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Small PC build.

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  • 29-03-2011 10:12pm
    #1
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭


    Hey I'm looking to build a small but powerful PC. Ideally I'ld like something around the size of a mac mini but I don't think I can get a good PC that size.

    I'm basically looking for something with a small cube chassis, 2nd gen i5 or i7 processor, a nvidia GPU and a SSD (doesn't need to be massive, 80GB should do, 120gb would be preferable). Budget of around 600eur...

    I'ld like it to be fast to handle photoshop, video and animation editing without much problem. I'm not going to be playing much games on it as I've got my PS3.

    I'm not sure if I'm going to remain in Ireland after the next 2yrs so I don't want to invest in a full size PC. I'm looking for something small that if I have to move around, I can easily carry in a bag. And also something I can upgrade over time. If not I could have just gone for a laptop...

    I have a good monitor already I use with my PS3 so don't need to buy one.


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    #2
    IrishMetalhead
    Registered Users Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭IrishMetalhead


    you may want to consider a different cpu because there arn't many itx motherboards for the second generation of core cpu's yet and the one's that are out are abit harder to find, could go with a matx but i still don't feel there small enough to exactly call small form factor as most the case for matx are still fairly large and mostly mid tower

    Edit: Also an SSD and Sandybridge i5 would put you massively over budget because I was looking around for you on HWVS and a 80gb will cost you €140 plus the cheapest i5 the 2300 is just over €150 so getting the 2 together on a budget of €600 just isn't possible unless your not needing the OS


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    #3
    sink
    Registered Users Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    If you're not going to be playing games do you really need an Nvidia GPU? The latest intel processor have integrated graphics which are fairly decent for desktop applications, and are actually better than discrete graphics cards for certain HD video editing due to a new feature called quicksync.

    Silverstone SST-SG05B Sugo ITX inc 300W PSU - €80.99
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28593&agid=1199

    ASUS P8H67-I DELUXE Rev 3.0, Intel Sockel 1155, mITX - €117.21 - not in stock yet
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41293&agid=1605

    Intel Core i5-2500K Box, LGA1155 - €177.46
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41224&agid=1617

    4GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1333 CL9 - €36.94
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38050&agid=1192

    OCZ SSD 80GB SATA 2,5' Vertex 2 - €141.74
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=42396&agid=1145

    LiteOn DS-8A5S SATA Slim DVD+/-RW - €25.44
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44947&agid=699

    Total = €579.07

    If you definitely want an Nvidia GPU you will have to make compromises elsewhere to keep it around €600 as you would need a more powerful PSU


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    #4
    IrishMetalhead
    Registered Users Posts: 1,185 ✭✭✭IrishMetalhead


    sink wrote: »
    If you're not going to be playing games do you really need an Nvidia GPU? The latest intel processor have integrated graphics which are fairly decent for desktop applications, and are actually better than discrete graphics cards for certain HD video editing due to a new feature called quicksync.

    Silverstone SST-SG05B Sugo ITX inc 300W PSU - €80.99
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28593&agid=1199

    ASUS P8H67-I DELUXE Rev 3.0, Intel Sockel 1155, mITX - €117.21 - not in stock yet
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41293&agid=1605

    Intel Core i5-2500K Box, LGA1155 - €177.46
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41224&agid=1617

    4GB Corsair XMS3 DDR3-1333 CL9 - €36.94
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38050&agid=1192

    OCZ SSD 80GB SATA 2,5' Vertex 2 - €141.74
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=42396&agid=1145

    LiteOn DS-8A5S SATA Slim DVD+/-RW - €25.44
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44947&agid=699

    Total = €579.07

    If you definitely want an Nvidia GPU you will have to make compromises elsewhere to keep it around €600 as you would need a more powerful PSU

    Was looking at that mobo to recommend but I saw it was out of stock hence why I said there hard to get which they are =/


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    #5
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    Cheers for the info sink!

    I'm willing to stretch the budget a bit if its worth it...

    I've been looking at mini-atx and micro-atx motherboards.

    I like this motherboard:
    http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-452-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1907
    (its out of stock but I'm in no hurry really...)

    What do you think is the smallest case I can find which can fit this + a nvidia GPU and a SSD. I could do with an external CD/DVD drive and an external PSU too...

