Buying/Building a small form factor PC

mcw92 · 19-02-2014 04:25PM #1

Thinking of selling a desktop i have thats never used,
and either Building/Buying a small form factor PC.
One to connect upto the TV via HDMI to use for netflix, movies via USB, general browsing etc.

It needs to be able to run Windows.
A Chromecast or any similar device is not what im looking for here.

Basically i want the full Chrome Browser able to connect to my TV for cheap as possible.

BloodBath · 19-02-2014 04:38PM

How small and cheap? Do you have windows already?

White Heart Loon · 19-02-2014 04:45PM

Check out the Intel Nuc range, there's a selection of them with varying specs on amazon

mcw92 · 19-02-2014 04:58PM

I just don't want a big desktop really as i am going to stick it in the sitting room to connect to my tv.

It can be maybe the size of an xbox or something like that, i open to looking at different types.

I have Windows already yes.
I don't need : keyboard/mouse/monitor/OS.

Just the PC base itself thanks.

White Heart Loon · 19-02-2014 05:07PM

The Intel Nuc is 4 inches, 4x4x2 are the dimensions

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dcomputers&field-keywords=intel%20nuc&sprefix=intel%2Ccomputers&rh=i%3Acomputers%2Ck%3Aintel%20nuc

BloodBath · 19-02-2014 05:09PM

White heart's suggestion is probably the best.

Something like this. Do some research into what's best as there are a good few of these out from many manufacturers.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GB-XM14-Compact-DisplayPort-Includes/dp/B00DPO1BMO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1392825330&sr=8-9&keywords=intel+nuc&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

With a 60gb or 120gb msata drive.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT120M500SSD3-Internal-including-Screws/dp/B00BQ8RFAI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1392825330&sr=8-7&keywords=intel+nuc&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

And 4gb or 8gb so-ddr3 ram.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMSX4GX3M1A1600C9-Vengeance-Performance-1600MHz/dp/B006EWUP4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392826025&sr=8-1&keywords=so-dimm+ddr3+4gb&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

Comes to just over €300 for the 120gb ssd with 4gb of ram.

BloodBath · 19-02-2014 05:27PM

An alternative mitx tiny desktop build. You can easily upgrade to a much more powerful apu in future if you wanted. This case does not support graphics cards though. There is another bigger version that does if you think you might add a card for gaming in future.

You could save €50 by going for a cheaper case + psu combo as well if you wanted. I just love the mini lian li box. There's a vid here showing both versions to get an idea of the size. It also comes in black.

Prices were got using www.geizhals.de

-Edit- I've changed this up a couple of times now. It's worth spending the little extra getting a good quad core apu now I think. It will last you much longer. The APU's graphics power will improve video and would be capable of some gaming as well.

-Edit2-Actually maybe scratch that lian li case off the list. The front usb3's can only be connected to the rear usb ports on the board rather than internal headers. A deal breaker for me. Stupid move from them.

Item|Price
Lian Li PC-Q02A Mini-ITX Cube - silber, 300 Watt|€98.68
Crucial M500 120GB SATA 6GB/s 6,4CM (2,5") 7mm|€59.43
AMD A8-6600K APU mit AMD Radeon HD 8570D Grafik, Box mit Lüfter, FM2|€82.34
ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+, FM2+, ITX|€67.74
4GB-Kit G.Skill RipJaws-X PC3-14900U CL9-10-9-28|€41.58
Shipping|€18.99
Total|€368.76

mcw92 · 21-02-2014 02:01PM

BloodBath wrote: »

White heart's suggestion is probably the best.

Something like this. Do some research into what's best as there are a good few of these out from many manufacturers.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GB-XM14-Compact-DisplayPort-Includes/dp/B00DPO1BMO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1392825330&sr=8-9&keywords=intel+nuc&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

With a 60gb or 120gb msata drive.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT120M500SSD3-Internal-including-Screws/dp/B00BQ8RFAI/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1392825330&sr=8-7&keywords=intel+nuc&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

And 4gb or 8gb so-ddr3 ram.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-CMSX4GX3M1A1600C9-Vengeance-Performance-1600MHz/dp/B006EWUP4Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1392826025&sr=8-1&keywords=so-dimm+ddr3+4gb&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

Comes to just over €300 for the 120gb ssd with 4gb of ram.

The one you linked has Wifi built in already yes?

Does this one no?

BloodBath · 21-02-2014 02:33PM

I couldn't tell you to be honest.

I'd go with a self built matx or itx build though. For around the same money you can get something with a lot more power and upgradeability.

That is unless you really want that tiny form factor.

Buying/Building a small form factor PC

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