Need a new computer for programing

[XAreonX]

I'm starting to learn programming but my current computer can't run android studios at all. I want to make android apps but I can't advance anymore in my studies since now we need to use the program but I can't run it.

I'm on a really tight budget and can't afford to spend too much but would like to future proof it as much as possible for as little as possible.

I don't have a monitor or keyboard.

I live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Thanks for the help.

I can answer any other questions.

 

[kanewolf]

What is your current computer? What I can find, a quad core CPU with 8GB RAM with a decent (1200x800) display is recommended -- https://androidclarified.com/android-development-system-requirements/

 

[XAreonX]

What is your current computer? What I can find, a quad core CPU with 8GB RAM with a decent (1200x800) display is recommended -- https://androidclarified.com/android-development-system-requirements/

An old HP envy laptop.

4gb ram, super basic i5 2ghz, integrated graphics.

I can't even open the program, it crashes.

 

[SgtScream]

How much are you willing to spend?

 

[XAreonX]

How much are you willing to spend?

1500$ ish max I hope. i 'd like 2000 but i cant.

 

[SgtScream]

Does android development work better with a more powerful CPU, Graphics Card or both?

 

[kanewolf]

Is a laptop required? A desktop to meet the requirements would be much less costly.

 

[XAreonX]

Does android development work better with a more powerful CPU, Graphics Card or both?

I think both. I need to make virtual phones on screen to test out programs and also compile code. So I think both.

 

[XAreonX]

Is a laptop required? A desktop to meet the requirements would be much less costly.

I want a desktop. It's just I've had this laptop for a long time and I tried doing it with it but I can't.

 

[LinuxDevice]

There is a lot of hardware which will do what you want (others have mentioned that hardware above). On the other hand, if you are programming a wider screen is better. The ultra-wide is not necessarily the best for gaming since older games merely stretch the display, but I really like this monitor for programming (and game on it too):
https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/150225468

This monitor is fast enough for gaming, although it could stand to be a bit faster, but it works well for a very low cost monitor. If you are coding and have long lines of code you'll be in absolute heaven...lines 200 characters long? ...no problem. In reality, once you use multi-monitor for coding you'll never want to go back...it becomes difficult to live with only three monitors. The ultra-wide is just icing on the cake (provided you have the desk space for one this wide it is perhaps the only reasonable way to code with single monitor).

FYI, if you plan to get into CUDA make sure your video card is NVIDIA. More video RAM is better if doing neural networks. 3GB won't do it, 6GB will work for a lot of things.

 

[SgtScream]

What are you storage requirements? Do you need a fast solid state drive with less capacity, a large hard disk drive with slower speeds or both? Is a monitor part of the budget?

 

[XAreonX]

There is a lot of hardware which will do what you want (others have mentioned that hardware above). On the other hand, if you are programming a wider screen is better. The ultra-wide is not necessarily the best for gaming since older games merely stretch the display, but I really like this monitor for programming (and game on it too):
https://www.walmart.com/reviews/product/150225468

This monitor is fast enough for gaming, although it could stand to be a bit faster, but it works well for a very low cost monitor. If you are coding and have long lines of code you'll be in absolute heaven...lines 200 characters long? ...no problem. In reality, once you use multi-monitor for coding you'll never want to go back...it becomes difficult to live with only three monitors. The ultra-wide is just icing on the cake (provided you have the desk space for one this wide it is perhaps the only reasonable way to code with single monitor).

FYI, if you plan to get into CUDA make sure your video card is NVIDIA. More video RAM is better if doing neural networks. 3GB won't do it, 6GB will work for a lot of things.

I'd like to game as well and maybe 2 monitors would be good. I used to have tv monitor for a computer back in 2012 and it was good. 26".

I'm open to any recommendations.

 

[XAreonX]

What are you storage requirements? Do you need a fast solid state drive with less capacity, a large hard disk drive with slower speeds or both?

Both. Maybe 256gb ssd and 2tb Hdd? I have to buy a monitor.

 

[SgtScream]

What are you storage requirements? Do you need a fast solid state drive with less capacity, a large hard disk drive with slower speeds or both?

Both. Maybe 256gb ssd and 2tb Hdd? I have to buy a monitor.

What resolution and refresh rate do you have in mind for the monitor?

 

[SgtScream]

Just mix and match any monitor you deem fit for this build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz 8-Core Processor ($294.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($104.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($87.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($254.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair - Carbide 400C ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer - XG270HU 27.0" 2560x1440 144Hz Monitor ($356.95 @ Walmart)
Total: $1456.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:31 EST-0500

There so much head room for upgrades in this build.

 

[XAreonX]

What are you storage requirements? Do you need a fast solid state drive with less capacity, a large hard disk drive with slower speeds or both?

Both. Maybe 256gb ssd and 2tb Hdd? I have to buy a monitor.

What resolution and refresh rate do you have in mind for the monitor?

I don't know exactly. Someone farther up said that multiple monitors would be better. At costco they have this HP es 2 pack

I don't know if its good or if the price is good.

