The Project

LittleNemoNES

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2005
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Hey guys I want to build a PC that I want to use solely for downloads.
I suppose I could use an ancient PC but I want it to be really small.

So again: Low power, low footprint, cheap; for downloads

What are your suggestions?

GO!
 

myocardia

Diamond Member
Jun 21, 2003
9,291
30
91
I was going to suggest one of these, but it looks like ClubIt has finally sold out on them. Via makes some really low power stuff, in the small motherboard variety, even down to something they're calling pico-ITX-- the board is the same length as the stick of DDR2, in both directions.
 

hurtstotalktoyou

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2005
2,055
9
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$106.47-$20MIR=$86.88 - Ultra MicroFly w/400W V-series PSU (price estimate given 8.25% sales tax)
$99.99 - Western Digital 500GB hard disk
$67.00-$30MIR=$37.41 - 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
$53.32 - Gigabyte GA-M61SME-S2 integrated motherboard
$35.00 - Sempron LE-1100 "Sparta" 45W
$27.99 - Samsung DVD burner
$0.00 - Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon

TOTAL: $389.77 - $50MIRs = $340.59

I've never owned a MicroFly, but it looks *really* cool from where I sit. It's the smallest PC case I've ever seen which can accommodate both an ordinary (mATX) motherboard and an ATX power supply. The retail version from Fry's comes with a 400W Ultra V-series PSU (except with shortened cables). I *do* own one of these, and although it's not the most reliable PSU in the world, it's plenty of power for what you need, and it does have over-voltage protection.

I suggested a 500GB hard disk for a couple reasons. First of all, at just over 5GB per dollar, it's the most bang for your buck compared to other capacities (320GB, 250GB, etc.). Second, since you apparently want this to download data, it seems like a good idea to have an excess of disk space. If you don't need that much, though, or if reliability is a greater concern than sheer size, try going for a dual disk setup in RAID 1. The MicroFly has two internal 3.5" bays, and the GA-M61SME-S2 has RAID 0/1, which means you wouldn't have to worry about changing those choices. Alternatively, if price is a major concern, you could just stick with a basic 160GB disk for about $50.

Corsair offers their 2GB XMS2 kit for $37AR, which I think is a pretty nice deal. If you don't want to deal with rebates, though, you could try the Wintec kit, which is something like $47. I wouldn't get less than 2GB, though, since it's only a *little* bit more expensive than 1GB, nor would I go under DDR2-800 speed, for the same reason.

The Gigabyte GA-M61ME-S2 is a neat-looking board from a reliable manufacturer, based on the aging but solid GeForce 6100 chipset. It's cheap, but has sufficient features such as overclocking (and presumably underclocking) control and RAID 0/1. I can't think of a better choice for the mATX AM2 platform.

I've found Intel's low-power solutions to be a bit too expensive given their performance. The Sparta 45W series is a nice but inexpensive AM2 chip, and you might be able to get away with passive cooling if you underclock it a bit (which the Gigabyte board *should* be able to do). I don't think spending extra money for a faster CPU is a great idea unless you're going to be using it for more than just a download/internet machine--and especially not if you plan on underclocking.

I suggested that Samsung DVD burner for the simple reason that it is the cheapest drive I would trust to do its job. I don't see much use in pumping more money into that component.

Finally, Ubuntu Gutsty is my favorite Linux distro. However, you can run whatever you'd like, as long as it's free. If you do choose to buy Windows, that's okay, but I wouldn't recommend it for your stated purpose.

Good luck!
 

LittleNemoNES

Diamond Member
Oct 7, 2005
4,142
0
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Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
$106.47-$20MIR=$86.88 - Ultra MicroFly w/400W V-series PSU (price estimate given 8.25% sales tax)
$99.99 - Western Digital 500GB hard disk
$67.00-$30MIR=$37.41 - 2GB (2x1GB) Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800
$53.32 - Gigabyte GA-M61SME-S2 integrated motherboard
$35.00 - Sempron LE-1100 "Sparta" 45W
$27.99 - Samsung DVD burner
$0.00 - Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon

TOTAL: $389.77 - $50MIRs = $340.59

<SNIP> Good luck!

Thanks, man!

Know what, though: I don't even want a DVD burner on this.
I want something ALMOST like a terminal server client but standalone.

When the downloads are done, I would connect it to my Living PC which is kick-ass to use the files I downoaded.

oog's suggestion looks interesting...is it standalone?
 

hurtstotalktoyou

Platinum Member
Mar 24, 2005
2,055
9
81
Originally posted by: gersson

Thanks, man!

Know what, though: I don't even want a DVD burner on this.
I want something ALMOST like a terminal server client but standalone.

When the downloads are done, I would connect it to my Living PC which is kick-ass to use the files I downoaded.

Ah, okay.

By the way, if you already have a PSU, or don't like the bundled V-series, ZZF has the MicroFly without PSU for $70.19 shipped. Then you can just stick whatever you want inside.

oog's suggestion looks interesting...is it standalone?

I've never seen anything like that before... and yes, it sure does look interesting.
 

oog

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2002
1,721
0
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yeah, take a look for the nslu2/debian project. i just got one, so i'm still undecided on how good it is. there is a list out there where people are talking about what they do with theirs, and a number of them run rtorrent or some other torrent client 24 hours a day. the device is low power and absolutely quiet. so far i have had a couple of random disconnections from ssh, which i'm still trying to figure out though.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2125389&enterthread=y
u get a screen as well...
probably runs ~30watts
usb externals are always cheap if needed.
its hard to beat the power consumption of a laptop. you can buy low power cpus for desktops, the rest of the components tend to ruin it though. my guess you couldn't get near double the consumption of a laptop
 

oog

Golden Member
Feb 14, 2002
1,721
0
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the nslu2 may be too low-end for your needs, but the actual device probably draws less than 4W. you still need to power your hard drive though.