Mac Mini type 'Windows PC'

koolpc · 15 Oct 2011 at 09:49

My mate loves my new Mac Mini but hates the OS!!

Now, could some kind person spec a PC that is almost the same size as the Mac mini? Not sure on budget so as long as it is at least dual core and can run 8gig ram that would be fine. He would probably be using a Pico PSU.

Main thing is it needs to be same size as Mac Mini!!

KiiYzOo · 15 Oct 2011 at 09:52

tell him to get a mac mini but bootcamp it?

koolpc · 15 Oct 2011 at 09:58

Yea, mentioned that to him but he just wants a Win7 Tiny PC!

gropingmantis · 15 Oct 2011 at 10:01

No. A Wesena-ITX2 is the same footprint as a mac mini but is double the height. Anything else that size doesnt look anywhere near as classy as a mac-mini. So basically it comes down to do you want a super thin mac mini with boot camp or a double thickness PC with a better processor and and cooling (i.e. quieter) and an upgrade path but no thunderbolt (so no 2560x1600) and no SDHC card slot.

KiiYzOo · 15 Oct 2011 at 10:05

you could get one of these, although it doesn't look as nice as the mac mini

http://store.antec.com/Product/enclosure-itx/isk100/0-761345-15170-2.aspx

ng93 · 15 Oct 2011 at 14:01

As gropingmantis says the only cases that look as good as a mac mini are the wesena itx series, but even they are significantly larger. Not sure about 2560x1600 comment, surely something like a llano could power a big screen on integrated graphics?

flibbage0 · 15 Oct 2011 at 15:37

I also asked a similar question a few months ago, the only case I could find was the Wesena ITX-2 case, its about the same size as the old mac mini (the white box).

The only thing I would worry about is keeping the temperature low.

gropingmantis · 15 Oct 2011 at 16:53

ng93 said:
As gropingmantis says the only cases that look as good as a mac mini are the wesena itx series, but even they are significantly larger. Not sure about 2560x1600 comment, surely something like a llano could power a big screen on integrated graphics?

Its because of the bandwidth limitations of HDMI. 2560x1600 requires dual-DVI or miniDP/Thunderbolt. HDMI cant carry enough information.

TheVoice · 15 Oct 2011 at 18:31

It's a shame Dell stopped doing the Studio Hybrid a while back, it was the perfect competitor to the Mac Mini, had some very cool design features. The machine they replaced it with looked crap in comparison.

koolpc · 15 Oct 2011 at 21:52

Wesena-ITX2 looks great to me.

What components could i use guys? I haven't a clue. I know my mate would like a speedy beast but i know he doesnt play games on the PC as he loves his Xbox!

gropingmantis · 15 Oct 2011 at 22:00

koolpc said:
Wesena-ITX2 looks great to me.

What components could i use guys? I haven't a clue. I know my mate would like a speedy beast but i know he doesnt play games on the PC as he loves his Xbox!

What will it be used for?

Could go the Llano route if it is nothing too intensive and mainly a media/browsing box.

koolpc · 15 Oct 2011 at 22:16

As powerful if not more, than my Mac Mini 2.4. He does a lot of Photoshop but no gaming

gropingmantis · 15 Oct 2011 at 22:31

koolpc said:
As powerful if not more, than my Mac Mini 2.4. He does a lot of Photoshop but no gaming

Ah hell why not go all out.

Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3
Intel Core i5-2500k (You need the K series for the HD3000 graphics)
8GB RAM (Vengeance LP or XMS3)
1TB Western Digital Scorpio Blue
Scythe Shruiken BIG cooler.

Then on the Wesena site you can get hold of:
Wesena ITX2
Wesena 120w PSU
Wesena 12v 6a Power Supply Adaptor
Sony Optiarc BC-5640H Slot Loading Blu-Ray Combo Drive - SlimSATA

That will be a beast and tiny.

koolpc · 15 Oct 2011 at 22:49

gropingmantis said:
Ah hell why not go all out.

Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3
Intel Core i5-2500k (You need the K series for the HD3000 graphics)
8GB RAM (Vengeance LP or XMS3)
1TB Western Digital Scorpio Blue
Scythe Shruiken BIG cooler.

Then on the Wesena site you can get hold of:
Wesena ITX2
Wesena 120w PSU
Wesena 12v 6a Power Supply Adaptor
Sony Optiarc BC-5640H Slot Loading Blu-Ray Combo Drive - SlimSATA

That will be a beast and tiny.

Thanks, will check that lot out

flibbage0 · 16 Oct 2011 at 15:09

I would advise you to get a 200W pico PSU.

Also you could add an SSD, but then you wouldn't have space for a standard hard drive

Anyway good luck with the build and PLEASE post some pics, and if you had any difficulties in doing it because I am planning on building something similar, that is if I get a job.

DavidB · 16 Oct 2011 at 17:41

gropingmantis said:
Ah hell why not go all out.

Gigabyte GA-H67N-USB3
Intel Core i5-2500k (You need the K series for the HD3000 graphics)
8GB RAM (Vengeance LP or XMS3)
1TB Western Digital Scorpio Blue
Scythe Shruiken BIG cooler.

Then on the Wesena site you can get hold of:
Wesena ITX2
Wesena 120w PSU
Wesena 12v 6a Power Supply Adaptor
Sony Optiarc BC-5640H Slot Loading Blu-Ray Combo Drive - SlimSATA

That will be a beast and tiny.

Just be aware that the BIG will almost certainly block the PCI-E port, oh and you'll be very lucky if you can get a 3.5" drive in there.

gropingmantis · 16 Oct 2011 at 18:19

DavidB said:
Just be aware that the BIG will almost certainly block the PCI-E port, oh and you'll be very lucky if you can get a 3.5" drive in there.

Thats fine because the ITX2 has no expansion slot so you cant use it anyway and I know it wont take 3.5" HDDs thats why I suggested the Scorpio Blue as it is 2.5".

I did not just throw together a random selection of nice components.

koolpc · 17 Oct 2011 at 01:08

A 2.5 HD would be used anyway. Plus the 160W Pico

CAT-THE-FIFTH · 17 Oct 2011 at 11:12

koolpc said:
Wesena-ITX2 looks great to me.

What components could i use guys? I haven't a clue. I know my mate would like a speedy beast but i know he doesnt play games on the PC as he loves his Xbox!

I would stick to a 65W TDP CPU such as a Core i3 2100. I have a Core i3 2100 myself and for basic duties the HD2000 is good enough. There is also the Core i3 2105 which has the HD3000 IGP.

koolpc · 17 Oct 2011 at 11:38

What mobo would you recommend to go with the i3 2105?