Best 2D graphic design build under $500-$600?

Hey everyone,

It looks like it’s finally time for me to build a new PC, so I was hoping you guys could help me find a real "best buy" setup.

Here’s what I’m really looking for:

-A 256 GB SSD
-A 2TB HDD
-16 GB of RAM
-A case with at least 2 fans. I’m currently using a Cooler Master Z1 and honestly, I’ve been super happy with it.
-I’ve been an Intel guy for the last 20 years, so I’d love to stick with Intel if possible.
-A decent processor (nothing that's going to overheat on me!)
-A motherboard with both HDMI and VGA outputs.
-A quiet power supply.
-I haven't really needed a dedicated graphics card so far. This machine will mainly be for 2D graphic design and acting as a media server where I stream movies to my TV via Code. I don't have any plans to use it for gaming.

The big thing for me is making sure Photoshop or Illustrator doesn't take forever—like, I don't want them sitting there for 30 seconds just to open up.

I’d prefer to order through an online retailer that offers a service to assemble all the components for me.

My budget is around $450, though maybe I can push it a little higher toward $500 if the extra cost is actually worth it.

I don't need any peripherals, just the tower itself.

Thanks so much in advance!

1 * Intel Core i5-9400 (2.9GHz, 9MB, LGA1151) box
password: BX80684I59400SR3X5 - $599

1 * MSI B365M PRO-VDH Motherboard
password: B365M_PRO-VDH - $240

1 * Patriot Viper Steel, 3000MHz, 16GB (2x8GB), CL16
password: pat-pv416g300c6k - $233

1 * WD Blue 3D NAND SATA 2.5" SSD 500GB
password: 0130776 - $213

1 * Seagate BarraCuda 3.5" HDD (2TB, 7200RPM, 64MB, NCQ, AF, SATAIII), bulk
password: HDWD120UZSVA - $185

1 * Corsair CX450 PSU, 450W, CX Series
password: COR-CP-9020120-EU - $172

1 * Corsair Signum SG1 Midi-Tower ATX Case, no PSU, black
password: 44252 - $86

1 * LG GH24NSD1 sat Bulk Black 24 x Optical Drive
password: 0120465 - $45

1 * ARCTIC P12 Silent Fan, 120mm, 1050 RPM
password: 050.908.725- - $15

Total: $1788
Discounted Total: $1609

futura-it.com

I think there's an extra 2% discount for forum members

unfortunately I5 9400 is quite a bit pricier than the 9400F which lacks integrated graphics.

It wouldn't actually cost you much more to grab a 9400F plus something like a GT1030. Honestly, going with an AMD processor would be cheaper for a better CPU and GPU combo, but then you'd be stuck dealing with a VGA adapter for the output.

P.S.

This is a higher-end power supply. Can't say for sure if it's any quieter, though.

https://www.newegg.com/p/power-supply/product/

Corsair Signum SG1 Pure Black case, no PSU included (P/N: SPC229)
Patriot Viper Steel, 3200Mhz, 16GB (2x8GB), CL16
SilentiumPC Vero M2 600W Bronze Power Supply (P/N: SPC166)
MSI B450 Motherboard (AM4, 4xDDR4 slots, 1xPCI-E X16, 2xPCI-E X1, USB3.2, USB2.0, 4xSATA III, 1xM.2) B450_PRO-VDH_MAX
Inno3D GT 1030 2GB GDDR5, INO-N1030-1SDV-E5BL
256GB ADATA SX6000 Lite PCIe M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
Seagate BarraCuda 2TB 3.5"
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.60GHz Socket AM4 CPU
Hitachi/LG GH24NSD1 SATA Bulk Black 24x Optical Drive

