• Some users have recently had their accounts hijacked. It seems that the now defunct EVGA forums might have compromised your password there and seems many are using the same PW here. We would suggest you UPDATE YOUR PASSWORD and TURN ON 2FA for your account here to further secure it. None of the compromised accounts had 2FA turned on.
    Once you have enabled 2FA, your account will be updated soon to show a badge, letting other members know that you use 2FA to protect your account. This should be beneficial for everyone that uses FSFT.

Mini PC advice

D

Destro

Limp Gawd
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
448
Hi guys!

I'm looking to put together a Mini PC mainly for everyday use, image editing
and video editing.

Budget is around $800 CAD

This is what I'm currently checking out on Newegg.ca

Intel NUC NUC5i3RYK - $370
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102092&cm_re=mini_pc-_-56-102-092-_-Product

Intel NUC NUC5i5RYK - $480
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856102096&cm_re=mini_pc-_-56-102-092-_-Product

ASUS Vivo Mini UN62-M037M - $500
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...&cm_re=asus_vivo_i5-_-56-110-131CVF-_-Product



SD RAM:

8GB (2x 4) Crucial SD DDR3 - $70
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820191523&cm_re=SO-DIMM-_-20-191-523-_-Product

16GB (2x 8) G.Skill SD DDR3 - $120
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...1705&cm_re=8GB_so-dimm-_-20-231-705-_-Product


HDD:

Samsung 250GB SSD - $135
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...7372&cm_re=samsung_ssd-_-20-147-372-_-Product

Samsung 500GB SSD - $225
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...7373&cm_re=samsung_ssd-_-20-147-372-_-Product



Would you guys have any recommendations?
 
Does it have to be as small as NUC?

If you want something pre-built you could go for Asus GR8 or Alienware Alpha with prices close to $800 USD.

But you could also build your own mini rig with thin mini-ITX format and that could be upgradable in the future if you needed better graphics for gaming or work.

And you could look for a NUC with broadwell and iris pro gpu that's a lot faster than the standard ones.
 
Thanks for the input!

Those pre builts are out of the budget range but I'll look into the mini-ITX route.
 
Note the "THIN" in thin mini-ITX. The difference is the tm-ITX runs off the external brick instead of internal PSU so it can be a lot smaller - just the size of ITX multiplied by the cooler height + 1cm :)
 
Thanks for pointing that out SaperPL!

My friend I'm helping with this was focused on a Mac Mini because of it's size.

But looking at a custom mini-ITX build, the cases are bigger then the Macs but not
dramatically. And still within the budget.

I'll post the parts a little later. Thanks again guys!
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Destro said:
Those pre builts are out of the budget range but I'll look into the mini-ITX route.
Click to expand...

Those NUC style systems you listed are all dual core with Hyperthreading.

For similar performance you can do an Alienware Alpha for that price with the Core i3 and being a complete computer with Windows. Adding a single 4GB stick of RAM would make it 8GB, and it takes normal 2.5" drive and desktop (but low voltage version) CPUs for future upgrades.

Riouken said:
Power-cool Q6

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Powercool-Q6-Mini-ITX-120w-Chassis/dp/B008XI7FJA
Click to expand...

Newegg has them in the server chassis section under Habey.
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Thanks again everyone!

This is what we are looking at now:

Intel Core i3-4160 ------ $145.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117447&_ga=1.34626467.303692158.1422682264

Crucial BX100 500GB SSD ------ $199.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148946&_ga=1.105272193.303692158.1422682264

Apex Mini-008 Mini ITX case + 250w PSU ------ $69.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154091&_ga=1.110525063.303692158.1422682264

MSI B85i Mini ITX mobo ------ $103.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130740&_ga=1.110525063.303692158.1422682264

Crucial 16GB (2x 8GB) DDR3 ------ $116.99
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produc...norebbr=1&_ga=1.76954647.303692158.1422682264


After taxes and shipping I have about $100 CAD left.



@Zap
Did not realize Alienware were available in Canada and the price on a basic Alpha is not bad.
 
I still think you don't get the idea of it's size...

If you want something small you need to go for THIN mini ITX.

That apex case is really big compared to NUC's, it's 10L in volume. I've got the same thing from other manufacturer with 430W psu but that's a completely different segment of size and power you've been looking at initially.

Please redefine what you're focused on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top