- Joined
- Aug 26, 2012
- Messages
- 378 (0.09/day)
System Name | Project Evolv mATX V2 |
---|---|
Processor | 5800X3D |
Motherboard | ASRock B550M Steel Legend |
Cooling | AK400 Zero Dark Plus |
Memory | 32gb (4x8) G.SKILL 3200 C14 / 1T running at 3400 |
Video Card(s) | Sapphire 6800XT Nitro |
Storage | Samsung 980 pro NVMe 2TB |
Display(s) | Dual Samsung 27" G50A's |
Case | Phanteks Enthoo Evolv mATX in Silver |
Audio Device(s) | To many to list - generally a modified E-MU 0404 combined with a Project Ember for my desktop use |
Power Supply | Seasonic Prime Titanium 750W |
Software | Win 11 |
It has been a while so I decided to build something rather different.
My needs:
- Super small desktop that sips power as the unit will run up to 14 hours a day
- Must sit on the desktop / take up as little room as possible. No larger than 8x8x2"
- Must be as affordable as possible
- Decent sized drive / must be SSD
- Powerful enough to run standard business software (visio, power point, excel, word, light graphics and photo programs, website programs... and so on) without hesitation or noticeable performance drop off.
- Also dual or triple monitor support
Basically everything but a gamer.
Building on some recent experience building a simple AM1 based machine and knowing how snappy it was with all the software I use, I decided right away this would be the base. Some say the AM1 is good for nothing but a file server or HTPC. After using one for a short time and getting a feel for it... anyone that browses, uses basic software and so on could live with one of these and never want more if they do not game or do things like heavy photo / video work. The darn little thing just runs like hell for normal / basic use!
So I built my parts list
- 5350 AM1 CPU $65. Using stock headsink with a super low profile fan (additional $10)
- ASRock AM1H-ITX mobo (with direct DC input as this is critical for me / keeping it tiny) $60
- 8gb dual sticks of corsair Vengeance LP (I would recommend a single stick of 8 or 4gb. No reason for dual since AM1 is single channel - slight waste of power. I had these so making use of them) $40-$90 depending on what you buy
- SSD Corsair Neutron GTX 240gb ssd. Refurbed for $95. This could also be a much smaller SSD from $60-$90 depending
- Meanwell GS90 19V DC power supply, direct into the AM1H Mobo! No ATX supply to deal with, thus dropping the size of the pc drastically $30
- Wireless AC module $20 for an EDIMAX (love these cheap things) or do not use wireless and hard line at no cost
- Using windows 7 pro 64 that I already had. Or buy it for $90.
For this particular build the cost is $460 with OS if one purchased everything new which is a little silly for a machine like this. Understanding many do not show the cost of the OS when showing their build sheet, that would put the build at $370. Still is to high for a system like this. Take away the not necessary ram I used, take away the wireless module and take away the large capacity SSD and one could have a system like this for..
- $60 cpu
- $65 mobo
- $30 PSU
- $40 single stick of 1600 found used all over for $40 or less
- $60 120gb refurbed SSD
Total: $255 or $345ish with OS.
Here is a photo of the Mobo as it stands waiting for the slim fan to arrive. I put some sunglasses in the photo so one can get an idea of the size the PC will actually be when finished. Chassis will only add about .5" per side all the way around. The loose battery and cable looks like crap. I will probably re-locate this to the bottom of the PCB and hide it.
Now onto the chassis. I run a small business designing affordable HiFi headphone amplifiers and such. The way we build our affordable chassis will directly apply and work for how I will be building the custom chassis for this PC. It utilizes standoffs, a little hardware, rubber feet and laser cut and etched acrylic. Here is an example of one of the amps and how a simple chassis works... (shameless plug)
The chassis is built in layers like this...
I also have to work in and build in the hard drive mount which after measurements, will have to go under the PCB. Good news is that I have figured this out while keeping the design slim. Also cables will be close to 100% hidden so all one will see is the connections at the back of the amplifier. If possible I will build in a pair of drive mounts but have to make more measurements to make sure this can happen.
The only bad news is that I have to travel to Australia on business all next week so there will be a little delay until I am able to show the finished design (if anyone cares) a "lord business" machine is nothing impressive to the masses
Kudos to ASRock for bringing more mobos to the market with direct DC in!
My needs:
- Super small desktop that sips power as the unit will run up to 14 hours a day
- Must sit on the desktop / take up as little room as possible. No larger than 8x8x2"
- Must be as affordable as possible
- Decent sized drive / must be SSD
- Powerful enough to run standard business software (visio, power point, excel, word, light graphics and photo programs, website programs... and so on) without hesitation or noticeable performance drop off.
- Also dual or triple monitor support
Basically everything but a gamer.
Building on some recent experience building a simple AM1 based machine and knowing how snappy it was with all the software I use, I decided right away this would be the base. Some say the AM1 is good for nothing but a file server or HTPC. After using one for a short time and getting a feel for it... anyone that browses, uses basic software and so on could live with one of these and never want more if they do not game or do things like heavy photo / video work. The darn little thing just runs like hell for normal / basic use!
So I built my parts list
- 5350 AM1 CPU $65. Using stock headsink with a super low profile fan (additional $10)
- ASRock AM1H-ITX mobo (with direct DC input as this is critical for me / keeping it tiny) $60
- 8gb dual sticks of corsair Vengeance LP (I would recommend a single stick of 8 or 4gb. No reason for dual since AM1 is single channel - slight waste of power. I had these so making use of them) $40-$90 depending on what you buy
- SSD Corsair Neutron GTX 240gb ssd. Refurbed for $95. This could also be a much smaller SSD from $60-$90 depending
- Meanwell GS90 19V DC power supply, direct into the AM1H Mobo! No ATX supply to deal with, thus dropping the size of the pc drastically $30
- Wireless AC module $20 for an EDIMAX (love these cheap things) or do not use wireless and hard line at no cost
- Using windows 7 pro 64 that I already had. Or buy it for $90.
For this particular build the cost is $460 with OS if one purchased everything new which is a little silly for a machine like this. Understanding many do not show the cost of the OS when showing their build sheet, that would put the build at $370. Still is to high for a system like this. Take away the not necessary ram I used, take away the wireless module and take away the large capacity SSD and one could have a system like this for..
- $60 cpu
- $65 mobo
- $30 PSU
- $40 single stick of 1600 found used all over for $40 or less
- $60 120gb refurbed SSD
Total: $255 or $345ish with OS.
Here is a photo of the Mobo as it stands waiting for the slim fan to arrive. I put some sunglasses in the photo so one can get an idea of the size the PC will actually be when finished. Chassis will only add about .5" per side all the way around. The loose battery and cable looks like crap. I will probably re-locate this to the bottom of the PCB and hide it.
Now onto the chassis. I run a small business designing affordable HiFi headphone amplifiers and such. The way we build our affordable chassis will directly apply and work for how I will be building the custom chassis for this PC. It utilizes standoffs, a little hardware, rubber feet and laser cut and etched acrylic. Here is an example of one of the amps and how a simple chassis works... (shameless plug)
The chassis is built in layers like this...
I also have to work in and build in the hard drive mount which after measurements, will have to go under the PCB. Good news is that I have figured this out while keeping the design slim. Also cables will be close to 100% hidden so all one will see is the connections at the back of the amplifier. If possible I will build in a pair of drive mounts but have to make more measurements to make sure this can happen.
The only bad news is that I have to travel to Australia on business all next week so there will be a little delay until I am able to show the finished design (if anyone cares) a "lord business" machine is nothing impressive to the masses
Kudos to ASRock for bringing more mobos to the market with direct DC in!
Last edited: