Portable machine for database work

[w00tles]

Hello, I'm building a system that will be used for DB work
I will need to move it around occasionally so was looking into a SFF system
The CPU + 8gb RAM are required for the DB work
Here's a basic spec I've worked out:

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SSD:
Intel X25-V Value 40GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive

£80

^ Want an SSD for the OS and database (DB will not be particularly large, but has to be very fast). How does this Intel compare vs the others? How much space is a typical windows 7 install likely eat up?

CPU:
Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156) - Retail

£150

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3 Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Mini-ITX Motherboard

£90

RAM:
2 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Single-Channel Module [CMX4GX3M1A1333C9]

£150
^ is it OK to buy 2 sticks of the same model, or do I have to buy a matched pair (For dual channel)?

Case / PSU:
Silverstone Sugo SG05B Mini-ITX Case - Black (300w PSU)

£71

GPU : ???
Not sure what GPU is appropriate, have about £100 budget here
Could go for a really busto cheap one just for the dual monitors support

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What do you think?
Perhaps a smaller case is possible, if I don't care so much about the GPU?

 

[Legion]

Hello, I'm building a system that will be used for DB work
I will need to move it around occasionally so was looking into a SFF system
The CPU + 8gb RAM are required for the DB work
Here's a basic spec I've worked out:

--------

SSD:
Intel X25-V Value 40GB 2.5" SATA-II Solid State Hard Drive

£80

^ Want an SSD for the OS and database (DB will not be particularly large, but has to be very fast). How does this Intel compare vs the others? How much space is a typical windows 7 install likely eat up??

Fresh install of win7 64 bit with hibernation on is ~14gb with hibernation off ~10gb
If you want speed in the 40gb size range the OCZ Vertex 2E is pretty much king of the heap and for another £18 or so it's worth the difference for what you want it for.

CPU:
Intel Core i5 760 2.80GHz (Lynnfield) (Socket LGA1156) - Retail

£150?

Do you really need a "true" quadcore?
The reason I'm asking is because further down the thread you mention a gfx card and the possibility of a smaller case.

The i3 xxx cpu's while physically having 2 cores also have hyperthreading which makes them act like a somewhat scaled down quadcore with applications that can use multi-threading.
You can also overclock the i3's to 3.6ghz safely and easily using the retail intel hsf supplied with it,further negating any performance loss downscaling from a true quadcore.

They also have a gpu built into them and using the motherboard you've selected you have no need to buy a gfx card at all if you choose an i3xxx cpu.
The last point about a smaller case,the i3 xxx cpu's run a lot cooler than the i5 760 does assuming you are using programs that actually make the cpu do any work,which is something less to worry about should you want a smaller case.

Motherboard:
Gigabyte GA-H55N-USB3 Intel H55 (Socket 1156) DDR3 Mini-ITX Motherboard

£90?

This is fine no worries here,with DFI out of the game it's the best motherboard in it's class.

RAM:
2 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz Single-Channel Module [CMX4GX3M1A1333C9]

£150
^ is it OK to buy 2 sticks of the same model, or do I have to buy a matched pair (For dual channel)??

They will work in dual channel and it's a cheaper way to get a 2x4gb kit for the motherboard,good choice.

Case / PSU:
Silverstone Sugo SG05B Mini-ITX Case - Black (300w PSU)

£71?

It's a good,solid choice for what you want.

GPU : ???
Not sure what GPU is appropriate, have about £100 budget here
Could go for a really busto cheap one just for the dual monitors support?

If you go with the i3 xxx cpu you dont need a gfx card at all as mentioned earlier.
It also supports dual monitors.
The motherboard also supports this,so again you're covered.

If you still feel you want the i5 760 then it's just a case of buy the cheapest card for what you need,no need to spend more on something you aren't going to utilise

--------------

What do you think?
Perhaps a smaller case is possible, if I don't care so much about the GPU?

A smaller case is definately do-able.

The Lian-li PC Q-07 is pretty much the smallest footprint case that you can pack a fair amount of kit into.
While it doesnt have a built in psu like the SG 05 a 400 watt atx psu is cheap as chips to go with it.
Should you choose to go with the i5 760,this case will also support a single slot,full height gfx card.

 

[Hotwired]

If you want a very portable case I'd recommend the Jou Jye 528i 220W. Need to mod it a bit.

Drill two holes and it can take two 2.5" drives instead of one. Slim optical and a low profile GPU also fit in.

I've checked power with an E8400 and the 5570 with prime and furmark and it was taking less than 140W from the socket. The PSU is 220W.

760 would be a higher draw but I'd expect it would be doable.