ITX Linux Workstation Build

[nubian1]

The time is fast approaching for my next build. It will be an ITX based one, my 3rd ITX build in the last year, as I've grown to love this format for various reasons. Here are some points/requirements for this proposed build. This build will be used as a daily general computing workhorse. It will not be used to play games as I have that base already covered with another pc.

-> This build will run Linux exclusively (Either Linux Mint, Suse 11.3 (When it drops), or PCLinuxOS 2010.1).
-> Must be very quiet yet powerful & fast enough to run today's modern applications (Not A Game Machine Though).
-> Must be built with up to date components.
-> Obviously Linux compatibility is a must.
-> Would prefer to choose an ITX case that can fit a standard ATX power supply for the sake of choice.
-> I would prefer that the chosen case be able to fit a cooler the size of the Scythe Big Shuriken (My heatsink of choice for tight spaces.
-> Must be reasonably priced but not if it means sacrificing the above points.

-What Is This Build For?-
Daily computing tasks such as surfing the net, multimedia, document creation, communication, ect, ect.


So with that out of the way here is some of the hardware I have been looking at.

-Motherboard-

Intel based gets the nod here so far due to the availability of S1156 based motherboards. From what I have been reading the ECS H55H-I seems to be a great board for the price but with no USB 3.0 or SATA 3 it isn't very forward thinking. The Zotac H55ITX-A-E is another contender but while being more expensive than the ECS, it does at least have integrated WiFi (Bu at an almost $50 premium over the ECS board!). Still USB3 & SATA3 are NOT among the deciding factors for this build at all.

I did not include any model from Intel since being an overclocker at heart, Intel gets passed over due to their usual lack of any overclocking options in their shipping bios.

I am not against an AMD offering, I still love my Zotac GF8200 ITX build, but I am being swayed by my cpu choice.

-Processor-
Intel Core i3-530

The Core i3 has the combination of speed, easy overclockability & cool running efficiency that seems to make it a perfect choice for this setup. As a bonus it includes Intel VT-x technology since I am a virtualization junkie as well not to mention Hyperthreading.

-Case-

Here is a sticking point. I would prefer an ITX case that supports a full sized ATX powersupply. I just feel that I would prefer the choice of silent powersupply than have my choices limited by the small selection of SFX based units around. I would also be able to go modular which would be a big advantage given the limited space that the ITX platform affords. This is not written in stone however.

Some I've been looking at include the Lian Li PC-Q08 (Not really available yet), Lian Li PC-Q07, Lian Li PC-V351A, Silverstone SG05B, Silverstone SG06B.


So here is the beginning of my next build. I would like to start ordering parts within the next week or two.

Opinions & Observations are welcomed.
__________________
GOD Is Good
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[Knavish]

Comments:
1. The Lian Li PC-v351 is a big uATX case and a *FRIGGIN HUGE* mITX case. Does it even support mITX??

2. I'm no CPU expert, but I thought the general opinion was that AMD has better deals on CPUs in the < $150 range.

 

[nubian1]

Comments:
1. The Lian Li PC-v351 is a big uATX case and a *FRIGGIN HUGE* mITX case. Does it even support mITX??

2. I'm no CPU expert, but I thought the general opinion was that AMD has better deals on CPUs in the < $150 range.

I've since given more serious consideration to an AMD based build. It is believed that the new & upcoming AMD processors will be AM3 compatible, not to mention the 6core cpu's available now, so the upgrade path is very clear while it isn't so sure for socket 1156. Given this possible change, I may have to go MicroAtx to take advantage of an 890GX based motherboard since there are no such boards available as yet in the ITX format.

 

[Zap]

-Motherboard-

...but with no USB 3.0 or SATA 3 it isn't very forward thinking.

I think the upcoming Gigabyte ITX 1156 board will have USB3. You might not be missing much with no SATA 6Gbps support because preliminary tests show it often isn't much faster than the excellent Intel onboard SATA.

-Case-

Here is a sticking point. I would prefer an ITX case that supports a full sized ATX powersupply...

Some I've been looking at include the Lian Li PC-Q08 (Not really available yet), Lian Li PC-Q07, Lian Li PC-V351A, Silverstone SG05B, Silverstone SG06B.

The Silverstone case use SFX PSUs.

The PC-Q08 is available at Newegg, though the black version is out of stock (silver and red in stock last I checked).

The PC-Q07 might be the best choice because it is a bit smaller than the Q08 and is around 1/2 the price!! The big draw of the Q08 is that it can support big graphics cards for gamers, plus can hold a bunch of hard drives. You don't need that so the cheaper, smaller and more widely stocked Q07 might be it for you. Besides, it is available in around 6 or 7 different colors. :awe:

Comments:
Does it even support mITX??