Total price: $1664 - Downtown

crimsonstag84 said:Signum SG1 Pure Black Case (No PSU included) P/N: SPC229
Patriot Viper Steel, 3200Mhz, 16GB (2x8GB), CL16
SilentiumPC Vero M2 600W Bronze P/N: SPC166
MSI B450_PRO-VDH_MAX Desktop Motherboard (AM4, 4xDDR4, 1xPCI-E X16, 2xPCI-E X1, USB3.2, USB2.0, 4xSATA III, 1xM.2)
Inno3D GT 1030 2GB GDDR5, INO-N1030-1SDV-E5BL
ADATA SX6000 Lite 256GB PCIe M.2 2280 NVMe SSD
Toshiba P300 2TB 3.5"
AMD Ryzen 5 3600 3.60GHz Socket AM4
Hitachi/LG GH24NSD1 SATA Bulk Black 24x Optical Drive

Total: $1664 - Best Buy

👍👍

but for similar cash, this PSU is better:

https://www.bestbuy.com/fortron-power-supply...ronze-atx.aspx

Or for just a bit more

https://www.bestbuy.com/power-supply-silence...-n-spc139.aspx

+ you'll need an adapter if you actually need a VGA output

Thanks so much to both of you for those suggestions...

A dedicated VGA port isn't really a dealbreaker for me since my monitor handles both HDMI and VGA inputs just fine.

I was wondering, performance-wise, which way would be the better move: going with the I5 9400F + GT1030
or picking up the AMD Ryzen 5 3600 + GT1030

To be honest, I’ve always stuck with Intel and never had a single issue, so I guess I’m a little biased toward them! But hey, if the AMD option offers a massive jump in performance for the same price, I might just reconsider and go that route.

edit: Just looking at some benchmark tests now, and it looks like the AMD setup actually beats out the i5 quite a bit!

The R5 3600 is significantly more powerful. Same core count, but it features SMT (similar to Intel HyperThreading)

Supposedly Photoshop prefers Intel, but honestly, with this current generation (like the R5 3600), that advantage isn't really a thing anymore. You won't run into issues, and Ryzen is definitely better for futureproofing.

By the way, if you're looking to save some cash, you could just look at the previous two generations. Still 6-core/12-thread, same socket.

You won't notice much of a difference. The R5 3600 is the best buy of this generation, but those older chips offer even better value.

https://www.amazon.com/amd-cpu-desktop-cooler/s?k=amd+cpu+desktop+cooler

https://www.amazon.com/amd-ryzen-5-2600/s?k=amd+ryzen+5+2600

If you don't need a VGA, just forget about it.

If you're trying to hook up a second monitor to a GT1030 by using both the HDMI and DVI ports, just grab a passive DVI to HDMI adapter. It's easy, costs maybe 10-$$6.75, and it's way cheaper than a VGA adapter which has to be active.

wiredotter14 said:The R5 3600 is actually quite a bit more powerful; it has the same core count, but it features SMT (which is pretty much like Intel HyperThreading)

Also, people always say Photoshop prefers Intel, but honestly, I feel like with the current generation (like the R5 3600), that advantage isn't really that big of a deal anymore. You shouldn't run into any issues at all, and I'd say the Ryzen is definitely the better choice if you want to be future-proof.

By the way, if you're looking to save some cash, you could even look back at the previous two generations—they still have the same 6-core/12-thread setup and use the same platform.

In principle, you probably won't even notice a difference. While the R5 3600 is the best buy for this generation, those older processors might actually offer even better value.

https://www.amazon.com/amd-cpu-desktop-cooler/s?k=amd+cpu+desktop+cooler

https://www.newegg.com/amd-ryzen-5-2600/p/N82E16832116303

If you don't actually need a VGA connection, then I’d say just forget about it entirely.

If you're trying to hook up a second monitor to the GT1030 by using both the HDMI and DVI ports, you can easily grab a passive DVI-to-HDMI adapter. Those usually only cost around 10-$$6.75, whereas a VGA adapter has to be active and ends up being a bit pricier.

I actually have this exact monitor.

https://www.dell.com/en-us/lp/monitor-series

It has an HDMI 1.4 port, but my GT graphics card has HDMI 2.0. Does that matter? Everything should work fine, right?

Anyway, thanks a ton to both wiredotter14 and crimsonstag84! I think I'm going to go with the AMD + GPU combo.

P.S. Do PC cases already come with fans included?

wanderingnomad45 said:I've got this monitor.

https://www.dell.com/ng/business/p/d...8hn-monitor/pd

It uses HDMI 1.4, but the GPU has HDMI 2.0. Does that matter? Will everything run fine?

