Desktop for Programming

[ERDTdiver]

How's it goin' guys? I'm looking for a tower to use strictly for computer/software programming (Using C++, Etc) and web programming (PHP, Java, JavaScript, Etc). I won't be doing gaming, I won't be listening to music, nothing else. Only programming and surfing the web. I'd love a computer that would be super fast at compiling the data. I'm looking to spend only around $800. I'll be using a 27" Full 1080p Vizio HDTV as the monitor. Could anyone tell me what I should be looking at in terms of basic components (Processor, RAM, Etc)? Thanks in advance for the help guys.

Approximate Purchase Date: Anytime
Budget Range: $800-$900

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Web Programming, Software Programming, Surfing Web

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: None

Location: Scranton, PA, USA

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: Vizio 27" 1080p Full HDTV (for now)

 

[TheBigTroll]

if the tasks require lots of CPU threads, the i7 is a good choice. otherwise, a i5 3450 performs the same in most tasks

the onboard GPU will be enough for web surfing and very basic gaming (if you ever play flash games)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/e5pP

 

[ERDTdiver]

How would I determine how many threads the task uses? I know that sounds like a stupid question but I'd be saving $120 between the i5 and i7. I'll be running virtual machines and programming in PHP, Java, and JavaScript simultaneously. Do you think I should go with the i7?

Also, a BIG question, would a server CPU like a Xeon and Opteron and server memory be better than regular processors and memory?

 

[raytseng]

no, the server stuff is more to avoid any downtime or any errors, save money with desktop gear.

If one calculation borks on you perhaps once a month, that's not the end of your world, just restart.

But if that happens to be production and someone's bank account transfer, your company is in trouble.

if you're running vms, get moar cpu, go for the i7.

The actually programming language you're doing doesn't really say much as compared to what you are programming for. If like you're programing webapplications and are simulating a clustered server/client environment, then that is a bigger topology to simulate.

If you are programming for mobile devices and just need to emulate an iphone, that's pretty basic

 

[TheBigTroll]

intel chips are pretty reliable but if you really need it to almost never fail, a xeon might be right for you

 

[ERDTdiver]

How many cores would the Xeon need? And how much server memory?

 

[TheBigTroll]

a xeon is just a binned i3 i5 or i7 chip. nothing more. some of them support ECC memory. server memory is dam expensive but regular memory still works well

 

[ERDTdiver]

Would a dual core do the job or would a quad core be best? Then would 4 or 8gb of server memory equal 16gb of regular memory?

 

[TheBigTroll]

a quad core is more of the way to go but if you are not doing tasks that require tons of CPU power, a i3 2120 is enough. server memory is very expensive. just get the regular stuff. i have yet to hear someone who had a system fail because of a memory error

 

[ERDTdiver]

Im guessing working with PHP, Java, and JavaScript simultaneously while running virtual machines is power intensive. But would an i5 suffice?

 

[TheBigTroll]

should be. you just need the extra ram