downsizing help: tower -> VESA mountable but equal power

[Davegod75]

I currently have a tower computer with an E8500, 8GB DDR, 500GB HD, 9400GT, and a 20" Dell LCD.

I would like to downsize into a VESA mountable computer. My idea is to get a new 22" plus HDMI monitor and mount the PC on the back, and use a wireless keyboard mouse. Sorta a customized all-in-one without the price.

So, does anyone have case ideas? or already existing boxes that I could look at? I don't really want to take a performance hit. A standard like mini-itx would be nice since I could upgrade easily later on down the road.

 

[Davidh373]

I don't think there is a case that fits a vesa mount. You either need to buy a new computer like an iMac or HP that's built in with a monitor hat is vesa mountable or is on a stand. I'm really not sure if there's even the option for that available yet. I'll try to scout something out

 

[Davidh373]

Something like this maybe? It is vesa mountable.

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...All-in-One_PCs

I also tracked this site down, maybe you'll find something here?

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/s...29_prodexp/hhoslp/psg/desktops/All-in-One_PCs

 

[M0RPH]

Here's a case with vesa mounting http://www.mini-box.com/M350-universal-mini-itx-enclosure;jsessionid=0a0107431f43777bf4349b024a35be91d01319b5e7a9.e3eTaxePaNqNe34Pa38Ta38Lchz0

 

[Swivelguy2]

There's also this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119211

But I think you're going to have trouble getting anything but an integrated GPU into any of these cases.

 

[Davidh373]

Nice job guys. I did see the coolermaster, but I figured he'd want to fit all that power into a little box.

 

[Davegod75]

what about this? http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=54

with an H55 mobo + intel i3 chip? 4GB DDR3 and a 2.5HD? Would a pico 150w PSU be okay for that config?

 

[Davidh373]

What are you planning for this machine? Gaming, video editing, HD media? Your current machine is just barely slower than an i3, but with 4GB ram you will see a performance difference. Get something with an i5 quad core and the same amount of ram if you are planning to replace your old one.

 

[Zap]

what about this? http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=54

with an H55 mobo + intel i3 chip? 4GB DDR3 and a 2.5HD? Would a pico 150w PSU be okay for that config?

That would probably be the easiest and closest to what the OP wants. Yes, PicoPSU 150W would suffice. With wireless dongles, the system will only need two power cables coming out of it.

 

[dawza]

If you are interested in some pics of a build, here are some pics of a GF9300 based ITX box I put together last year:

http://img20.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=p1010054l.jpg

The case is a Morex T3500, and I believe VESA mounts are available for it. It's outdated by today's standards (E5200), but the 120mm fan keeps everything very cool at a silent 5V or 7V (I forget which one). It is being powered by a 120W wide-input Pico PSU, which is actually rated considerably lower on the 12V rails than a standard 12V-based Pico.

 

[Davegod75]

just found this case: I could get a micro-atx case with this!!

http://www.evercase.com/2product/e0526.htm

How big of an issue is having no cases fan for a i3, 7200rpm 2.5 HD, ram, mobo, etc.?

 

[Swivelguy2]

just found this case: I could get a micro-atx case with this!!

http://www.evercase.com/2product/e0526.htm

How big of an issue is having no cases fan for a i3, 7200rpm 2.5 HD, ram, mobo, etc.?

That's the same as the Cooler Master 100 linked above, just a different bezel. There's really no point in going Micro ATX over Mini ITX, because you won't be able to fit any expansion cards anyway.

The CPU fan will double as an intake fan, because it'll be so close to the vents above the CPU. If you get one of those cases, with a built-in flex-ATX psu, the PSU fan will also be a case exhaust. Don't expect this to be a quiet computer at all.

 

[frostedflakes]

You could go mini ITX (using a case like the M350) without too many compromises. A Zotac GF9300 board would let you use your E8500 and some of your RAM (assuming you aren't using 2x4GB, all the mini ITX boards I've seen are limited to two sticks). Gaming performance is probably the only thing you'd lose compared to your current setup, but 9500GT isn't exactly a powerhouse either, so I'm assuming you're not a big gamer.

