Hey everyone. Total noob planning my first computer build. Any suggestions?

[icannotthinkofit]

Ok, so I have some technician work background, and I like tinkering with stuff, so I have decided to try building my next home computer rather than buying a manufactured system. Some basic high level stuff: I'm an engineering student, so I need basic academic-type functionality (word processing, spreadsheets, slide presentations, fast internet, etc...). I sometimes dabble in 2D/3D CAD modeling of random ideas as they come to me, and I also record music when inspiration strikes. I think future classes will require MATHLAB or Maple type functionality, and I want to overbuild enough to where this thing won't be obsolete before the first boot up. I don't play video games, but my wife likes the SIMS and junk like that. In my experience, Windows = nothing but headaches, Mac = elation followed by bankruptcy proceedings, and Linux = terrifying unknown with an irresistable pricetag. I like the altruism of open-source, but worry about compatibility with college and other professional resources (mostly windows-based). I've toyed with the idea of partitioning the SSD and running multiple OS's for different purposes, but this would mostly just be to satisfy the curiosity. Oh, and above all, I'm trying to do this on the cheap, so no dual-Xeon Haswell setups or multi-GPU's. Reliability is also a big plus. I have the patience to spend some time getting the thing set up initially, but after that, I would like everything to just sort of work, always. Anyone know of an objective way to compare hardware reliability across brands? Thanks for the help!

 

[The Q6660 Inside]

Here is a setup, it may be a bit expensive for your taste, but it will very likely get the job done. I can tone down the graphics card and maybe the motherboard if you find it too expensive. This should last you quite a while.
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1clWD) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1clWD/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1clWD/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd8350frhkbox) | $179.99 @ Microcenter
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14) | $78.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-crosshairvformulaz) | $214.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1866c9r) | $76.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pd128bw) | $129.98 @ Outlet PC
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wdbaaz0010hncnrsn) | $76.99 @ Best Buy
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx770dc2oc2gd5) | $399.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph410g1) | $97.88 @ TigerDirect
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $18.98 @ Outlet PC
**Monitor** | [Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-vh238h) | $119.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1394.77
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-01 22:07 EDT-0400 |

PSU (PcPartPicker did not have it)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

 

[USAFRet]

Yes, you can build it. It is not that hard.

Reliability? Stick to the major brands and all is OK.

Windows vs Linux? The Windows license is less than 10% of the price of a midgrade build. If all of your stuff can run under Linux, go for it. Otherwise, trying to forcefit Windows applications into a Linux environment will melt your brain.

Dual boot? The easiest way is different OS's on different drives. Neither OS knows or cares about the other(s). Choose at boot time.

Look through some of the builds posted here, and you'll get a sense of what is good. Define a budget and go for it.

 

[icannotthinkofit]

Here is a setup, it may be a bit expensive for your taste, but it will very likely get the job done. I can tone down the graphics card and maybe the motherboard if you find it too expensive. This should last you quite a while.
[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1clWD) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1clWD/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1clWD/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd8350frhkbox) | $179.99 @ Microcenter
**CPU Cooler** | [Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/noctua-cpu-cooler-nhd14) | $78.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-crosshairvformulaz) | $214.99 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cml8gx3m2a1866c9r) | $76.99 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7pd128bw) | $129.98 @ Outlet PC
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wdbaaz0010hncnrsn) | $76.99 @ Best Buy
**Video Card** | [Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx770dc2oc2gd5) | $399.99 @ NCIX US
**Case** | [NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-caph410g1) | $97.88 @ TigerDirect
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw24b1stblkbas) | $18.98 @ Outlet PC
**Monitor** | [Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-monitor-vh238h) | $119.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1394.77
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-01 22:07 EDT-0400 |

PSU (PcPartPicker did not have it)- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151088

Thanks, Q. Processor looks good. I don't do anything serious enough to justify Intel premiums. That said, I'm kind of shooting for the sub-$1,000.00 range. Any reason not to go with one of the CPU/Mobo Bundle options @ microcenter? Specifically, the MSI 970A-G46 AM3+ ATX AMD Motherboard / AMD FX-8350 combo comes out to only $260.00. Older chipset (970 vs. 990FX), a few less ports, and apparently doesn't come with cables. Is the mobo one of those areas where last year's model is already on the verge of obsolescence? I think I could probably come down a couple of notches on the Video Card as well. From what I can gather so far, CAD applications seem to crave accuracy over speed.

 

[The Q6660 Inside]

Thanks, Q. Processor looks good. I don't do anything serious enough to justify Intel premiums. That said, I'm kind of shooting for the sub-$1,000.00 range. Any reason not to go with one of the CPU/Mobo Bundle options @ microcenter? Specifically, the MSI 970A-G46 AM3+ ATX AMD Motherboard / AMD FX-8350 combo comes out to only $260.00. Older chipset (970 vs. 990FX), a few less ports, and apparently doesn't come with cables. Is the mobo one of those areas where last year's model is already on the verge of obsolescence? I think I could probably come down a couple of notches on the Video Card as well. From what I can gather so far, CAD applications seem to crave accuracy over speed.

Update: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1cnGe
The PSU is in my earlier post.
I toned down the cooler, motherboard and Graphics card. The 990FX platform has benefits in the overclocking sector and overall features and will likely be much more favored for a Steamroller FX upgrade path..