Need suggestions for a low power PC

Recca29 · Jul 1, 2014

I am currently trying to setup a new system (low power)

I already have some old components, Corsair VS450 PSU, gigabyte HD7770 1GB graphics card, 2GB 1600MHz GSkill RAM and 1TB Seagate HDD.

Can't decide between getting a Biostar NM70I-1037U motherboard+CPU combo or 35W Celeron G460 Processor + some cheap motherboard.
also considering an Intel Atom 2500HN but it doesn't have a PCI-E slot.

This PC mostly will be used for watching movies (1080p) and GPU crunching in the free time.

Thanks.

OneMoar · Jul 1, 2014

don't waste any time with a atom they are worthless
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157376&cm_re=b85-_-13-157-376-_-Product
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116950
if you can wait and see what happens with the Pentium anniversary edition on B85 boards I would that will be killer combo early reviews see the Pentium hitting 4.5Ghz with EASE on z97

Recca29 · Jul 1, 2014

OneMoar said:
don't waste any time with a atom they are worthless
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157376&cm_re=b85-_-13-157-376-_-Product
and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116950
if you can wait and see what happens with the Pentium anniversary edition on B85 boards I would that will be killer combo early reviews see the Pentium hitting 4.5Ghz with EASE on z97

Firstly it will take some time to launch, i don't think i can wait for that long. Secondly the cheapest B85 board is costing about the same as the Biostar NM70I-1037U, so the whole setup will cost twice as much.

This PC will be just used for playing movies, not for gaming.

RCoon · Jul 1, 2014

AM1 quad cores look interesting to me. Not up to date with the details on performance, but on paper they look like good low power SFF PC's.

That being said, my file server is used for streaming videos across my network, and outputs blurays to my TV, and that does fine with a crappy little G3220.

Jetster · Jul 1, 2014

You have the right idea with the Celeron. The Corsair VS450 were great PSUs.

OneMoar · Jul 1, 2014

between the Pentium and the b85 board you are out ~130.00
the G460 is a single core even with hardware acceleration getting 1080P video is going to be a dubious at best
and the Celeron 1037U is basically a cut down last generation atom and those where pretty terrible
you are in what I call budget limbo meaning you don't have enough of a budget to do anything worth while

zsolt_93 · Jul 1, 2014

That is an Ivy Bridge CPU (1037U) paired with a chipset designed originally for Atoms, so the PCIE slot might not be full x16 electrical. Otherwise is laptop class CPU with IGPU that will play 1080p fine.

GhostRyder · Jul 1, 2014

Recca29 said:
Firstly it will take some time to launch, i don't think i can wait for that long. Secondly the cheapest B85 board is costing about the same as the Biostar NM70I-1037U, so the whole setup will cost twice as much.

This PC will be just used for playing movies, not for gaming.

Try something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130759&cm_re=AM1-_-13-130-759-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113365&cm_re=AM1-_-19-113-365-_-Product

You can go cheaper on the processor as well, I just picked a middle ground one.

OneMoar · Jul 1, 2014

zsolt_93 said:
That is an Ivy Bridge CPU (1037U) paired with a chipset designed originally for Atoms, so the PCIE slot might not be full x16 electrical. Otherwise is laptop class CPU with IGPU that will play 1080p fine.

the 1037u in my laptop has issues with 1080p granted no video acceleration but I have a AM2 5200+ that does just fine

zsolt_93 said:
That is an Ivy Bridge CPU (1037U) paired with a chipset designed originally for Atoms, so the PCIE slot might not be full x16 electrical. Otherwise is laptop class CPU with IGPU that will play 1080p fine.

cut down chip is cut down its a budget chip and the op is going to be seriously disappointed in it

Vario · Jul 1, 2014

450 watt power supply could run a lot of stuff, no need to limit yourself to really weak stuff.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

OneMoar said:
between the Pentium and the b85 board you are out ~130.00
the G460 is a single core even with hardware acceleration getting 1080P video is going to be a dubious at best
and the Celeron 1037U is basically a cut down last generation atom and those where pretty terrible

I think u are mistaken about the Celeron 1037U its a 22nm chip and i am pretty sure that atom processors are all 32nm.

