Suggested MiniITX system build.

[benwood]

I'm thinking about building a MiniITX system for web surfing, using RDP to access my other PCs, streaming video & playing DVD & Blurays (both physical disks and rips stored on my media server in ISO and file form). MKV support would be nice as well. I do not want to overclock or play games. Would the following system do the trick?

AMD Athlon 5350 APU
ASUS AM1I-A AM1 MiniITX motherboard
SILVERSTONE Milo series ML05B case
8 GB of RAM
Windows 7
64 GB SSD (pulled from another system)

 

[JWade]

I have a 5350 itx system I built for a backup machine. same specs except the case and dvd burner not Blu-ray. does everything I need it to do without any issues.

 

[you2]

I tend to favor intel pentinums - which can range in $30 to $60 range and asrock or msi mini-itx board. If all you are doing is web surfing; why not go with linux and save on the cost of windows ?

 

[afasoas]

I'm almost tempted to suggest a Gigabyte Brix BGBT 1900, with Linux Mint.
You can use Remmina for remote desktop. It will do everything else you ask in a tiny foot print and with minimal power consumption.

There is a but thought. There's a display issue I'm presently investigating where the HDMI output on the video card isn't always detected.

I've actually got two right now. One belongs to my employer and I've brought it home to investigate the HDMI issue. I'm not sure whether my own Brix (an N2807 on the same chipset) is similarly afflicted as I'm running it headless, but I might just connect it up to the TV tomorrow and find out.

 

[benwood]

I tend to favor intel pentinums - which can range in $30 to $60 range and asrock or msi mini-itx board. If all you are doing is web surfing; why not go with linux and save on the cost of windows ?

I chose a AMD processor over a Pentium because I want to use the CPU's built-in GPU to save on the heat, cost and room needed for a separate GPU and I understood that AMD's graphics were superior to Intel's. I want to watch Blurays & DVDs as well as MKVs and streaming video as well as surf the web. So I need a CPU with the horsepower to do that. As for Linux I don't know Linux and I don't really want to learn it.

 

[benwood]

I have a 5350 itx system I built for a backup machine. same specs except the case and dvd burner not Blu-ray. does everything I need it to do without any issues.

Does it have the horsepower to view Blurays & MKVs?

 

[Blue_Max]

Does it have the horsepower to view Blurays & MKVs?

From what I've read, ONLY if the playback software can use the GPU to enhance playback. For all else, and to be safe, I'd aim for the dual-core Intel 1150 cpu/board which is about $60-70 more.

Alternatively, I remember Newegg having an A6-xxxx(?) "embedded solution" board which had significantly better CPU + video horsepower compared to AM1 while remaining very low voltage.

 

[you2]

Bud the pentinum have built in gpu. Also the pentinum use less power and run cooler than the AMD solution. Pentinum are more than fast enough for video. I *think* AMD has better 3d graphics and might be a little less expensive.

I chose a AMD processor over a Pentium because I want to use the CPU's built-in GPU to save on the heat, cost and room needed for a separate GPU and I understood that AMD's graphics were superior to Intel's. I want to watch Blurays & DVDs as well as MKVs and streaming video as well as surf the web. So I need a CPU with the horsepower to do that. As for Linux I don't know Linux and I don't really want to learn it.

 

[ShintaiDK]

I chose a AMD processor over a Pentium because I want to use the CPU's built-in GPU to save on the heat, cost and room needed for a separate GPU and I understood that AMD's graphics were superior to Intel's. I want to watch Blurays & DVDs as well as MKVs and streaming video as well as surf the web. So I need a CPU with the horsepower to do that. As for Linux I don't know Linux and I don't really want to learn it.

The GPU in Kabini isnt faster than Haswell IGP. And you dont get any benefit in the video department either.

You just get a slow quadcore that cost the same as a faster and more capable Pentium.

Anandtech only got the unlocked Pentium, but it can also be had locked as the G3250 for example:
5350 vs G3258, note the IGP benchmarks in the end.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1223?vs=1265

 

[kierwest]

I tend to favor intel pentinums - which can range in $30 to $60 range and asrock or msi mini-itx board. If all you are doing is web surfing; why not go with linux and save on the cost of windows ?

He can get windows for super cheap on reddit....