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Mini ITX Build-Help

zolo30
By zolo30
in New Builds and Planning
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I am building a mini ITX computer for my girlfriend that will be using it for Internet browing, Bloging, and photo editing. She is coming from an 8 year old Mac Book so almost anything will be an upgrade. I am wanting to build her something that is strong for her uses today and cost very little money so she is happy with how much is spent (woman stuff you know). But I also want to leave some room for upgrades in case this sparks her interest in doing more with computing. I am looking for some quick feed back. I chose an APU at this moment to keep the costs down since she will not be doing any gaming so I can not justify a GPU right now.

 

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cLxwmG) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cLxwmG/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A8-6600K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad660kwohlbox) | $99.99 @ Newegg
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww) | $49.99 @ Micro Center
**Motherboard** | [MSI A88XI AC Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-a88xiac) | $99.89 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-blt8g3d1869dt1tx0) | $87.98 @ OutletPC
**Storage** | [seagate  1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dx001) | $77.99 @ Amazon
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cs450m) | $49.99 @ Newegg
 | | **Total**
 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $448.83
 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 14:34 EDT-0400 |

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Not ITX but still small and MUCH better.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($59.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 V2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($55.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.95 @ Mwave)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $451.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 14:53 EDT-0400

Mein Führer... I CAN WALK !!

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https://linustechtips.com/topic/205856-mini-itx-build-help/#findComment-2793877
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I'd get dual channel RAM.

Other than that it's fine.

Maybe throw in an SSD, it makes the system a lot more responsive. Doesn't have to be fancy, and honestly you don't need that CPU cooler.

CPU: Ryzen 9 5900 Cooler: EVGA CLC280 Motherboard: Gigabyte B550i Pro AX RAM: Kingston Hyper X 32GB 3200mhz

Storage: WD 750 SE 500GB, WD 730 SE 1TB GPU: Gigabyte GTX 1050 PSU: Corsair SF750 Case: Streacom DA2

Monitor: LG 27GL83B Mouse: Razer Basilisk V2 Keyboard: G.Skill KM780 Cherry MX Red Speakers: Mackie CR5BT

 

MiniPC - Sold for $100 Profit

Spoiler

CPU: Intel i3 4160 Cooler: Integrated Motherboard: Integrated

RAM: G.Skill RipJaws 16GB DDR3 Storage: Transcend MSA370 128GB GPU: Intel 4400 Graphics

PSU: Integrated Case: Shuttle XPC Slim

Monitor: LG 29WK500 Mouse: G.Skill MX780 Keyboard: G.Skill KM780 Cherry MX Red

 

Budget Rig 1 - Sold For $750 Profit

Spoiler

CPU: Intel i5 7600k Cooler: CryOrig H7 Motherboard: MSI Z270 M5

RAM: Crucial LPX 16GB DDR4 Storage: Intel S3510 800GB GPU: Nvidia GTX 980

PSU: Corsair CX650M Case: EVGA DG73

Monitor: LG 29WK500 Mouse: G.Skill MX780 Keyboard: G.Skill KM780 Cherry MX Red

 

OG Gaming Rig - Gone

Spoiler

 

CPU: Intel i5 4690k Cooler: Corsair H100i V2 Motherboard: MSI Z97i AC ITX

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 16GB DDR3 Storage: Kingston Fury 240GB GPU: Asus Strix GTX 970

PSU: Thermaltake TR2 Case: Phanteks Enthoo Evolv ITX

Monitor: Dell P2214H x2 Mouse: Logitech MX Master Keyboard: G.Skill KM780 Cherry MX Red

 

 

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you would need fast dual channel ram for a apu to get the most performance out of it, also added a ssd, you can ditch the cooler if you don't want to spend much

 
CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard  ($92.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Azza Z Mini ITX Tower Case  ($44.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $485.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 14:55 EDT-0400
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Not ITX but still small and MUCH better.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($59.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($19.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 V2 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($55.99 @ Mwave)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($72.00 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.95 @ Mwave)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $451.90

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 14:53 EDT-0400

 

So the girlfriend is very specific on having a mini ITX case because of the size. Also I was looking at that CPU but I want to stick with a Quad core since she expressed interest in video editing in the future.

 

 

you would need fast dual channel ram for a apu to get the most performance out of it, also added a ssd, you can ditch the cooler if you don't want to spend much

 
CPU: AMD A8-5600K 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($99.99 @ Newegg) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XN-WIFI Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard  ($92.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Azza Z Mini ITX Tower Case  ($44.99 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($34.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $485.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 14:55 EDT-0400

 

 

That is true on the RAM thanks

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So the girlfriend is very specific on having a mini ITX case because of the size. Also I was looking at that CPU but I want to stick with a Quad core since she expressed interest in video editing in the future.

