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<h1>Stack Overflow Developer Desktop Build - 2016</h1>

<p>One of the things we're big on at Stack Exchange is hardware - we love it. More importantly, we love <i>not waiting on it</i>.

With that in mind, we upgrade our developer machines every 2 years. In case it helps anyone else, I'm posting our current parts list here.

This isn't set in stone, we review and update it to the latest tech every time we build a machine. We also customize the build for each developer if needed - for example those needing extra space or specific display connections, etc. I'll try and keep this page updated as we make changes.

</p>

<p>If you're wondering about laptops: yes, we use those too. You can buy what you want to work with. Most prefer a beefy desktop and a laptop to remote in, or switch their desktop and laptop refreshes every 2 years (alternating what they spend most on). Some just want the beefiest laptop they can get. Laptops are mostly <a href="https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/">Retina MacBook Pros</a> (16GB RAM, 1TB Drives, max procs). Not all laptops are rMBPs though, some prefer a <a href="https://www.apple.com/macbook-air/">MacBook Air</a> or an <a href="http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-systems/razer-blade">Razer Blade</a>...or something else entirely.

</p>

<p>Monitors are not on here because they're usually a separate purchase rarely made at the same time. Most of our developers use 3x 30" <a href="https://amzn.to/2frWkCZ">Dell UP3017s</a> (whatever the current 30" model is), but this also varies widely. Some prefer the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LG-Electronics-34UM95-34-Inch-LED-Lit/dp/B00JR6GCZA">LG 34" 21:9 UM95 widescreens</a> for example. Lately, 4K and 5K are becoming more common. We're hoping some single-cable 5K monitors (DisplayPort 1.3+) start arriving, then they'll be practical too - right now they're a connectivity issue. Keyboards &amp; mice are much more varied - the <a href="https://amzn.to/2fuYIfD">CODE keyboard</a> quite a few devs use (yeah, we all have various switches) but everything is very much personal choice for looks, ergonomics, etc.</p>

<p>Make special note of the memory here. DDR4 is still changing, and it's shifting with every build we do. For the big memory users (VMs, SQL, redis clusters, machine learning, etc.), we are going with a 128GB setup. For lighter workloads, we may only get 64GB since it's so easy to add another 64GB later. Why do we get 128GB? Because for under $250 more, if you need more than 64GB it's <i>so cheap</i> compared to anything else to increase productivity. It's a very easy barrier to buy your way out of.</p>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41tUoL1SfrL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1TP90H3">Intel Boxed Core i7-6900K Processor (20M Cache, up to 3.70 GHz) FC-LGA14A 3.2 GHz 8-core BX80671I76900K</a><br/>

We don't get the i7-6950X because though it has 10 cores, they are clocked lower and the price increase is crazy. You're much better off with a Xeon v4 in that range.

</td>

<td>$1,027.68</td>

</tr>

<tr>

<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5130hF6q-6L._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1UjRZz4">Asus X99-PRO/USB 3.1 Motherboard, Intel Socket 2011-v3 Core i7 Processors, 8x DIMM, Quad Channel Memory</a><br/>

There are sevreral X99 options out there, but this offers a great mix of IO connectivity, 128GB RAM, and the dual PCIe 4x M.2 flexibility, and at a reasonable price.

</td>

<td>$237.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41rVp90QE3L._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="http://www.geforce.com/hardware/10series/geforce-gtx-1080">NVIDIA GTX 1080 8GB GDDR5x Graphics Card</a><br/>

High-end because driving 3 monitors isn't trivial. Additionally, we do tag engine processing on the GPU, so developers working on this code need a current CUDA GPU.

</td>

<td>$699.00</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51g8Qw7CpRL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

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<a href="https://amzn.to/1O2ZrSm">Crucial Ballistix Sport LT 64GB Kit (16GBx4) DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) DIMM 288-Pin - BLS4K16G4D240FSB</a><br/>

An alternative for the wary is <a href="https://amzn.to/1TP8poP">the Corsair 128GB kit</a>, coming as a single set tested together. These prices <a href="http://camelcamelcamel.com/Ballistix-Sport-16GBx4-PC4-19200-288-Pin/product/B01B4F3MNQ">fluctuate a lot</a> (and vary by color), shop around!

