Need a bit of help figuring an SFF build out

englishpremier · 4 Oct 2011 at 10:32

After doing a bit of research, and from the replies in my other thread, it seems a bare-bones system isn't the way to go.

So i'm thinking about an mITX setup, though i'm a little confused as I know nothing about the processors, motherboard and graphics cards that have been released in the past 4 years.

I want a CPU that is faster than my current C2D E6300 (regardless of clockspeed).

I want a graphics card or integrated graphics that is actually useful. I'm ashamed to say that I have a Nvidia 6200 turbo cache :eek:

And a silent PSU. Years ago there were loads of fanless ones about but they seem to have disappeared now.

I was thinking about the Antec ISK 300-150 - though I currently have 3.5" HDD.

I don't play any games. Main use is browsing and watching HD video. To be honest my current PC does that without any problems, but I want something smaller and quieter.

Any suggestions?

DotA · 4 Oct 2011 at 14:11

Budget?

Need an OS, mouse, keybored? etc.
any gaming at all?

englishpremier · 4 Oct 2011 at 14:41

I don't have a set budget, but lets say I wouldn't want to spend more than £200, though can offset the cost by selling some of what i already have (though its probably only worth £20 lol)

No OS as I run Linux mint.

No accessories or peripherals required.

Really its just case / cpu / gfx / motherboard combo that is faster than my current setup.

My DDR2-800 will be no good, so i'll get rid of that and pick up some memory from the MM.

DotA · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:29

Silverstone Sugo SG06B Mini ITX Case - Black £93.98

Asus P8H61-I Intel H61 £64.99

Intel Pentium G620 2.60GHz £51.98

Corsair XMS3 4GB £26.39

Total £239

if you can get this CPU insteed

Intel Core i3-2100 3.10GHz

runs faster, has hyper treading and will last longer.

The MB has some new features, USB 3.0 Gpu boost. hdmi, vga, dvi. has a PCI-E x16 slot for upgrades.

4gb of ram for £26 pounds you cant argue there.

The case comes with a 300 watt psu and supports 2.5 and 3.5 drives and has enough room to upgrade in the future.

just let someone else take a look and see if they can find something better.

englishpremier · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:38

The G620 has graphics on chip right?

Isn't the AMD A-83XXX faster in terms of graphics, but also better for watching films? Something about the amount of dropped frames.

I don't know how the two chips perform in terms of pure CPU power against one another.

DotA · 4 Oct 2011 at 16:47

The G620 has the same HD 2000 GPU as the i3/i5 CPUs

It is faster but i know of no Mitx boards for the chipset. Someone else might know of one but i dont.

Turambar · 4 Oct 2011 at 22:41

There are a few m-itx boards around for Llano. Just not on OCUK.

http://uk.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_Socket_FM1/F1A75I_DELUXE/
http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=A75M-ITX

englishpremier · 13 Oct 2011 at 15:15

Well i've ignored all the advice here, but thanks anyway.

Bought an BM648 In-Win mITX case 120w via MM for £30 - it's a bit cheaper and tackier than I imagined from the manufacturers website, but it will do the job. http://www.in-win.com.tw/products_pccase_series.php?cat_id=1&series_id=49&model_id=239

I wanted a Llano system, but the lack of mITX options and the poor single core performance of the most affordable Llano cpus put me off.

Instead I bough an Intel DG41AN motherboard, and will use my current C2D processor along with the on board X4000HD graphics card. Some of the guys on AVS forums have managed to get decent 24p playback from it.

Had to upgrade my ram, but picked up 4GB of DDR3 for £17

The savings enabled me to get a £30GB SSD to use as my o/s drive.