Can Steam Machines work well for Graphic Design

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vannestn

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Dec 15, 2014
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Hello, I'm new to this community, and I am currently beginning the process of planning a new PC build.

I want to spend about $400-$500 on building a new desktop (excluding the cost of an operating system), preferably one that is physically small in size. I will mainly be using CAD, photoshop CS6, and drawing on my Wacom tablet. I was hoping you could recommend a build that would let me upgrade it in the future (RAM, CPU), and one that I could also use as a Steam Machine to play a variety of games.

I'd really appreciate your advice as I have never built a computer before. I don't know enough about computers to know how to build one inexpensively that will be able to last a long time with small upgrades over the years.
 
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Xyos

Xyos

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Oct 5, 2009
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A steam machine is not ideal for a 3d workstation PC. You will be limited on certain components if you go for a small form factor Steam machine. For your work you want a good graphics card, at least 16 gigs of memory, and a decent CPU. The gtx 970-980 is what I am thinking. 400-500 dollars will not build you a good graphics design PC. I do 3d work myself, photoshop work, and zbrush work. You need a decent system for that.Expect 1000 dollar range.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Starting point, with room to upgrade.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.78 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Zeus Yellow 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($122.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT BF ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $492.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-15 11:25 EST-0500
 
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vannestn

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Yeah maybe it is a bit much to ask for a small size. Well what about negating that criteria, are there some better options available?
 
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price_th

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I'm sorry to say but for CAD, drawing and gaming your budget is going to come up short. That kind of graphics you're looking at a minimum of $150 for just the graphics card alone. You may want to consult a experienced friend on building a system of this nature being it's your first build.
 
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logainofhades

logainofhades

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Small form factor can still be quite powerful. You can go Mini ITX, with a GTX 970, easy.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($122.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($43.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 550W 80+ Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $518.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-15 11:33 EST-0500

Could easily be changed to

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($238.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M-ITX/AC Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($92.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Dark 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Twin Frozr V Video Card ($349.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($43.99 @ Directron)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSC0B DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $983.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-15 11:37 EST-0500
 
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vannestn

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Dec 15, 2014
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Preferably it would be a $500 setup, 8 GB RAM, a good CPU, have a good graphics card, but it would be able to be upgraded down the road for greater performance. I'm assuming the key aspect of that necessity is the motherboard, something that would be able to accept a second graphics card, and a RAM upgrade to 16GB,
 
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