Trying to built or buy a mini computer

[azn712]

I am trying to built or buy a mini computer. I was fascinated by apple for a while, so i was considering getting a mac mini. After getting a macbook, i decided that i am a pc guy.
So i am trying to build a mini pc to replace my IBM t60(on a dock). I think my budget is 500, however the lesser that i can spend the better. cuz i am only a college student.
I dont really have that many needs, so the pc doesn't need to be top of the line. Mainly for web browsing and homework, play games at times. I do occasional graphics editing and movie editing.(very basic stuff)

any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Leman]

Maybe an Eeebox. I think that'd work best as far as size goes.

 

[oldpablo]

Consider this a baseline concept, I'm not recommending specific parts. Just showing you what can be had for an amazing low price. Bump up whatever you want to be faster or wherever you have a brand preference. This isn't a rocket box, but it has a solid upgrade path and damn think of how much you get for how little you are spending.

Mobo $65 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186141 (780G w/ onboard dx10 video)
Proc $29 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103196 (low watt 2Ghz)
RAM $56 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161042 (2GB 8500/1066Mhz)
Case $36 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811164098 (400w HTPC case)

Add a hard drive and optical drive, and you're basically done.

 

[azn712]

wow great suggestions for my budget OldPueblo. You have me drooling right now. I got a dvd burner laying around but only couple 2.5" hdd instead of the 3.5 ones(cuz i got rid of my desktop couple years ago).

The only concern that i have with OldPueblo's suggestion is the footprint of the case. It is a bit big for this project. But with budgets like that, i can even fit a video card in there

i found this little machine in the FS/FT part of the forum

-Ultra Microfly case silver
-GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI Micro ATX MotherBoard - NEW
-AMD 64 X2 4200+ - NEW
-OCZ Gold 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800
-Lite-On DVDRW
-250GB Maxtor IDE HDD Manufac. Date on drive: 05MAY2004
-Sound blaster Audigy 2
-WD 36GB 8mb Raptor Warranty til 10.28-09
-$335 shipped

it is missing a psu. Any thoughts?

 

[oldpablo]

wow great suggestions for my budget OldPueblo. You have me drooling right now. I got a dvd burner laying around but only couple 2.5" hdd instead of the 3.5 ones(cuz i got rid of my desktop couple years ago).

The only concern that i have with OldPueblo's suggestion is the footprint of the case. It is a bit big for this project. But with budgets like that, i can even fit a video card in there

i found this little machine in the FS/FT part of the forum


it is missing a psu. Any thoughts?

The motherboard is generally the most important part of the build since it decides your future upgrade path. That's not a bad board, however most 780G boards can drop in the fastest AMD processor in the future since it has an AM2+ socket. It also has a much better onboard video (Radeon 3200), capable of playing most games though you sacrifice some quality and resolution the newer the game gets. It does give you the option of Hybrid SLI though for a little bump. If you haven't checked out the 780G capabilities, I'd recommend you hit google and read a couple reviews before you make your decision.

 

[Dubbs]

You can use your 2.5" HD's with a converter like this for $6: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203012

I'd personally recommend a nice shuttle XPC system. It's cube sized, but generally they are only 8" by 8" (in height and width). It's also smaller than the aforementioned small form factor PC you saw in the FS ad.

For a shuttle xpc system under $500 (assuming you have the HD, DVD drive like you said, as well as an operating system), I'd recommend this:

Shuttle SG31G2 - Socket 775, has 45nm support for future, and a G31 chipset. Has the case, powersupply, motherboard, and cooling system for hte CPU: $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101039

RAM - Wintec Ampo PC2 6400 - Good reviews on this ram. Solid. $41
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161172

Processor - E2160 - $70
Great CPU for price. In addition, if in the future you decide to, you can overclock this on the G31 chipset with the wintec ampo ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036

Hard Drive - You already have 2.5" hard drives.
Get this converter: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812203012

You might also need to find a 3.5" to 2.5" bay converter - you can probably find something for $10. Or you can just buy a 250gb HD for $55.

