First attempt with Mini ITX

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SlickRoenick

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Jul 13, 2005
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My father has asked if i would put together 3 computers for his office. Doesn't have to be something massive, but would like to get 5-6 years out of these machines (hence why i've included an ssd to keep them peppy). I used mwave.com instead of newegg.com since the prices seemed to be overall cheaper (today anyway). If anyone has some better suggestions, i certainly would like to hear what you all have to weigh in.

I've never used ITX cases/psu/mobo before, so, please be gentle :)

case: Apex MI-008 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=AA77305
mem: Kingston 8GB http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=AB02816
mobo: Intel something-or-other http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BA76257
cpu: Intel i3 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BA76781
dvd: Asus http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BA26244
ssd: Intel 330 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BE90553
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
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Are you going to be on the hook for tech support? For a basic office machine it's hard to beat the value of something like Dell Outlet, plus then your dad can get a service contract, and it comes with an OS license.
 
M

mfenn

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Jan 17, 2010
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DSF said:
Are you going to be on the hook for tech support? For a basic office machine it's hard to beat the value of something like Dell Outlet, plus then your dad can get a service contract, and it comes with an OS license.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: Hard to beat a refurb Optiplex for $300 + $100 for a 3-year all-inclusive warranty.
 
Last edited:
Termie

Termie

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Aug 17, 2005
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I built a higher end itx system for office use. That means SSD, which means no Dell outlet. Trying to draw an OS license from a stone doesn't appeal to me.

So I'm with the OP so far, given the nice SSD he has in there.

But I'm going to suggest the In Win itx case over that Apex unit. Looks better and probably works better, at least I liked it. Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811108196

The only thing to realize about these budget itx cases is that the psu fans simply are not quiet. They are small and relatively inefficient and the fan just works hard to get the heat out and is optimized for safety not user happiness.

Make sure that's ok with the users. If not, you need to go with a larger itx case or even micro ATX, to utilize a full size psu.
 
Last edited:
OBLAMA2009

OBLAMA2009

Diamond Member
Apr 17, 2008
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SlickRoenick said:
My father has asked if i would put together 3 computers for his office. Doesn't have to be something massive, but would like to get 5-6 years out of these machines (hence why i've included an ssd to keep them peppy). I used mwave.com instead of newegg.com since the prices seemed to be overall cheaper (today anyway). If anyone has some better suggestions, i certainly would like to hear what you all have to weigh in.

I've never used ITX cases/psu/mobo before, so, please be gentle :)

case: Apex MI-008 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=AA77305
mem: Kingston 8GB http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=AB02816
mobo: Intel something-or-other http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BA76257
cpu: Intel i3 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BA76781
dvd: Asus http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BA26244
ssd: Intel 330 http://www.mwave.com/mwave/SKUSearch...iteria=BE90553
Click to expand...

i wood be curious to axe whether a 250 watt power supply would be sufficient for what that chip
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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www.mfenn.com
Termie said:
I built a higher end itx system for office use. That means SSD, which means no Dell outlet. Trying to draw an OS license from a stone doesn't appeal to me.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what "trying to draw an OS license from a stone" means.

Beyond that, the OP is looking to build several systems that are (presumably) going to be the backbone of somebody's business. Maybe I have been a sysadmin for too long, but I wouldn't want to touch that with a 10-foot pole unless I had some sort of warranty backing me up. Otherwise, there's just too much risk (i.e. money out of my pocket) when something breaks.
 
Termie

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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mfenn said:
I'm not sure what "trying to draw an OS license from a stone" means.

Beyond that, the OP is looking to build several systems that are (presumably) going to be the backbone of somebody's business. Maybe I have been a sysadmin for too long, but I wouldn't want to touch that with a 10-foot pole unless I had some sort of warranty backing me up. Otherwise, there's just too much risk (i.e. money out of my pocket) when something breaks.
Click to expand...

Installing an SSD in a Dell Outlet PC without a Windows DVD.

By the way, I agree with you. Building ITX systems for business purposes is not a good idea. The PSUs, and to a lesser extent, the motherboards are of questionable quality. Like I said, I built one, and it's working fine, but I do not like losing control over the PSU - perhaps I could have figured out a way to fit an SFX power supply in, but the choices would still be limited.

Unfortunately, that means if you want small, SSD-equipped systems for professional use, there aren't many options out there right now. Perhaps some of the Dells now come with SSD cache drives. Haven't checked lately.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
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OBLAMA2009 said:
i wood be curious to axe whether a 250 watt power supply would be sufficient for what that chip
Click to expand...

The CPU has a TDP of 55W. With the SSD, system will probably idle at 30W and never hit over 60W from the wall.

Good thing too, since that PSU probably can't actually put out a usable 250W of power. :twisted:

VirtualLarry said:
They were $59.99 FS a few days ago! Now they're $89.99, which still isn't bad.
Click to expand...

One of them is still $60 shipped.
 
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