Fastest and Smallest

[heyitsmeben]

Hello...
Here is my goal:

--A computer that is fast - I want a system capable of supporting a high-end Intel quad core processor with 4GB (or more) RAM.
-- A computer that is SMALL!! I want the casing to be small.... Therefore, I was thinking about mITX (or similar small board).
--If possible, 'energy efficient' . I have heard something about mITX computers using 90 or so watt power supply. (However- this was with a single core processor and less ram).

(FYI - I will not be adding video cards, and I will not be adding many peripherals at all)

So.... please help me out....
A combination of:
- what mITX (or similar)board?
- what kind of case?
- what kind of power supply?

Key points: Fast, SMALL, Energy Efficient!!

 

[Homerboy]

Hello...
Here is my goal:

--A computer that is fast - I want a system capable of supporting a high-end Intel quad core processor with 4GB (or more) RAM.
-- A computer that is SMALL!! I want the casing to be small.... Therefore, I was thinking about mITX (or similar small board).
--If possible, 'energy efficient' . I have heard something about mITX computers using 90 or so watt power supply. (However- this was with a single core processor and less ram).

(FYI - I will not be adding video cards, and I will not be adding many peripherals at all)

So.... please help me out....
A combination of:
- what mITX (or similar)board?
- what kind of case?
- what kind of power supply?

Key points: Fast, SMALL, Energy Efficient!!

pick 2

 

[PCTC2]

I think your best bet is mATX if you want fast, but if you want mITX, then I would suggest

DFI P55 mini ITX
Intel Core i7 860 (NO OVERCLOCKING)
Silverstone SG05-B Case w/ 300W PSU
Radeon HD 5770

 

[Zap]

Key points: Fast, SMALL, Energy Efficient!!

If you think you can live with a dual core + HyperThreading instead of a true quad core, then how about this combo:

H55 chipset mini ITX motherboard
4GB DDR3
Your choice of "Clarkdale" processor (integrated graphics, dual core, HyperThreading)
Pico PSU 150-XT power supply kit
M350 mini ITX case (add VESA mount for $1.99, second HDD tray for $1.95)
Your choice SSD (and secondary 2.5" HDD if needed for storage)
USB optical drive if needed

Mount that puppy behind your monitor and you'll end up with a zero footprint solution.

The case is 7.5"x8.2"x2.5" and such a setup should idle under 40W and load around 100W. For a non-gaming desktop computer, if you don't run software that seriously needs the extra two cores (rendering, transcoding, Folding), then this thing will be pretty blazing fast for normal computing tasks.

 

[alyarb]

I really like this case. Inwin has been in the business for decades and for $40 this is a steal.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=CA-...e5ef4493d2376#

200 W PSU, 2 3.5" bays, decent looking. Notice there are no slots for discrete cards, even low profile (a true SFF case).

This is an awkward position where it's actually advantageous to have an off-die IGP. It allows you to have a true quad core in this particularly slim form factor. Unfortunately the fastest CPU in this case is yorkfield since there is no lynnfield+IGP system that exists. So you will really need to prioritize singlethreaded vs. multithreaded performance in order to help you decide between clarkdale+IGP vs yorkfield+IGP. They cost about the same (looking at Q8400 pricing).

If you have an extra $200 to throw away, the silverstone SG05 is a great case, though slightly larger than the inwin BP655, having full-sized expansion slots and a nicey 80 Plus PSU, gives you the room you need to have an i7 860 + P55 + fast, discrete GPU.