up vote 0 down vote favorite
share [g+] share [fb]

Ok, so I want to build a small pc for my gf that she can take with her instead of the crappy laptop that she has.

Overall I think the complete system should not weight more than 10 lbs.

The requirements are to run at least 4 applications simultaneously, and be able to switch between them with no problems:

  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • Word editor
  • Browser
  • Should be able to handle 1920x1200 resolution.

I am currently looking at LGA775 socket as I can just transfer my desktop cpu Q6600 to it.

Currently deciding between DQ45EK and DG41TX, but any other suggestions are welcome.

So I am thinking something along the lines of:

  1. MINI-BOX M350 Case with 90 watt psu
  2. Q6600 cpu (my desktop cpu)
  3. 2x2GB kingston ram (or similar)
  4. Video? Need external or built-in G45 on DQ45EK will do?
  5. Intel ssd hard drive + maybe a regular HDD

My primary concern is whether the 90WATT is sufficient of the Q6600?

Thanks

EDIT: I think I will definitely need a BIGGER PSU.

link|improve this question
43% accept rate
Will she be carrying a monitor around, or can we assume that she will just be moving just the pc between a few known locations? – Chris May 5 '10 at 20:24
Monitor will be at the location yes. – drozzy May 6 '10 at 2:50
What I am thinking of here is a mini-case that you would carry with you to, say a new location as a student about once a year, and it will be always at home - so laptop is not needed. E.g. it will not be carried to classes or anything like that. – drozzy May 6 '10 at 2:56
Drozzy - got it. If she was changing locations often, like several times a week, I was going to suggest working remotely i.e. using the laptop as a thin client. Once a year isn't so bad to move a PC. IMHO, I'd get the most bang for my buck with form factor as a secondary consideration. And you can just move it for her when necessary. Thinking out loud here, but would careful cable organization make moving it easier than the small size? – Chris May 6 '10 at 14:17
Hey Chris, thanks but the size is more of a consideration for packing it in luggage for an airplane and such. So having a small case is better than a full atx tower (which might not even fit in a bag). – drozzy May 14 '10 at 16:24
feedback

2 Answers

up vote 0 down vote

IMHO, this isn't a very good idea at all. The money you'd spend on trying to get a Mini-ITX board up to snuff for heavy-duty workstation tasks like that would be better spent on a Thinkpad or similar, proper laptop.

Mini-ITX machines are not designed for heavy-duty tasks like Photoshop and friends, they're designed for relatively simple tasks that require a small physical footprint. Media center boxes, car computers, things like that.

But if you really really insisted, you could hack something together. You'll want, at the very least, a 300 watt power supply for that CPU, assuming you stick with onboard video.

If you want to use an external video card (which is a good idea for PS, as it most definitely does leverage GPU acceleration), you'll want at least a 400W or more supply, for headroom's sake. Additionally, any add-on video card looks like it won't even fit in the case you chose, even if you get a half-height card.

On the other hand, multitasking is almost always a RAM-constrained activity. 4GB might be enough for light Photoshop work while doing all that other stuff, but if your girlfriend routinely touches up several-megapixel images (or even several images at a time), 4GB could be constraining. You'd probably want the DG41TX based purely on this, as DDR3 is, to use a technical term, metric buttloads cheaper than DDR2 for the same capacity, at the moment.

Again, I'd really suggest you consider picking up a cheap Core 2 Quad or Core i5 laptop as opposed to trying to make a portable workstation. You're almost definitely likely to get better dollar-for-dollar value, and you won't need to lug around a monitor, either. :)

link|improve this answer
Thanks, but I am not sure how laptop is cheaper? It is in the area of 1500 vs. 500 for mini itx computer? – drozzy May 5 '10 at 18:25
1  
Also when you say "Mini-ITX machines are not designed for heavy duty tasks" - I don't understand. Mini-itx is just a form factor - and the modern motherboards and components are becoming smaller and smaller. I would think it is perfectly suitable for creating a small form factor computer without paying the price for SUPER-Compact factor used in notebooks. – drozzy May 5 '10 at 18:26
In your case, I suppose it might be a bit cheaper, seeing as you already have the CPU and a monitor (I assume), but a laptop with equivalent grunt wouldn't run you $1000, let alone $1500 -- take a look at: newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834152178 for example; i5 laptops are new, so that price will be expected to drop even more over the coming weeks. As far as modern motherboards getting smaller and smaller, this is true -- but not down that far. You can only get 4GB RAM in those two Mini-ITX boards, for example, and the DQ45EK doesn't even support your 95W Core 2 Quad. – Dylan B. May 5 '10 at 19:39
Thanks, but I am still not convince that laptop offers better value or performance. I mean the laptop has much less space for components and cooling; most of the laptop parts are special low-power versions of the desktop counterparts, so you end up overpaying for them. – drozzy May 6 '10 at 2:55
feedback
up vote 0 down vote

MiTX is a form factor. It will support i7-860 & a decent Quadro card for ACAD2010. What you spend is what you get. Lots of monkeys when you throw out peanuts.

link|improve this answer
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown
discard

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.