[Nicd]

As for the GPU, does it really change with what the CPU is? I think with Linux it mostly comes down to which has the best drivers.

Them's fighting words!  :D

Thanks for the feedback. I'm really interested in what you're saying about the R7 1700... wanna take a look at lovedfriend's shopping list and adapt it appropriately for the R7?

I don't understand that first joke. But for the shopping list, I'm not really a computer builder. It took me months to build my new one and I'm still not sure if I made the right choices. If there's enough money, I'd probably get an X370 board for the overclocking power / future proofing instead of a cheaper B350 board. 16 gigabytes of RAM is the absolute minimum IMO. Don't cheap out on the PSU, at least semimodular is good so you don't have useless extra cables. I have the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 650W and it's 80+ Gold and has a silent fan up to a point, at least I like it. Also no floppy power cable (it's an adapter).

[Robbie Ferguson]

I don't understand that first joke. But for the shopping list, I'm not really a computer builder. It took me months to build my new one and I'm still not sure if I made the right choices. If there's enough money, I'd probably get an X370 board for the overclocking power / future proofing instead of a cheaper B350 board. 16 gigabytes of RAM is the absolute minimum IMO. Don't cheap out on the PSU, at least semimodular is good so you don't have useless extra cables. I have the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 650W and it's 80+ Gold and has a silent fan up to a point, at least I like it. Also no floppy power cable (it's an adapter).

Don't make me explain my joke   Someone will get it, and giggle.

Yes, I too use TT PSU's (the high end ones). Our unraid server has the multi-rail toughpower 850W, 100% modular. I would not buy a PSU for this system that is not modular (cable management).

So you're leaning toward ASUS for the mobo as well? In my mind, I'd look at ASUS or Gigabyte. But again, my build experience is a bit outdated.

[Nicd]

Well I did not even mention mobo manufacturers. I have a Gigabyte AB350 Gaming 3 myself, but can't really extrapolate based on it. Would have to compare what the different mobos have, but they are mostly the same. Gigabyte's mobos have nice RGB LEDs at least!

[Sasha]

I'm really so happy and honoured that you are all helping me so much with this. I am trying to gather up as much info as I can as we go along! You are all so incredibly knowledgeable, I feel way out of my league...but super happy to be amongst ypu geniuses
This computer is going to rock!
Side note, I'm trying to attach pictures of our set up now...but having some slight technical issues (I think I may be doing it wrong).

[Garbee]

I went through and specced out a system on Amazon. This is all USD links, but most of it should be available in Canada as well I hope.

The List

This does not include a keyboard/mouse. I left enough headroom that the one Robbie recommends should fit just fine.

Intel Core i7-7740x https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072KT...=cat5tv-20
MSI Arsental Motherboard https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071WM...=cat5tv-20
FSP Windale CPU Cooler https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07255...=cat5tv-20
ARTIC MX-4 Thermal Compound https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045J...=cat5tv-20
Kingston HyperX Fury RAM https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00TPQ...=cat5tv-20
Kingston 240GB M.2 SSD https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BCE...=cat5tv-20
Kingston HyperX Savage 480GB SSD https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W35...=cat5tv-20
ZOTAC GeForce GTX 1060 GPU https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KKJ...=cat5tv-20
Corsair RMx 850W Power Supply https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015YE...=cat5tv-20
Thermaltake Versa C22 Snow Edition Chassis https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LZ5...=cat5tv-20

Grand total in cart: $1,576.40 USD which equals about $2016.92 Canadian dollars.

So *slightly* under budget but not by much. But enough that if you feel the need to wiggle some components, like maybe a better GPU or an extra/larger HDD up front you can do it.

The Breakdown

The heart of the system is the Intel i7-7740x. VR ready CPU with plenty of cores to help push a 4K TV output. You'll be just fine here for a good while unless VR systems begin to require big leaps in requirements shortly.

The CPU is going to sit within the MSI Arsenal motherboard. This is a full ATX size board with plenty of expansion availability. With a built in sound card that supports 7.1 and SPDIF out, you're going to be fine on sound without an extra card.

The cooler for the CPU is a Windale air cooler. Honestly, this is because it is the only air cooler I could find for the CPU socket of the 7740x. Water cooling needs more maintenance over time replacing the liquid. Unless you're overclocking, just avoid that need.

This next bit is completely optional. Artic thermal compound. This is used in between the CPU package and the cooler to transfer heat better. While the cooler comes with a small packet of compound, I've often found squeezing that out difficult. For $7 at this level of a build, it's a no-brainer to just get something easy to apply. Robbie may also have some compound you can use, don't be afraid to ask.

