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Good morning guys and gals! I am brand new to this software and forum, but I'm sure that I will be immersed soon. I've only owned Affinity Photo for 2 days, but I'm seeing issues with my old computer. I am using my school laptop as my main computer because it is all that is available right now. It has 8gb ram, 4 core i7, and a 256gb ssd. The computer itself handles the work I do fine (no video stuff and only simple photo edits with a max of 10 layers, usually only exposure related slider stuff). However, the issue I run into is that the computer only has 3 USB ports [ (2)3.1s and (1) c-type]. Since I use external hdds for all my photos, a wireless mouse, and a dongle for sd cards, I max out my ports without any space for additional stuff. I have used the dongles that give 3 or so ports from a single usb-c port, but that is ineffective in my case, since my computer ejects the dongle rather than the sd card plugged into it. I want to build a PC that can easily handle the extremely light photo editing I do, but doesnt cost more than $500, at the most. (I know, that is like wanting a brand new Prius for 10 grand LOL). My problem is that being new to this software I dont know what it needs to run well and how powerful a CPU or GPU it needs. I am looking at AMD specifically, but Intel would work if it's better and not much more expensive. Here are the builds I am thinking about to start, maybe upgrade parts if I can. Entry level intel. Top of my budget and not the best CPU etc, but would probably work as well as my laptop. https://pcpartpicker.com/guide/hXzKHx/entry-level-intel-gaming-build The modest AMD build. I like this the best, but it is $140 over budget and 500 is really more than I should spend.... https://pcpartpicker.com/guide/csQzK8/modest-amd-gaming-build Entry level AMD. Closest to my budget and still pretty powerful. https://pcpartpicker.com/guide/GFLrxr/entry-level-amd-gaming-build I already have a case that housed an hp Pentium computer. The specs state that it is a mid tower ATX. NOT microATX. I dont know if I could use that for one of these micro atx builds or if it is a totally different hole pattern etc. Basically, I need to know: 1. Do I need a GPU? If so how powerful? Will a ryzen integrated iGPU work? 2. How powerful of a CPU? If I get a Ryzen 5 with iGPU, will that work or do I need a heavier combo? 3. If I can use the existing PC case from my mom's old computer. (She upgraded to a chrome book so the PC is just sitting around taking up valuable shelf space.) I figure if I use it, it saves $30. Also, the psu should still work fine... 4. Peripheral stuff like psu, ram, etc. Thank you. I know this is a long post, but I need to figure this out soon so I can start looking for the parts. Again, i mostly want the computer for photo stuff. I have an xbox, so no games planned unless I get the "modest" AMD, then nothing too graphics heavy. I'm in engineering school, so I MAY use CAD software, but probably not a whole lot. Thanks again.