- Oct 24, 2018
- 3
- 0
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Hello
The Long
I'm currently working as a teacher in a school that teaches "Graphical Techniques". Meaning that we use most of the Adobe software, some 3D software and a code editor. We have three computer rooms filled with iMacs and Mac minis. Last year, we bought 16 new iMacs, the cheapest ones, which were still €1300. I'm not an Apple person and I was stunned by how little you get for that much money: a dual-core CPU generally reserved for laptops, only 8 GB of RAM, no SSD and an "Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640" as GPU. Every iMac came with a wireless mouse that had no scroll wheel (not handy for 3D) that had to be charged by plugging a cable in the bottom of the mouse (not handy in general). It's more basic, but a simple wired keyboard and mouse would be way handier (and safer) in a school environment. https://www.apple.com/be-nl/shop/buy-mac/imac/21,5-inch-2,3-ghz-1tb#
Seeing how none of the software we use is OSX-exclusive, I'd like to try and build a cheaper and better Windows alternative. Hopefully, convincing my colleagues and principal to try something else the next time we need to do a hardware investment.
A few things I know will be important for them:
If possible, I would also like these machines to be strong enough to run something like the Unity (or even Unreal) engine in a way that is acceptable.
The Short
Looking for a good mini-ITX build that can run all Adobe programs, 3D software and - if possible - a game engine. Including a mouse, keyboard and a full HD monitor (no 4K), I would like to stay below € 1000. Is this a good build? Do you have a better suggestion? (Hardware choices and prices based on what is available where I live.)
As you might've noticed, the aspects I'm most conflicted about are the PSU and GPU. I want something efficient and (semi-)modular, as I assume the case will be tight enough as it is. I entered the specs in a PSU calculator and a 450W should be enough, but maybe going a bit higher is safer?
As for the GPU... It's mainly for stuff like Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Animate and Cinema4D. I would be nice to have the possibility of doing a Unity or Unreal project as well, maybe even add some AutoDesk software into the mix. I'm just not sure at what point it's overkill. It's not meant as a gaming PC, after all.
The Long
I'm currently working as a teacher in a school that teaches "Graphical Techniques". Meaning that we use most of the Adobe software, some 3D software and a code editor. We have three computer rooms filled with iMacs and Mac minis. Last year, we bought 16 new iMacs, the cheapest ones, which were still €1300. I'm not an Apple person and I was stunned by how little you get for that much money: a dual-core CPU generally reserved for laptops, only 8 GB of RAM, no SSD and an "Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640" as GPU. Every iMac came with a wireless mouse that had no scroll wheel (not handy for 3D) that had to be charged by plugging a cable in the bottom of the mouse (not handy in general). It's more basic, but a simple wired keyboard and mouse would be way handier (and safer) in a school environment. https://www.apple.com/be-nl/shop/buy-mac/imac/21,5-inch-2,3-ghz-1tb#
Seeing how none of the software we use is OSX-exclusive, I'd like to try and build a cheaper and better Windows alternative. Hopefully, convincing my colleagues and principal to try something else the next time we need to do a hardware investment.
A few things I know will be important for them:
■ Size - I know I can't go as compact as a Mac mini, but I would still like to go as small as possible (hence, mini-ITX).
■ Noise - If there are 10, 20 or even 30 computers running at the same time, you don't want the room to sound like the landing strip at an airport.
■ Heat - The same as above, I don't want my students to work in an oven.
If possible, I would also like these machines to be strong enough to run something like the Unity (or even Unreal) engine in a way that is acceptable.
The Short
Looking for a good mini-ITX build that can run all Adobe programs, 3D software and - if possible - a game engine. Including a mouse, keyboard and a full HD monitor (no 4K), I would like to stay below € 1000. Is this a good build? Do you have a better suggestion? (Hardware choices and prices based on what is available where I live.)
■ AMD Ryzen 5 2600 _ € 168,95 _ Planning on using the Wraith Stealth cooler that comes with it
■ Samsung 860 EVO Series 500GB _ € 94,90 _ SSD for faster booting of both OS and programs, half a TB should be enough
■ ASRock AB350 Gaming-ITX/AC _ € 114,90 _ It's the cheapest mini-ITX I could find and I still think it has more than what I need
■ G.Skill Aegis F4-2400C15S-16GIS _ € 127,96 _ Thinking about going for a single RAM stick of 16 GB, so I have one slot left to upgrade the PCs if necessary, unless someone can convince me dual channel really does improve performance
■ Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti D5 4G _ € 165,00 OR Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Mini ITX OC 3G _ €230,95 OR Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Mini ITX OC 6G _ € 281,81
■ Seasonic Focus 450 Gold _ € 69,95 OR Corsair TX-M Series TX550M V2 _ € 78,95 OR Seasonic Focus Plus Gold 550 _ € 84,90
■ Cooler Master Elite 110 _ € 44,99 _ the smallest mini-ITX case I could find that can still fit a traditional cooler, PSU and GPU
■ 1080p monitor + HDMI cable + wired mouse + wired keyboard = more than enough viable options that stay below € 200
■ No speakers, if the students need sound, they use their headphones
As you might've noticed, the aspects I'm most conflicted about are the PSU and GPU. I want something efficient and (semi-)modular, as I assume the case will be tight enough as it is. I entered the specs in a PSU calculator and a 450W should be enough, but maybe going a bit higher is safer?
As for the GPU... It's mainly for stuff like Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Animate and Cinema4D. I would be nice to have the possibility of doing a Unity or Unreal project as well, maybe even add some AutoDesk software into the mix. I'm just not sure at what point it's overkill. It's not meant as a gaming PC, after all.
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