 

Was able to get it to ITX and with the latest BIOS update it lets you OC the G3258 (most get ~ 4.0-4.4GHz on this board) also the single thread performance is MUCH better so I'd kill the APU in everything and only be few percent slower in multi-threaded applications due to it being such a strong processor and the GPU is way better than any APU graphics even with XFire.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($59.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($30.06 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($64.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.95 @ Mwave)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case  ($24.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $453.95

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 16:16 EDT-0400

Mein Führer... I CAN WALK !!

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https://linustechtips.com/topic/205856-mini-itx-build-help/#findComment-2794481
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Here is another proposed build

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wMhfxr) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wMhfxr/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad785kxbjabox) | $129.99
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww) | $49.99 @ Micro Center
**Motherboard** | [MSI A88XI AC Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-a88xiac) | $99.89 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmy16gx3m2a1866c9r) | Purchased For $0.00
**Storage** | [samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw) | $84.64 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $53.98 @ OutletPC
**Case** | [Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcanode304bl) | $79.99 @ Micro Center
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cs450m) | $49.99 @ Newegg
 | | **Total**
 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $548.47
 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 16:59 EDT-0400 |

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https://linustechtips.com/topic/205856-mini-itx-build-help/#findComment-2794796
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Was able to get it to ITX and with the latest BIOS update it lets you OC the G3258 (most get ~ 4.0-4.4GHz on this board) also the single thread performance is MUCH better so I'd kill the APU in everything and only be few percent slower in multi-threaded applications due to it being such a strong processor and the GPU is way better than any APU graphics even with XFire.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($59.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($30.06 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($64.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.95 @ Mwave)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case  ($24.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $453.95

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 16:16 EDT-0400

 

I like this build because the CPU is so cheap I can get it for 50 bucks at microcenter. With it being so cheap if she needs more computing power I wont feel bad about replacing the CPU.

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Was able to get it to ITX and with the latest BIOS update it lets you OC the G3258 (most get ~ 4.0-4.4GHz on this board) also the single thread performance is MUCH better so I'd kill the APU in everything and only be few percent slower in multi-threaded applications due to it being such a strong processor and the GPU is way better than any APU graphics even with XFire.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($59.00 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master GeminII M4 58.4 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($30.06 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: ASRock H81M-ITX Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($64.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Storage: Seagate Momentus 7200.4 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($39.95 @ Mwave)

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Cooler Master Elite 120 Advanced (Black) Mini ITX Tower Case  ($24.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($24.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $453.95

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 16:16 EDT-0400

 

I think this set up is better because of the trusted parts and I have AC WIFI which is requested with a stronger more trusted Hard Drive solution.

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FqtZXL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/FqtZXL/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price

:----|:----|:----

**CPU** | [intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646g3258) | $59.00 @ Amazon

**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww) | $49.99 @ Micro Center

**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-H97N-WIFI Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gah97nwifi) | $96.99 @ SuperBiiz

**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls8g3d1609ds1s00) | $77.98 @ OutletPC

**Storage** | [samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw) | $84.44 @ Amazon

**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $53.98 @ OutletPC

**Case** | [Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcanode304bl) | $79.99 @ Micro Center

**Power Supply** | [Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cs450m) | $49.99 @ Newegg

 | | **Total**

 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $552.36

 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 17:22 EDT-0400 |

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I can get the CPU cheaper I just called today. With that price it is really hard to go with any other build because more than likely anything she will do the APU can handle since she is not going to be gaming. Then with more cores and an easy overclock she can easily process anything she needs to but I just don't see her doing anything that heavy. But this price is just oh too good to pass up to get what she is getting. Plus I have an intel/nvidia machine I like the idea of having an AMD machine in the house to compare.

 

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ktz4ZL) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Ktz4ZL/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad785kxbjabox) | $90.96
**CPU Cooler** | [Corsair H60 54.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-cpu-cooler-h60cw9060007ww) | $49.99 @ Micro Center
**Motherboard** | [MSI A88XI AC Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-motherboard-a88xiac) | $99.89 @ Amazon
**Memory** | [Corsair Vengeance Pro 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmy16gx3m2a1866c9r) | Purchased For $0.00
**Storage** | [samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-internal-hard-drive-mz7te120bw) | $84.44 @ Amazon
**Storage** | [seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $53.98 @ OutletPC
**Case** | [Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/fractal-design-case-fdcanode304bl) | $79.99 @ Micro Center
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cs450m) | $49.99 @ Newegg
 | | **Total**
 | Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $509.24
 | Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 17:36 EDT-0400 |

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