Let's talk PC components

I have a computer desk that has a full-width keyboard tray... it's a 3" space, and I want to use this case:

Silverstone LC19B-R Black Micro ATX


http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3905982&CatId=3429

Judging from the dimensions, I will have a half-inch or so of space above the top of it where the desktop sits. So I believe there should be enough airflow coming out of the top of this case.

What I need help with is the INSIDE... it's been a LONG time since I've built a PC. The last one I built was back in 2004. So obviously I know how to connect components, but the options available are all new to me.

So many mobo and CPU standards now... what I need help on is the best strategy of components inside this case that will give me the best desktop PC I can build within this case design. I'm aware that means Micro ATX... my googling of discussions on this are yielding up results from 2008... 2006... nothing more recent.

What I'm looking for is a desktop PC that can surf, handle a whole mess of windows open at the same time (I've been known to have LOTS of browser tabs and windows open), WHILE playing music, doing media downloads, and maybe streaming things... I don't expect this to amount to a modern gaming system, but if you can help me make the BEST setup for this case, I would appreciate it.

I'm just not familiar with mini and micro ATX offerings these days.

What's the budget?

Wireless?
Data serving at all?
What do you mean by lots of windows? Lots of programs?
Will it rely on storage on another computer? (As in, MP3, pictures, video libraries on a seperate networked computer)

I mean. There's lots more info to make a solid decision. But, with the microATX and that case, your pretty limited.

It can definitely work. But You have to think a lot more about HOW it will be used, not what it's being used for.

Wireless needed, but I don't see why I couldn't run an external on like a USB cable...

No data serving. It's where I'm gonna surf and do homework.

Lots of windows... as in browser tabs.

Won't rely on storage on another computer... so I'm gonna need suggestions on a decent sized drive (think Terabyte).

I'm curious what the best graphics options would be with a microATX.

Essentially, you COULD have my big rig in that tiny little box, minus my 8TB of storage.... It's the 120w power supply that's the BIGGEST hinderance of all. 120w is miniscule...
Fun fact, That case comes with riser boards for up to 4 pci slots. (Using one at any time...)

I shall compile. and post!

Okay. This should all keep it well below the 120w power supply. and in theory it all will fit. But I do formally request other people to double check my recommendation... This is the BEST possibility I could get you. Little pricey, but it's a very, very decent computer.

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128490

Quad core 45W CPU (WOW!!!)
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Athlon-Efficient-Quad-Core-Processor/dp/B003L2RR5K

This is where it gets iffy. The CPU Cooler. I favor the Scythe, but it might not fit @ 40mm tall
http://www.xoxide.com/scythe-kozuti-cpucooler.html

Low voltage Ram. 8 Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231328

3.5w 1 TB hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148710

SlimInternal Bluray Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118059

Low wattage Low profile Video card. I don't see any issues with it hitting anything on the mobo, or the slim CD/DVD/Bluray drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127515

And, networking.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833381014

Total Cost.
$882. Not including case

THINGS THAT CAN BE SUBSTITUTED FOR LOWER COST
Hard drive. Scorpio Blue. Much, Much lower performance. 100 dollars cheaper (Half)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136545

RAM! Less ram. Less things open at once. Half the cost (55)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

BluRay Drive (No burning). Half the cost (74.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118046

Video card. That's pretty cheap as it is. But it is unnecessary to begin with.

Keeping video card, $647. Not including case

ALSO!
You could get away with a Core I5. But this would be pushing the power supply to it's limit. and considerably more expensive. Up to you.

You never gave me a budget to work with :D

Go Linux or go home  :grinwink:,  I built a machine for 300 bucks with parts from Newegg to use for strictly school related functions and such.  And with the Ubuntu kernel it fucking rocks for day to day use/internet nonsense.  IF that's what you're lookin for bro.

i was going to say the same thing jeremy! Ubuntu rocks for surfing, streaming, and having a butt load of windows open at once...There might arise some issues with open office to microsoft office compatibility issues with school work though. When I was getting my certificate i had a dual boot system so i could do some stuff in open office while most of my surfing and streaming was done in ubuntuu, if i had a ms office assignment that had to be done in office i just booted into windows. My netbook is still running windows and its fine...but its also sluggish sometimes...

