PC hardware forum: Newbie - Design Strategies Needed

If you want something that is pretty easy to deal with as far as a case is concerned look at the Antec 900 series. I have had good results with this particular box. As far as motherboards are concerned there are several manufacturers that are good. I personally like the Gigabyte boards used with an Intel processor, there is MSI, Asus and others. Use a decent power supply something with sufficient capacity to do some tasks, a guess would be something around 600 watts (true power) should suffice unless you are building a monster. Do a little research, particularly on motherboard(s) You will want enough memory capacity (slots) USB3 and other such capabilities, such as HDMI (which may require an aftermarket PCI-e slot card.) There are other considerations such as hard drive and DVD/RW drive. As far as hard drive capacity is concerned, again shop around. Many of the ready made maufacturers are offering 1TB drives standard, some even more and that is a lot of storage capability. As I mentioned earlier, I like the Intel processors but there is nothing wrong with AMD, some prefer them over the Intel, a matter of choice. If you use Intel use the i-5 or i-7, again depending upon your needs and budgetary considerations. There are several how to's on the internet, do a little research before you get too carried away. Several of the forum guys here are major builders, they may have different ideas, everyone does but for the most part most, such as Bob Proffitt give great advice based on years of building and maintaining systems. Best of luck!!

Is the monitor part of the budget?

The case; I have no preference but except the metal case must be at least 0.8mm (I just don't like flimsy case). If space is not a problem then I probably get a mid-tower. As for top/bottom PS, to tell you the truth, I have never encounter a bottom PS. I also will go with a minimum of 600 watts.

Building a computer isn't all that hard (everything is modular), except when the darn thing don't power up, hehe, that's when help might be needed. That's when you want the expert build it for you. Good luck.

Once I read the filter I knew you would be hunting for this part for a good part of your quest.

Since you want this, you'll have to find it and will pay a few hundred more to folk to make it.

Why won't a normal desktop work for you?
Bob

in my opinion, of course. Unless that includes a 25 inch monitor

I think it would be easier and potentially more cost effective to order a machine from a regular PC maker. My personal favorite is HP. You can have it "built to order" on their web site (hpshopping.com) and you are guaranteed that the components work together so you don't have to risk incompatibilities between components. BTO pc's on HP's site start around 300 or 400 bux (without monitor) and generally take about a week from time you order to delivery.