help in choosing for college/university

Dea924

Dea924

Dea924

Associate
Joined
24 Sep 2010
Posts
679
Location
Thornaby a.k.a Middlesbro
I've recently re-enrolled into college to do a Software Computing course (coding, websites, html, photoshop etc etc) and after the initial year in college i'l be moving onto a 2year course at the local university.

What i'm asking for is if anyones done similar and can guide me into what i should buy to prepare for it, i'm thinking i'l either upgrade my pc (or buy a higher spec pre built system) from a 2500k, 12gb ram, 760gtx, ssd windows 7 system, to a better model, or i would buy a high spec laptop and keep this computer just for gaming and stuff, i know that the 2500k is probably quite slow in comparison to the newer cpu's that are used for coding nowadays, and i'd quite like to be able to get through work snappily without waiting forever for something to load.

So Suggestions guys?

Thanks in Advance :) x
 
Having a hi spec laptop would allow you to be mobile while coding/designing if you need to be mobile but as you are Planning on Teesside Uni and not flying to far away from the nest :) you could just as easily pimp out your desktop, this would allow you to maybe build a multi screen setup also.
 
that's what i was thinking, where as i'm sure teesside uni has decent enough set ups, they'l still feel a bit different to what i'm used too! I've been pricing up a pre built spec and come in at about £1500, but looking at that i don't even feel like i'd need the gfx, i'm using a 4gb version of the 760 (nearly a year old) and it still seems to be a very solid card in the options.
There was also a laptop on the main notebook page that was £1700 and looked espeically tempting, but as i'd be going for a finance option i need to make sure i know what i'm getting and that it will last me sufficiently enough!
 
Could you wait to see how your current system performs and if a laptop or better pc would be useful.
Waiting isn't fun to do but as it is a fairly large chunk of money being sure its right would be best if your current pic isn't up to it you can get a new PC very quickly with Overclockers so it shouldn't hold you back if your current PC isn't good enough.
If you don't buy straight away you could start saving the payments you would have being making into a savings account so when you do buy a new PC you don't have to finance so much.
 
Last edited:
Your current desktop is better than what I use in my job as a software developer. 2 or three screens is a must though. You might have the spec on one screen, vs on another and chome open on another to see the results of the code changes.
 
It probably does make more sense to wait and see how it copes than rush into it, I currently use 2 screens aswell altho they are different sizes so it's a little odd looking haha thankyou though guys, for the sensible ideas of not rushing to buy anything
 
If your system works out to be ok then get yourself 3 24" screens .... It's one of the best PC upgrades I have made in the past few years.

Lots of desktop space for multiple applications at once ...
 
Don't see anything wrong with your current spec. Is the CPU overclocked?

Only upgrade I would suggest is a new GPU.
 
Would there be a notable difference going to a 3770k though?
if i was to go the route of a new cpu i'd probably just upgrade the Mobo along with it aswell and sell what i use now on the members market or the bay for a some extra funds towards it.

also cpu isn't overclocked no, why only the gpu? I thought it was probably the saving grace of my pc haha even if it is nearly a year since i got it
 
The Gpu probably won't factor in much at all. What you'll probably be doing is compiling code a lot, which is cpu bound. You'll benefit from more cores and threads.

A 3770k is a good shout if your motherboard supports it, or there's a xeon equivalent which is better value for money if you're not going to be overclocking.

The next step up would be IB-E or Haswell-E for more cores/threads.

I find 16gb ram helps a lot as well.
 
i'm sat on 12gb ram currently, so i may swap out the 2gb sticks for another 2x4gb set to match the other one, and i'm also looking towards getting the 3770k + 2 new monitors to put along side, should be cheap in comparison to a full new system or laptop.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom