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Looking for SFF workstation setup

W

wendellp

n00b
Joined
Dec 14, 2010
Messages
28
I'm looking for a SFF system to set up some Linux workstations in a quiet environment. So far, the Shuttle X350 ION 2 looks to be the best prebuilt option, but I've seen on this forum that you can put together something better for less money.

Could I get some suggestions for components? Here are some basic parameters:

1. Support 1920x1200 for office apps (no gaming)
2. Minimum 2GB RAM, but 4GB would be better
3. HDD doesn't need to be big (<150GB), but no SSDs (reliability concerns)
4. Very quiet and small (Would prefer fanless, but if the fan is no louder than the HDD, I guess it wouldn't make a difference.)

I may decide to go with an external DVD drive.
 
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Nothing so far. Maybe the question was too general.

Lets start with boxes. What are the best options for something small, very quiet, and with room for two internal drives (could be 2.5" or 3.5")?
 
If you want to go fanless and small, I would look at HDPlex's cases. The H3 looks like it comes with a PSU and heatsink (the case). Their website doesn't have a lot of information on it, but they have a blog which they update regularly, making me think that they'll respond quickly.

Otherwise, you might want to take a look at SPCR (SilentPCReview) for some other people's builds.
 
And with AMDs new Bobcat being released soon you might find what you're looking for with that.
 
wendellp said:
I really think I did. What more can I say?
Click to expand...

Like budget?
When you're planning on building or buying this PC?
Are you overclocking?
What country you're in?

All of those are in the questions.
 
wendellp said:
I really think I did. What more can I say?

Something equivalent to the X350 in power and price, with
1. room for more RAM
2. graphics sufficient for office appps in 1920x1200
3. ethernet, but no wi-fi or any of the facier stuff
4. 2 drive bays so I can duplex
Click to expand...

by "duplex" you mean what?
 
wendellp said:
I'm starting to think you guys are just fooling with me. It was a serious question.

"less money" than a "Shuttle X350 ION 2" (<=$400)

Now. When else?

"office apps (no gaming)" You have to ask?

OK, you got me on that one. USA.
Click to expand...

I doubt you're gonna get any more help with that attitude. Buh bai.
 
wendellp said:
I'm starting to think you guys are just fooling with me. It was a serious question.
Click to expand...
Yeah and I was asking serious questions as well. No joke. Just check the General Hardware subforum: A vast majority of those build threads are started off by answering those ten questions.

wendellp said:
Now. When else?
Click to expand...
We actually get a lot of people in this forum asking for build advice 6 to 8 months in advance which basically makes most of the advice/build lists we provide utterly useless at that time. Thus why we have to ask that question.

wendellp said:
"office apps (no gaming)" You have to ask?
Click to expand...
Well this is HardOCP :D We do get people who want to OC their office apps PCs.

wendellp said:
OK, you got me on that one. USA.
Click to expand...
We actually get a ton of Brits, Aussies, Canadians, Indians, Thai, Filipinos and Eastern European posters in this forum. Since many non-Americans will speak and write English better than some/many Americans, we have to ask where you are to see if the products we're recommending will actually be available in their countries.


Anyway, cheapest price I could find the Shuttle X350 was $450. So going off from there:

AMD Option:
$59 - AMD Athlon II X2 250 CPU
$125 - Asus M4A88T-I Deluxe AMD 880G mITX Motherboard
$41 - Patriot Signature 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$55 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$105 - Silverstone SG05-B mITX Case with FSP SFX 300W PSU
---
Total: $385 plus tax and shipping.

Intel Atom Option:
$100 - Gigabyte GA-D525TUD Intel Atom D525 Mini ITX Motherboard/CPU Combo
$45 - G.Skill Ripjaw Series F3-10666CL9S-4GBRL 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$60 - Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" HDD
$80 - Antec ISK 300-150 mITX Case
---
Total: $325 plus tax and shipping.

Intel Core i3 Option:
$115 - Intel Core i3-540 CPU
$105 - Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3 Intel H55 mITX Motherboard
$41 - Patriot Signature 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
$55 - Samsung Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$105 - Silverstone SG05-B mITX Case with FSP SFX 300W PSU
---
Total: $421 plus tax and shipping.

