new build for dev/games

[peterobinson815]

Looking at something like this - for dev on windows/linux and some games (pubg, battlefield, fallout, no mans sky), will dual boot win11/linux - comes in around 2.5k

Currently have 3x1080 monitors but likely to upgrade to 2x1440 ... maybe 3x1440 ... or one of those huge 49in jobbies ... or 2x4k .. dunno I have no idea, whichever works best for dev (which is why I haven't changed monitor config in like 15 years)

current box is ~7 years old - i7 9700, gtx 2070 (which just died!) 32gb ram
before that i7 2600k 970gtx originally built around 2012

Case
FRACTAL POP SILENT CASE SOLID (BLACK) (5.25 in drive bay for bluray writer)
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Eight Core CPU (Up to 5.2GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5)
Motherboard
ASUS® PRIME X870-P WIFI (AM5, DDR5, M.2 PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7)
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 6000MHz CL30 (2 x 32GB)
Graphics Card
16GB GIGABYTE RADEON™ RX 9070 XT GAMING OC - 2 x HDMI, 2 x DP
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2, PCIe 4.0 NVMe (up to 7450MB/R, 6900MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB SAMSUNG 990 PRO M.2, PCIe 4.0 NVMe (up to 7450MB/R, 6900MB/W)
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ ATX 3.1, MODULAR, CYBENETICS GOLD
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS ARGB HIGH PERFORMANCE CPU COOLER

 

[sck451]

What kind of dev work are you doing? Web dev? Compiling the Linux kernel? Something in between? They have very different hardware requirements.

Also, for gaming, you really need to decide what you're going to do with your displays, because you need to tailor your graphics card choice to match. I'd be inclined to get a really good 1440p display, and use that for gaming, and maybe use two of the 1080p displays as secondary displays in the first instance, and then you can always upgrade them later if you find the need. What kind of money might you spend on the display?

Finally, can you post the whole spec including config link as in this guide:

How to Post Your Specification to the Forum - Check this Spec

When creating a forum post looking to discuss a PC spec there's a really simple way to post the spec in question here. IF YOU HAVEN'T ORDERED ONE YET AND ARE LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON A BUILD follow this step. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ORDERED AND ARE ASKED FOR SPECS follow the next post. Click the...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[peterobinson815]

What kind of dev work are you doing? Web dev? Compiling the Linux kernel? Something in between? They have very different hardware requirements.

Also, for gaming, you really need to decide what you're going to do with your displays, because you need to tailor your graphics card choice to match. I'd be inclined to get a really good 1440p display, and use that for gaming, and maybe use two of the 1080p displays as secondary displays in the first instance, and then you can always upgrade them later if you find the need. What kind of money might you spend on the display?

Finally, can you post the whole spec including config link as in this guide:

How to Post Your Specification to the Forum - Check this Spec

When creating a forum post looking to discuss a PC spec there's a really simple way to post the spec in question here. IF YOU HAVEN'T ORDERED ONE YET AND ARE LOOKING FOR ADVICE ON A BUILD follow this step. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY ORDERED AND ARE ASKED FOR SPECS follow the next post. Click the...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

PCSPECIALIST - Configure the AMD Am5 PC to your ideal requirements.

PCSpecialist is an award-winning manufacturer of high quality custom PCs & Laptops. Configure the AMD Am5 PC to your ideal requirements.

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

(just noticed, I think the cpu cooler is wrong for that)

dev is dotnet / python - mostly backend, some web/frontend - I've not recompiled the linux kernel since the mid-90s when it took a weekend to get the sound working, I don't want to do that again. spec is overkill really but I'd rather buy a machine that will last a while.

as for the displays - I'd rather upgrade them all at the same time - the mismatch in resolutions between different monitors would kill my brain, I'm just not sure if I want 4k or 1440 .. or one ultrawide .. I think I'd need to try them first... I have 2x1440 + laptop screen at work which is kind of ok. I'll stick with the 3x1080 for now tho

 

[sck451]

The cooler is fine, and the dev work isn't too intensive, especially in a multicore way, so the 9800X3D will do a great job.

I'd really suggest making your mind up on the displays, because you don't want to end up with a mismatch between display and graphics card. You might easily end up overspending on the graphics card (if you stay 1080p) or being underpowered for the display (if you go 4K/superultrawide). It's really essential to decide what resolution you're planning on before you buy a new GPU.

With all that said, here's what I'd suggest if you're going to end up on 1440p:

Case
FRACTAL POP SILENT CASE SOLID (BLACK) I'm a little wary of this case as it's not got the best airflow. The parts you have aren't super hot, but I'd suggest changing this. If you don't want RGB, I'd suggest getting the Fractal Pop Air with "send in your own case"
Processor (CPU)
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D Eight Core CPU (Up to 5.2GHz/104MB w/3D V-CACHE/AM5) Great CPU and remarkably efficient to boot
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING B850-PLUS WIFI (AM5, DDR5, M.2 PCIe 5.0, Wi-Fi 7) I've taken this down to the B850 model: it won't make a difference unless you need X870 features like the extra PCIe and USB speed - but don't get the Prime model in any case
Memory (RAM)
64GB Corsair VENGEANCE DDR5 6000MHz CL30 (2 x 32GB)
Graphics Card
16GB GIGABYTE RADEON™ RX 9070 XT GAMING OC - 2 x HDMI, 2 x DP Great for 1440p/ultrawide 1440p, overkill for 1080p and underpowered for 4K
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 6500MB/sW) Smaller boot drive
1st M.2 SSD Drive
4TB CORSAIR CORE XT MP600 NVMe PCIe M.2 SSD (up to 5000 MB/R, 4400 MB/W) Massive secondary drive, a bit slower but it won't make a difference in reality
Power Supply
CORSAIR 850W RMx SERIES™ ATX 3.1, MODULAR, CYBENETICS GOLD I'd at least consider the 1000W model at this budget
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead, 1.0mm Core)
Braided Power Supply Cables
CORSAIR Premium Individually Sleeved PSU Cable Kit Pro - Black/White This is expensive and I'd personally drop it if it meant I could get more in my budget: it's purely aesthetic
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR NAUTILUS 240 RS ARGB HIGH PERFORMANCE CPU COOLER Ample for the 9800X3D
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
ONBOARD 2.5Gbe LAN PORT
Wireless Network Card
NONE OR ONBOARD Wi-Fi (MOTHERBOARD DEPENDENT)
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence If you have an existing Windows licence, you can transfer it and save around £100
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour) Worth it for a fiver
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 7 to 9 working days
Price: £2,557.00 including VAT and Delivery
Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/amd-am5-pc/DRVwy2ENVd/