What I ended up ordering...

[PennySavre]

Here is the hardware I ended up getting:

Intel NUC with 2.5" support:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZDLNWO/?tag=tec06d-20

8GB dual-channel DDR3L Crucial:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LDLVAO/?tag=tec06d-20

500 GB 7200RPM notebook HDD:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ISKS416/?tag=tec06d-20

Intel wireless card:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IOS19E6/?tag=tec06d-20

Viewsonic 20" 1600x900 Monitor with Speakers:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AGQ4WHA/?tag=tec06d-20

VGA to mini Displayport cable:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DRK73IM/?tag=tec06d-20

Logitech K400 Touch Keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DKZTMG/?tag=tec06d-20

OS: Linux Ubuntu (you read this right)

Now someone recommended me not to get the i5-4250u in their opinion. But I found an Anandtech article showing small improvements from the HD 5000 and I believe Anandtech's gaming performance scores over synthetic benchmarks and these were at 1366x768 and the target platform wasn't even cooled very well I don't think. I think I can reach close to peak clocks myself. And if I'm wrong, I'll still be getting a smaller desktop. I just have to take this chance. I know I can be stubborn sometimes.

Okay so does everything else look okay?

 

[AsRock]

WOW 350$ for the cost of that just build a low end second parts desktop but that's imo. Have you looked at the FAVI keyboards to they are pretty dame sweet only issue i have had with mine is with a ROKU 3.

here's the one i have and it's been really nice to use
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0090BTY8Y/?tag=tec06d-20

 

[PennySavre]

Meh, an A10 Kevari system would have been a teensy bit faster but about the same price.

Motherboard - $60
Processor - about $150 for A10
Case - $40
Power supply - $40

I'd rather pay the $60, or less since I was figuring low, and not have to build from scratch and I would probably have had to get a bigger form factor than this NUC. I agree it is a little costly though, and I still appreciate the feedback.

 

[AsRock]

Well make sure you get the right one as there is one is HDD compatible and the other is not. And for the one that is HDD compatible ( casing, which i believe you do have ).

And still think the FAVI beats the hell out of the keyboard you picked just were the mouse buttons are makes it much better let let a lone the battery life backlit ( which works really nice ) and the key presses are really nice ( not membrane) .