I am an amateur programmer. I have basic knowledge of ‘C’, ‘C+’, FoxPro and Visual Basic(VB).
*Currently, my PC configuration is*
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
Gigabyte 7VKML Motherboard
512 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM
GeForce 2 MX 400 with 64 MB RAM
(80+ 40) GB Hard Disk
HP8200 CDRW 4x4x32x Drive
LG 52x CD-ROM Drive
Intex 56.6 KBps Modem
Creative Sound Blaster Live Sound Card
Pinnacle TV Tuner Plus Add-on Card
Floppy Drive
A well ventilated cabinet with 2 Add-on Fans
Creative Inspire 2.1 Speaker System
17” LG Flatron E700s Monitor
TVS Gold Keyboard with Logitech Mouse
Philips Headphone SBC HP200
HP 920c Photo Quality Printer
Microtek V310 scanner
Local Webcam
I have listed you my current configuration not b’cas I want to show off my PC but b’cas nobody, who uses the PC for a specific purpose, use it for only that specific purpose. I mean if you buy a PC with a view of Cheap and Workable PC for a VB programmer than you will be in a lot of trouble later. You will definitely use your PC for listening to music, for printing some documents and for internet and much more. The fact that you are a programmer makes the list longer as you will also do a lot of Research & Development(R&D) on your PC. So if you are a programmer, than also you have to buy with a view of the latest components available.
*Now about the basics….*
In VB( or any language) programming, its not that only you will write code or draw buttons but definitely you will use many other components and references which comes as an add-on and can be heavy to your system. Along with that if you have a habit of listening to the music while coding, then your PC should posses the power to run two or more programs smoothly. So, in my view, you should opt for a cheap and decent PC which can be considered latest but will not be heavy on your pocket.
*I will start by talking on Processors….*
You have mainly 2 platforms - AMD and Intel. I am a hardcore fan of AMD processor and will definitely advice you to buy an AMD AthlonXP 2400 or more with an ASUS nforce2 based motherboard. Obviously, if your friends are insisting on Intel, than you can buy a P-IV but make sure that you buy a P-IV 2.4 with HT Technology or its above range with an ASUS/Intel manufactured 865PE/875 chipset based motherboards.
If you are on a tight budget than you can go for AMD Athlon XP 1800+ with a MSI VIA KT400 based motherboard but I will definitely don’t suggest you to buy an Intel which is not on HT Technology.
*Next Comes the RAM*
Here the funda should be the more the merrier. Yeah. Start with at least 256 MB DDR RAM and nothing less b’cas you will not achieve a good performance if you buy less than 256 MB RAM. If you have more bucks than go for 512 MB DDR RAM.
The second thing here is to buy a one piece RAM instead of 2 modules of RAM.
Third thing should be never buy SD RAM as they are outdated. Go straight to DDR RAM.
*Next the AGP Card*
If you want to play games sometime only and don’t want to work with Photoshop or other heavy Graphic based Applications then you don’t have to buy any add-on AGP card as the on board AGP card will be sufficient for this much.
But if you play games regularly or even plan to use graphic intensive applications then you should buy at least GeForce 4 MX 400 Graphic Card. Obviously if your pocket can shell out more than you can go for a latest one like ATI9800 pro or GeForce FX 5900. The AGP card should support AGP 8X interface and should have minimum 64 MB of onboard RAM.
*About Hard Disk*
Go for at least an 80 GB hard disk(Samsung or Seagate). Don’t go for 40 GB as the value for money will be more for 80 GB.
*CD-RW Drive*
Buy a latest 52x CD-Writer from a good company(Sony, Samsung or LiteON). It will be very useful for programmers as now-a-days no one use floppies. Even floppies are more costlier than a CD. A CD will also give u very good value for your money and the good thing is CD-Writers are available for around Rs. 2000 now-a-days.
*Now the Sound System*
If you want to listen clear crystal sound with good effects than you can buy a good Creative Inspire Speakers. If you don’t want to spend that much money then too you can go for an AD-Com based sub-woofer system which will cost you around 450 bucks in Nehru Place. Onboard Sound Card is enough for listening to music and watching movies but if you want to have a what can I say clear and cool sound system than you can but a sound card too. I will recommend you to use the onboard Sound Card as it is more than enough.
*Time for Monitor…*
As I have said in my previous article in MouthShut.com that please buy at least a 17” monitor as you will not enjoy your new system without a good and big screen. A 17” monitor will cost you around 2000 bucks more than 15” but will give you more worth. For more information regarding this you can read my article(“Monitor is the face of PC. Get a good one“).
*For Keyboard*
I will suggest to each and everyone that pls buy a good keyboard as it will give you more value for money rather than if you buy a cheap one. I will suggest TVS Gold for programmers and for the one who don’t type that much can go with a normal Logitech keyboard. Obviously if you have got more purchase power, you can go for Microsoft Natural Keyboard which are Excellent but expensive. Never go for the cordless one as you have to use battery in the keyboard and which will never be economical.
*For Mouse*
I will suggest to go for Logitech Optical Mouse. They are the best I have tried so far. Here also pls avoid the cordless mouse as you have to use batteries.
*I think I have given my view on the PC for programmers. Now I will give you a normal configuration which according to me should be a decent PC Configuration for programmers and even for all*
AMD Athlon XP 2400+
MSI KT400 based motherboard / ASUS nforce2 based motherboard
At least 256MB DDR RAM(in one piece)
80GB Hard disk(Samsung or Seagate)
A 52x CD-RW Drive(Sony/Samsung/LiteON)
A 52x CD-ROM Drive(Sony/Samsung/LG)
A 17” Monitor with at least 1280*1024@75Hz(refresh rate)(Samsung/LG/Sony/ViewSonic)
Creative Inspire 2.1 Speakers
A 56.6 Kbps Modem
A TVS Gold Keyboard
A Logitech Optical Mouse
Hoping this article can help many programmers with their buying decisions…
Keep Smiling.