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Any Mac Mini Alternative?

F

frankle

n00b
Joined
Oct 23, 2009
Messages
43
Use: Needs to run at least 2 operating systems, W7Pro64 for remote access and a Mail Server (OS X Lion Server or SBS11, I have both), and maybe another like Ubuntu. It's for home use, mail server, torrent box, ATV conversion and remote access. Massive storage not required as I have a NAS.

Requirements: Low Power Usage as most of the time it'll be idle, small size and as quiet as I can get

What I've Tested:

Mac Mini 2.3GHz + 8GB RAM
= one of our work machines
Size - 1.397 Lt
Geekbench OS X - 6284
Geekbench VM W7 1 vCPU - 4047
Power Draw Idle - 10w
Power Draw Prime 95 VM - 36w

The above is the one to beat. I have stuck a VM on one of our work Mac Mini's for the testing and it goes surprisingly well. Prime 95 testing of the W7 VM is there to simulate maximum workload that it will possibly need to do. Geek scores indicate what the unit is capable of (OS X score) and the actual score that I got while testing the VM with 2GB of RAM and 1 vCPU. Tested with trial mode of VMware Fusion 4 … so it’ll cost an extra $50.00 as I don’t have a license for that at the moment.

ASUS B202 + 2GB RAM + 60GB SSD
= what I used in past, only W7Pro 32 installed
Size - 1.062 Lt
Geekbench Atom N270 - 886
Power Draw Idle - 13.5w
Power Draw Prime 95 - 19w

This is what I have been using at home in the past for remote access which has been fine for the most part. It's virtually silent, takes up very little space as it sits on an upright stand but struggles with re-encoding AVI files for Apple TV. The reason I’ve changed from this is that I now need a mail server and remote access so this one won’t cut it.

SG05 + ASUS P8H61-I + i3-2120 + 8GB + 500GB 2.5” HDD
= currently using with ESXi 5.0, had all the parts lying around

Size – 10.78 Lt
Geekbench i3-2120 – 6284
Geekbench VM W7 1 vCPU – 4334
Power Draw Idle – 30w
Power Draw Prime 95 VM – 48w

Reasonable performance when required, using way too much power in my eyes at idle but I could try to under-volt. I have also changed from 1.5v RAM to 1.35v RAM since testing so the power usage figures might change a little. Also had a VM running Ubuntu while testing, VM Geek score did well. My main complaint (and the reason I’m trying all of this) is the noise from the case/CPU/PSU fans and the power draw at idle. I have changed the original front fan to a Noctua NF-P12 with ULNA which has helped, although it’s not as quiet as the old B202 or the Mac Mini. New CPU fan (Noctua ITX low profile) would also help, and I’ve considered changing the PSU fan.

NSK3480 + Asus P8H67-I + i5-2320 + 8GB + 120GB SSD + 600w PSU
= another computer I have, thought I’d compare

Size – 24.48Lt
Geekbench i5-2320 – 7875
Power Draw Idle – 27.5w
Power Draw Prime 95 – 102w

So this is another computer that I have (family internet/gaming), ripped out the GTX 570 so it’s not using the extra power, only had Windows 7 Pro 64 installed so no VM performance figures. Reasonable idle power draw while idle (for a quad) and certainly will give performance when needed. Power draw is for all 4 cores running Prime 95 so it would be better either running 1 or 2 threads instead of 4 … I might need to re-test this or load up a VM install. It’s running a Seasonic 600w PSU which must be more efficient than the SG05 PSU at idle.

I have also put together a temporary VM computer at work in an Antec ISK-300/65 case which I found easy to build. I would however change out the original fan for a Noctua NF-R8, or maybe 2 of them. External PSU is completely silent and certainly up to the task whichever way I go. It is however 6.99Lt and I still need to find a better CPU cooler because the stock Intel one is crap, I wish Noctua would release their new stuff already! Hard to get performance and power usage figures as it’s needed 24/7 … it’s a H55N board anyhow so won’t be that efficient.

