The short story is that my laptop, which has served me well for 7 years, has finally reached its end-of-life. I'm thinking this time around rather than get another heavy-power laptop I'm going to instead build a good desktop and just keep a light laptop around and remote into the desktop when necessary.
Now, I haven't kept up with computer hardware over the past year and a half or so, so it's probably best to assume everything I know is obsolete and that I know almost nothing. I have some general requirements, but nothing's fixed.
I'm also going to use this thread to ask any questions I have and to post the build (with pictures!) when it's done, so please be patient with me. I'd like to make this a learning experience since it's the first time I'm actually building a whole PC from scratch; please do not get offended if I ask why you picked a certain brand or if I link to another part that happens to be on sale and ask you if it is any good compared to the one you chose.
Now, with all that aside, the basic run-down:
- Need everything inside the case, including the case itself. Motherboard, CPU, GPU, RAM, HDD, the works.
- My budget is $1000 CAD, but this isn't set in stone. I could go up to $1300 if the parts are worth it. Exchange rate from CAD to USD is pretty bad right now, so for USD probably it should just be $800-$1k.
- I have about $500 set aside separately for two 1080p screens, and recommendations on those would be appreciated. I would prefer smaller screens though, nothing over 23 inches; my room is quite cramped and there just isn't space for two large screens. Whatever leftover money from the screens can go towards the rest of the build, if need be. IPS please, not TN.
- I would like a quiet rig, even if it costs more. I get distracted easily by loud noises.
- CPU: A beefier CPU would be appreciated. My work is mainly in programming but I find that I spend a lot of time twiddling my thumbs waiting for code to compile or unit tests to complete, so any speedups in this department would be great.
- Cooler: Priority is noise > cooling. I've never set up a liquid cooling kit before, but am willing to learn if it's recommended.
- PSU: No preference.
- Motherboard: No preference.
- GPU: My preferred gaming resolution will only be a single 1080p screen (have the other screen with Skype open and whatnot), though I do play some modern titles and would like to get 60 FPS.
- RAM: 8GB please. No real preference otherwise.
- HDD: No preference. I don't use up a whole lot of space, so 1TB would be fine. I'd love to get me a 1TB SSD, but I don't know if that can fit in the budget.
- Case: I've heard a lot of great things about the Fractal Design Define R4 and I love the way it looks. That being said, if there are similar cases for the same or lower price then I'm sold on those too.
Alright, I think that's everything. Thank you to anyone that helps!
None.