Jeremy A on 09:18:50 PM / 29-Jul-11Go Linux or go home  :grinwink:

Dave on 01:44:51 PM / 30-Jul-11Gah, I'm so tired of people telling me this.  Because it would necessitate having t learn Linux first, and it's not like it's all that easy to radically change everything you have been doing all your life to learn a completely different OS.  Maybe you could call me lazy, but I'd call it a lack of time to fu*k around with it.  And it's notl ike Linux doesn't have it's problems either.  The 1024 file limit in a directory really chaps my ass.

*I* can build a PC for 200 bux, regardless of OS. The issue is that this case's form factor is LIMITED as to what you can stuff in it. AND, the case alone is almost 200 bux. And that IS the case I'm going with.. has to be flat and as slim as possible, and that's the slimmest case on the market.

Jay (or anyone else interested), here is a GREAT review of this case with pages of pictures and descriptions to give you a better idea of the limitations and such:

http://www.modthebox.com/review490_1.shtml

And his thread on it: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=840404

I am concerned that some of your suggestions may or may not fit so please take a look at that review. Also, here are some discussions about this case:

http://forum.team-mediaportal.com/completed-htpc-projects-61/new-htpc-silverstone-lc19b-r-56006/

http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-entertainment-pcs/844360-silverstone-lc19b-r-black-slim-micro-atx-case.html

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1265340

http://forum.ncixus.com/forums/index.php?mode=showthread&msg_id=1132282&threadid=1132282&forum=116&product_id=19559&msgcount=20&overclockid=0

A slim fan mentioned in one of the above threads:
http://www.scythe-usa.com/product/acc/035/sy1012sl12_detail.html

A PSU mentioned in one of the above threads:
http://www.mini-box.com/picoPSU-150-XT?sc=8&category=981

There are discussions about fan choices, cooling, and even about upgraded PSU's, which is why I'm hoping you browse through them... Granted, these threads are older (mostly) so the suggested hardware is outdated, or oriented towards just serving home theater and music. They won't be concerned with higher end video or massive ram, or massive storage in some cases because they stream from another server often times. Usually they are recommending lower performance spec components. Also, they are very concerned with cooling, because of the fanless PSU and because of the form factor's limitations with fan sizes (Jay I am wondering if this will impact your selections above)... also, the review goes into detail about the riser board's limitations, and there are people who also suggest certain style SATA cable ends depending on what mobo you go with.

Some other thoughts... I don't need a blu-ray in this. If anything, I don't *want* that, because I want an external blu-ray burner that I can move from computer to computer (think back-up device). So a slimline DVD burner would be fine. I'm not looking to spend quite as much as you rung up with your list, but I'm interested first to see what the *practical* envelope for power is IN THIS CASE (meaning keeping cooling and fan size limitations in mind).

Jay, as always, I appreciate the help you've provided thus far :)

Actually.
That doesn't really change my recomendations above. at all (Other than losing the blu-ray drive, of course)

The scythe fan you posted is just a case fan. But they use the same fan in that 40mm tall CPU cooler I posted.  Unless the top of the processor is more than 28mm above the bottom of the case, that won't be an issue.

The hard drive I recommended is a low wattage 2.5" Laptop one with some really nice performance. So that opens up more room for the video card, Which is a low wattage card.

The low voltage ram will be just fine.

By the looks of things, the setup I recommended you falls at 80-110w Idle to peak.

The main problem with going back and looking at older technology, the newer stuff is a LOT more powerful, and MUCH more efficient. Those things were written when a quad core (If they were on the market), would've maxed out that PSU as is.

That quad core I recommended you uses up only 45w. Hard drive uses 3-12 watts.  Video card uses 31w max.
Leaving another 22 watts to be used by case fans, DVD, RAM, and power spiking.

So all in all, still should be fine. Even MORE so with that Pico power supply.

If there's any single thing that I would remove from that list if it was MY computer. It would be the graphics card. Nothing else really.

;)

And I can always add that back later ;)

Arro on 07:56:41 PM / 29-Jul-11
I'm curious what the best graphics options would be with a microATX.

^^^^^^^^
OOohhhh
I like the new APU. But that particular one is going to be a wattage whore. He'll NEED something bigger than the pico to run it.