All ATX and mATX cases support mini ITX because ITX just uses the normal four standoffs that surround the CPU area. Yes, you can use a mini ITX board in a ginormous case like an Antec 1200. ^_^

 

[nubian1]

I think the upcoming Gigabyte ITX 1156 board will have USB3. You might not be missing much with no SATA 6Gbps support because preliminary tests show it often isn't much faster than the excellent Intel onboard SATA.



The Silverstone case use SFX PSUs.

The PC-Q08 is available at Newegg, though the black version is out of stock (silver and red in stock last I checked).

The PC-Q07 might be the best choice because it is a bit smaller than the Q08 and is around 1/2 the price!! The big draw of the Q08 is that it can support big graphics cards for gamers, plus can hold a bunch of hard drives. You don't need that so the cheaper, smaller and more widely stocked Q07 might be it for you. Besides, it is available in around 6 or 7 different colors. :awe:



All ATX and mATX cases support mini ITX because ITX just uses the normal four standoffs that surround the CPU area. Yes, you can use a mini ITX board in a ginormous case like an Antec 1200. ^_^

Thanks for the great info. I've done some serious reconsidering of going the AMD AM3 mATX platform route given that it is rumored that Intel will be abandoning socket 1156 for 1155 in the near future. The rumour is that AMD upcoming processor releases may be backward compatible with AM3 (eg. 880g) boards available now. This will maintian an upgrade path for the foreseeable future.
I have not seen any AMD 8xxx chipset based ITX motherboards unfortunately.
Any comments on this?

 

[Zap]

rumored that Intel will be abandoning socket 1156 for 1155 in the near future. The rumour is that AMD upcoming processor releases may be backward compatible with AM3 (eg. 880g) boards available now. This will maintian an upgrade path for the foreseeable future.

This is not much of a concern for me because I rarely own a motherboard past a year. New technologies are always coming out on motherboards so I'd hate to be stuck with an old one. For instance even the latest boards with USB3 right now have to use an NEC add-on chip to provide that functionality because it isn't built in to the current chipsets. Usually performance and compatibility is better once a technology is integrated into chipsets. Heck, AMD platforms barely got SATA 6Gbps ports integrated into the latest chipsets, so someone with an older motherboard will be able to take the Thuban 6-core procs, but they don't have USB3 and the new SATA.

 

[nubian1]

This is not much of a concern for me because I rarely own a motherboard past a year. New technologies are always coming out on motherboards so I'd hate to be stuck with an old one. For instance even the latest boards with USB3 right now have to use an NEC add-on chip to provide that functionality because it isn't built in to the current chipsets. Usually performance and compatibility is better once a technology is integrated into chipsets. Heck, AMD platforms barely got SATA 6Gbps ports integrated into the latest chipsets, so someone with an older motherboard will be able to take the Thuban 6-core procs, but they don't have USB3 and the new SATA.

I have to agree. Pretty much anything you purchase in the tech world is obsolete by the time you get it home.

For me, USB3 will have a bigger impact than SATA3, specially with the overwhelming number of systems only having one hard drive or SSD.

I do like the versatility of the AM3 platform though. The number of processors supported by this platform is great.

 

[BTA]

Thought I remember reading a thread that the current Linux distros have issues with the onboard (onCPU?) video of the H55 + i3/i5 combos. Didn't notice if you mentioned you'd use discrete or not.

Just something to keep in mind.

I'd probably be cheap and buy the ECS mb or wait for the Gigabyte one. I also have been thinking of an ITX built using the Lian Li PQ07.

 

[DaveSimmons]

For mATX the Antec NSK3xxx is a great case for running cool and quiet.

 

[nubian1]

Thought I remember reading a thread that the current Linux distros have issues with the onboard (onCPU?) video of the H55 + i3/i5 combos. Didn't notice if you mentioned you'd use discrete or not.

Just something to keep in mind.

I'd probably be cheap and buy the ECS mb or wait for the Gigabyte one. I also have been thinking of an ITX built using the Lian Li PQ07.

I remember somewhere threads discussing the issue you mentioned. I also remember reading somewhere, got to find out where, that with the latest kernel releases that this issue has been resolved.

 

[nubian1]

For mATX the Antec NSK3xxx is a great case for running cool and quiet.

I would prefer a case that would allow my own choice of power supply to be used and not to be stuck with any manufacturers custom model.

Lian Li has a few case models that fit the bill.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

Why not a PicoPSU? It's silent, gets another heat source out of the case, and really frees up your case choices to nearly anything.

The Gigabyte board is out now and seems to be the best choice unless you're really trying to scape by money-wise, in which case you should get the ECS and cross your fingers that it doesn't have problems.

 

[Sp12]

mATX is a probably a better price/performance ratio, but still.

Here's a very highly rated Gigabyte board.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

ITX machines aren't even all that small IMO... compared to a Mac Mini or a laptop, they're generally pretty big. Going even bigger to mATX seems pretty stone age at this point. An ITX machine can even fit a video card if you need that.