Mini PC for programming

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xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
Blasphemous as it might be on these forums, Intel graphics and a case not
big enough for a real GPU are actually things that attract me to this rig.
It means I don't have to pay (or wait) for something I'm not going to use :)

Thanks for the reassuringly more precise wattage calculation PCS.
 
X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
Just telling the forum that I put my order in yesterday. Yay :)

Unfortunately the money probably won't make it for another 3 days since it's
the weekend here and international bank transfers take a little while anyway.
Nevertheless... I look forward to seeing status updates on the dashboard.

I pretty much went with the spec posted earlier in this thread, except with the
Core i5 660, and didn't get keyboard and mouse since I figure I can just take
the ones I have here for free (although I'll need to grab a different keyboard
since I think the DH57JG doesn't support PS/2).

Last doubts are all about the PSU and case: will 160W cover it if that also
needs to include the keyboard and mouse and any external drives, plus
degradation over time...? And I read in these forums and on the internet that
the InWin PSU fan is really loud... hopefully that's only after prolonged
intense use (whereas I'm more likely to have short bursts in my usage pattern).
If worse comes to worst I figure I can always replace the PSU and/or case
myself (possibly at the expense of my warranty).

I'll be sure to let you know my experience for all you (how many are there, 1?)
forum readers thinking of buying a Mini PC :)
 
X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
Oh few more questions I remembered:
  • Does it come with a network cable? (ethernet)
  • How much of a check of the contents will the delivery person put up with
    before I sign? Just a look-over, or could I turn it on?
  • Would love to know more about the chassis fan (e.g. brand/model).
 
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Sleinous

Sleinous

Author Level
A look over
Will have yo ask pcs abput fans
No i dont think youd get a network cable. Dont you have a spare? I must have 10+ at home lol :p
Ye theres no ps2 port unfortunately :(

main1-s.jpg
 
X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
I probably have one lying around my house, but I'm having the computer
delivered to my new house in the UK which has nothing in it, so I want to know
what I should bring with me.

So at the moment I'm looking at bringing keyboard, mouse, network cable....
anything else? I presume all power cables and monitor cables will be provided.
 
Sleinous

Sleinous

Author Level
Yes, they should be. A standard VGA or DVI cable would be wise though, just incase :)

USB extension cable

Power surge protector.

Might need to buy these on amazon or something if you're coming from outside the UK unless you're able to DIY yourself the correct adapter.

As for upgrading the PSU, its VERY hard, there's only a very very limited amount of upgrades to micro ATX PSUs and I believe this is some form of super micro micro ITX thing, so probably an even smaller PSU.

http://www.eclipsecomputers.com/product.aspx?code=CA-IM668

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MTX-001B-Pi...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1284884023&sr=8-2

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Aplus-CS-10...1_5?ie=UTF8&s=computers&qid=1284884053&sr=8-5

^2 more case + SPSu - 300W each.

This has a 200W PSU, but seems its insanely hard to find anything better.

(Even harder than finding a good Mini ATX PSU).

What I dont get is there seems to be a x16 PCIe slot there, now, it says limited support due to case size, but, with these cases being quite big, surely you could atleast get somethign like an Nvidia GeForce 8400 or 8600 in there, something that was smaller back in the day? Just some thoughts :)
 
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X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
I ordered surge protector from PCS :)

If there's no usable monitor cable I think I'll just go out and buy one from a
shop if it comes to that... I'm fairly sure the supplied one will be there and
fine.

Thanks so much for the info and links about mini itx PSUs and cases. Good to
know that there's at least a couple of 300W options.

But this is why I asked about caseless before: if there really ends up being a
noise or wattage problem I reckon I could just open the case up and get a
normal-sized high-wattage PSU to put next to the case. So that would be
semi-caseless :p
 
Sleinous

Sleinous

Author Level
Haha yes, all-be-it a little less portable xD

DVI cables are sold at pc world for £29.99 (dual link) , the same cable but in bulk packaging (simple plastic wrap same company - Belkin) on Amazon.co.uk - £4-5 lol.
 
X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
ah thanks for the tip!
know if there are any non-retail (e.g. computer fair) pc parts markets in cambridge?
 
Sleinous

Sleinous

Author Level
Not from what I remember. I visited at one point. I know there's a Marks and Spencers there coz I went all the way to the top floor just to go to the....toilet :p

Amazon will deliver to any home and halls, I know this coz my friends get stuff delievered to their halls no problemo. You also get free super saver delivery on most stuff on Amazon :) + a month's free Amazon Prime if you want it, just remember to untick teh box saying auto-renew at the end of the month in yoru account.
 
X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
Payment Confirmed!

My payment went through in under 24 hours (given that my bank didn't
see it till this morning, since it was Saturday when I sent it).

Only glitch is that the bank fees on the receiving end somehow deducted GBP
12 from the payment, so I have to figure out how to pay the difference now
(hopefully without incurring yet more transfer fees).

PC Specialist emailed me and said they'd allow the order to continue
processing (Yay :)) although they want the money before dispatching.
 
PCS

PCS

Administrator
Staff member
You 160W PSU will handle your additional components, such as USB devices, keyboard & mouse etc.

External hard drives should be externally powered, so no problems there.




xrchz said:
Oh few more questions I remembered:
  • Does it come with a network cable? (ethernet)
  • How much of a check of the contents will the delivery person put up with
    before I sign? Just a look-over, or could I turn it on?
  • Would love to know more about the chassis fan (e.g. brand/model).
Click to expand...

1. No network cables are provided.
2. Sign for the item as un-checked, then you can check it in your own time.
3. The chassis fan is manufactured on our behalf by a partner supplier to InWin. If you'd like to do some digging the model is FD1280-S3033D and is called "ARX DC BRUSHLESS". I doubt there will be much you can find though as the company is an OEM manufacturer.
 
X

xrchz

Bronze Level Poster
Will you write anything onto my SSD if I have selected "No Operating System Required"?
In other words, should I consider it completely new when it arrives, or should I consider doing a "secure erase" before installing my OS?
 
PCS

PCS

Administrator
Staff member
An OS will be installed as part of our testing procedures. Nothing more. :)
 
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