Build for Computer Science Student / Web Developer

[gat19g]

Budget (including currency): $1,500 USD

Country: United States

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: 

• Need ability to run Windows 11 and Linux either with WSL or as a dual boot system.
• The following would be used on Windows:
  • Visual Studio for ASP.NET development
  • IntelliJ for Java Development (Required for Computer Science program)
  • Docker and Virtual Box
  • PostgreSQL
  • Blender
  • Affinity Designer
  • Microsoft Office Apps
• The following would be used on Linux:
  • VS Code for Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript coding
  • Node.js and Vite for developing React front-end apps
  • PostgreSQL
  • Docker and Virtual Box

Monitors:

I will be using 2 monitors, a 1080p 24" monitor and a 27" (or larger) 4K monitor (not a gaming monitor). I already have the smaller 24" monitor, but I would appreciate suggestions for the larger monitor.

 

Peripherals:

I already own a MX Master 3 and ZSA Moonlander so I would just need these to work with the build.

 

Why I am upgrading:

For some added context, I have been exclusively using macOS for the past decade. This was mainly because I was a music teacher and needed to use programs like Logic, and I appreciated how macs handled audio production workflows. However, I have since transitioned from being a music teacher to working in the world of educational technology. My current job deals with maintaining and extending the functionality of learning management systems (LMSs). This has led me to also pursue a second degree in computer science since so I can continue advancing along this new career path.

 

My problem is that I currently have a 2020 Intel i5 iMac (with a tiny 256GB SSD). My CS degree requires a Windows machine and I also need Windows to run Visual Studio to continue my work in developing .Net applications. Visual Studio for mac is being discontinued by Microsoft and I don't want to use VS Code for .NET. I know the newer ARM-based macs can run Windows through Parallels, but my CS degree does not recommend that, nor do I want to go all in on a Apple's arm-based macs. I would like the flexibility to add more ram or SSD storage in the future if needed. I also want the flexibility to run Linux on this system alongside Windows.

 

The minimum requirements for my CS degree are a system with Windows 11 Professional, 12th Gen Core i5 or i7, 16GB Ram, and 512GB SSD. I would prefer at least 32 GB Ram and 2 TB ssd. As far as the CPU goes, I am open to recommendations, but it really does need to be Intel. One final thing to consider is that I have limited desk space so this build will most likely live on the floor. Thank you in advance.

[brob]

A bit close to the budget without the o/s. I expect an educational Windows 11 Pro license is available at a lower cost than retail.

 

Windows has a tendency to not play nice with multiple o/s on the same drive. So I have included 2x500GB NVMe drives for o/s and a 2TB drive for shared data.

 

It seems that AMD GPU are much easier to work with in Linux. Blender is GPU agnostic.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700F 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($199.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory  ($84.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($29.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($29.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($85.78 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GAMING X TRIO Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card  ($369.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Best Buy) 
Total: $1425.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-09-04 14:00 EDT-0400

[gat19g]

50 minutes ago, brob said:

A bit close to the budget without the o/s. I expect an educational Windows 11 Pro license is available at a lower cost than retail.

 

Windows has a tendency to not play nice with multiple o/s on the same drive. So I have included 2x500GB NVMe drives for o/s and a 2TB drive for shared data.

 

It seems that AMD GPU are much easier to work with in Linux. Blender is GPU agnostic.

 

PCPartPicker Part List

CPU: Intel Core i7-13700F 2.1 GHz 16-Core Processor  ($349.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE 66.17 CFM CPU Cooler  ($34.90 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($199.99 @ B&H) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL36 Memory  ($84.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($29.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 500 GB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($29.99 @ Amazon) 
Storage: Samsung 970 Evo Plus 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 3.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($85.78 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: MSI GAMING X TRIO Radeon RX 6750 XT 12 GB Video Card  ($369.98 @ Newegg) 
Case: Fractal Design North ATX Mid Tower Case  ($139.99 @ B&H) 
Power Supply: Corsair RM750e (2023) 750 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($99.99 @ Best Buy) 
Total: $1425.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2023-09-04 14:00 EDT-0400

Thank you! I had no idea about AMD GPUs being easier to work with on Linux.

[SorryBella]

8 hours ago, brob said:

Blender is GPU agnostic.

?

 

I mean it works on openCL but it doesnt mean its good. Optix Renderer on Windows Blender is basically the way for the best experience, but yeah then you have to deal with Nouveau or Nvidia driver on Linux which is not good either.

 

Rock and a hard place, frankly. The other route would be to get an iGPU intel and run Linux on iGPU, but i dont know how that workflow would work out without it looking jank as sin.