Mitx build question

[skyykj]

Hi, I am planning to build a mitx system for running multiple Java VMs but I am unfamiliar with itx systems. Among these setups, which would be the best configuration for my purpose and stability?

Setup 1
CPU Intel L3360 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117208)
339.99
Motherboard Zotac 9300-G-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500035)
139.99
Case M350 (http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure)
39.95
PSU PicoPSU 150w with 150w adapter (http://short-circuit.com/categories/powercombos.html)
79.95
CPU Cooler Intel Stock Cooler
0.00
HDD Western Digital Scorpio Black 160GB 2.5 SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136278)
65.99
RAM G.Skill (2x4GB) DDR2 800
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231182)
254.99

Setup 1 Total=920.86

Setup 2
CPU AMD Phenom II X4 905e (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103682)
199.99
Motherboard Zotac GF8200-C-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500021)
99.99
Case M350 (http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure)
39.95
PSU PicoPSU 150w with 150w adapter (http://short-circuit.com/categories/powercombos.html)
79.95
CPU Cooler Thermaltake MeOrb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835106137)
39.89
HDD Western Digital Scorpio Black 160GB 2.5 SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136278)
65.99
RAM G.Skill (2x4GB) DDR2 800
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231182)
254.99

Setup 2 Total=780.75

Setup 3
CPU Intel Q9550S undervolted (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041)
259.99
Motherboard Zotac 9300-G-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500035)
139.99
Case M350 (http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure)
39.95
PSU PicoPSU 150w with 150w adapter (http://short-circuit.com/categories/powercombos.html)
79.95
CPU Cooler Intel Stock Cooler
0.00
HDD Western Digital Scorpio Black 160GB 2.5 SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136278)
65.99
RAM G.Skill (2x4GB) DDR2 800
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231182)
254.99

Setup 3 Total=840.86

 

[fr500]

Not much undervolting possible with the Zotac boards, I guess all would perform similarly, and I've read the new AMD processors are more power efficient, On the other hand I still like Core2 better, I'd go with 3rd setup

 

[Steeeeve]

Is there any reason you wouldn't want to go with something like the SG05/SG06 and get a graphics card with it?

Maybe go with the Athlon series or just get an Atom based if you are going this low power

 

[Mac Truck]

Wait for the DFI P55 or Intel H57 boards...775 is near EOL.

 

[skyykj]

Hi,
Thank you for the replies.
I have read reviews of Zotac motherboards and found out that 9300 board does not have much undervolting options. The cost of L3360 seems to be prohibitively expensive so I swapped L3360 with Q9400S.
I am not looking for cases like SG05/06 because I really like the m350 case. Also, I don't plan to game on this setup or install internal ODD.

Here are the new setups

Setup 1
CPU Intel Q9400S (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115209&Tpk=q9400s)
259.99
Motherboard Zotac 9300-G-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500035)
139.99
Case M350 (http://www.mini-box.com/M350-univers...-itx-enclosure)
39.95
PSU PicoPSU 150w with 150w adapter (http://short-circuit.com/categories/powercombos.html)
79.95
CPU Cooler Intel Stock Cooler
0.00
HDD Western Digital Scorpio Black 160GB 2.5 SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136278)
65.99
RAM G.Skill (2x4GB) DDR2 800
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231182)
254.99

Setup 1 Total=840.86

Setup 2
CPU AMD Phenom II X4 905e (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103682)
199.99
Motherboard Zotac GF8200-C-E (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500021)
89.99
Case M350 (http://www.mini-box.com/M350-univers...-itx-enclosure)
39.95
PSU PicoPSU 150w with 150w adapter (http://short-circuit.com/categories/powercombos.html)
79.95
CPU Cooler Thermaltake MeOrb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835106137)
39.89
HDD Western Digital Scorpio Black 160GB 2.5 SATA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136278)
65.99
RAM G.Skill (2x4GB) DDR2 800
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231182)
254.99

Setup 2 Total=780.75

Which would be better?

 

[mavalpha]

I recommend the Q9505s: http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-NEW-OEM-S..._W0QQitemZ120495976972QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCPUs

I bought mine from the same store, and had a very positive experience. Paired with Bing Cashback, you can get a 65W chip that's actually one step faster than your proposed Q9400s for almost $50 less. Shipping time was less than three business days, as guaranteed by Express Mail.