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

[Whiffle]

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.

 

[Whiffle]

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?

 

[Whiffle]

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?

 

[Whiffle]

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?