Petite [build log]

Steveocee · 20 May 2014 at 17:11

So the title gave it away. Thought I'd throw together a build log of my new thin ITX build. Not really managed to do a proper build log before so bare with me.

The idea behind the PC is that NUC's are expensive and I wanted a small silent machine to sit under my monitor shelf so when I'm gaming I have a "spare" machine to operate my second monitor. It'll be on 24/7 and will get used for big uploads (to youtube) and general RDP access into my home network.

So let it begin....

Spotted this on a well known auctioning website. Had a pretty good spec for what I needed and in my mind levelled out with the i5 NUC I wanted.
i3-2105 (HT'd to 4 cores), Thin ITX setup, 4GB RAM, Silverstone LP cooler

Also spotted this little beauty, I wanted 60GB as a minimum but didn't want to pay a lot (as it was going to be a longer term build)

Came across 1 slight problem, the listing didn't mention a SATA power cable to power the HDD/SSD. I have no idea how I over looked this but anyway I panic bought a few SATA adapters.
.....Then the base arrived

Along with a SATA power cable

Next up was a case that looked good, was small and had some quality, enter the Petite

Tonights job is going to be stringing what I have together, maybe get it up and running off a live USB stick to make sure she works.

Steveocee · 20 May 2014 at 21:00

Not going to put any pics in on this post because I've still yet to fit the SSD and I'll get all the good interior pictures then. The motherboard is now in and the front panel and USB's are connected up. Went together a breeze and it's exactly the right size for the gap it has. Thoughts are that I will need to get a mini keyboard for it but for a mouse I have a Wacom touch pad so think I will use that as it won't cost anything and it will look great!

Powered it up with a Ubuntu live USB stick and all is well, the fan isn't as silent as I was hoping but they may settle down in time (he wishes) or I can find a way of controlling the fan speed. The BIOS was in 3 pin mode so I have pushed it over to 4 pin in the hope the PWM will slow it down a little.

Steveocee · 22 May 2014 at 08:21

rotor said:
What motherboard is it?

Gigabyte GA-H77TN

wildest_jjk said:
I am considering something like this for a second PC on my second monitor. The thing that annoys me is two sets of keyboards/mice. There are some software alternatives but I can't see them working as well, though I'm not certain.

May I ask how much this has cost so far?

Thanks

So far, £30 for the SSD, £90 for the motherboard "bundle", £44 for the case

TheyCallMeAndy said:
Well that is very petite, looks good though!

Thanks

I'm going to buy a "mini" keyboard (no numberpad) so it tucks away nicely and I think I have a Wacom touchpad which will sit next to it.

Steveocee · 22 May 2014 at 08:22

Put the SSD in last night and some inside photos

Steveocee · 22 May 2014 at 08:33

Ubuntu install took minutes! (USB3 stick to Intel SSD in Intel slots)

Here she is, I won't be leaving the fronts plugged in, they are just the temporary "install" keyboard and mouse.

Steveocee · 22 May 2014 at 15:20

Thanks,
Unfortunately I don't feel I've scratched the itch enough yet.
I want 8Gb RAM just because I can
I want a silent heatsink
I want an i7 2700 or 3770 lol

Steveocee · 22 May 2014 at 17:04

leigh_boy said:
thats awsome, whats its key purpose?

Thankyou
I've moved jobs and use Ubuntu daily so wanted to familiarise myself with it a bit more, it'll be used for running my spare monitor whilst gaming; dayZ maps, twitch channel chat and once it's silent it'll be on 24/7 so I can RDP into the home network and if I need to upload stuff to youtube etc it can be left overnight running with relatively low power draw.

Steveocee · 22 May 2014 at 21:11

krooton said:
I was umming and ahhing for ages about getting a really beefy set up, but given the very limited cooling ability, it meant 54w normal cpus or overpriced low-voltage ones. The 4430 seemed to be the best middle ground in terms of performance, heat, and price.

Yeah I'm struggling a fair bit with finding a decent CPU with decent wattage. The i3 has been bang on so far though I'll give it that.

Hopefully I can find a very very silent cooler and more RAM to keep me happy :-)

Steveocee · 23 May 2014 at 15:10

Bones said:
You may already be aware of it, but I find Synergy an excellent little program for sharing mouse and keyboard over PC, Mac and Linux.

http://synergy-project.org/

That looks good. I like the idea but think for my usage I wouldn't do so well.

Steveocee · 5 Jun 2014 at 20:21

Managed to get some finished images. It's hooked up to both the 27" and the 17"

I'm also watching another RAM stick on eBay as I think I get the 8GB in a reasonably cheap fashion.

Steveocee · 5 Jun 2014 at 20:24

***Edit I just bought an additional 4GB stick of RAM.