 

[XAreonX]

Just mix and match any monitor you deem fit for this build:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 7 2700X 3.7 GHz 8-Core Processor ($294.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI - B450 TOMAHAWK ATX AM4 Motherboard ($104.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 Memory ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 970 Evo 250 GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($87.29 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($254.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair - Carbide 400C ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - FOCUS Plus Gold 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($68.98 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer - XG270HU 27.0" 2560x1440 144Hz Monitor ($356.95 @ Walmart)
Total: $1456.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:31 EST-0500

There so much head room for upgrades in this build.

It looked good until I realized it was all in US. Sorry, I'm in Canada. Its like 2100 in CAD

 

[SgtScream]

Room in the CA budget for the twin HP monitors:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($388.70 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1212.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:49 EST-0500

 

[neiler0847]

Strictly speaking, the requirements for android development are quite minimal. The trouble you're having now is that that laptop is so old that it probably barely run Windows.

I haven't read anything that says you need a discrete GPU, but you did make an innocuous comment above "I'd like to game as well", which broadens your system requirements significantly.

$100 - case
$125 - PSU
$100 - motherboard
$250 - CPU
$175 - 16 Gb of RAM
$75 - 256 GB SSD
$100 - 2TB HDD
$350 - 6GB GTX 1060
$150 - Windows 10 operating system

Hmmmm, $1525 and no monitors yet.

If the android programming is your priority, then start with integrated graphics and a single monitor, but build out a system that can expand as your needs (and funds) grow.

If you're willing to buy a pre-built system, you can generally get the operating system for free.

Black Friday is coming!

 

[XAreonX]

Room in the CA budget for the twin HP monitors:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($388.70 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1212.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:49 EST-0500

Whats the difference between display port and HDMI? The GPU has 3 DisplayPorts and 1 HDMI. Is it better? Should I get monitors that have Displayports instead?

 

[SgtScream]

Room in the CA budget for the twin HP monitors:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($388.70 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1212.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:49 EST-0500

Whats the difference between display port and HDMI? The GPU has 3 DisplayPorts and 1 HDMI. Is it better? Should I get monitors that have Displayports instead?

Display ports are generally used for high refresh rate gaming. You can get away with purchasing a HDMI to display port cable or I can set you up with a card that has dual hdmi.

 

[XAreonX]

Room in the CA budget for the twin HP monitors:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($388.70 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1212.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:49 EST-0500

Whats the difference between display port and HDMI? The GPU has 3 DisplayPorts and 1 HDMI. Is it better? Should I get monitors that have Displayports instead?

Display ports are generally used for high refresh rate gaming. You can get away with purchasing a HDMI to display port cable or I can set you up with a card that has dual hdmi.

Maybe just a card that has more hdmi.

I was also looking at the sys req for android studio and it says that the cpu need to be vm capable. Is the one you chose compatible?

Thanks

 

[SgtScream]

Room in the CA budget for the twin HP monitors:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($388.70 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1212.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:49 EST-0500

Whats the difference between display port and HDMI? The GPU has 3 DisplayPorts and 1 HDMI. Is it better? Should I get monitors that have Displayports instead?

Display ports are generally used for high refresh rate gaming. You can get away with purchasing a HDMI to display port cable or I can set you up with a card that has dual hdmi.

Maybe just a card that has more hdmi.

I was also looking at the sys req for android studio and it says that the cpu need to be vm capable. Is the one you chose compatible?

Thanks

Yeah you have to set AMD-V in the bios. It's under the OC tab.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX 580 8 GB NITRO+ Video Card ($329.88 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1153.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 11:12 EST-0500

 

[XAreonX]

Room in the CA budget for the twin HP monitors:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: EVGA - GeForce GTX 1060 6GB 6 GB SSC DT Video Card ($388.70 @ Amazon Canada)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1212.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 10:49 EST-0500

Whats the difference between display port and HDMI? The GPU has 3 DisplayPorts and 1 HDMI. Is it better? Should I get monitors that have Displayports instead?

Display ports are generally used for high refresh rate gaming. You can get away with purchasing a HDMI to display port cable or I can set you up with a card that has dual hdmi.

Maybe just a card that has more hdmi.

I was also looking at the sys req for android studio and it says that the cpu need to be vm capable. Is the one you chose compatible?

Thanks

Yeah you have to set AMD-V in the bios. It's under the OC tab.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($223.07 @ Amazon Canada)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450 Pro4 ATX AM4 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: G.Skill - Ripjaws V Series 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($175.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 250 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Storage: Seagate - Barracuda 2 TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($73.75 @ Vuugo)
Video Card: Sapphire - Radeon RX 580 8 GB NITRO+ Video Card ($329.88 @ Canada Computers)
Case: Fractal Design - Focus G (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Amazon Canada)
Power Supply: SeaSonic - 520 W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($74.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case Fan: Fractal Design - FD-FAN-SSR3-120-WT 46.5 CFM 120mm Fan ($10.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1153.64
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-11-11 11:12 EST-0500

Okay.

 

[SgtScream]

Do you have to run a lot of virtual machines? If so i'd suggest ditching the HDD and go with a larger capacity SSD.