Want second opinion on laptop vs chromebook/desktop combo

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($111.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus Z170M-PLUS Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($34.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($84.88 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($45.89 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($159.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($48.99 @ NCIX US)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $635.60
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-30 12:53 EDT-0400


I used an I3 to keep the price down. I picked a Z-170 based Micro ATX board to match the case and give the Z170 features and DDR4 RAM. I uped the power supply to the much better B2 compared to the B1 series. I then upped the video card to the much better GeForce 960.

I didn't pick a case since it wasn't available. But I would go with the Fractal Design Node 804. it's a nice little Micro ATX Cube case around $70. It includes 3 120mm case fans so I didn't add any extras.

I removed the keyboard and mouse since you speced a wireless kit. For a living room I'd only go bluetooth for wireless since it'll have reach to hit the couch. Otherwise I'd go wired.

Another build would be to go AMD 6300 with 6 cores. Get a 990FX based board and overclock. It'll overclock better than your 970FX board and 8300 series CPU. But you need am aftermarket cooler with that, plus your sister won't really be into overclocking. And the board is only DDR3. I'd go with the more modern Skylake that is cool and efficient and reliable.

Another reason I choose that motherboard is that it has 2 PCI-E connectors. Many boards only have a single one right below the video card so when you install the wireless card it's jamed right against the video card fans. This board allows you to keep a space between them. I just took an Asus and didn't look at other brands.

Once you add the case your hovering around the $700 budget. You could also up the I3 to a faster model if the budget allows, or even an I5. But if the husband wants to game the Geforce 960 is a better choice and is very efficient. It will work for 1080P while the Radeon 960 is better at only 720p. I went with a cube case, but if a HTPC case is desired then go ahead.