Business mini-ITX System Recommendation

[Oyiwaa]

Hello.

I am looking to build a small system purely for running business applications (MsOffice, Excel, Data Analysis - SAS, SPSS).

i am looking at a configuration posted on this site: http://techbuyersguru.com/pc-builders-guides-assembling-mini-itx-bookshelf-pc, with the following components:

Antec ISK110-VESA Case ($69 at time of publication)
Intel Pentium G3258 Dual-Core Processor ($70 at time of publication)
MSI H81I ITX Motherboard ($65 at time of publication)
Crucial MX 100 128GB Solid-State Drive ($70 at time of publication)
Crucial Ballistix 4GB DDR3-1600 RAM ($39 at time of publication)

It however looks as if these components are dated, with the last update around 2014. I am interested in very small factor mini-ITX systems.

Looking forward to hearing from you all.

thanks - Oy

 

[Oyiwaa]

the H170 only supports skylake cpus out of the box. the bios must be updated in order to work with kaby lake(which the g4560 is) which obviously requires a cpu(skylake) in the socket to even boot and do this. so stick with the b250.

as far as the standard vs modular power supply. there is no performance gain... I simply mentioned it because I have never personally got my hands on a mini build, so I was unsure of how tight the fit was... and two extra PCIe power cables can take up a good bit of room. my opinion is that if you can get a reputable modular power supply for under $50(which I saw on sale a couple of days ago) it's a no brainer, but seeing as you don't need that high of a wattage, most of the modular psus start at about 430w minimum.

I'm not understanding your hdmi question?

Thanks, User11464: by HDMI question, I was just asking for any options - ideas - about how to connect the windows PC to my IMAC system - instead of having a second monitor on my desk.

thanks - Oy

 

[user11464]

I don't know anything about iMacs... you can't just hook up a standard HDMI setup?

 

[Oyiwaa]

I don't know anything about iMacs... you can't just hook up a standard HDMI setup?

yea, that is the viable option. I wanted to know if the motherboard has HDMI, and I just checked and it does.

/Oy

 

[user11464]

which motherboard specifically? put it in the search bar on newegg.com, scroll down to specifications tab, and it will list the ports on the motherboard.

 

[user11464]

here are two https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=b250+mini+itx&N=-1&isNodeId=1

 

[user11464]

both have HDMI ports, perhaps you want the one with the built in wifi?

 

[Oyiwaa]

uyep.. the one with the built-in wifi.

/Oy

 

[Oyiwaa]

ok. so what modular psu's would you recommend so i can keep an eye out for them? Also, any thoughts on the case ?

 

[user11464]

I'm no psu expert, so maybe someone can chime in... but not only is this fully modular, and gold certified... but it's also flex-atx which is small form factor. well worth the price.
https://pcpartpicker.com/product/7qmxFT/seasonic-power-supply-ssp300sug

as for the case, go with the one you want, you shouldn't have cooling problems with the g4560

 

[Oyiwaa]

ok. thanks for that -- looks like a good price.

Also, how do i get the lower prices stated on pcpartpicker. for example, the CPU is not $62 is actually over $100 on Jet's site. How do i get the lower price stated on pcpartpicker?

/Oy

 

[user11464]

on pcpartpicker, click the actual title for the part and it will take you to a screen with the different suppliers... but you have to do a little math yourself, because some prices are cheaper but have shipping fees. also, i prefer to buy as much of my stuff from one place as possible, so long as the price difference isnt very much. I also cannot speak on behalf of any vendor except newegg, and I have nothing but positive things to say. customer service is excellent and return policy is nearly as lax as walmart, lol.

 

[Chugalug_]

No worries, fixed now.
As for user's PSU; it is quite solid, but for only 300w and modular cables, you can get much more for $15 more.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: ASRock H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($39.90 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($93.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $348.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-01 15:56 EST-0500

 

[jtabb1256]

This is getting a little dated now, but it's still a powerful tool:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

 

[user11464]

No worries, fixed now.
As for user's PSU; it is quite solid, but for only 300w and modular cables, you can get much more for $15 more.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.89 @ B&H)
Motherboard: ASRock H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Avexir Core Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($39.90 @ Amazon)
Storage: Samsung 850 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($93.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $348.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-03-01 15:56 EST-0500

the psu i listed is the small form factor one though, i'm not sure if he needs one for the case he wants, but it's sure cool lol

 

[Chugalug_]

Ah, if it's SFX that's a fantastic deal. Nice find!
The CM130 supports full ATX PSUs and more stuff overall, better for upgradability.

