Advice on a small and quiet Linux build

[semithotamatic]

Hello! I'm planning on building a Linux computer for a new desk set-up, and are looking for some advice on part choice. I haven't been very involved in the PC community for a while now, so I'm not caught up on current hardware. I'm really just looking for a competent, mid-range-ish build to run Linux on. I won't need a dedicated graphics card. Would like the build to have a focus on size and silence. Something mini-ITX (just a clean, attractive case) with light air-cooling or maybe even some passive would be nice. I don't really have a budget set, but it will probably be around a few hundred dollars (maybe $300 to $500?). No need to worry about peripherals either.

Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.

[KarathKasun]

I would go for a NUC if you can find one at a good price.

 

Something like this.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16856102179

 

Just add memory, SSD, and HDD.

[ProjectBox153]

I don't know about budget, but I'd look at the Ryzen 2200G or the 2400G. 

[semithotamatic]

3 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

I would go for a NUC if you can find one at a good price.

 

Something like this.

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16856102179

 

Just add memory, SSD, and HDD.

Have explored this option. Do prefer the idea of building a system though, for customization and trouble-shooting sake.

[semithotamatic]

2 minutes ago, Jamiec1130 said:

I don't know about budget, but I'd look at the Ryzen 2200G or the 2400G. 

Thanks for the tip!

[hconverse02]

Just now, JGunnz said:

Have explored this option. Do prefer the idea of building a system though, for customization and trouble-shooting sake.

The nuc is bad price for the lack of components in it. An apu like @Jamiec1130 said would be perfect

[KarathKasun]

Just now, hconverse02 said:

The nuc is bad price for the lack of components in it. An apu like @Jamiec1130 said would be perfect

Depends on the target size you are looking for.

 

I have not been impressed with AM4 ITX offerings yet, maybe B450 and X470 will change that.

[hconverse02]

Just now, KarathKasun said:

Depends on the target size you are looking for.

 

I have not been impressed with AM4 ITX offerings yet, maybe B450 and X470 will change that.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($162.89 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($77.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial - MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.89 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM (2015) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $486.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-03-26 19:45 EDT-0400

 

Small, about $100 more than the nuc, has decent graphics and definitely better ram/storage options than a nuc

[semithotamatic]

1 minute ago, KarathKasun said:

Depends on the target size you are looking for.

 

I have not been impressed with AM4 ITX offerings yet, maybe B450 and X470 will change that.

I see. I'm really looking for something no-thrills. So long as it is pretty recent and works.

[KarathKasun]

1 minute ago, hconverse02 said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($162.89 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($77.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial - MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.89 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM (2015) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $486.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-03-26 19:45 EDT-0400

 

Small, about $100 more than the nuc, has decent graphics and definitely better ram/storage options than a nuc

And the NUC is smaller than the PSU alone.  Like I said, it depends on how small you want to go.

[Electronics Wizardy]

Just now, JGunnz said:

I see. I'm really looking for something no-thrills. So long as it is pretty recent and works.

What os are you running? ryzen apu's will have issues with older distros like centos and debian stable.

[semithotamatic]

2 minutes ago, hconverse02 said:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2400G 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($162.89 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: Gigabyte - GA-AB350N-Gaming WIFI (rev. 1.0) Mini ITX AM4 Motherboard  ($89.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR4-3000 Memory  ($77.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Crucial - MX300 275GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive  ($86.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Case: Cooler Master - Elite 110 Mini ITX Tower Case  ($38.89 @ Newegg) 
Power Supply: Corsair - CXM (2015) 450W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg) 
Total: $486.74
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2018-03-26 19:45 EDT-0400

 

Small, about $100 more than the nuc, has decent graphics and definitely better ram/storage options than a nuc

Thanks for the build. Will probably run something similar to that. Just gonna need a sicker looking case...

[KarathKasun]

1 minute ago, JGunnz said:

I see. I'm really looking for something no-thrills. So long as it is pretty recent and works.

Id go 2200G and the cheapest ITX board available then.

 

Low end intel tends to function better in Linux though.

[hconverse02]

1 minute ago, JGunnz said:

Thanks for the build. Will probably run something similar to that. Just gonna need a sicker looking case...

What is your budget?

[semithotamatic]

Just now, hconverse02 said:

What is your budget?

As stated in OP, I don't really have one. Really just doing some basic research into this project right now and seeing what my options are. I've been looking at some of Phanteks super slick mini-ITX cases.

[hconverse02]

1 minute ago, JGunnz said:

As stated in OP, I don't really have one. Really just doing some basic research into this project right now and seeing what my options are. I've been looking at some of Phanteks super slick mini-ITX cases.

Well it depends, because you could fit a real processor and a mini video card in a slicker itx case if your budget is ~$1000 Just read the post nvm

[semithotamatic]

3 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

What os are you running? ryzen apu's will have issues with older distros like centos and debian stable.

Haven't decided yet. Might run Mint, of which I'm most familiar. Though I was also looking into System76's Pop!_OS, as it seems pretty cool. Will probably end up OS hopping a bit.

[semithotamatic]

5 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

Id go 2200G and the cheapest ITX board available then.

 

Low end intel tends to function better in Linux though.

Oh? Hadn't heard that, will check it out though. I have no problem maybe going back a generation for a slightly cheaper Intel CPU if it aids my Linux experience.

[KarathKasun]

1 minute ago, JGunnz said:

Oh? Hadn't heard that, will check it out though. I have no problem maybe going back a generation for a slightly cheaper Intel CPU if it aids my Linux experience.

It comes down to driver support.  Intel has open source drivers that just work in my experience.  AMD Linux drivers OTOH, have been EXTREMELY hit or miss.

[Electronics Wizardy]

3 minutes ago, JGunnz said:

Haven't decided yet. Might run Mint, of which I'm most familiar. Though I was also looking into System76's Pop!_OS, as it seems pretty cool. Will probably end up OS hopping a bit.

Then there are some issues with raven ridge, so unless you plan on using distros with kernel 4.15 or newer(the current one) id get something like a g4560 at least for now. The gpu's drivers are in the older kernels.

[semithotamatic]

1 minute ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Then there are some issues with raven ridge, so unless you plan on using distros with kernel 4.15 or newer(the current one) id get something like a g4560 at least for now. The gpu's drivers are in the older kernels.

Very interesting, thank you. Was just looking at that pentium, in fact. Won't have a super tough workload, the computer will mainly be a device for learning and experimenting with Linux.

[semithotamatic]

4 minutes ago, KarathKasun said:

It comes down to driver support.  Intel has open source drivers that just work in my experience.  AMD Linux drivers OTOH, have been EXTREMELY hit or miss.

Thanks a bunch. Might end up being able to shave a few bucks off with a slightly older CPU and motherboard combo.

[KarathKasun]

Just now, JGunnz said:

Very interesting, thank you. Was just looking at that pentium, in fact. Won't have a super tough workload, the computer will mainly be a device for learning and experimenting with Linux.

You may look at the used market for equipment to learn on, as its going to be better supported.

 

https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5HA6YT6967&cm_re=dell_optiplex-_-9SIA5HA6YT6967-_-Product

[Radium_Angel]

Shuttle XPC boxes.

Small (mini ITX) but lots of customization options and expandability while being very quiet and affordable.

Also super linux friendly, assuming a semi-recent distro.