I am new here.
I have been banging my head for about 9 months now trying to refresh my 5 years old computer. At the time I bought a barebone shuttle xpc.
I run ubuntu 13.04 on it.
Since then, I have picked up photography (I use darktable, gimp ... on rather large files). I also started running a file server (local to my home wireless, using samba) and I also use the computer as a music client so that other devices in the house can use the 5.1 sound system physically connected to my computer to play their music.
So as you can see I have many qualitative requirements:
- Powerful for photography
- Low idle power so it can stay on for long periods of time (I'm hoping <30W idle but I dont know if that can be done)
- Small form factor so it can be transported easily. (in a carry on on an airplane)
- Low noise level (this kind of goes along with #2 i guess. my current shuttle xpc has become increasingly noisy, despite my fan dust removal efforts)
I have decided a while back to transfer all my "permanent" files to external storage. So I bought a Seagate Expansion 3Tb 3.0 and I also have a WD Elements 2Tb for automatic backups of the 1st one.
I will thus only require a rather small (120Gb or so) SSD inside the computer. I will use that SSD for OS and programs (might put a dual boot Win7/Ubuntu although I will primarily use Ubuntu), the swap, and the photographic files I am currently editing.
Here are my quantitative requirement:
- Quad core Haswell processor
I think I want 8 threads and at least 6Mb of L3 cache for my photographic needs but I am not sure if i am correct to want that.
- 16Gb of ram
- ~120 Gb ssd.
I dont think my needs make a stand alone GPU necessary and/or a good idea
My problem: All the computers I have built have had no regards for power of noise. I always chose a 350W PSU etc.... I dont have the slightest clue on where to start.
I have been looking for a pre-made solution satisfying my requirements. Here is what I've considered so far and the reason for not getting it.
- Giada D2308 http://www.giadatech.com/index.php?act=pShow&id=22
This looks like a great option although they havent specified which processor will be included.
Cons:
- Not available yet
Retailers are hard to find in the US dont necessarily let you configure all that is advertised by giada.
Expensive (it costs 170$ to upgrade the d2305 (previous model) from 4Gb to 16Gb.....)
Cons:
- Great TDP but no haswell version yet.
Also, the sound is digital. I am not sure what is involved in converting SPDIF to analog output of regular logitech 5.1 sound systems
Const
- Not many customization options
too big and high TDP
Puget system echo II (http://www.pugetsystems.com/nav/echo/II ... tomize.php great but sound is not 5.1 and it is rather expensive)
and the ASRock
So In light of all this, I have looked into building my own but as mentioned earlier I dont know squat about low power systems.
- Antec ISK 310-150 Black Mini-ITX Desktop Computer Case 150 Watt Power Supply http://www.amazon.com/Antec-ISK-310-150 ... sk+310-150
ASROCK H87M-ITX -LGA1150 Intel H87 Chipset DDR3 SATA3 USB3.0 Mini-ITX Motherboard http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DPO ... DFGR5I1U9E
i7-4770T (45WTDP, could not find it on amazon) http://ark.intel.com/products/75125
not sure which ram to choose, I have looked at 2x8Gb of Corsair....
Samsung 840 Series 2.5 inch 120GB SATA III internal Solid State Drive (SSD) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009NH ... PDKIKX0DER
This case has a 90W external power supply. Is that good? better? worse? Not a good idea? http://www.amazon.com/ANTEC-OEM-ISK110- ... =Antec+ISK
Thanks a lot for the help and sorry for the long message