The fastest setup out of all three would be the Intel Core i3 option. The slowest setup would be the Intel Atom option. The quietest, smallest, and lowest power using would be the Intel Atom option. The setup with the best onboard video would be the AMD option. The Hard drive used in both the Intel Core i3 and AMD options is one of the fastest consumer grade drive available while being one of the quieter drives out there.
 
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Danny, I give you a lot of credit for getting all the information. You have more patience than I do!
 
One change I would make to either the i3 or the AMD setup is the case.. The SG05 is really kinda overkill as far as size goes at 10.87" deep by almost 8.74" wide where as the q07 is 8.19" deep by 7.60" wide. If a video card was going to be included than the sg05 would be the better choice, but with no long videocard I think the q07's smaller footprint will fit most area's better. Also of note though the q07 is taller by a little over 4"..

Cost wise the q07 + Neo Eco 400w is 112.87 shipped where the sg05 is 119.85 shipped.

Edit: For an atom option I dont like danny's build. Mostly because of the gigabyte mobo at 100 bucks.. Here is my rendition of it

85 Intel BOXD525MW Intel Atom D525@ 1.8GHz
40 Patriot Signature 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333
80 Antec ISK 300-150
60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM500JJ 500GB 7200

276 Shipped.. Every bit the same performance but a considerable amount cheaper.. Plus more HDD space..
 
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wwischerath said:
Danny, I give you a lot of credit for getting all the information. You have more patience than I do!
Click to expand...

Kil4Thril said:
He has all the inventories of our favorite online shops memorized. :D
Click to expand...
I actually have a giant list of hardware that I try to keep updated from time to time
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0...wer_Supplies_567275118082761_7795520226936787

So doesn't take me that long to do a build list :)
bastage said:
One change I would make to either the i3 or the AMD setup is the case.. The SG05 is really kinda overkill as far as size goes at 10.87" deep by almost 8.74" wide where as the q07 is 8.19" deep by 7.60" wide. If a video card was going to be included than the sg05 would be the better choice, but with no long videocard I think the q07's smaller footprint will fit most area's better. Also of note though the q07 is taller by a little over 4"..

Cost wise the q07 + Neo Eco 400w is 112.87 shipped where the sg05 is 119.85 shipped.

Edit: For an atom option I dont like danny's build. Mostly because of the gigabyte mobo at 100 bucks.. Here is my rendition of it

85 Intel BOXD525MW Intel Atom D525@ 1.8GHz
40 Patriot Signature 4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333
80 Antec ISK 300-150
60 SAMSUNG Spinpoint MP4 HM500JJ 500GB 7200

276 Shipped.. Every bit the same performance but a considerable amount cheaper.. Plus more HDD space..
Click to expand...
While not a fan of the Q07's look, that is a good recommendation nonetheless.

You're definitely right on that hard drive for the Atom. However I have to disagree with you on the motherboard choice: That Intel Atom mobo only has a one year warranty according to Newegg. The Gigabyte has a three year warranty. For the extra $18, I think it's well worth it for the longer warranty and two extra SATA ports.
 
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wwischerath said:
Hope you dont mind that I bookmarked that page. That is awesome. Kudos to you sir
Click to expand...

Go for it!

Do note that list isn't always up to date or up to par so please do some research to make sure that you're getting the right deal/part
 
I just like that it gives a great place to start! With how fast prices change reseaching would only be prudent, but with some good starting points the research is much easier.
 
Danny Bui said:
I actually have a giant list of hardware that I try to keep updated from time to time
https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0...wer_Supplies_567275118082761_7795520226936787

So doesn't take me that long to do a build list :)

While not a fan of the Q07's look, that is a good recommendation nonetheless.

You're definitely right on that hard drive for the Atom. However I have to disagree with you on the motherboard choice: That Intel Atom mobo only has a one year warranty according to Newegg. The Gigabyte has a three year warranty. For the extra $18, I think it's well worth it for the longer warranty and two extra SATA ports.
Click to expand...

