Posted: 7/11/2006 5:50:52 PM EDT
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Hey felllas, So I am starting a new job and they wanted me to give them the specs for a PC that would be used for software development, specifically .Net 2.0. What type of setup would you ask for? I am thinking the new Intel processor with 2 gigs of RAM What would you ask for specifically? I will be using this for heavy development of windows and web based software... |
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Development/programming isn't exactly taxing hardware wise. Any mid line set of hardware will be more then adequate. A cpu in the 2ghz range, a gig of RAM, and 100+ gb harddrive are all more or less standard features from the big online retailers at around a thousand dollars. Unless you have some specific software requirements beyond the .net dev kit, I can't picture you needing anything faster. A large monitor and high end graphics card could be helpful, if you plan on doing any sort of graphics design. A large monitor is allways a good idea actually. The case for RAID might be made, only because it is so cheap and easy these days. Of course, if you're new job is going to pay for everything, milk it. You may not need a quad SLI system, but it'd be more fun, no? -Local |
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Try to get one of the newer VIIV (sp?) processors from Intel. They use 60-70 watts for the dual core design instead of the 225+ (!!!) that the current gen (that is being discontinued) does. It will not be quite as fast, but if you get a SCSI disk and 4GB of RAM you will be just fine. Not having the roaring sound of a wind tunnel under your desk and the need for more AC just for your room is priceless. Frankly, I would get two, and use one for two VMWare sessions for debugging. I would get two monitors for each, one pair for work and the other two for the VMWare debugging box, with one VMWare console on each monitor. Good flat panels are cheap (ish) now, so get 4. |
DO you have a link? What is better.... Dual-Core Intel® Xeon® processor or Intel® Pentium® D Processor... I am far from a hardware guy but I need something very fast and something that will allow me to run many applications at once. They are already hooking me up with two monitors so I am good to go there. |
Both of those options will cook you. You want something with these processors: www.intel.com/products/processor/coreduo/index.htm These are pretty new and not out on too many platforms. |
Please explain how they will cook me? Like I said I am not savy on the new processors. If I can't go with what you suggested then what would be the next Intel option... |
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2X dual-core AMD Opterons will give you the ability to have a dual boot set up for both 32-bit and 64-bit single- and multi-threaded development. They are cheap. You can also run 32 or 64 bit database servers on that setup for development too. As long as they're giving you a blank check, make the most of it. No one will remember the cost of your workstation 6 months from now. |
I mean that they wiill be putting out close to 600 watts of heat under your desk. Both options run very hot. The best option would probably be the Xeons if you can't avoid it. As the other poster suggested, the newer AMD dual core low power chips are also excellent. |
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Gamer Infinity 7900 Pro You need to get one of these from http://www.cyberpowerpc.com They have the motherboard that can take dual video cards and are not terribly badly priced for what you get. Only prob, is that I can't seem to get more than 2 gig of RAM configured in the system, and you don't really need dual vids for software development. I would recommend getting you a midrange or high end Dell Dimension with the 3 year on site complete care warranty. That is what I buy for all my users at the office, and they use them for CAD. I get the best warranty possible so that I don't have to worry about them for 3 years, Dell comes within 24 hours and fixes them. |
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Opinions, opinions--- CPU--you want something faster-speed and dual-core, but AMD or Intel will do. .... RAM--is easy, just max it out. .... Hard Drives--ideally you want a Western Digital Raptor 10K RPM as your "main" C:/ drive that the OS and programs get installed on, and you want another 7200-RPM hard-drive as the paging/swap file drive so that you can remove the paging file from the C:/ drive. Yes that's right--you have a whole hard-drive that is ONLY used for the swap file, and the only swap file is on the second drive. IF you want another big HD for file storage, then you will need a third drive for that. .... Video Card--you will have dual monitors, so just get a gaming card that supports duals. Spend $100-$200 on whatever card there is. If they're getting you monitors that have DVI input, then get a videocard that has dual DVI outputs. .... Keyboards--are a personal choice. I'm an ergo fan, and the Kinesis contoured keyboards (~$300) are the top-dogs in the game [ www.kinesis-ergo.com/ ]. If you prefer the IBM-flat-style clickey keyboards, then PCKeyboard [ www.pckeyboard.com/index.html ] sells new, gov-spec copies for around $120 or so, along with some variations the old IBMs never had. ~ |
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Quad Opteron Dual Core Socket 940 2.5 Ghz 8 Gigs of RAM Dual PCI-E Nvidias 7800 A DVD Drive and DVD Burner A RAID 5 capable motherboard on SATA (make sure that SATA is bootable) 3 500 GB SeaGate SATA 10k RPM Hard Drives. 650W Antec Power Supply Dual Gigabit LAN Cards And DEMAND your own OC-3 Connection to the internet. |
If you are going to be using a lot of Visual Studio, then you want to cram as much memory into the machine as possible, and go for a powerful processor. |
no the 64 bit chips still run 32bit OS fine |
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this setup accentuates power and multi-tasking. But doesnt go overboard on GFX and sound. You could build this system, at newegg for $800-$900 total WITH monitors. BUT, your employers might want a warranty. So to cover your ass, find an equivilant system that Dell or Gateway produces and let them make the ultimate decision. viiv or pentium D (make sure it supports Hyperthreading) Sata2 3gbs, 160-200gb 1 gb ram DDR2 geforce PCI-E 6600gt with dual RGB outs, dont go with DVI monitors...they will bust the budget. two 19" LCD 8ms monitors basic case that is screwless 450 or 500 watt PSU with at least 20amps on the +12v bridge latest mobo that abit or asus or intel is offering, with onboard LAN, sound. Dont choose a gamer board though. Choose the model with the newest intel or Nvida Nforce chipset. $5 optical mouse $5 keyboard (but get good mice and keayboards for the execs) You need power, the more the better. I suggest that you get a copy of VMWARE on each of the systems. That way they can program and test their stuff on virtual PCs instead of your nice new system. |
NoYou can run whatever OS you want (verry fast). I am running an AMD 3200+ and Windows XP x64 bit edition and everything runs just as good or better (exept virtual pc) either 32 or 64 bit. 64 bit OS may not be perfect yet, but it is dang close to being the perfect transition OS before Vista. Price wise, I would go with an AMD dual core chip, but make shure you have XP pro or above (Suport dual processors), XP home does not. |
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2 - Intel Woodcrest 4 - 2gig FB Dims 2 - 4gig iRam disks running RAID 0 for boot/swap 5 - Seagate ST373454 (Set up RAID5) 1 - ADAPTEC - 2120S U320 1- ASUS DSBF-D/SAS 1-Nvidia 7950 1gb 1-Cisco GigE NIC and PIX 1- Creative SOUND BLASTER X-Fi Platinum Can be built for much cheaper than you could buy this config (If you can find it anywhere) |