Low Power family computer

C

commissioneranthony

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Jul 2, 2008
Messages
1,274
1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
This computer is mainly used for viewing the internet, (the youtubes and emails) and occasionally burn dvd's
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
less than $350
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US - NY
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
CPU, RAM, PSU, ITX MOBOD
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
640gb WD caviar black 3.5in
6) Will you be overclocking?
No need
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
have a monitor (1280x1024). may upgrade to a 2209wa or a U2410 a few months down the line
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
within next 2 weeks (asap)
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
MUST BE ITX, esata, have at least a dvi or vga onboard. onboard 6 channel audio. will probably not be using a dedicated graphics, will mainly use onboard/ in cpu graphics.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
I have 64bit windows 7 and 64bit ubuntu


Looking to build a low power ITX computer for the family (preferbally under 100 watts total power consumption)
literally, I need to make a small as possible, least power consuming machine as I can because this thing is going into a kitchen closet.

Right now I am running a 9950be matx machine off integrated graphics and I believe it is way overkill. honestly, I dont need a powerful machine at all. however, I dont think AMD APU is enough for my family.

I was thinking of building a machine along the lines of AMD FM1. however, the only CPU's available are 65watt+. I like the fact that there's a decent integrated GPU and kinda ok cpu, but the 65 watt thing is a bit much.

I checked intel out and I came up with the Core i3-2100T. it's 35watts and has a GPU built in as well. however, I know intel's graphics have been known to suck. Also, 35watts isnt really 35watts.

I dont have an itx case, but regardless I know I will have to buy a PSU if I get a case with one included (low profile PSU).

At this point I am kinda between a rock and a hard place because i dont know which platform is best to choose. I can go AM3+ athlon x2 + integrated mobod graphics, FM1 + fusion APU or intel + itx mobod.

I have looked up some benchmarks and reviews and all I could find useful were these:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...core-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/11
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4134/the-brazos-review-amds-e350-supplants-ion-for-miniitx/6
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article1202-page5.html

it seems that the i3 has the best performance as a cpu, but I could not find a decent i3 vs FM1 vs. AM3+ review.

if I was to go FM1 it would be
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103951

if AM3 it would probably be:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103873

if intel:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116394


as for a case I am probably going to go with this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108222

and buy a PSU like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104080

any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks guys.
Happy holidays!
 
Last edited:
If viewing web videos and DVD burning are going to be the two most resource-intensive task this system will use, why worry about benchmarks? Any of the three platforms you're considering would be more than capable of handling that task.

In order for us to truly help you, we need you to answer the following sticky questions:

2) What's the budget?
3) What do you need to buy under said budget?
7) What monitor/resolution are you using?
8) Are you ready to start buying/building now?
10) Do you need to buy a copy of Windows for this system?
 
Fixed. thanks.
I am just trying to make the most efficient system I can (under 100 watt consumption overall) which would fix my needs most.
 
My Notes:
- As tiraides noted, since you're not gaming, the better onboard that the AMD CPUs have does not matter. For your usage, the onboard video found on most Intel SB based CPUs will be more than enough.

- Here's a good review that compares the Core i3 2100, FM1 and AM3 CPus:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2011/10/31/the-best-100-processor/1

- Case and PSU wise, I recommend this case + PSU combo instead:
$55 - In Win BP-Series BP671.200BL miATX SFF Case
$51 - Seasonic SS-300TFX Bronze 300W PSU
---
Total: $106 shipped.

The above gets you a significantly higher quality Seasonic PSU.

- Going from the above linked review and keeping your stated needs in mind, I recommend an Intel setup. So I recommend this Asus mITX mobo and RAM:
$85 - Asus P8H61-I Intel H61 mITX Motherboard
$35 - G.Skill Value Series F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM
---
Total: $120 shipped

That leaves plenty of room for the Core i3 2100T if you want that CPUP.
 
Thanks for your input!. I like that case and PSU better, so I will probably get that one.
however, I am still on the fence about intel vs AMD platform. Also, I dont know how good intel graphics support is for linux. I will have to look into that for both parties.
otherwise, the one thing I cant stand about intel is how often it abandon platforms. how much longer is 1155 going to be supported by intel? a year?

If AMD is still around they'll probably support FM1 for a good 4 years.

i was thinking of :

Case + psu Danny Bui recommended
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite
mobod:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157273R
ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104173
 
If going for an Intel setup, do not get that Kingston RAM at all since it's rated at 1.65V. RAM for Intel CPUs needs to be around 1.5V or you may get longevity and reliability issues. As for Intel graphics support in Linux, it's actually pretty decent now:
http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=intel_sandy_2011&num=1

In regards to CPU support, the replacement socket for LGA 1155 isn't due til 2013. However I don't think CPU upgrade capability past 2 years is an issue for a few reason:
- AMD's AM2 and AM2+ sockets came out in 2006 and 2007 respectively. AFAIK, AMD's new Bulldozer CPUs that came out this year do not work with those AM2 and AM2+ mobos.

- CPU support is largely based on motherboard vendor support as well. Even high-end motherboard companies like Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte sometimes don't release updates for their mobos to support newer CPUs even when they have other motherboards with the same socket or chipset in their lineup that do support newer CPUs. So imagine what lower-end companies like AsRock, Biostar, etc. will do.

As for the mobo you listed, I wouldn't go with that AsRock if going AMD FM1 for a few reasons:
- The brand new, unopened, and therefore untampered and not missing items version of that mobo is only $17 more. $17 is well worth the piece of mind that no one else has screwed up that mobo for you.

- That AsRock mobo hasn't faired too well with Newegg user reviews.
 
Why not get a netbook and be done with it? Use a USB DVD burner. Selection is pretty good for $350
 
Hmm. well it seems like intel and AMD ubuntu drivers are both fine for ubuntu.
thanks for the heads up on the intel ram.
I dont prefer gskill ram cause the only set of gskill ram I purchased died on me in 4 months. never had that happen to me with any ram manufacturer. I had a brand new laptop too. I find that ridiculous.

so its down to
intel***:
Mobod:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite
ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139075
CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

or

AMD:
mobod:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131789
ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820139075
CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3891137&SID=rewrite


I cant get a netbook cause my parents are too clumsy and dont like small things. They would also break it very easily (not good with technology).


***I checked it out on intel's page and the only difference between a Core i3 2100 and a Core i3 2100T is an underclock of 600mhz per core. I dont see how that equates to a 30 watt difference. With that, I dont see the need to pay $10 extra for a simple underclock, so I just went with the Core i3 2100. Also, I checked anandtech benchmark and I compared the AMD 3650 and Intel i3-2100. it seems that the i3 2100 beats the amd in every test. Still weighing my odds

Thanks for the input guys!
 
Last edited:
What else do you need to weigh?

  • You're not gaming so that diminishes the advantage of the better GPU that comes with AMD CPUs.
  • Linux support is good among both platforms
  • Intel CPUs will have lower power consumption.
  • Intel is faster, if not as fast, most of the time.
  • Both platforms will cost around the same.

It should be clear what platform you should get.
 
I was considering folding on it. If I put in a, say 5570 and A6 it may fold better than a i3 and a 5570.
Honestly, I want to make a machine that doesnt take too much power, but if my younger brother needs to, say video edit something, he still can (dual boot win7 and ubuntu). the chances that he will is very minimal, so i was thinking of having it fold in the background instead,
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top