Video card - HD 3850. This might be overkill. Get it if you want to game - otherwise the onboard video should be fine. $120 - $30 rebate ($90).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0048+106792462+1067933728&name=Radeon+HD+3850


Total: $457 - $30 rebate + shipping (maybe $40 for shipping).

The box can hold it's own for awhile - in the future if you need more power, you can overclock the CPU, or just buy a new socket 775 CPU - the shuttle supports 45nm procs.

This system might be complete overkill for your needs. If so, you can take out the video card (3850) and have a $340 system.

If still overkill, you can get this shuttle instead for $100 instead of $220: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856101064

I wouldn't really recommend it unless in a tight tight budget. It's also not as future proof as the earlier one.
If you wanted an even smaller system (close to mac mini status), I could find some parts online for you. It'd be a mini-itx system - won't have anywhere close to the shuttle or pc's mentioned above, but can hold it's own.

 

[azn712]

wow that's two detailed set up already. Thanks guys.

I dont really have that many needs, so the pc doesn't need to be top of the line.

by that i mean as long as it is faster than my T60. I am happy.

If you wanted an even smaller system (close to mac mini status),

Size is my priority right now. then budget, then speed. A cool looking case is definitely a plus for me.

 

[Dubbs]

Mini-itx system:

Processor: Athlon 64 x2 4600+ - $60

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813153114
This motherboard is probably best of hte mini-itx in terms of proc power/features. Has an onboard 8200, supports AM2+ processors. Costs $160

RAM: Any 2GB (1 slot) DDR2 ram. $40
Here's an example of one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820141364

CASE: Maybe $125. I included a listing of several mini-itx cases. You can google yourself as well to search for diff cases. Google "mini-itx cases". They usually come with there own power supplies.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...E&N=2010090007+1054826848&name=Mini-ITX+Tower

http://www.directron.com/miniitx.html

HEATSINK: $25 I think if you get a mini-itx case, you have to get a special cooler as well that'll fit. I've included one that is low profile and should fit in many cases. Look for low profile socket AM2 coolers.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186019

DVD drive - you have to find slim drives, as the dvd drive you likely have is too big. The slim drives are the same ones found in laptops. A DVD drive maybe will be 50-60 bucks.

Total comes to maybe $400 or $450 total. Personally, for this price I'd just recommend getting the above shuttle system. Only difference in size is the height (shuttle is something like 7-8 inches tall, while these systems are maybe 3-4 inches tall). A shuttle xpc is probably the same as 2 mac mini's piled on top of each other. However, the performance that it goes is l10000 times better.

 

[azn712]

after some delay. i finally came up with a preliminary list. Any suggestions would be great.

Shuttle SD30G2 Plus Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel 945GC 2 x 240Pin link
over

Shuttle SG31G2 Intel Socket T(LGA775) Intel G31 2 x 240Pin link

this one i thought very hard about. At this moment, i dont think i will ever need the juice of a core2quad.

A Geoforce series 7 or 8 graphics card. probably get an used off this forum.

36gb Raptor

200-500 HDD

TV-tuner card.

2gb ram. Shuttle SD30G2 unofficially supports up to 3.3gb of 800mhz ram. So 2x2gb ram might be an option

CPU probably a C2D but speed is undecided right now.


Any opinions about the setup possible price, or location to find the parts will be greatly appreciated.

 

[KentaroShinseki]

EEEbox if you dont want a ton of power

 

[Dangman]

Do you already have a legit XP or Vista OS copy on hand?

Oh and drop the 36GB Raptor. This drive, assuming you get the revised version, will perform just as well as that Raptor yet offers significantly more storage:
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $60

Your $500 is bit tight. More than likely, this is best CPU you can afford:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 CPU - $70

I recommend getting this RAM:
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45

You might be able to fit in the 9600GSO into your budget for some casual gaming:
BFG Tech BFGE96384GSOOCE GeForce 9600 GSO 384MB PCI-E Video Card - $110

Are you sure that you want a TV Tuner?