help me build a cheap SFF pc

[seattledude]

Hi folks, I'm a noob to the SFF world. Could one of you help me build a ultra-cheap SFF pc.

The purpose is an extremely light-weight internet browsing and multimedia machine, capable of running windows xp, and running chat and voip programs like skype.

I'm trying to target a budget of $200.. it doesn't need to be the latest greatest dual core processor and sata motherboard.

An ideal SFF would be something like a pizzabox (aka just the laptop base without the display), which I could put in a small suitcase / laptop bag.

Does anyone make laptops without the display?

thanks for your input.

 

[pkrush]

Intel just released the perfect motherboard for you, it's called the D201GLY. It's a Celeron 1.33 Mini ITX board for under 75 bucks from mini-box.com. Add 512 megs of DDR2 for about $30, and an old PATA hard drive to put Windows on, and you have a decent cheap web system.
For a case, you have several good choices, like the Morex series, but I like this iStar.
http://www.directron.com/s3stormseries.html

 

[seattledude]

thanks! the mobo looks good.

Talking about cases, I'm not seeing the weight being mentioned. Any ideas what kind of weight i'm looking at, and what is the lightest possible?

 

[seattledude]

reping.. can someone help me choose the lightest / smallest case possible to fit this mini ITX board?

Any other alternatives for my SFF?

 

[SleepyB]

The problem with that D201GLY board is that it has that tall heatsink/fan, so it doesn't fit most normal Mini-itx cases.

You can try another MB you can use is the VIA VB7001G C7-D 1.5GHz. Goes for around $92 @ eWiz. The Intel one probably performes better, but this one will fit into most small Mini-itx cases. The case I like is the Morex 3688, which is small and cute. But it uses notebook size HDs and optical drives.

Morex Cubid 3688 Mini-ITX Case

Comes in black or white/silver.

 

[seattledude]

thanks SleepyB.

Can you help me put together a parts list so that everything works when assembled? Like what HDD, CD models would you buy? What RAM is compatible? Any other peripherals / adapters?

I could really use your expertise to make this a quick project.

 

[seattledude]

to branch the discussion on another question, anyone with recommendations for equivalent CHEAP micro-atx / atx machines?

Like I said, I don't need the power. Even something like a P4 will do.. as long as it can run windows xp comfortably, and I can get max bang for the buck.

If I go with the VIA/Morex combo + peripherals, it appears i'm looking at :
Mobo = $92
Case = $70
slim optical drive = $45
2.5 inch hdd 60gb = $50
512mb memory = $25
=== total ===
$282
==========

At this price point, its getting very close to plunk in $100 more and get a cheap laptop with a display, wifi etc.

What is important is that the case be extremely light and small.. all it needs to have is space for the mobo, maybe a video card if it is mATX, 1 HDD bay, and 1 CDR/DVD bay.

Can someone help me beat $200 in price?

thx!

 

[SleepyB]

That's the thing... If you want small, you're gonna pay a premium.

You can stick these Mini-Itx mb into a regular ATX case if you want. Those are like $20+. Then that way, you can use regular sized components, so it'll be cheaper. Getting under $200 would be tough for small sized.

Basically, you're calculations are about right. You can skip the optical drive, unless you really need it, to save some money.

Any 2.5" SATA laptop HD would be fine. I would recommend Samsung or Seagate. WD or Hitachi would work too. I would also get 1GB DDR2 memory. Wait for it to be on sale for around $30AR. Kingston is very compatible.

Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) $29.99
Seagate Momentus 5400.3 ST980811AS 80GB 5400 RPM $59.99

I am planning to build a small, silent mini-itx, so I'd use the above parts. Waiting for the LN10000EG fanless mb to come in stock. Maybe would get a 160GB or 250GB HD. I don't need a DVD drive.

None of these small cases will fit a video card. The only other thing I can recommend, which can fit a PCI-E video card:

Shuttle XPC SD11-G5-SV-V1 Intel Socket 479 Intel Pentium M Intel 915GM Barebone

It's not that small, but it's okay priced. You can get a Pentium-M for $80 or Celeron for like $30-40 from eWiz. This is the old Pentium-M class CPUs, so don't buy the wrong one (new Core based Celerons). You can reuse your old desktop HD/DVD drives if you want.

Or else you can buy an Apple Mini or those Shuttle X100/X200 computers. But they are like $600-1000. So probably not the price range you're looking for.

 

[bupkus]

Looking at the bottom entry for mainboards one sees the Intel D201GLY.
Morex 5677 Mini-ITX Case

Call ewiz and ask for a price on the D201GLY. They aren't listed online, but they have OEMs and quoted me a price of $58 plus shipping.

Note: the D201GLY only has drivers to support XP or linux. I tried Win2kpro and the USB didn't work. However, someone reviewing at Newegg said he "...disabled USB 2.0 in the bios and then Win2k loaded the drivers for usb 1.1."

I downloaded a 2D game from MSN games site and it actually played it nicely.

Good luck. I've been running this through my mind for a while now.

Edit: I suppose I should add that I did buy one and it's being used at a childcare center for a clockin/out station for parents. As for the case being used, I have a few a friend gave me atleast a year ago that were made for the IBM Vista. It was made for a specific mobo and I had to buy a 20-pin/20-pin extension plus a 1x4 to 2x2 pin adaptor for the D201GLY, plus the port shield didn't fit.

 

[thorin]

This came up in another thread. You may want to wait a month or two and get the D201GLY2. It's passively cooled and also has 2 SATA ports.