New Build Advice...

oHUTCHYo · 21 Jan 2014 at 19:39

I've been using a Sony VPCEB4X0E laptop for some time now, after giving up on a full desktop PC after I fell out of love with PC gaming.

However, I miss my huge monitor terribly, but do want to keep a small setup in terms of other hardware.

I do own an Acer Revo which sits in my lounge and solely serves as an XBMC device. So, I've been thinking, is there a micro PC available that will offer me as follows;

Have an equal or better CPU to my laptop, which is an Intel Core i5 [email protected]
Allow me to install a SSD
Support a HUGE monitor, i.e. 25"-32" 3840x2160. No gaming, but video HD video playback
Will be used as an internet browsing device, occasional audio/video transcoding and run Ableton Live and other similar DAW
4GB+ RAM
Be quiet or silent

Does such a beast exist?

oHUTCHYo · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:05

Actually, the Nano Micro Premier Plus system on OCUK looks like it fits the bill. To be sure though, would the spec on this fit my requirements? Particularly I mean the onboard graphics...

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-353-OK&groupid=43&catid=2476

Hutchy · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:12

Have you seen these?
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=43&catid=2502&subid=2509

Also, I wonder whether the budget steam machines would fit your bill aswell when they eventually get released?

oHUTCHYo · 21 Jan 2014 at 20:17

Hutchy said:
Have you seen these?
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=43&catid=2502&subid=2509

Also, I wonder whether the budget steam machines would fit your bill aswell when they eventually get released?

Good find, me

I'm not terribly clued up on mobile processors, might be difficult to say but generally speaking what would be a desktop CPU equivalent of my current laptop processor, just so I know I'm not effectively downgrading (which I'm sure is very unlikely)

Doomedspeed · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:15

You're M480 is a Arrandale CPU based on the Westmere architecture.

Though is a quad-core, i suspect a current Haswell i3 will still be a step up. Haswell is 3 generations above westmere. (Sandy, Ivy, Haswell)

In that respect, an AMD 6300 would do the job too.

oHUTCHYo · 21 Jan 2014 at 21:40

Doomedspeed said:
You're M480 is a Arrandale CPU based on the Westmere architecture.

Though is a quad-core, i suspect a current Haswell i3 will still be a step up. Haswell is 3 generations above westmere. (Sandy, Ivy, Haswell)

In that respect, an AMD 6300 would do the job too.

Thanks mate, good to know