Productivity PC Build - I'm a Noob

[OneAvocado]

Hi everyone,

 

Budget (including currency): 1000$CAD

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: I mostly do coding (VS Code, RStudio), API manipulation, Office Applications and rarely gaming. Multitasking is very important, I usually have +4 applications and around 10 windows opened. 

 

Other details : (I am a complete noob with PCs)

I have been using a MacBook Pro for the longest time and I'm ready to add a desktop to my setup. I use macOS and Windows 11 (on my external drive for stuff that ain't available on macOS) but I intend to also use Linux for learning purposes. My daily issues are my memory (8GB) which is always near maxed and my CPU (Intel Core i5-8th gen) which struggles by time. I really don't care for aesthetics as long as it works well and even prefer no RGB. Bonus: it would be nice to have something that is easily upgradable and silent.

 

Heres my current setup : (no idea if this helps, just trying to provide as much information as possible)

Laptop - MacBook Pro (2020, 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports)

2 external displays - DELL S2722QC 4K USB-C 60Hz

Docking station - Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4

Keyboard - MX Keys Mini

Mouse - MX Master 3S

Portable SSD - Samsung T7 USB 3.2 1TB

Other - Raspberry PI 5 

 

I am planning on keeping my current setup but would like to add a desktop, hopefully everything works together. Any essential upgrade idea is also appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance!

[GraysonJ90]

11 hours ago, OneAvocado said:

Hi everyone,

 

Budget (including currency): 1000$CAD

Country: Canada

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: I mostly do coding (VS Code, RStudio), API manipulation, Office Applications and rarely gaming. Multitasking is very important, I usually have +4 applications and around 10 windows opened. 

 

Other details : (I am a complete noob with PCs)

I have been using a MacBook Pro for the longest time and I'm ready to add a desktop to my setup. I use macOS and Windows 11 (on my external drive for stuff that ain't available on macOS) but I intend to also use Linux for learning purposes. My daily issues are my memory (8GB) which is always near maxed and my CPU (Intel Core i5-8th gen) which struggles by time. I really don't care for aesthetics as long as it works well and even prefer no RGB. Bonus: it would be nice to have something that is easily upgradable and silent.

 

Heres my current setup : (no idea if this helps, just trying to provide as much information as possible)

Laptop - MacBook Pro (2020, 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports)

2 external displays - DELL S2722QC 4K USB-C 60Hz

Docking station - Dell Thunderbolt Dock WD22TB4

Keyboard - MX Keys Mini

Mouse - MX Master 3S

Portable SSD - Samsung T7 USB 3.2 1TB

Other - Raspberry PI 5 

 

I am planning on keeping my current setup but would like to add a desktop, hopefully everything works together. Any essential upgrade idea is also appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance!

It’s a bit over cost, but will do amazingly.                                                                                                                   https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/CGYwKq

[OneAvocado]

5 hours ago, GraysonJ90 said:

It’s a bit over cost, but will do amazingly.                                                                                                                   https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/CGYwKq

Thank you very much for your help!

 

This is amazing work and I like what I see. Budget is fine but GPU budget proportion is really killing me since I barely do gaming. My goal is to get something similar in terms of performance to the Mac Mini M4.

 

Couple questions in that regard: 

• In my area I can get a RTX 2070 Super (250$CAD used) or a RTX 2060 Super (140$CAD used) [benchmark comparison]. In general are used/refurbished GPU worth it? 
• Also, before making this post I was considering an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (320$ new) or a AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (430$ new) because of Single Thread rating [benchmark comparison]. Are those CPU overkill for my needs?

 

Thanks,

[GraysonJ90]

19 hours ago, OneAvocado said:

Thank you very much for your help!

 

This is amazing work and I like what I see. Budget is fine but GPU budget proportion is really killing me since I barely do gaming. My goal is to get something similar in terms of performance to the Mac Mini M4.

 

Couple questions in that regard: 

• In my area I can get a RTX 2070 Super (250$CAD used) or a RTX 2060 Super (140$CAD used) [benchmark comparison]. In general are used/refurbished GPU worth it? 
• Also, before making this post I was considering an AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (320$ new) or a AMD Ryzen 7 9700X (430$ new) because of Single Thread rating [benchmark comparison]. Are those CPU overkill for my needs?

 

Thanks,

A used 2070 super should be fine., Verify its trusted tho. The Ryzen 7 9700x is an amazing choice, so is the Ryzen 5 9600x. Will be great!

[OneAvocado]

2 hours ago, GraysonJ90 said:

A used 2070 super should be fine., Verify its trusted tho. The Ryzen 7 9700x is an amazing choice, so is the Ryzen 5 9600x. Will be great!

Thanks again for your tips. Very appreciated!

[GraysonJ90]

9 minutes ago, OneAvocado said:

Thanks again for your tips. Very appreciated!

No problem  Good luck with the build sir!