I would take the intel board for the standard intel quality. Not to mention fanless operation
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
bastage said:
I would take the intel board for the standard intel quality. Not to mention fanless operation
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
Click to expand...

Well the OP can decide for himself which option to go with.
 
Indeed. Always good to have options
Posted via [H] Mobile Device
 
Danny Bui said:
Yeah and I was asking serious questions as well. Just check the General Hardware subforum: A vast majority of those build threads are started off by answering those ten questions.
Click to expand...
I apologize for being snippy. I didn't realize I should have looked there first.

Anyway, cheapest price I could find the Shuttle X350 was $450. So going off from there:
Click to expand...

Very helpful. Thank you.
 
Both of the Atom systems described above look promising, but what about the Intel GMA 3150 video? Will that support 1920x1200? I asked about this on the Video Cards forum but got no answer.
 
wendellp said:
Both of the Atom systems described above look promising, but what about the Intel GMA 3150 video? Will that support 1920x1200? I asked about this on the Video Cards forum but got no answer.
Click to expand...

Yea no problem with 2d.. If you were trying to game or something it would be a different story..

edit: also I thought about this case while at work as an alternative to the isk 310.. The isk 100 is a good little bit smaller & also has a 100mm fan instead of an 80, not to mention better placed.. PSU is still mroe then enough for a basic atom setup & smaller & quieter I would defitly go with it. Only real disadvantage is no option for an optical drive, But since that wasn't spec'd I dont believe thats a concern.

edit2: it would make an atom rig as expensive as the other options, but you may also consider a d525 ION setup.. Would give you a bit more graphics power & digital video output.. 384 shipped with the ISK 100 case, this mobo as well as the same 4gb pat ram & either the HDD that myself or danny recommended.

edit3: also of note.. all of the atom mobo's listed in this thread actually ahve more processing power then the shuttle you mentioned as well as ddr3...

edit4:

Danny Bui said:
The Gigabyte has a three year warranty. For the extra $18, I think it's well worth it for the longer warranty and two extra SATA ports.
Click to expand...

Newegg was wrong. I think almost all intel boards get a 3 year warranty

Now maybe I should go eat instead of continually editing this post..
 
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wwischerath said:
And with AMDs new Bobcat being released soon you might find what you're looking for with that.
Click to expand...

The Gigabyte GA-E350N-USB3 mobo seems to be the first one with the AMD E-350. It looks nice, but I don't know if I can wait for it.

Seems strange that it has a fan, since it's supposed to run cool.
 
yea I am not sure how long it will be or how much it will cost to get a amd setup similar.. I am guessing that the price will fall inbetween the d525 & the d525/ION setups now. The early reviews look very promising though.
 
wendellp said:
The Gigabyte GA-E350N-USB3 mobo seems to be the first one with the AMD E-350. It looks nice, but I don't know if I can wait for it.

Seems strange that it has a fan, since it's supposed to run cool.
Click to expand...

I read somewhere that they put a fan on it due many people putting it in a very small case that doesnt allow for convection cooling, so as a precaution: a fan. The Asus board with the E-350 is passive cooled. Forget where I saw the Gigabyte, Asus, and MSI boards for the E 350,but supposedly available next week. The MSI also has a fan. These boards have a friend of mine all excited.
 
bastage said:
edit: also I thought about this case while at work as an alternative to the isk 300.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think the Antec ISK 100 would be better for this case. The ISK 300 looks really nice, but I don't need the internal optical and it has a noisy fan. I read one review that the ISK 100 has an ungrounded PSU, making it vulnerable to getting zapped by users. What would you do to protect it? Grounding? Different PSU?

If I built them right now, I'd probably use the Intel BOXD525MW Intel Atom D525 mobo, but I might try waiting for the Gigabyte, Asus, or MSI for the better graphics and connectivity.

Still would like to try to go fanless. I'm looking here for the quietest 2.5" HDDs.
 
I wouldn't try to hard to find the quietest hdd. Get a samsung or wd blue and call it a day. Both will be nearly silent.
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