Help with SFF

[Mathlete]

Hello. My wife and I are looking to get a new computer. We would like to go SFF as the desk that it sit on is VERY small and we don't need anything crazy powerful. Our top uses are:
-Internet and email including flash games and videos
-Netflix watching
-Streaming radio
-Photo viewing - maybe some redeye correction but no photoshop
-Pr0n

That's about it. Would like to go as cheap <600 as possible without sacrificing too much speed. Also have about 100 gb of video/audio/photo minimum that needs to be transfered over.

Thanks in Advance

 

[DaveSimmons]

I've had an Acer version of this Gateway design for about a year and a half now, and we got my mom the Gateway version for her birthday a little over a year ago. Both are still working without any problems:

$479 - i3-2100, 4 GB, 1 TB - Gateway SX Series SX2870-UR10P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113220

They are small, quiet, and the i3-2100 is more than fast enough for everything you've listed.

 

[Zap]

Would you be building your own, or going with a pre-built such as DaveSimmons linked?

For building your own, here's one possible build, with rough pricing that can be had from popular online vendors.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Antec ISK 110 VESA $80
8GB RAM $40
128GB SSD $100
1TB 2.5" HDD $100
H77 chipset motherboard $100
Pentium G2120 CPU $100
=$620

Another $45 for a Core i3-3225 with HD 4000 graphics, but probably not needed.

Can save a few bucks going with 4GB RAM or a cheaper Sandy Bridge CPU, or a smaller SSD (or one on sale).

 

[PCTC2]

Would you be building your own, or going with a pre-built such as DaveSimmons linked?

For building your own, here's one possible build, with rough pricing that can be had from popular online vendors.

Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit $100
Antec ISK 110 VESA $80
8GB RAM $40
128GB SSD $100
1TB 2.5" HDD $100
H77 chipset motherboard $100
Pentium G2120 CPU $100
=$620

Another $45 for a Core i3-3225 with HD 4000 graphics, but probably not needed.

Can save a few bucks going with 4GB RAM or a cheaper Sandy Bridge CPU, or a smaller SSD (or one on sale).

I second this, however, you can forgo the 128 + 1TB, and get a 256GB SSD for $180, and then get a Core i3 3225 instead of the G2120 so you can get the HD 4000 graphics. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Why a SFF desktop and not a laptop? A desktop is more powerful for the $, but you don't need a lot of HP for what you're describing, and a laptop is a lot more flexible.

Just a thought.

 

[ecosmartpc]

If you don't mind a barebones PC where you just have to install the SSD and Windows, here are two recommendations:

E-i5 Intel barebones

It can also be had in the E-i7 case (which has a slot load ODD bay) for $25 more though it's not on the site.

 

[Zap]

Why a SFF desktop and not a laptop? A desktop is more powerful for the $, but you don't need a lot of HP for what you're describing, and a laptop is a lot more flexible.

I don't know if a notebook will work for the OP, but speaking for myself if I used a notebook for my primary machine I would still have external peripherals hooked up (keyboard/mouse/monitor) because those are my preferences. I own a LOT of notebook computers (currently have notebooks with screens at 10.1", 11.6", 13.3", 15", 15.4", 18.4"... anyone want to buy a used notebook? ) and I have yet to be truly happy with using the built-in screens. FWIW I normally use a 30" 2560x1600 with a 20" secondary screen, so I'm a bit spoiled :whiste: by having a lot of screen real-estate, but seriously I would not want to live with using only a notebook screen.

To use an analogy, if you didn't have a computer would you be willing to get rid of your desk and use a simple clipboard for EVERYTHING that you used a desk for?

Beyond the big screens, I also have a preference for typing on mechanical keyboards. So, being that I'm already tied to a desk, why not just have a SFF desktop instead of a notebook?

BTW I've already had to "live with" notebooks when I visit family, and I deal with it, but I prefer not to at home.

 

[jihe]

Hello. My wife and I are looking to get a new computer. We would like to go SFF as the desk that it sit on is VERY small and we don't need anything crazy powerful. Our top uses are:
-Internet and email including flash games and videos
-Netflix watching
-Streaming radio
-Photo viewing - maybe some redeye correction but no photoshop
-Pr0n

That's about it. Would like to go as cheap <600 as possible without sacrificing too much speed. Also have about 100 gb of video/audio/photo minimum that needs to be transfered over.

Thanks in Advance

LOL :thumbsup:
I would say the foxconn nta3700 zacate barebone since it'e VERY small. But I think there is some driver issue so that silverlight doesn't use hardware acceleration, and cpu is then too weak for 1080p netflix.

 

[ther00kie16]

http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrar...workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=77601DU

 

[VirtualLarry]

I've had an Acer version of this Gateway design for about a year and a half now, and we got my mom the Gateway version for her birthday a little over a year ago. Both are still working without any problems:

$479 - i3-2100, 4 GB, 1 TB - Gateway SX Series SX2870-UR10P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883113220

They are small, quiet, and the i3-2100 is more than fast enough for everything you've listed.

I just picked up one from Staples for $200+tax AC, but it has the G630 and 4GB/500GB. Tiny little thing, works nicely.

 

[NTMBK]

I can recommend first hand the Zotac ID82. Tiny little machine packing a Sandy Bridge i3, that can be mounted on the back of a monitor. Chuck in a 7200rpm HDD and 8GB RAM, put Windows on it, and you're sorted. Lovely piece of kit.