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Resolved Question

Which processor to use?

May 12, 2015 8:13AM PDT

Hello everyone,
I am looking to build my first PC on my own and want to use a quad-core processor for my PC. The main purpose for my PC is to do hard-core programming with Linux as well as using large amounts of data analysis software. For CPUs, I am trying to decide on the right i7 processor for my needs that fits a 300 $ budget. I have narrowed down to an i7-4790 or a i7-4770, but other Intel models or AMD models may be better for me. Are there any suggestions as to what I should use for my build?

-Thanks

Discussion is locked

kman29 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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That i7 is top shelf.
May 12, 2015 8:17AM PDT

Why not go with that?

You can compare the CPU at CPUBOSS (see google) if you can't pick the winner.

As to the rest. I rarely build or use desktops anymore. Why a desktop?
Bob

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Purposes of building PC
May 13, 2015 5:05AM PDT

I am looking to build a desktop as a beginner because I think that it is a tool in handy that will stay with me for the rest of my life. I will be able to utilize it during high school as well. The reason I am not choosing to build a laptop is because that is more difficult to do with all the smaller parts.

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The future looks to be other than desktop.
May 14, 2015 1:22AM PDT

The office is now down to a single digit number of desktops versus 98% laptops.

Let's take a look at a common tool. I'll pick the hammer. While you could make your own hammer, it doesn't really imply you have the skill to use it. Also, you may want more than one hammer for the job at hand.

For college you'll find you'll want a laptop after all.
Bob

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And then you have gamers.
May 14, 2015 1:48AM PDT

The desktop is still king for gaming. No where else can you pack in so much power.

But here's where it gets tricky. Some folk don't admit they are doing this to push up the game power. They try to tell parents and others it's for other reasons. Those other reasons fall apart fast. Why not admit it's to built a glorious gamer PC?
Bob

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Not the gaming kinda guy
May 14, 2015 5:38AM PDT

To be honest, the only gaming that I really do is the occasional NBA 2K game which is on my Xbox 360 console. I have never done any PC gaming. This build will last me through high school and I may take it to college depending on my major. I am considering building a laptop, but I already have a great laptop (which I am typing this up on). It is a Lenovo X230 (which I bought from store) with a nice i5 vPro CPU and Windows 7 downloaded. It is a fast reliable laptop mainly used for light Python programming, word processing, and web surfing. For college, I do agree that I will want a nice laptop for all of my studying needs.

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Here's what I wrote a lot of software on.
May 14, 2015 6:02AM PDT
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How about motherboard?
May 14, 2015 10:43AM PDT

I also have a question about which model you would go with for a motherboard. I need an high quality ATX in the range from $100-$200.

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Tomshardware did tests on board performance years ago.
May 14, 2015 10:59AM PDT
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Build info
May 15, 2015 6:55AM PDT

I think that I have an idea as to what I will be using.
<span id="INSERTION_MARKER">http://pcpartpicker.com/p/pr3XBm
I already have a 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage available.
Please make suggestions to the parts.

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Why the dated GPU?
May 15, 2015 7:04AM PDT
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New card
May 15, 2015 11:05AM PDT

I will be buying this one instead:
XFX Radeon R7 260X 2GB Core Edition Video Card

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I don't know how good the MSI boards are, but...
May 14, 2015 4:24PM PDT

there manual (if you can call it that) is very lacking.

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Main Reason
May 13, 2015 5:11AM PDT

I would like to build a desktop so I can use this task as tool that will likely come in handy during the rest of my life. I will also need a good amount of power supply and CPU power (as well as 16 GB RAM) for my programming at home as well as in advanced programming at high school. A laptop would not meet these requirements. Anyways, thanks for the help!

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check linux sites
May 14, 2015 12:07PM PDT