Advice on building a SFF desktop PC (non-gaming)

Whiffle · 15 Apr 2019 at 13:09

Hello.

My large desktop PC is too big for my office (and not particularly power-efficient) and whilst I considered things like NUCs, I think I am going to build something myself.

I haven't built a PC in many years and also never dealt with SFF parts before, so I really grateful for some tips on what to consider.

Ultimately, all I need is room for two SSDs (though I could make do with just one, if it means a better case).

In terms of use - all it will be used for is browsing, word-processing and a bit of music recording (nothing to taxing, in this respect).

Any suggestions for parts would much appreciated.

One thing I am currently deciding is whether to go for a regular mini-itx board and use a Pic psu or go with a board that has DC built in.

MissChief · 15 Apr 2019 at 13:31

In all honesty you’d likely be much cheaper picking up an older refurbished dell desktop. Get an i5 version with 8GB ram and windows 10 for around £100.

Whiffle · 15 Apr 2019 at 14:27

Thanks MissChief.

Given that these are the specs of my machine:

i3-2105
mATX motherboard
2 x 4GB RAM
NSK2480
2 x SSDs (one for Windows, one for Linux)
Antec High Current Gamer 400W PSU

do you think there is anything to be said for just keeping it and try squeezing it all into a much more suitable case?

tamzzy · 15 Apr 2019 at 14:32

you're not going to save that much more space, given you already have a reasonably small matx case to begin with.
if that's all the power that you need from a computer, then rearranging your desk space would probably be the more cost effective option

Whiffle · 15 Apr 2019 at 16:05

Thanks - perhaps you are right.

I was hoping to save a bit of power, too, but I guess that the power saving of going to a newer system is probably going to be barely worth it in the long run.

My current case is for HTPCs so I guess the best thing I can do is find a small desktop tower to act as a replacement. Can you recommend anything that might be up to the job?

Quartz · 15 Apr 2019 at 16:35

Whiffle said:
Ultimately, all I need is room for two SSDs (though I could make do with just one, if it means a better case).

Do look at Intel's NUC boxes and similar. My mother loves her NUC. If you really want to build your own, look at the Mini-STX and Micro-STX form factors, like the Asrock DeskMini.

MissChief · 15 Apr 2019 at 16:45

Quartz said:
Do look at Intel's NUC boxes and similar. My mother loves her NUC. If you really want to build your own, look at the Mini-STX and Micro-STX form factors, like the Asrock DeskMini.

I have to say you can pack way more storage into that than I ever thought possible. 2x M.2 slots and two standard SATA mounts on the bottom? You could be packing 2TB without even going mechanical.

Quartz · 15 Apr 2019 at 18:30

MissChief said:
You could be packing 2TB without even going mechanical.

A lot more than that, 12 TB:

My basket at Overclockers UK:

2 x Samsung 4TB 860 EVO SSD 2.5" SATA 6Gbps 64 Layer 3D V-NAND Solid State Drive (MZ-76E4T0B/EU)= £548.99
2 x Samsung 970 EVO Polaris 2TB M.2 2280 PCI-e 3.0 x4 NVMe Solid State Drive= £449.99

Total: £2,007.86 (includes shipping: £9.90)

Whiffle · 16 Apr 2019 at 13:07

Thanks for that - I have to say that I really am really impressed by the Asrock DeskMini - so much so that I am pretty sure that I am going to go that route, now.

They do seem to be better value than NUCs, given that you can use desktop CPUs in them too.

I originally thought that my obvious choice was the DeskMini 310 with a G5400. Everyone seems to be raving over what an amazing CPU that is.

I completely disregarded anything by AMD on the grounds that I have exclusively been using Intel for the last 20 years - not that there is any particular loyalty to Intel, it is just that all my previous purchased happen to have ended up with Intel being the better choice.

It is on this basis that I have only really kept an eye on new Intel products and it seems that I have overlooked that AMD seem to be very much back in the game, now.

The Ryzen 2200G seems to be getting some amazing reviews and seems to be offering so much more than the G5400, for not a lot more in price.

Would it be foolish to not, therefore, go down the AMD route with a DeskMini A300 instead?

Quartz · 16 Apr 2019 at 13:27

Whiffle said:
Would it be foolish to not, therefore, go down the AMD route with a DeskMini A300 instead?

I have no experience of the Deskmini; I just know my mother loves her NUC.

Danny75 · 19 Apr 2019 at 21:26

Whiffle said:
It is on this basis that I have only really kept an eye on new Intel products and it seems that I have overlooked that AMD seem to be very much back in the game, now.

The Ryzen 2200G seems to be getting some amazing reviews and seems to be offering so much more than the G5400, for not a lot more in price.

Would it be foolish to not, therefore, go down the AMD route with a DeskMini A300 instead?

Looks nice. Don't suppose your monitor has VESA that isn't in use? If so, could just mount it to the back of it so you don't use desk room.