</td>

<td>$457.32 <span class="quantity">(x2)</span></td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51IuAuphmfL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

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<a href="https://amzn.to/1UfODww">Corsair CC600TWM-WHT Special Edition Graphite Series 600T Mid Tower Gaming Computer Case - White</a><br/>

This case is on the large side, but it's extremely easy to work in. There's also a newer full tower 780T also in storm trooper colors edition, <a href="https://amzn.to/1XNHclT">available here</a>.

</td>

<td>$149.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81Qjq4qFgiL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

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<a href="https://amzn.to/2g7H6o4">Samsung 960 PRO Series - 512GB PCIe NVMe - M.2 Internal SSD (MZ-V6P512BW)</a><br/>

OS Drive: 3500MB/s read &amp; 2100MB/s write - 330k IOPs for each. But, this isn't always reliably in stock; A fallback is the previous <a href="https://amzn.to/1RUuHOe">Samsung 950 PRO Series</a>.

</td>

<td>$329.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41fw65-8tpL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1TIHpBV">Samsung 850 EVO 1TB 2.5-Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-75E1T0B/AM)</a><br/>

Data drive, good enough for most local database or scratch work. Note: it does <i>not</i> have a capacitor, so I use a <a href="https://amzn.to/1eWftNx">APC BR1500G</a> with an <a href="https://amzn.to/1eWfxww">expansion pack</a> for UPS.

</td>

<td>$324.99</td>

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<tr>

<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/919CTnDZxFL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

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<a href="https://amzn.to/2mxAx0q">Seagate 4TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive (ST4000DM005)</a><br/>

Slower/bigger data drive - I recommend backing up the Samsung 960 Pro OS drive weekly to this drive, with built-in Windows backup.

</td>

<td>$120.97</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EN0dCedpL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

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<a href="https://amzn.to/2mxTmAJ">Corsair RMx Series, RM750x, 750W, Fully Modular Power Supply, 80 PLUS Gold Certified</a><br/>

For those electing to run dual GTX 1080s, we bump this to a <a href="https://amzn.to/2mxSegi">1000W</a> model.

</td>

<td>$109.95</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/315Jigh7OlL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1FCgoZY">LG Internal UH12NS30 BD-ROM Blu-ray Optical Drive</a><br/>

Optional - only if you need an optical drive.

</td>

<td>$55.69</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41QwZkFDVNL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1ImwSs8">ICY DOCK ToughArmor MB996SP-6SB 6 x 2.5 SATA 6Gbps HDD / SSD Mobile Rack / Cage in 1 x 5.25 bay</a><br/>

For mounting all your SSDs easily in a front bay. Read is 2x 4pin molex for power and 6x SATA.

</td>

<td>$82.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51GGy8K2QBL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1HeWBUX">Noctua NH-U12 S for Intel LGA 2011,1156,1155,1150 and AMD AM2/AM2+/AM3/3+,FM1/2 Sockets, U Type, 5 Heatpipe,120mm CPU Cooler</a><br/>

Many of us have a larger <a href="https://amzn.to/1dnadkM">Noctua NH-D14</a>, but it's very tight on fit. The NH-U12 should fit most boards and leave RAM accessible.

</td>

<td>$57.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41TO3umk0IL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/2gkOEHb">Silverstone Tek Sleeved Extension Power Supply Cable with 1 x 8-Pin to EPS12V 8-Pin Connector (PP07-EPS8B)</a><br/>

Needed to reach the top of most motherboards in the 600T case.

</td>

<td>$9.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/314YGJ5SHML._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/1dmzOu8">Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 3.5 Grams</a><br/>

The heat sinks listed come with thermal grease applied. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself - just leave this off.

</td>

<td>$7.44</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41hGRiV5h-L._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/28TajTy">Motherboard 20pin to Dual USB 3.0 Female Cable Adapter 0.8Feet (0.25Meters)</a><br/>

To plug in the 600T's pass-through USB 3.0 from the front panel.'

</td>

<td>$9.99</td>

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<td><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51BvDDrukSL._SS96_.jpg" alt=""></td>

<td>

<a href="https://amzn.to/2mxAUIm">Monoprice 108782 18-Inch SATA 6Gbps Cable with Locking Latch, Blue (3 Pack)</a><br/>

Extra cables to hook up all ports in the 6x SATA cage above.

</td>

<td>$5.98 <span class="quantity">(x2)</span></td>

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