Small form factor, High Perforance per watt computer

[sns]

I am looking to build a relatively small form factor, high performance per watt computer.

Usage
65% email/internet/office productivity/vpn
20% audio, photo, DV video editing, DVD authoring
10% low end gaming for when 10 year old nephew comes over.
5% software development

VIA Mini-ITX systems seem too underpowered.

After some research, I am considering
Motherboard: ASUS N4L-VM DH Socket 479 Intel 945GM Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
CPU: Intel Core Duo T2300 667MHz FSB Socket 478 Processor (Maybe T2400 from ZipZoom fly for a few more bucks.)

and putting the whole thing into
Athenatech A100SC.200 Black/Silver Computer Case

I have 3 questions?
1) Is this Motherboard and CPU compatible? The motherboard description says for Core Duo/Solo, but indicates Socket 479, and all Core Duo CPUs say Socket 478.
2) Is this Motherboard compatible with the case listed? The motherboard and case say MicroATX, but my concern is more with the power supply and having the right number of connectors.
3) If everything is compatible, is this the right way to go?

I'd wait until the Core Duo desktop processors are released, but my current computer just died and the mobile processors would probably draw even less power.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Peter]

Welcome to Anandtech forums!

VIA have a new Mini-ITX generation coming out right now, using their new C7 platform rather than the aged C3. They're roughly twice as fast as the old ones, and use even less power.

Also, at least here in Europe, there are currently a handful of interesting board/CPU bundles from PC-Chips that all use mobile AMD processors, from GeodeNX-1750 to very recent socket-754 mobiles.

 

[Peter]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813185063
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813185073
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813185062

The included fan has been rather loud with any of these I bought ... so better put $10 aside for a quiet one

 

[sns]

Thanks for the welcome Peter.

I like the Mini-ITX products, and I have read up on the new C7 processory based motherboards, including some reviews. The reviews show increased performance in many areas for the C7 based motherboards, but overall benchmarks are still quite low for the usage scenario I outlined above.

I think the new Mini-ITX products are great, but are best suited for either "appliance type" (i.e. router) applications or productivity apps. I can't see them being satisfactory for a [near] power user and DV Video editing, etc. The Core Duo benchmarks in this area are impressive, nearing and sometimes surpassing the best high end Desktop CPUs from both Intel and AMD.

Thanks for the advice on the fan. Two reviews on this Motherboard mention the fan noise at full speed, but say it dissapears when the Q-Fan is engaged to throttle the fan speed. Even when it kicks in at high load, the noise is tolerable in a closed case at a distance.

I guess I could always replace the fan later, if the noise is too loud when it does kick in.

 

[classy]

Are you going to be adding a video card to the setup or using on onboard video?

 

[sns]

Hi Classy.

No high end gaming, so Onboard Video should be fine. At least it's Intel's lastest G950. I could always change my mind in the future.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: sns
Hi Classy.

No high end gaming, so Onboard Video should be fine. At least it's Intel's lastest G950. I could always change my mind in the future.

If thats the case I would go with this board

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138264
and either a 3800x2 or an Opteron 165

The core duo is sweet too, but I think you'll get a little better performance out of this setup. And ddr is cheaper than ddr2 to boot.

 

[pkrush]

Is price any concern? if not, how about a:
Travla c138 case
with an
Albatron Socket 754 Mini-ITX motherboard
You'll also need a laptop hard drive and CD-ROM. The motherboard isn't out yet, but it should be available within a few weeks. You can also get Mini-ITX Pentium M motherboards. Check Logic Supply for some info on these.

 

[SDPlissken]

sns if your going low budget you may want to look this over.
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-5
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=249004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231030
total for mb/cpu/1gb mem/254.54 you will have to find out the cost of shipping.

Side it would also help us if you listed what parts you have, and what parts you need.

Hope this has helped

 

[sns]

Hi Classy.

Thanks for the recommendation. I've always been an Intel guy, but I did some research on your recommendation and it makes a lot of sense.

I also found this article over at Tom's Hardware - Dual Core Processors For Low-Power, High Performance Desktops.

Their analysis confirm your recommendations.

I don't think I can go wrong with either alternative except that if I go the Core Duo route, I'm not sure that the processor will work with the Motherboard. All Core Duo processors listed for sale are listed as Socket 478, but the Core Duo motherboards are all Socket 479. I'm not sure if it's an error on the description of the processors or that the motherboards are designed to use a processor that isn't available for sale yet.

 

[Zap]

I also think an AMD chip and Biostar board would be a decent choice. Higher budget can go for dual core, low budget can go for A64/Opteron 144. Just run with Cool and Quiet, and the setup will be power frugal while still being powerful when needed. The onboard video is also pretty decent, as far as IGP goes.