Anyway, thanks a lot to both wiredotter14 and crimsonstag84. Looks like I'm going with the AMD + GPU combo.

ps. Do the cases come with fans pre-installed?

Yeah, you're good. HDMI is backward compatible, and 2.0 just handles higher resolutions better.

I threw an extra 120mm fan into mine. Usually, those cases just come with one rear exhaust fan already in there.

Given that this build draws about as much power as a lighter (honestly maybe 100W max, 150W theoretical), you don't really need an extra fan. But if you want one, tell them to install it in the front as an intake.

Like https://www.newegg.com/p/example-case-link

That one spins relatively slow, which is actually what you want for a case fan—to keep things quiet.

Oh man... thanks so much!

The R5 3600 actually outperforms the I5 9400 when running Photoshop; it boasts superior IPC along with higher clock speeds. In fact, if you bring an i5 9600K into the mix for comparison, the Ryzen still comes out on top overall.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/ar...X-series-1529/

The Signum SG1 comes equipped with two fans, one in the front and one at the back.

crimsonstag84 said:The Signum SG1 actually comes with two fans—one in the front and one in the back.

From their official site:

The stock setup features a single Sigma HP 120 mm fan, though you've got seven extra mounting spots if you want to upgrade.

1 * AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor code
Code: 0400496 - $603

1 * Asrock B450M PRO4-F
Code: 0202248 - $229

1 * Patriot Viper4, 3000Mhz, 16GB (2x8GB), CL16
Code: pat-pv416g300c6k - $233

1 * Palit GF GT1030, 2GB GDDR5
Code: pal-1030-2gb - $248

1 * GIGABYTE SSD 256GB, M.2 2280, NVMe 1.3 PCI-Express 3.0 x4, 3D NAND TLC, 1700MBs/1100MBs, 5Yr., Retail
Code: GP-GSM2NE3256GNTD - $129

1 * HDD desktop Toshiba P300 (3.5 2TB, 7200RPM, 64MB, NCQ, AF, SATAIII), bulk
Code: HDWD120UZSVA - $185

1 * Riotoro BUILDER EDITION PSU 500W 80 Plus White
Code: RIO-PR-BFX500-EU - $128

1 * Hitachi/LG GH24NSD1 sat Bulk Black 24 x optical drive
Code: 0120465 - $45

1 * Zalman T6 Midi-Tower ATX case, no PSU, black
Code: 44252 - $86

1 * MS PC COOL Fan, 12cm black, 1000rpm
Code: 0151209 - $13

Total on installments: $1900 (-2%=$1.75)
Total cash price with discount: $1710 (-2%=$1.75)
Free assembly and shipping

wiredotter14 said:From their website:

My mistake, I mixed it up with the AR5 model.

"The dual-chamber design really helps with airflow, especially since there are these big vents right on the front and the top of the case. Depending on the Corsair cases, either one or two Cooler Master units are pre-installed though you can always add more if you want, maybe up to 8 fans total."

https://www.techpowerup.com/253079/s...-to-the-masses

I was actually falling down a YouTube rabbit hole yesterday watching a bunch of unboxing videos, and it seemed like everyone had two fans included. To be fair, those were mostly the TG models with the tempered glass side panels, which I think cost a little bit more.

Specifically, this one comes with three fans already built-in, and honestly, the price looks pretty solid. I guess my main question is: can you actually turn off the lights on the fans?

Then there's this other one, which also has three fans but doesn't have any LED lighting at all, making it even cheaper.

Can't turn off the fan lights—just pick the ones you like best.

This S2 looks solid.

wiredotter14 said:You can't actually turn off the fan lights; I guess you just have to pick whichever color looks best to you.

This S2 looks pretty awesome

👍

I wonder if there’s enough room in there for an air fryer? I don't see any slots or anything.

Let's just set that aside for a second 😬 The T6 features it, but the S2 and SG1 don't.

https://www.newegg.com/zalman-mid-tower-case-zalman-z1-neo/p/P1N50-10L2-0

This one has it.