OneMoar said:
you are in what I call budget limbo meaning you don't have enough of a budget to do anything worth while

There is no budget issue. i just don't think of spending too much on a PC that will only be used for watching videos.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

zsolt_93 said:
That is an Ivy Bridge CPU (1037U) paired with a chipset designed originally for Atoms, so the PCIE slot might not be full x16 electrical. Otherwise is laptop class CPU with IGPU that will play 1080p fine.

I think its 8X. but i don't think it will be a problem as i don't intend to play any games on it.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

GhostRyder said:
Try something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130759&cm_re=AM1-_-13-130-759-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113365&cm_re=AM1-_-19-113-365-_-Product

You can go cheaper on the processor as well, I just picked a middle ground one.

I was primarily thinking of buying the Athlon 5350 and AM1 board with a PCI-E stot, but it still not available. The whole AM1 platform is unavailable at my location, so got tired of waiting.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

Vario said:
450 watt power supply could run a lot of stuff, no need to limit yourself to really weak stuff.

i am not limiting my self by power requirement but by need.
Why use high power chip for just watching videos. secondly i have a HD7770 video card available so trying to utilize it.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

OneMoar said:
the 1037u in my laptop has issues with 1080p granted no video acceleration but I have a AM2 5200+ that does just fine

I am not going to use the IGP. Trying to pair it with HD7770 video card.

micropage7 · Jul 2, 2014

why dont you list intel pentium g series?
i guess its more available in your local shop

RCoon · Jul 2, 2014

Recca29 said:
Trying to pair it with HD7770 video card.

That defeats the point of a low power system that will only play videos. You could build and AM1 / Pentium G HTPC on a 250W bronze PSU, and have no problems at all playing videos of HD quality. If AM1 isn't available, go for the Pentium G series chips from the Haswell line. Adding a 7770 makes this entire low power venture pointless, as there is simply no need for a GPU at all. Sell it and use the money for the system.

Also, use the edit button

Dent1 · Jul 2, 2014

Recca29 said:
I am not going to use the IGP. Trying to pair it with HD7770 video card.

If you're only watching videos the IGP will be enough. Like you said "Why use high power chip for just watching videos". Same can be said for the 7770!

Jetster · Jul 2, 2014

He could underclock it

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

Dent1 said:
If you're only watching videos the IGP will be enough. Like you said "Why use high power chip for just watching videos". Same can be said for the 7770!

agreed.

but lets say i don't want to get rid of the video card and use it as a GPU cruncher.

RCoon · Jul 2, 2014

Recca29 said:
agreed.

but lets say i don't want to get rid of the video card and use it as a GPU cruncher.

So are you building a low power video HTPC for streaming and watching videos, or are you building a crunching rig? I think you need to decide what your priority is, it seems like you have a GPU and are just looking for a reason to use it.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

micropage7 said:
why dont you list intel pentium g series?
i guess its more available in your local shop

The Pentium G2XXX are available. Still cant find the G3XXX.

Max i can find is the Pentium G2120.

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

RCoon said:
So are you building a low power video HTPC for streaming and watching videos, or are you building a crunching rig? I think you need to decide what your priority is, it seems like you have a GPU and are just looking for a reason to use it.

you got me there.

RCoon · Jul 2, 2014

Recca29 said:
you got me there.

I understand, I did the very same thing. Ended up building a PC for my parents because I had a spare motherboard. I think we've all had a similar situation.
What online shop are you using? FlipKart?

Recca29 · Jul 2, 2014

RCoon said:
I understand, I did the very same thing. Ended up building a PC for my parents because I had a spare motherboard. I think we've all had a similar situation.
What online shop are you using? FlipKart?

Flipkart, amazon.in and also the retail stores.

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Need suggestions for a low power PC

Recca29

OneMoar

There is Always Moar

Recca29

RCoon

Jetster

OneMoar

There is Always Moar

zsolt_93

GhostRyder

OneMoar

There is Always Moar

Vario

Recca29

Recca29

Recca29

Recca29

Recca29

micropage7

RCoon

Dent1

Jetster

Recca29

RCoon

Recca29

Recca29

RCoon

Recca29

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