    I'm looking for the smallest package I can manage here...


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    #6
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    If you go mITX and want a low-mid-range nVidia GPU nothing less than a Sugo SG05 will do, and even then you wouldn't want to be OCing anything! A compact mATX system will be twice the size and weight. At least :eek: And there's just no realistic way to fit the GPU and Sandy in a tiny €600 budget.

    If you can rely on integrated alone there are smaller, lighter enclosures you can get away with. No OCing due to H67 mobo but you wouldn't have a lrage enough PSU or thermal envelope to do so anyway :o


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    #7
    sink
    Registered Users Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    I have never seen a Mini-ATX motherboard for sale, just Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. The Mini-ITX form factor is significantly smaller Than Micro-ATX and so are Mini-ITX cases, if your main criteria is size I would stick with Mini-ITX. I also have never seen a case without space for an internal PSU and space for an internal optical drive. The case I recommended above is about as small as they come for self built systems. You can get smaller pre-built PC's mainly based on low power Atom processors, but they're definitely not suitable for photo/video/cgi production.

    If you can stretch you budget you could pop up to a GTS 450 in there without replacing the PSU (according to the manufacturers website)

    Point of View GeForce GTS450, 1024MB DDR5 - €92.76
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38060&agid=707

    Don't forget to add shipping (€30 from HWVS) and an OS if necessary (Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit - €84.33)

    With all that your looking at close to €800 and HWVS are usually the cheapest!


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    #8
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    There are some mITX cases that use oversized external power bricks like the XBox360 (the older versions of which had power bricks going up to 180W!) which is all you need if you're running a frugal quad, one HDD, DVD and integrated audio and graphics ;)


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    #9
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    What do you think of this build:

    SilverStone SUGO SG05:
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=28593&agid=1199
    81eur

    ZOTAC H55-ITX WiFi - motherboard - mini ITX - iH55
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=32772&agid=1402
    104eur

    Intel i5 2500K
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41224&agid=1617
    177eur

    What's the difference between these:
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=44875&agid=707
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=45044&agid=707
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=45046&agid=707
    The specs look pretty much the same...
    140ish eur

    Corsair XMS3 memory - 4 GB - DIMM 240-pin - DDR3
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=38050&agid=1192&lb
    37eur

    OCZ SSD 80GB SATA 2,5' Vertex 2
    http://www3.hardwareversand.de/artic...2396&agid=1145
    141eur

    LG CT30N Super Multi Blue - DVD±RW (±R DL) / DVD-RAM / BD-ROM drive - Serial ATA
    http://www4.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41264&agid=856
    71eur

    Total = 756eur

    Looks like I've blown the budget a bit... But don't you guys think it'll be a sweet build??

    I might need to invest in some cooling as well...


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    #10
    sink
    Registered Users Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    Motherboard is LGA1156 and not compatible with the new intel LGA1155 chips.

    The more expensive graphics cards are factory overclocked, but even a stock GTX 550 is probably too much for the PSU to handle, you would really be pushing it. The most I would be semi-confident with would be a GTS 450.

    Be careful when buying a CPU cooler make sure that it will fit in the case. If you're not going to overclock (you won't be able to with that PSU and a H67 mobo anyway) and you're on a budget I wouldn't say it is necessary.


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    #11
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    sink wrote: »
    Motherboard is LGA1156 and not compatible with the new intel LGA1155 chips.

    The more expensive graphics cards are factory overclocked, but even a stock GTX 550 is probably too much for the PSU to handle, you would really be pushing it. The most I would be semi-confident with would be a GTS 450.

    Be careful when buying a CPU cooler make sure that it will fit in the case. If you're not going to overclock (you won't be able to with that PSU and a H67 mobo anyway) and you're on a budget I wouldn't say it is necessary.

    I actually meant this motherboard:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zotac-H67ITX-A-E-Motherboard/dp/B004JMZPYG
    Looks like it hasn't been released yet...

    I'm not a hardcore gamer, as I mentioned, I've got my PS3 for games and neither am I going to be pushing the PC's processing power much. I'ld just like a stable device that can handle stuff like photoshop, video and animation editing smoothly without slowing down and can play the occasional game on.
    So no, I won't be overclocking it. I think that i5 2500k should have enough processing power for my needs.

