MiniITX

[wrboyle80]

Approximate Purchase Date:

Budget Range: ~300-450

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Microsoft Office and Internet

Parts Not Required: N/A

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: New Egg and Amazon

Country of Origin:

Parts Preferences: Doesn't matter

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: Doesn't Matter

Additional Comments: I've been asked to build a few computers for a friend and they just want to run Office and surf the net. My first thinking was using something like a Mini ITX system but I don't want to under power it too much, they don't need anything crazy fast, just solid and reliable. They will be used a lot but never really taxed.

 

[Emerald]

try a AMD A8 APU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719552

 

[huron]

The difficult thing in that price range is that ITX typically costs more than mATX. Also...at that price, it become a little tougher if you have to purchase the OS.

Certainly the A8 is a good suggestion, though the Intel 1156 would offer a better performer (which may or may not be necessary).

I don't have time right now to put the list together, but can look at it in a few hours

 

[cbxbiker61]

The difficult thing in that price range is that ITX typically costs more than mATX. Also...at that price, it become a little tougher if you have to purchase the OS.

Certainly the A8 is a good suggestion, though the Intel 1156 would offer a better performer (which may or may not be necessary).

The A8 is a perfect suggestion, exactly what that chip is designed for...Why would he need more "CPU" performance for running office apps and web surfing? The A8 is designed to be a proper "balance" of CPU and GPU horsepower for most needs.

 

[ps3hacker12]

what i would reccommend a system based around this:
H67 mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186211

pentium G620 processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116399

and an Asus ATI 5450:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121444

thats the core of the system adding up to $177.97.

other parts:

case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108196

500GB 7200RPM HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767

4gb 1333Mhz g-skill ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253

all comes to $289.94 not including OS and DVD-RW drive.

DVD-RW drive (SLIM drive):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151242

and windows 7 home premium 64bit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

brings the total up to $415.92 this system will give much better performance than a A8-3850 based PC for less!

and if needed a sata cable for the DVD-RW drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200120

 

[Branden]

i built the following system below for the kitchen. it's perfect for general office/internet use and video playback. it's quiet and power efficient and dead silent (if it weren't for the blue power indicator you wouldn't know it's on).

case: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129095
mobo: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131698
ram: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145328&Tpk=CMX4GX3M1A1600C9
ssd: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

i realize it in CAD$, but you didn't specify country so i just pulled up my order.
heat isn't a concern, the case fan mounted on the side keeps unit idling around 35°C.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

this A8 combo is $474.99 and includes Win 7.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719552

This a6 combo is $354.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719548

add windows and its about the same price. Both combos are also available from Newegg.ca
a8 Combo w/ windows is $491.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719554

a6 combo is $346.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719549

 

[ps3hacker12]

this A8 combo is $474.99 and includes Win 7.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719552

This a6 combo is $354.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719548

add windows and its about the same price. Both combos are also available from Newegg.ca
a8 Combo w/ windows is $491.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719554

a6 combo is $346.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.719549

meh my sandy bridge build is cheaper/better and anyway none of those are mini-ITX like the OP wanted, he could swap out that G620 for a i3-2100 and it would still only come out to $462.92.

i3-2100 vs a8-3850:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/399?vs=405

 

[ScrewySqrl]

meh my sandy bridge build is cheaper/better and anyway none of those are mini-ITX like the OP wanted, he could swap out that G620 for a i3-2100 and it would still only come out to $462.92.

i3-2100 vs a8-3850:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/399?vs=405

I'll respond with this: A8 vs Notebook I7.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdPi4GPEI74

When you have more stuff going on, the A8's GPU keeps the system from being anywhere near as bogged down.

 

[ps3hacker12]

I'll respond with this: A8 vs Notebook I7.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdPi4GPEI74

When you have more stuff going on, the A8's GPU keeps the system from being anywhere near as bogged down.

you cannot compare a mobile processor with a desktop processor, and anyway the 5450 included in my build is better than the integrated graphics that come with the a8-3850.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

the a8's GPU is somewhere between a 5550 and a 5570, actually.

 

[Outlander_04]

definitely the quad core A8

Sqirrels combo with windows is awesome value

 

[geofelt]

Let's get real here.

For the OP use, a minimal cpu with integrated graphics is all you need.

The cheapest way to go would be an inexpensive prebuilt for <$400 or so.

But, if you really want to impress, include a SSD. It will make everything feel so much quicler.

How much hard drive space do you need, and what is your budget?

What parts do you need? Keyboard/monitor?

 

[LaZee]

The A8-3850 is more power than Radeon 5450 Discrete according to this article:
http://pcper.com/reviews/Graphics-Cards/AMD-3850-Llano-Desktop-Processor-Review-Can-AMD-compete-Sandy-Bridge/Radeon-H

The thing I don't feel comfortable with in combo deals listed above is that the power supplies will be overkills to run those systems IF no discrete graphics cards are added. Also the cases bundled are quite big compared to the case suggested by ps3hacker.

There are two things about ps3hacker's build that I suggest adjusting:

DVD-Burner:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136216
instead of a slim drive b/c the case doesn't seem to support a slim drive. The case seem to be big enough where the optical drive will not limit CPU cooling.

Graphics Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125314

Both graphics card linked has a fan instead of the fanless model previously suggested. If you are worried about the the computer being underpowered then the 5570 be a good budget choice. If you are not too concerned then the 5450 will do.

Lastly, does your budget include the purchase of a monitor? If that is the case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883147785

This will probably be the easiest way to get a legitimate copy of Windows 7 and a monitor. It will not be as powerful though.