New Build Suggestions

[mpsparrow]

I am considering building a new computer. Currently I am using a laptop for my daily school work and whatnot. It works, although it can't really handle the double monitor setup I have. So I think it has come time to build a desktop computer. That way my desktop can be used while I am home, although I can still keep using my laptop when I go out. I am mainly going to use this desktop for graphical design, websites, school work, light video editing, that sort of thing. I won't be doing any real gaming on this desktop. Maybe some Minecraft or something light like that, but nothing else.

 

My main criteria is as follows.

• I don't have a huge budget. Try to keep it in the $1000 - $800 CAD range.
• Try to keep the size of the case as small as possible. I have limited space so the smaller the better.
• Combining both a SSD for OS and a HDD for files would be nice. I don't need a ton of storage though as I do have access to a NAS. If I have a terabyte of storage that should be enough.
• At least 8GB of ram. Would be nice if I could have the option to upgrade later to 16GB or even 32GB of ram if need be.
• I don't do any gaming really, although it needs to have a powerful enough graphics card to drive my two monitors (and possible a third monitor later on).
• An Intel or AMD processor will work, as long as it is at least quad core.

I could build a pcpartpicker.org list myself, although I am curious to see what you guys can come up with. Please keep it all in Canadian dollars as I live in Canada.

[Inserity]

I'll take a shot at it. I went ITX:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/9Nb9TH
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/9Nb9TH/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($254.98 @ DirectCanada) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9x65 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($67.00 @ Vuugo) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($139.77 @ Amazon Canada) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($41.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($112.98 @ DirectCanada) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.75 @ Vuugo) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($53.00 @ shopRBC) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.00 @ shopRBC) 
Total: $818.46

 

The case is pretty small but you could change it out for whatever.

Integrated Intel 530 graphics can run 2 monitors, even 3. But there's $ left to add any graphics card.

[Lolz456 Tech]

I have a design myself but it is in USD (US Dollars) The link is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/34W7ZOMTJ9085/ref=cm_wl_list_o_0

It is $200 USD but i ran it through a converter and got $261.85 CAD

Pretty Cheap

[mpsparrow]

1 hour ago, Inserity said:

I'll take a shot at it. I went ITX:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/9Nb9TH
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/9Nb9TH/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($254.98 @ DirectCanada) 
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9x65 33.8 CFM CPU Cooler  ($67.00 @ Vuugo) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H170N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($139.77 @ Amazon Canada) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory  ($41.98 @ Newegg Canada) 
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($112.98 @ DirectCanada) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.75 @ Vuugo) 
Case: Cooler Master Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($53.00 @ shopRBC) 
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($89.00 @ shopRBC) 
Total: $818.46

 

The case is pretty small but you could change it out for whatever.

Integrated Intel 530 graphics can run 2 monitors, even 3. But there's $ left to add any graphics card.

Nice... I think I would want a graphics card. I like the case and motherboard you chose.

 

1 hour ago, Lolz456 Tech said:

I have a design myself but it is in USD (US Dollars) The link is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/34W7ZOMTJ9085/ref=cm_wl_list_o_0

It is $200 USD but i ran it through a converter and got $261.85 CAD

Pretty Cheap

Lol, I think I would need something a little more powerful then that. Nice budget build nonetheless.

[Inserity]

3 hours ago, mpsparrow said:

Nice... I think I would want a graphics card. I like the case and motherboard you chose.

Depending on how much power you want you go with something like a GTX 750Ti/950 or R7 370/wait for the RX480. You would be limited on the size of GPU because of the case but there are plenty of small cards out there.

 

And you could help stay within budget by dropping the CPU to a 6400, cheaper cooler (I personally wouldn't use stock cooler though), and maybe a cheaper motherboard. But decent ITX boards can be expensive.