S4 Mini Build

[MachoCyclone]

Ok. I have my wife's computer completely finished and now it's time to work on my build. I'm a truck driver and want to build something I can easily transport with me. I know most will just get a laptop, well, I don't really like laptops all that much. I like to build the computer myself and have complete control over everything.

 

So, anyway, I saw a video om the S4 Mini from NFC Systems. So small that you need a DC-DC PSU like a Pico 160XT or HD Plex. The moment I saw this I knew I wanted the challenge of building in this case. 

 

Being an over the truck driver I don't get into any of the bigger game titles while on the road (I end up losing track of time) but there are games I play that don't need high power components. And will be used for both business and personal use.

 

This is the part list I have come up with for using with the S4 Mini and Pico 160XT PSU:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($75.00 @ B&H) 
Motherboard: ASRock H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($85.88 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($44.38 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint M9T 2TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $345.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-16 17:10 EST-0500

 

The SSD and HD I already have at the house sitting at the house not being used.

 

I saw a video for the G4560 paired with a 1060 and there wasn't much of a difference from the i3. Not enough for me to justify the 2 times the cost between the i3 and G4560.

 

As total wattage is something I was watching very closely, I chose the 1050 TI as it doesn't require a 6 pin  power connector like the 1060. The monitor I will be using this with is only 1080p anyway and the 1050 TI will suit my needs just fine.

 

The S4 Mini will also fit just fine into my Gaems G155 Sentry case also which includes a 15in 1080p monitor.

 

The reason I chose to go with the Pico 160XT PSU is price. The Pico is $80 for the kit and includes the power brick. The HD Plex, while able to sustain higher wattage, is also around $80, but another $100 for the 330 watt brick you need to go with it.

 

The S4 Mini is $150, the Pico 160XT PSU Kit is $80. So, I feel that for $575 that this would be a very capable portable build.

 

This will be the smallest computer I have ever built and look forward to the challenge. Part of me is actually considering just modding my G155 case to fit the components. 

 

So, that's my planned personal build for me. What are your thoughts? 

[TheDankKoosh]

2 minutes ago, MachoCyclone said:

Ok. I have my wife's computer completely finished and now it's time to work on my build. I'm a truck driver and want to build something I can easily transport with me. I know most will just get a laptop, well, I don't really like laptops all that much. I like to build the computer myself and have complete control over everything.

 

So, anyway, I saw a video om the S4 Mini from NFC Systems. So small that you need a DC-DC PSU like a Pico 160XT or HD Plex. The moment I saw this I knew I wanted the challenge of building in this case. 

 

Being an over the truck driver I don't get into any of the bigger game titles while on the road (I end up losing track of time) but there are games I play that don't need high power components. And will be used for both business and personal use.

 

This is the part list I have come up with for using with the S4 Mini and Pico 160XT PSU:

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G4560 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($75.00 @ B&H) 
Motherboard: ASRock H170M-ITX/DL Mini ITX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($85.88 @ OutletPC) 
Memory: Corsair 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($44.38 @ Newegg Marketplace) 
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint M9T 2TB 2.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 4GB Video Card  ($139.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $345.25
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2017-01-16 17:10 EST-0500

 

The SSD and HD I already have at the house sitting at the house not being used.

 

I saw a video for the G4560 paired with a 1060 and there wasn't much of a difference from the i3. Not enough for me to justify the 2 times the cost between the i3 and G4560.

 

As total wattage is something I was watching very closely, I chose the 1050 TI as it doesn't require a 6 pin  power connector like the 1060. The monitor I will be using this with is only 1080p anyway and the 1050 TI will suit my needs just fine.

 

The S4 Mini will also fit just fine into my Gaems G155 Sentry case also which includes a 15in 1080p monitor.

 

The reason I chose to go with the Pico 160XT PSU is price. The Pico is $80 for the kit and includes the power brick. The HD Plex, while able to sustain higher wattage, is also around $80, but another $100 for the 330 watt brick you need to go with it.

 

The S4 Mini is $150, the Pico 160XT PSU Kit is $80. So, I feel that for $575 that this would be a very capable portable build.

 

This will be the smallest computer I have ever built and look forward to the challenge. Part of me is actually considering just modding my G155 case to fit the components. 

 

So, that's my planned personal build for me. What are your thoughts? 

Get the rx 470 because it has about 30% better performance for only $20-$30 more.

[MachoCyclone]

8 minutes ago, TheDankKoosh said:

Get the rx 470 because it has about 30% better performance for only $20-$30 more.

RX 470 requires a 6 pin power connector and the 1050 TI doesn't. Also the 1050 TI only draws 75watts and the RX 470 110watts. 

[Mr.Meerkat]

16 minutes ago, MachoCyclone said:

RX 470 requires a 6 pin power connector and the 1050 TI doesn't. Also the 1050 TI only draws 75watts and the RX 470 110watts. 

And still, you're pushing it the limit of 160Watts hard with even just a pentium and 1050ti...

[MachoCyclone]

33 minutes ago, Mr.Meerkat said:

And still, you're pushing it the limit of 160Watts hard with even just a pentium and 1050ti...

The Pico will be able to handle it just fine. 

 

 

[Mr.Meerkat]

Just now, MachoCyclone said:

Only under full load and I won't even be coming close to that. So, unless I plan on running Furmark and Prime95 at the same time, the system won't be pulling full load. The Pico will be able to handle it just fine. 

Hmmmm...don't forget to factor in power consumption of SSDs, HDDs, Motherboard, Fans ect.  

 

I personally wouldn't advise stressing a PSU like that but I guess it would work  

[brob]

The system listed in the OP has a maximum potential draw of 189W. This is well beyond the rating of the picoPSU 160-XT.

 

The picoPSU requires a DC power input. You will need to include a high-quality 12v power brick/adapter. PicoPSU are often available packaged with a suitable power adapter, http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT-192W-Adapter-Power-Kit.

 

[MachoCyclone]

3 minutes ago, brob said:

The system listed in the OP has a maximum potential draw of 189W. This is well beyond the rating of the picoPSU 160-XT.

 

The picoPSU requires a DC power input. You will need to include a high-quality 12v power brick/adapter. PicoPSU are often available packaged with a suitable power adapter, http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-160-XT-192W-Adapter-Power-Kit.

 

That's the kit I plan on getting. I've researched this. I believe it will handle the load just fine. I just don't see this using that much power during normal use.

 

The same guy that made the S4 Mini pushed upwards of 270watts though the Pico 160XT. He did recommend not to do that on a regular basis with the stock wiring, but can be done with modding.

 

[brob]

1 minute ago, MachoCyclone said:

That's the kit I plan on getting. I've researched this. I believe it will handle the load just fine. I just don't see this using that much power during normal use.

 

The same guy that made the S4 Mini pushed upwards of 270watts though the Pico 160XT. He did recommend not to do that on a regular basis with the stock wiring, but can be done with modding.

 

 

Good luck. A build log would be great.