That microATX case doesn't look bad either, though, and would give you more flexibility than mini ITX.

 

[Davidh373]

You could go mini ITX (using a case like the M350) without too many compromises. A Zotac GF9300 board would let you use your E8500 and some of your RAM (assuming you aren't using 2x4GB, all the mini ITX boards I've seen are limited to two sticks). Gaming performance is probably the only thing you'd lose compared to your current setup, but 9500GT isn't exactly a powerhouse either, so I'm assuming you're not a big gamer.

That microATX case doesn't look bad either, though, and would give you more flexibility than mini ITX.

You could actually get a mini itx 1156 board. i3, i5, i7 supported (I wouldn't recommend the i7 though... just for cooling...)

 

[frostedflakes]

Clarkdale is a great platform for systems like this, but just figured I'd throw the 775 suggestion out there. Sounds like OP is happy with the performance of his current system, so there's really no reason to buy a new CPU and RAM if he could reuse his old parts in a mini ITX build.

 

[Davidh373]

Clarkdale is a great platform for systems like this, but just figured I'd throw the 775 suggestion out there. Sounds like OP is happy with the performance of his current system, so there's really no reason to buy a new CPU and RAM if he could reuse his old parts in a mini ITX build.

Good point.

 

[Davegod75]

yep, I am happy with the performance of my current system...it's actually probably way overpowered for what I do:

web surfing
video encoding from my HD camcorder (don't really care that much about time)
light video editing (basically just cutting)
photoshop

I was only thinking i3 for cooling reasons. The m350 doesn't have any fans.


You guys think I could get away with the new atom cpus?

 

[Davidh373]

Not if you want to do editing/ encoding. Plus, you would probably notice a great deal difference in boot time and responsiveness in your OS. Lets at least continue to shoot for a dual core intel shall we?

 

[mmntech]

You might want to go with something like an iMac if you're looking for power with space saving design. Otherwise, the cases listed above will work vary well.

 

[Davegod75]

You might want to go with something like an iMac if you're looking for power with space saving design. Otherwise, the cases listed above will work vary well.

Yes I'd love an IMAC, but the price and OS are turning me away.

I'm basically trying to build an IMAC replacement. Although, the separate monitor and PC has it advantages.

 

[Davidh373]

well then, microATX, i7, 4GB ram, and a 27" high definition monitor... That'll be around... oh... $1200. Pretty much at cost with an iMac. Why is the OS turning you away? You could always use it with linux or windows xp and above. There is nothing stopping you. I'm running windows 7 on a macbook pro right now. Sure windows fans say there is (non-existent) driver issues, and mac fans say that my system will be flooded with virus', melted, and destroyed. I really don't care because they are all just too far brainwashed to convince otherwise. Basically a computer is a computer. If you enjoy an iMac, get an iMac. For the hardware inside it the iMac is by far the best deal Apple has aside from the Mac Pros. That built in monitor would by itself cost close to $1000...

 

[mmntech]

Yes I'd love an IMAC, but the price and OS are turning me away.

I'm basically trying to build an IMAC replacement. Although, the separate monitor and PC has it advantages.

The iMac does have pretty robust hardware though for an all-in-one. PC offerings are pretty anemic so far and cost just as much. You can also install and run Windows on it just as if it were a PC. No need to even touch OS X if you don't like it. It's definitely the easiest option that meets your horsepower requirements.

 

[Davegod75]

well then, microATX, i7, 4GB ram, and a 27" high definition monitor... That'll be around... oh... $1200. Pretty much at cost with an iMac. Why is the OS turning you away? You could always use it with linux or windows xp and above. There is nothing stopping you. I'm running windows 7 on a macbook pro right now. Sure windows fans say there is (non-existent) driver issues, and mac fans say that my system will be flooded with virus', melted, and destroyed. I really don't care because they are all just too far brainwashed to convince otherwise. Basically a computer is a computer. If you enjoy an iMac, get an iMac. For the hardware inside it the iMac is by far the best deal Apple has aside from the Mac Pros. That built in monitor would by itself cost close to $1000...

I don't want a 27" monitor. 20-22/24 is fine for me. nor am I looking at an i7. For my needs the system will prolly be under 800