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Mini ITX build questions

C

cyberjar09

Junior Member
Hi, im a first time PC builder who wants to get his hands dirty.

I was inspired by the Mac Mini and am looking to build a Mini ITX system but I have some questions.

1. I noticed that the Mac Mini has the power source externally. Is this possible in a custom build so as to keep the size of the case to around that of the Mac Mini?

2. I would like to run a silent rig so Im not looking for fans/optical drives/hard disk drives. I intend on booting off a USB stick and running Ubuntu. I know the booting from USB is possible, but im worried about the heat dissipation

3. I will need the motherboard to have Wifi, Ethernet, USB (3.0 optionally) and support at least 2 gig RAM. I am stating all this clearly since Im a PC building n00b and don't know if all this comes standard.

I am looking to use it primarily for browsing and streaming video.

Thanks in advance.
 
1: With money come possibilities. Now the question is will it be worth it once you get to a set size or smaller.

2: Large heatsink with good ventilation will work on some cpus. BUT you will be limited to certain CPUs and Video. So Performance vs Silent.

3: Wifi is not standard on most. You can use USB Wifi and that will open more options.


How much performance do you need? The AMD E-350 is a little faster than a atom CPU but has much better video for watching videos.

This offers what you want, including Wifi.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131698

Add a single 4gb slab of Ram and you get quiet and ability for video. There are more E-350 based systems that are cheaper but give up built in Wifi.



If you need more performance then get a Mini-ITX board and add a low wattage CPU.

AMD Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500063

Intel Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500069

Will cost more than the first option and will need a aftermarket CPU Heatsink to keep it quiet but will offer more performance.
 
Sorry but a different question: which case are you planning to use? I am trying to do the same thing and could only find Hd-plex H3 to be the closest in terms of size. Amazingly, it is also one of the few sub $300 cases with slot load (wow... one would think there would many mac-mini knock off's by now).
 
Habey ITX cases are small and aluminum. They're also cheap. You can opt for one with slot load optical drive bay, or a smaller one with no optical drive bay (a la latest Mac Mini).
 
cyberjar09 said:
1. I noticed that the Mac Mini has the power source externally. Is this possible in a custom build so as to keep the size of the case to around that of the Mac Mini?
Click to expand...

The Habey cases have external solid-state power bricks. So do a number of Antec and Lian-Li cases - poke around on Newegg.

cyberjar09 said:
2. I would like to run a silent rig so Im not looking for fans/optical drives/hard disk drives. I intend on booting off a USB stick and running Ubuntu. I know the booting from USB is possible, but im worried about the heat dissipation.
Click to expand...

Even the Mac Mini has a fan, and under load, the Mac Mini is far from silent. Completely silent (i.e. zero fans) is not easy to accomplish. Using even one low rpm (quiet) fan opens up a lot of possibilities.

cyberjar09 said:
I am looking to use it primarily for browsing and streaming video.
Click to expand...

HD or SD streaming?

Regardless, you should read my Nettop and SFF guides; I think you'll find the information useful.
 
1. The Mac Mini has an internal PSU and does not rely on an external laptop power brick. If you want to keep it small in a DIY mITX case then get a picoPSU which should be sufficient to power all the hardware you could throw into the case.

2. Though I have run Ubuntu off a thumbdrive in the past, I find it impractical for constant daily use and a small and cheap 30-40GB SSD will be a much better option.

3. Any AMD E-350 board will be a good choice here. I suggest either one of these boards as they come with wifi built in.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131698
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813500068
 
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