Building a small, fast VESA PC

[RichardsD]

Hey everyone:

 

My dad, bless him has a 2011 Imac with a Core 2 processor that really sucks.  It's huge, slow, and he doesn't even like the massive resolution 2560 x1440 display.  

 

So, I'm going to build him a new PC that's cheap, small and fast.  He does not want any "big box" in his words on the floor or on the desk.  He would not enjoy a laptop.

 

I want to find some kind of Gigabyte Brix sized PC that I can mount on a VESA mount to the back of a monitor.

 

So, my requirements are such:

 

• PC monitor that has a mount for a micro PC
• or a method to mount it otherwise
• Ability to mount a 2.5" drive
• at least an i3 and 4gb RAM
• No more than $400 for the PC and $200 for the monitor

Thanks guys!

 

**Also, If there's a barebones micro-pc kit, that's fine.  I'll build if needed.

[olback]

Intel NUC?

[The Official Czex]

Gigabyte Brix.

[olback]

Something like this? http://www.ncix.com/detail/intel-nuc-i3-4010-hd-4400-3c-93099-1366.htm

[grayblizzard]

Hey everyone:

 

My dad, bless him has a 2011 Imac with a Core 2 processor that really sucks.  It's huge, slow, and he doesn't even like the massive resolution 2560 x1440 display.  

 

So, I'm going to build him a new PC that's cheap, small and fast.  He does not want any "big box" in his words on the floor or on the desk.  He would not enjoy a laptop.

 

I want to find some kind of Gigabyte Brix sized PC that I can mount on a VESA mount to the back of a monitor.

 

So, my requirements are such:

 

• PC monitor that has a mount for a micro PC
• or a method to mount it otherwise
• Ability to mount a 2.5" drive
• at least an i3 and 4gb RAM
• No more than $400 for the PC and $200 for the monitor

Thanks guys!

 

**Also, If there's a barebones micro-pc kit, that's fine.  I'll build if needed.

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-BOXD54250WYKH1-Core-i5-4250U-Graphics/dp/B00HZDLNWO

 

and

 

http://www.neweggbusiness.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9B-24-009-483&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleBiz-PC&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleBiz-PC-_-pla-_-LCD+%2f+LED+Monitors-_-9B-24-009-483&gclid=CjwKEAjwkK6wBRCcoK_tiOT-zFASJAC7RAribjKkR7s1ZvJ2VNqWoyQxlu1BFMWHI9NObWM3WZxUqxoCo0Lw_wcB

[Mohenjo]

why not give it a little umph so your dad dosnt feel like its sluggish, and theres no need to spend 200 dollars on a monitor 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($170.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($40.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($48.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($53.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($23.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($21.99 @ Newegg) 

Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($139.99 @ Best Buy) 

Total: $500.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-30 12:55 EDT-0400

[iamdarkyoshi]

http://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/desktops/hp-prodesk-600-g1-desktop-mini-pc-(energy-star) They use these at my old work. They can mount to the back of a vesa monitor with their bracket (sold separately) But they arent thin clients, they are full fledged PCs. But they cost too much.

[RichardsD]

Intel NUC?

 

What are the mounting options for NUCs?

[RichardsD]

 

why not give it a little umph so your dad dosnt feel like its sluggish, and theres no need to spend 200 dollars on a monitor 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($170.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($40.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Memory: Kingston Savage 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($48.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($53.99 @ NCIX US) 

Case: Xion XON-310_BK MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($23.98 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($21.99 @ Newegg) 

Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($139.99 @ Best Buy) 

Total: $500.92

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-09-30 12:55 EDT-0400

 

That build is fine, but I need something small enough that it mounts on the back of a monitor, and honestly my dad doesn't need that much power..

[Mohenjo]

That build is fine, but I need something small enough that it mounts on the back of a monitor, and honestly my dad doesn't need that much power..

ah i see, good luck with that 

[olback]

What are the mounting options for NUCs?

I have no idea, i  know that they exist, that's all