    Yeah, I sort of realised the 300watt PSU might not be enough but that case also comes with a 450watt PSU which might fit my needs better.
    http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/info/p689111/pid/geizhals

    I might get rid of the blue ray drive actually as the PS3 has blue ray so if I want to watch movies, I can watch it through that.

    I've seen some people set up quite impressive systems with that case with extra cooling and such. But if I don't need cooling then there wouldn't be much point in spending extra for it.

    Even found these intel motherboards which support the new 2nd gen processors:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Desktop-Board-DQ67EP-Executive/dp/B004Q7IADC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301446621&sr=1-1-catcorr
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-Motherboard-Generation-Mini-ITX-Revision/dp/B004S2KB4G

    Looks like i've got good amount of choice in choosing motherboards here!


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    #12
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    Why an nVidia card anyway? IIRC the HD57*0 are a lot lower on power draw than the GTS450, and the GTX550 is far hungrier still. A HD5750 1GB is cheap and frugal yet should do for light-duty gaming even at 1080p...


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    #13
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    What do you guys think of this build??
    Its not from the german website but this site seems to have most of the components in stock, especially the two most important bits, the case and the motherboard!!

    pcbuild.jpg

    I probably have blown my budget by around 200eur but if that means I don't need to worry about upgrading the computer for the next couple of years then it should be worth it I suppose!


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    #14
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    Looks good, but that HD5750 is horribly overpriced, and the whole point was so you wouldn't need the 450W version of the Sugo.

    HD5750 + SG05 300W = WIN
    GTX550 + SG05 300W = FAIL
    HD5750 + SG05 450W = FAIL
    GTX550 + SG05 450W = WIN

    Also note that a K-series CPU is useless for mITX at the moment, until Z68-based mITX mobos appear all LGA1155 mITX offerings cannot be OCd. An i5-2400 is only a tiny bit slower and a lot cheaper in most places (the non-OCable i5-2500 is weirdly expensive for some reason...). It also uses even less power than a stock i5-2500(K). Heck, if you didn't OC anything you could run a stock GTS450 or even HD6850 (quite a jump upward in power over the 57*0/450/550!) with it quite happily on the 300W PSU :D


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    #15
    sink
    Registered Users Posts: 4,314 ✭✭✭sink


    Looks good although you are buying a i5-2500 not a i5-2500K. They have the same stock clock speed, the difference is the K versions have better integrated graphics and have an unlocked CPU core for better overclocking (requires P67 board). They usually retail around the same price but the K versions will have a higher resale value as they're more sought after. If you can get the K version for a similar price, you should.

    edit:- Or go with what solitaire said and and save a bit of money on a i5-2400


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    #16
    af_thefragile
    Registered Users Posts: 7,171 ✭✭✭af_thefragile


    Well I was thinking the 450W case would give me some future room for upgrading like with a better GPU or processor or something.

    I'm not into overclocking as I don't like pushing systems, especially computers and I don't even know much about computers to be confident fiddling with bios settings to squeeze more juice out of the system.

    Is there much of a difference is performance between the i5 2400 and the i52500k?? Like how much would getting a the cheaper processor effect working on photoshop and such? As I stated before I'm not much into playing games on the computer as I've got my PS3 but I'ld still like to watch 1080p HD videos on it flawlessly and work with photoshop and some animation stuff smoothly...

    Would it work if I get a i52400 and a HD6850 or GTX 550?

    There isn't much difference in price between the i5 2400 and the i5 2500k though. Like its about 30eur or something on the german website...


    Also which mobo would you prefer is better?
    Asus: http://www3.hardwareversand.de/articledetail.jsp?aid=41293&agid=1605
    Gigabyte: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/gigabyte-ga-h67a-usb3-b3-intel-h67
    Intel: http://www.scan.co.uk/products/intel-boxdh67cfb3-intel-h67-1155-pci-e-20-(x16)-ddr3-1066-1333-sata-6gb-s-itx-vga

    unfortunately right now they all seem to be out of stock or on pre-order...


    Also what do you guys think of AMD processors??


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    #17
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    Nearly 20% cheaper for a ~6% reduction in performance seems okay to me ;) And it only uses ~55W running flat-out :D


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