How do I build a PC specific to my needs? (AI/ML + full-stack coding)

[IcyShaft]

Hey there, first-timer here.

The title pretty much explains it; I want to build I PC that is tailored to my specific needs, but can't quite choose on parts; more specifically the CPU and GPU.

 

I'm planning to use this system for some light gaming, but more importantly, full-stack programming and neural network training. Generally speaking, programming is more processor-centric, while neural network training and machine learning algorithms are more intensive on the graphics card. Either way, I'm just starting out, so nothing top-of-the-line is needed. But, the thing is, I have a very tight budget, and I can only make do with these three combinations;

1. Ryzen 3 1300X + GTX 1050 Ti
2. Ryzen 3 1300X + GTX 1060 6GB
3. Ryzen 5 1600 + GTX 1050 Ti 

The second and third option sets me back by an extra 100$ than the first build. The first one is pretty stable all-round, and I probably won't experience any bottlenecks. But, it might be pricier in the long run (I usually upgrade either the CPU or GPU every one or two years, at max). The second build caters to machine learning, and the third would be beyond what I'd normally require for a programming machine. Then there's the new Zen 2 Ryzen processors, which I'd be able to upgrade to if I buy the first or second option.

 

Tbh, this is getting on my nerves, and I'd like some advise from someone who is/was in a similar situation. Thanks in advance,

[DOGEY]

The third one.

[Firewrath9]

the 1600 should only be 20-30$ more expensive.

[cynexit]

As long as you don't need to compile Chrome from source you won't need a big CPU/much RAM for coding and compiling. Since you already mentioned "full-stack" I assume you do mostly web stuff, so tops you need a local apache/nginx + database and something like NPM/Composer/Go toolkit/cargo benefits much more from an SSD than from many cores. If you code mostly C/Rust/Go or any other language that needs to be compiled: as long as it's not a really, really big project, CPU still doesn't matter much, 4 or 6 cores won't make much of a difference, today's compilers are really optimized.

 

For serious ML none of these GPUs is viable. If you just want to play around go for the 1060.

 

All together I would opt for option 2 or wait and grow the budget, depending how serious your needs are.