Low power media PC

TheGermanEngie · February 6, 2018

Hello LTT -

I have no use of my gaming rig anymore, as I simply do not have the time to game and personally don't find it very fun anymore and/or a good dedication of time. I have since moved over to Linux, further isolating myself from Steam and the likes of online gaming. I've started to compile a list of (used) parts for a small, quiet, and practical PC for my needs (the only major tasks are downloading torrents and general online media consumption).

I have an idea for low cost, power sipping build. No need for NVMe drives or that sort, I have my SATA drives.

My ideas:

Intel i5 2400s

Some Micro ATX or Mini ITX LGA 1155 Motherboard, maybe a used OEM board

Don't really need a GPU (tho I have a 750ti if need be)

8GB DDR3 - in inventory

275GB 2.5" SSD - in inventory

500GB 3.5" HDD for storage - in inventory

SFX PSU (?)

A small, affordable, and practical case, preferably console or cube size (but it must hold a 5.25 inch drive for my DVD/R. yes, I'm an old fashioned type of guy)

Any ideas, suggestions, and comments are welcome! (no hate tho pls)

EDIT I: I found the Cooler Master 130 case. Can hold 3.5" HDDs and has enough room for my 275GB 2.5" SSD. Will update on part discovery

EDIT II: Not many LGA 1155 OEM MOBOs have USB 3.0 headers I'll have to look for a case with USB 2.0. I'm fine with it anyways, not too big of a factor

EDIT III: Gonna bite the bullet and go Ivy bridge. CPUs and MOBOs aren't all that different in price, plus I won't have to go through adapter hell. Though some motherboards (Dell 7010 SFF) might have size and thread incompatibilities with the Cooler Master 130 I chose, but I'm gonna double and then triple check just to make sure.