[Build Help] PC for dual-booting Ubuntu (for work) and Windows (for games)

[sn1perdog]

Hello!

This is my first time building a PC. I need Linux for work, so the plan is to dual-boot Ubuntu 14.10 and Windows (since I also want to be able to play games).

This is what I have in mind: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BNzbGX.

I would like to hear whether you think these components make sense together. Also, are these parts reasonable for a decent, modern gaming PC? (I am quite sure it is sufficient for any work-related things I might be doing.)

My budget is around $2500, so if you think some of the parts are overkill I would be happy to know how I can get more bang for the buck.

Thanks!

 

[Alpha3031]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($318.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($250.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($348.95 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($348.95 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2054.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 00:10 EST-0500

What do you do for work and what games do you plan to play?

 

[sn1perdog]

Good questions! I will essentially be estimating a bunch of statistical models I write in C++ and Python. As far as games go, I suppose Dark Souls 2 would be a good example of the kind of games I will be playing.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($318.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: CRYORIG R1 Ultimate 76.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($250.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($348.95 @ B&H)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($348.95 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($149.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $2054.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 00:10 EST-0500

What do you do for work and what games do you plan to play?

 

[Alpha3031]

Well, here's a smaller, quieter build that should do the job just as well, seeing as you won't be reaching for the AAA titles

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($250.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($348.95 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($117.24 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1509.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 02:43 EST-0500

Dark Souls II would be at least 60 FPS if you have a standard 1080p monitor.

 

[sn1perdog]

Thanks! What changes to that build would you make under the assumption that I would be reaching for some AAA titles?

Well, here's a smaller, quieter build that should do the job just as well, seeing as you won't be reaching for the AAA titles

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U14S 55.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($69.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-A ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 500GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($250.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($348.95 @ B&H)
Case: Corsair 450D ATX Mid Tower Case ($117.24 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($104.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $1509.06
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-08 02:43 EST-0500

Dark Souls II would be at least 60 FPS if you have a standard 1080p monitor.

 

[Alpha3031]

Add back the other 970. But only if you tried the first one and found it too slow for you.

 

[sn1perdog]

Okay, thanks!

Add back the other 970. But only if you tried the first one and found it too slow for you.

 

[Alpha3031]

NW, pleased to help.