So I guess I’m after ideas for small, efficient and quiet combinations of components to go up against the Mac Mini. Price is a consideration, if I can use one of the existing boards/CPUs then it helps but I know this tech is always getting better so certainly don't mind new purchases ... keeping in mind that a refurb Mac Mini with 16GB of RAM and 120GB SSD will cost me AU$862.00.

Any ideas for Case, Mobo, CPU combinations? I have RAM & SSD/HHD ...

Thanks!
 
Zbox nano ad11?

I would actually wait a bit until the Intel NUC stuff hits the market.
 
frankle said:
Any ideas for Case, Mobo, CPU combinations? I have RAM & SSD/HHD ...
Click to expand...

For a mini ITX case, mini-box's M350 is a popular choice.

F1L74.jpg


It's not the prettiest case but it's cheap at $39.95 shipped and can accommodate a Scythe Kozuti heatsink.

5MIbi.jpg


For the motherboard I would go with Intel's DQ77KB for a few reasons. Its biggest advantage is that it is one of the few current motherboards with an onboard DC-DC converter so you can use an external 19V laptop power supply. The rear power jack is barrel compatible with Dell power supplies. Alternatively, there is a two pin internal molex power connector that you can use if you would prefer a non-Dell power supply.

Laptop power supplies are much better suited for low power operation than traditional ATX ones. It seems that very few manufacturers are interested in making high quality / high efficiency ATX power supplies at lower wattage levels.

Secondly, the Q77 chipset on the DQ77KB is nice because you gain remote kvm capability through Intel's Active Management Technology.

I also like the networking features of the DQ77KB. It has two NICs and they are both Intel. Intel's NICs tend to be a bit more robust than the Realteks you commonly find on consumer level boards.

The downside to this board is that it uses laptop SODIMM slots for memory so you wouldn't be able to reuse the memory you have.
 
negaprion said:
For a mini ITX case, mini-box's M350 is a popular choice.

F1L74.jpg


It's not the prettiest case but it's cheap at $39.95 shipped and can accommodate a Scythe Kozuti heatsink.

5MIbi.jpg


For the motherboard I would go with Intel's DQ77KB for a few reasons. Its biggest advantage is that it is one of the few current motherboards with an onboard DC-DC converter so you can use an external 19V laptop power supply. The rear power jack is barrel compatible with Dell power supplies. Alternatively, there is a two pin internal molex power connector that you can use if you would prefer a non-Dell power supply.

Laptop power supplies are much better suited for low power operation than traditional ATX ones. It seems that very few manufacturers are interested in making high quality / high efficiency ATX power supplies at lower wattage levels.

Secondly, the Q77 chipset on the DQ77KB is nice because you gain remote kvm capability through Intel's Active Management Technology.

I also like the networking features of the DQ77KB. It has two NICs and they are both Intel. Intel's NICs tend to be a bit more robust than the Realteks you commonly find on consumer level boards.

The downside to this board is that it uses laptop SODIMM slots for memory so you wouldn't be able to reuse the memory you have.
Click to expand...

Now that's more like it ... a serious competitor!

Pricing in Australia for the board seems to be around the $155.00 mark, add in a decent low power quad (i5-3450S @ $225.00) and we're getting there. 16GB of SODIMM is going to be $110.00 (for 1333, 1600 is a bit hard to find in 8GB each) - $390 so far. Very happy with dual Intel NIC, SAATA3, USB3
EDIT: $490 so far ... it was late!

Case - nice choice ... but here in AU it's $69.00 PLUS another $20.00 for freight direct from the importer! WTF???? I'll get a price for the unit shipped direct from Mini-Box.

Dell PSU, will have to price it. Is it just a 90w version I need? Regarding fan, probable use the stock cooler till the new Noctua stuff lands.

Thanks for teh info, bed time now, it's almost 4.30am and I've been up since 6.00am yesterday!
 
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