster power supply and cooling system in order to operate.

I would go with a variation of build #3, but why do you need a BD-R burner? Physical media is becoming more obsolete by the day.

Try this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($294.00 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.86 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($109.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12G 550W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Directron)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit) ($88.88 @ NCIX US)
Total: $908.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-14 14:09 EDT-0400

I took out the BD-R burner and added an SSD which will be more beneficial. Then you can add whatever monitor you want.

So touching on the fact that both you and the person who gave me the xeon build picked non-overclocking cpu's. Does that say I really dont need it for anything I am doing? Of course my manly man instinct is saying go big or go home what if I want to CoD or play some cool graphics intensive game!? That's not always best though.

The bd-r was just because my kids still watch that old stuff.

Then then mobo. I assume I will not really have a need for sli or crossfire capabilities?

Since I am a computer science major I have access to OS. I also have a 1tb hdd that I already own. So I can put that $$$ into upgrading the other components.

What I think I am having a hard time with is understanding how you guys pick CPU, mobo, memory, and video card so they all work together to perform my tasks optimally. Maybe I am overthinking it and paying too much attention to those who are hardcore about technical things.

Thanks for the help!

 

[utgotye]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($242.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($77.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (Purchased For $0.00)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($40.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 550W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($39.95 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer G227HQLbi 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($109.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $852.77

Combined the Xeon build and g-units 4790 build.

CPU/mobo must match brand and socket. RAM must be correct version/type (DDR2, 3, 4, buffered/unbuffered, ECC/non-ECC) and a speed that the motherboard can use (1333, 1600, etc). For this build, graphics are not over supreme concern, processing power is. Even integrated graphics can handle multiple monitors (assuming the motherboard as the inputs) but I'm always a proponent of the discrete card.

 

[g-unit1111]

So touching on the fact that both you and the person who gave me the xeon build picked non-overclocking cpu's. Does that say I really dont need it for anything I am doing? Of course my manly man instinct is saying go big or go home what if I want to CoD or play some cool graphics intensive game!? That's not always best though.

If you're gaming then I would go with the overclocked CPU. If you're not gaming it's not needed. Overclocking can give you a speed boost but that depends on what you use it for.

The bd-r was just because my kids still watch that old stuff.

Yeah my only reason for not including one is that BD-R on a computer isn't what its' cracked up to be. Plus streaming is here to stay whether you like it or not.

Then then mobo. I assume I will not really have a need for sli or crossfire capabilities?

If you're not gaming, no. If you're running two monitors or less, no. If you're running more than three monitors, or you want to run something higher than 1080P, yes.

Since I am a computer science major I have access to OS. I also have a 1tb hdd that I already own. So I can put that $$$ into upgrading the other components.

See below.

What I think I am having a hard time with is understanding how you guys pick CPU, mobo, memory, and video card so they all work together to perform my tasks optimally. Maybe I am overthinking it and paying too much attention to those who are hardcore about technical things.

Most people here generally go by what is ranked higher in benchmarks in terms of dollar value vs. performance, and also by what is the most energy efficient. Right now Intel wins in all of those categories, where AMD doesn't. If AMD were to start building more energy efficient CPUs that yielded higher base clocks while consuming less power, then AMD would be recommended a lot more. Budget is also a huge factor. The best bang for buck is usually the deciding factor in what goes into a PC, for a ~$1K PC it's usually a mid range Intel i5 or i7. For higher end PCs, overclocking is almost always taken into account so systems would be planned accordingly.

I would try something like this then:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($328.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($125.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($97.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($70.86 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($111.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $1002.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-14 15:17 EDT-0400

 

[tmorehead]

So my budget got raised. $1100 How exciting. In return I built something a little different. Tell me what you think and where I should make changes to better optimize performance. Or if I should revert back to the 4790k build then let me know why. If I can render a video in 1080 without the final product being all choppy I think I will be completely happy. No matter what its going to be a way better pc then my current laptop so I am jsut trying to maximize the performance.

Here's the new build. I'm pretty excited I will be purchasing next week.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xH7KmG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xH7KmG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i7-6700K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($359.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($158.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY CS1111 480GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($147.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($183.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cougar Archon ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Acer G226HQLBbd 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1172.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-21 15:45 EDT-0400

The main point for posting is to make sure I don't end up like so many other build posts I've seen where people reply with statements like "This build has so much more potential for the budget." I want to be at full potential or able to upgrade to full potential when the parts become available.