Design Goal Advice.

[framos917]

I would like to build a desktop for the experience and ability to maintain. On maintainability, I am very drawn to the modularity of a custom built machine and the ability to upgrade specific parts. I would like to get opinions on my design goals. I want a small foot print on the desktop. Not a tower, more to the small form factor size. However as I look at cases, I find this size mostly in the gaming and home theater section, of which I am neither.
The footprint size and the processor are my design goals.
The size of the case needs to be on the compact size. Style is important but not too much on the gaming side or the minimalist of the home theater category. I do a lot of web browsing plus some development (productivity suites and HTML) as I do some part time IT courses and IT contract work. I have noted that you can still get some decent processors with the SFF size. I do not want the top end processor and will chose based on price performance when I buy the components.
Is this a reasonable goal to have, that being the design and look of case be your first step?

[Nikon]

well, as far as processors go, even the most powerful single CPU's can often be put in small cases due to (atleast on intel's side) decently low TDP (basicly how much heat it puts off).
processors are also not automaticly ruled out based on form factor, but by other things. power, cooling, demand for cpu power, and more.

the idea of modularity diminishes as you decrease the size/working room inside a case.

just because a case may be labled/sold as a gaming case or HTPC case, does not mean that is all you can do with them. the basic layout of computercases is the same, including an area for each part. if i understand you properly, you are looking for whats known as a 'mid tower' case.

the first thing you need to think about is 'what will i do with this machine?' if it is going to be a power hungry gaming machine, you will want a larger case with more fans to help keep those components cool.
if it is an 'everyday use' type machine (this one is prolly towards you), a medium case with a couple fans should be fine.
if it is an htpc or home server type, a smaller case with a fan or two should be OK.

[framos917]

Nikon, Very helpful. You provided a big impact on my perspective. Great tip on modularity.

[Nikon]

no problem, glad to help.

[glc]

I think the best compromise between all these factors would be a "MicroATX Mini Tower". These would fit any MicroATX motherboard, which should be more than sufficient. The only thing you need to watch out for is power supply compatibility. You need one that will fit a standard ATX power supply. Here is the one I would personally buy if I were building with one:

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case

If you want a different style case that may be more suitable to put on top of your desk, this case is exquisite:

Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-V351B Black Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by glc I think the best compromise between all these factors would be a "MicroATX Mini Tower". These would fit any MicroATX motherboard, which should be more than sufficient. The only thing you need to watch out for is power supply compatibility. You need one that will fit a standard ATX power supply. Here is the one I would personally buy if I were building with one: Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminum bezel, SECC chassis MicroATX Mini Tower Computer Case If you want a different style case that may be more suitable to put on top of your desk, this case is exquisite: Newegg.com - LIAN LI PC-V351B Black Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case

I agree, that Lian Li is a great case... I have never had a bad one yet, the attention to detail, design, and craftsman ship are second to no one.

[framos917]

Thanks for all the great comments. I have had my perspective changed so I will start the design of my desktop over again.

This may be a strange question so bear with my ignorance. Is there a source of information I can go to that recommends processors based on what you do with a PC? Most of what I see is based on speed with no application being applied except the faster the better.

Thanks again

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by framos917 Thanks for all the great comments. I have had my perspective changed so I will start the design of my desktop over again. This may be a strange question so bear with my ignorance. Is there a source of information I can go to that recommends processors based on what you do with a PC? Most of what I see is based on speed with no application being applied except the faster the better. Thanks again

When I design or build a PC, I look at the software that is being used. For example, many people buy Quad Core CPU's when they do not need them as the majority of the software out there or what they use, do not take advantage of the 4 cores. It really can be a waste of money. Take a look at the system requirements for all the software you will be using, you may be surprised. My main PC is a workstation which I did not build because I got such a great deal on it but the point is that the software I use is GPU and CPU intensive and having the extra cores helps a great deal. I build very few PC's with Quad Cores or greater, they simply are not needed in most software applications and dual cores are more than enough and cost less money.

The single biggest mistake people make when building their own is the selection of the power supply. Look at this websites sticky's on building your own PC for great information on brand and procedures. You can also take advantage of the wealth of knowledge on this board by running your ideas, requirements, and budget for your design.

[glc]

Right here! Post your budget and what you want to do with the PC. The components need to be selected to be complimentary, with bias towards the intended use, all within budget.

[framos917]

This thread has been a great help. I need to get started so this is my first pass at my setup. As discussed, the design goal is the case and processor. The case needs to fit in with my home office and the processor enough to do the work well. I have the software, monitor, keyboard, etc. I just need the box. I have 4 alternatives for case, would consider others, this is where I can adjust if needed. As for case the Lian would look great in my office, but the others would also look good. The list is about 4 months old, so I will need to update, however I just wanted to start getting input. This will be used for MS Office Suite work, MS SQL Data Base, HTML coding, and web browsing.

Thanks


Computer Case (4 choices)
Apex Mini-ITX case MI-008 39.99
Thermaltake LANBOX Lite 78.49
LIAN LI PC-V351B MicroATX 99.99
Cooler Master 541 49.00
Power Supply ?
Processor (3 choices)
Intel Pentium Dual-Core 64.50
AMD Athlon II X2 67.00
AMD Phenom II X2 550 90.99
Motherboard (2 choices)
GIGABYTE AMD HDMI Micro ATX 94.99
ASUS AMD HDMI Micro ATX 84.99
RAM – Memory
Ballastix 4GB kit (2GBx2) 90.99
Hard Drive
WD 500GB 69.99 69.99
CD/DVC ROM
Sony Optiarc 27.99
Video/Graphics Card Included in MoBo
Sound Card Included in MoBo
TOTAL 412.96

[glc]

I would not recommend a mini-ITX. Yes, your list is old.

$386 without case or OS:

Newegg.com - Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - ASUS P7H55-M PRO LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz 4MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540

Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Newegg.com - Sony Optiarc Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA CD/DVD Burner - CD / DVD Burners

Newegg.com - A-DATA Premier Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model AD3U1333C2G9-2

[framos917]

Thanks glc,

I neglected to take the mini-itx off. I was working on this a few months back when it became painfully obvious I did not know what I was doing. Thanks for the assistance and guidance.