The RAM is 16GB of Kingston Hyper X Fury. High performance and 16GB is the bare minimum for VR. This is a 4 pack of 4GB sticks. The motherboard has 8 slots for RAM, so you'll only use one full quad channel. So plenty of place for future expansion as budget allows later if you find yourself needing more.

The primary OS SSD is a Kingston M.2 factor with 240GB capacity. Plenty of space for the OS and your primary software to operate as fast as possible.

Follow up the OS drive with a dedicated SSD for data. That is a 480GB Kingston HyperX Savage. It will hook into a SATA3 port for the best performance. SSDs are super reliable. No need to RAID these. Still, make sure you have a backup or two on other systems of critical files RAID or none. 480GB is plenty of space to start for games and plenty of media content. With plenty of expansion available for more SSDs later in life if needed.

The video card is a GeForce GTX 1060 from ZOTAC. VR-ready in a small package with 3GB of RAM. Not an overly-abundant amount of power but enough to get what is required done.

All of this is powered with an 850 watt modular power supply from Corsair. 80 plus certified to minimize power waste. Simple supply from a trusted brand. If you can find a comperable Thermaltake then go for it. I went with this since it is fully modular and I found it quickly enough. Modularity lets you only have the cables in the box that are required to run the system, so it helps things stay cleaner.

This all fits inside of the recommended Thermaltake Versa C22 chassis. With plenty of space to expand with more components later if you end up needing more resources.

[Robbie Ferguson]

I was very close to switching the build to a Ryzen 7 1700 with a MSI X370 XPOWER GAMING TITANIUM Motherboard for two reasons: 1) most power for the price, 2) future-ready socket.

However, I studied and read several benchmarks and reviews... the benchmarks are pretty impressive for the price point, but one thing continually stands out to me: stability.

I'm going to lean toward stability here and stick with the Intel i7. We don't want Dave & Sasha having problems with the computer crapping out on them randomly after segfaulting or having other strange issues.

Thanks for all your input thus far, folks.

(PS - Wrote this at the same time as Garbee was writing his, but he beat me to the "Post" button - so reading his now)

[Robbie Ferguson]

Amazing suggestions, Garbee - thanks!

We've been speaking in the chat room, so a lot of conversing back and forth... but essentially here are the thoughts:

1. I love the 2066 socket for forward compatibility, but as you pointed out in IRC, chances are by the time they're ready to upgrade the CPU, they'd want a new mobo anyways.
   
2. I'd like to see a more hefty GPU.
   
3. Can't find a CPU cooler in Canada for the 2066 [yet] - so perhaps should stick to the 7700k.
   

Thanks!

[Robbie Ferguson]

Speaking with Sasha, we need to add WiFi (though I'm trying to talk her into hard-wiring) and change the chassis / keyboard / mouse to black.

[Robbie Ferguson]

New Chassis selection:
Thermaltake Versa C22 Black Edition
http://amzn.to/2fYY2ll ($99.99)

New Keyboard / Mouse selection:
TENMOS F1 Wireless Gaming Keyboard and Mouse Combo Set with Waterproof Keyboard and Wireless computer Mouse for Mac/PC/Laptop（Red&Black）
http://amzn.to/2uYGpc2 ($39.99)

[Garbee]

Since we decided in chat to switch to the more widely supported CPU, here are my updated recommendations for what is affected by that change...

Processor is now the Intel I7-7700k ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXS...=cat5tv-20 ).

The Motherboard is switch to an ASUS ROG MAXIMUS ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JCX...=cat5tv-20 ). This has great sound built in, and M.2 port to keep the same SSD for the host OS, and a great little debugger built in to help diagnose problems. Well worth the few extra dollars compared to alternative comparable motherboards. Plus, free mousepad. The RAM then becomes a single 16GB stick from Kingston ( https://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Technolo...B01D8U2BX2 ). I chose this since 16GB is the minimum for VR and this leaves you 3 open slots for more memory later. Going dual-channel (with 2x8GB) isn't going to net you enough benefit on performance to justify it. Keep your extra slots open for later use. You can go with a simple Thermaltake air cooler ( https://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Conta...=cat5tv-20 ) that is advertised as silent. So that should help some with sound output. And since the CPU, Mobo, and Cooler saved extra dough, upgrade the GPU to a 6GB memory one ( https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-GeForce-ZT-...=cat5tv-20 ) for an improved VR/4K experience.