All in One build Middle School

Introductory first post. I teach Science and after school Computer Programming to Middle School students. Some of them have expressed an interest in building a computer from commercial parts. I have been involved with PCs since the mid 70’s, when building meant something completely different, and I have not done anything myself in the last twenty years.

Since this is all coming out of my pocket, I want to build a thin mini-ITX All In One on the Intel LP-2150 chassis because my wife’s laptop is in the last stages of terminal dog hair.

Her requirements for a new computer are: Larger screen, more screen real estate (600 x 800 on Windows XP uses too much of her 13 inch screen), Windows 7 (she’d like to keep XP), only one thing to plug into the wall, NO CABLES, comparatively easy to move outside, wireless or Bluetooth peripherals (NO CABLES!), wireless Internet access (NO CABLES!!), moderate speed, modest disk storage, aesthetically pleasing and NO CABLES!!! (Is wireless power available yet?). The LP-2150, populated, would seem to meet all of these needs. She runs Internet, e-mail, shares a few photos, streams TV, watches a few DVD concerts, wants to keep her Office 2003, and plays a few very low power games.

For myself, since I would want use the computer outside too, HD4600 integrated graphics and a half-decent processor would be a big help. I plan to purchase larger, more modern storage and loot them to swap out for my older 500Gb 5400rpm drives. She is also frustrated by long boot times when the power goes out (we live in lightning country and power failures are reasonably frequent) and she shuts her computer down to protect it. Accordingly I plan to put in a 128Gb (or similar) Solid State Drive for the operating system, and whatever else makes sense.

The IT group at school will move her Office 2003 license and a copy of Windows 7 from a netbook with a broken screen that I have, so I need no OS.

My students will do their own research on parts with appropriate power and performance (and COST) but this is the sort of thing I am considering:

Chassis: All-In-One Loop LP2150 21.5"
CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor
Cooler: Intel Cooler if not supplied with chassis (not sure about this)
Motherboard: ASRock H81TM-ITX R2.0 Thin Mini ITX LGA1150
RAM: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
----- Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory - change recommended by viewtyjoe
WiFi: Intel 62205AN.HMWWB 802.11a/g/n (Half Mini-PCI)
SSD: Crucial 120gb –mSATA (Mini-PCI)
HDD: Western Digital Scorpio Blue 1TB 2.5" 5400RPM
ODD: LG GT80N DVD/CD Writer
Input: Logitech Wireless Combo MK270 Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse
Power: 150W if not supplied with chassis (not sure about this)
OS: Windows 7 (already have)

This adds up to about $620 with prices varying almost daily.

What is missing?

What needs to be changed? (Overbuilt, underbuilt)

If my students find this forum/thread, good for them.
 
Solution
The biggest thing I'd change is switching from a single stick of 8GB RAM to 2x4GB of RAM. The i3 and most current processors are designed to use dual channel memory, so you'll get better performance with half the RAM in each slot compared to a single channel set up.

viewtyjoe

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The biggest thing I'd change is switching from a single stick of 8GB RAM to 2x4GB of RAM. The i3 and most current processors are designed to use dual channel memory, so you'll get better performance with half the RAM in each slot compared to a single channel set up.
 
Solution


Thanks for that viewtyjoe. I didn't think about it. I have made a change to the configuration,

If anyone wants to suggest an alternative, such as a thin case using the VESA mount on the back of a monitor, or similar, that is:

a) Cheaper by 10% or more

b) Better at the same price

c) A lot better at $750 or less

I'm ready to consider alternatives. It must end up being an AIO-style (even if I need a power strip tacked to the back so there is only one cord to plug into the wall)

Thanks.