 

[Oyiwaa]

Hello Again,

Thanks for all your responses. I've decided to order all (almost) my components from Newegg (the accountant has some funds left on a Newegg card, and wants me to use it). Here is what I have so far selected, based on input from you all.

1. CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5 GHz Dual-Core LGA 1151 Processor
Intel Pentium G4560 3.5 GHz Dual-Core LGA 1151 Processor = $64.89 [I got this one from B&H since it is out of stock on Newegg]

2. Motherboard: MSI B250I GAMING PRO AC Mini ITX Motherboards - Intel
Item #:N82E1681313099 = $106.99 . [I went for this slightly more expensive WIFI version], but could save the $20 over the regular model to something else]

3. Memory: Avexir Core Series 8GB 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400 (PC4 19200) Desktop Memory Model AVD4UZ124001608G-1COR = $72.98 [I selected this version to make room for another 8 stick in the future]

4. Storage/SSD: SanDisk SSD PLUS 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) SDSSDA-120G-G26 = $49.99 [I presume this would be used for the OS, right?]


5. Storage: WD Blue 1TB Desktop Hard Disk Drive - 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5 Inch - WD10EZEX = $49.99 [1TB is ok. I have close to 3T in external and cloud drives]

6. PSU: SeaSonic G Series SSR-550RM 550W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell = $69.99

7. Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 - Mini-ITX Computer Case with Mesh Front Panel and Water Cooling Support = $49.24 [I decided on this over the slimmer version - because it has more room, and could fit under my desk, reducing the clutter on top of it]


TOTAL = $470


I will appreciate any thoughts on this.

thanks, Oy


-----------------

 

[Chugalug_]

Looks solid.

 

[Oyiwaa]

Chagalug: is this the PSU that you were praising: http://redirect.viglink.com/?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_148840613189311&key=984ed3ed6aa9a69986f88d56d10e7616&libId=izrikdpz01000a17000DAimm2fxpf&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomshardware.com%2Fanswers%2Fid-3345952%2Fbusiness-mini-itx-system-recommendation.html%2319366545&v=1&out=https%3A%2F%2Fpcpartpicker.com%2Fproduct%2FDPCwrH%2Fseasonic-power-supply-ssr550rm&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tomshardware.com%2Fforum%2Fedit%2Fresponse%2F19366545&title=Business%20mini-ITX%20System%20Recommendation%20-%20Configuration%20-%20Systems&txt=SeaSonic%20G%20550W%2080%2B%20Gold%20Certified%20Semi-Modular%20ATX%20Power%20Supply

Is it the one I selected in my customized build - I supposed so..?

Ah, if it's SFX that's a fantastic deal. Nice find!
The CM130 supports full ATX PSUs and more stuff overall, better for upgradability.

 

[Chugalug_]

Sure is.
It's a different unit though, there is a non-modular version of the G series, but I prefer some modularity so you don't have a confused human centipede of franken-cables going through the back of your case.

 

[Oyiwaa]

beyond the wifi, is there any other advantage to the MSI B250I GAMING PRO AC LGA 1151 Intel B250 which is about $107 (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130999&ignorebbr=1 ) over the slightly cheaper version (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144002&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=) - which costs $90?

 

[user11464]

it supports m2 ssds. wish there were more boards starting at lower prices for you, but unfortunately with the m-itx form factor, it hasn't really taken off yet. it's a very gaming focused series of boards for these cpus, with tons of m-atx boards

 

[Chugalug_]

beyond the wifi, is there any other advantage to the MSI B250I GAMING PRO AC LGA 1151 Intel B250 which is about $107 (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130999&ignorebbr=1 ) over the slightly cheaper version (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144002&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=) - which costs $90?

Get the H170 board I listed above, you can't beat that for value at all.
If you really want wireless get the B250 gaming ac though, up to you.

 

[Supahos]

Where is he going to get the Skylake CPU to update the BIOS on the h170 board?

 

[user11464]

beyond the wifi, is there any other advantage to the MSI B250I GAMING PRO AC LGA 1151 Intel B250 which is about $107 (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130999&ignorebbr=1 ) over the slightly cheaper version (https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813144002&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=) - which costs $90?

Get the H170 board I listed above, you can't beat that for value at all.
If you really want wireless get the B250 gaming ac though, up to you.

he would have to have the updated BIOS though, and seeing as how this problem is the number one thing people post about causing their new build to not work, I'd just avoid the risk.

 

[Oyiwaa]

good point about the form factor limitation. Now that I've decided to keep the box under my desk, would I save more if I move to a slimmer, but full case/form factor? How much savings would i be looking at - on the motherboards ?

/Oy