suggestion for mini-itx computer

feldmaus · 12-26-11, 11:50 AM

Hi All,

i need some hints or suggestions for a mini-itx computer for my girl-friend. The mini-itx computer is used generally for office working and a bit for gaming, for example ETQW in low resolution.

Until now i found the following possible but not perfectly fitted parts:
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 250e/3GHz/45TDP/AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology/Socket AM3
RAM: 4GB
GPU: Geforce 8400 or GT210
Motherboard: Mini-ITX with AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology

The CPU seems to have enough power, but i am not sure about the other components.

Any suggestions for me?

regards Markus

frenchy2k1 · 12-27-11, 01:29 PM

Your video is quite underpowered.
Get at least a GT430/440 or GT240. GT210/220 are really weak, the 8400 even more so.
At that point, even the embedded video from the latest AMD could be competitive (and the CPU might even be better than what you have now)

So, try looking for this:
AMD Fusion
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157273
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103951

or the intel side, less GPU and more CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115090
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157238

feldmaus · 12-30-11, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchy2k1

Your video is quite underpowered.
Get at least a GT430/440 or GT240. GT210/220 are really weak, the 8400 even more so.
At that point, even the embedded video from the latest AMD could be competitive (and the CPU might even be better than what you have now)

I forgot to wrote that i want to build a mostly passiv ITX-PC as far as possible. This means it would be nice to have a flexible CPU and GPU for high and low power usage, depending on what i need. But i dont want a high end gaming pc, because it is nearly only for office and only 10% for low resolution gaming (example ETQW in low resolution mode). Further on i want to watch HD Videos. The chassis would have two fans.

Is it possible to use the GT430/440 or GT240 passiv?

Nitz Walsh · 01-04-12, 02:10 PM

Whoa, I had to double-check the date on the OP as it read like a post from 3 years ago. X2 250E?

Is there really a point to building a mini-ITX system yourself and not just going for an OEM build that will likely be even smaller? When you factor in the cost of the Windows license you'll probably end up spending more. When you want small, quiet, and not a huge emphasis on graphics, this is where OEM's shine.

Now granted, this is Can $ and a boxing-after-week special, but this is not out the ordinary for systems of this size:

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...f49ce94c21en02

That's $349 for a quad-core AMD 3600 that will have better graphics performance that potentially even a 440 (not sure, but definitely more than a 210), 4GB, TB HD - and still have a 16X and 1X PCI-e slots. You can fit a low-profile video card in there if you felt the need to upgrade in the future as well. From my experience with these systems that are for all intents and purposes, silent up until the point you place your head against the side of the case and you can hear the fan whirr. And that's all you have, is the CPU and (tiny) PSU fan.

Seems to make a lot more sense to me that cobbling together a mini-ITX system out of oudated components. Price up the motherboard/CPU/case/HD/mouse/keyboard/Windows license, even with a gimped GPU you'll have trouble getting it for under $300.

Buy an OEM, clean the crapware off it - give it to gf.

12-26-11, 11:50 AM	#1
feldmaus Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 17	suggestion for mini-itx computer Hi All, i need some hints or suggestions for a mini-itx computer for my girl-friend. The mini-itx computer is used generally for office working and a bit for gaming, for example ETQW in low resolution. Until now i found the following possible but not perfectly fitted parts: CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 Dual Core 250e/3GHz/45TDP/AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology/Socket AM3 RAM: 4GB GPU: Geforce 8400 or GT210 Motherboard: Mini-ITX with AMD Cool 'n' Quiet Technology The CPU seems to have enough power, but i am not sure about the other components. Any suggestions for me? regards Markus

12-27-11, 01:29 PM	#2
frenchy2k1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 446	Re: suggestion for mini-itx computer Your video is quite underpowered. Get at least a GT430/440 or GT240. GT210/220 are really weak, the 8400 even more so. At that point, even the embedded video from the latest AMD could be competitive (and the CPU might even be better than what you have now) So, try looking for this: AMD Fusion http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157273 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103951 or the intel side, less GPU and more CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115090 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157238 __________________ As the universe is curved, there cannot be a straight answer...

01-04-12, 02:10 PM	#4
Nitz Walsh Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 622	Re: suggestion for mini-itx computer Whoa, I had to double-check the date on the OP as it read like a post from 3 years ago. X2 250E? Is there really a point to building a mini-ITX system yourself and not just going for an OEM build that will likely be even smaller? When you factor in the cost of the Windows license you'll probably end up spending more. When you want small, quiet, and not a huge emphasis on graphics, this is where OEM's shine. Now granted, this is Can $ and a boxing-after-week special, but this is not out the ordinary for systems of this size: http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/...f49ce94c21en02 That's $349 for a quad-core AMD 3600 that will have better graphics performance that potentially even a 440 (not sure, but definitely more than a 210), 4GB, TB HD - and still have a 16X and 1X PCI-e slots. You can fit a low-profile video card in there if you felt the need to upgrade in the future as well. From my experience with these systems that are for all intents and purposes, silent up until the point you place your head against the side of the case and you can hear the fan whirr. And that's all you have, is the CPU and (tiny) PSU fan. Seems to make a lot more sense to me that cobbling together a mini-ITX system out of oudated components. Price up the motherboard/CPU/case/HD/mouse/keyboard/Windows license, even with a gimped GPU you'll have trouble getting it for under $300. Buy an OEM, clean the crapware off it - give it to gf.