My next Desktop - Input Required

[Shftup]

Hey, need some direction. Upgading from an Aopen MiniPC (MODT)....need some advise for the next build.
I have a 12 TB win 2008 r2 server that has all my media, etc.

Would like to build a SFF PC that I can do some basic stuff with. Thanks for stopping by.



1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Web, edits for family pics and vids, everyday stuff. no gaming, no overclocking, etc

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread
700-750 CAD shipped

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.
Canada

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

Intel SB please

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
all new please

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
anandtech, here, hardforum....
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
no o/c - pure stock
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
would like to order in 3-4days
9. What resolution do you use?
have 1 20" Dell widescreen running 1920x1080, may upgrade to 24" at same rez near x-mas


_____________________________
Here is what I am thinking:
__________________________________________________ __________ _____________
Intel Core i3 2125 Dual Core Hyperthreading Processor 3.3GHZ LGA1155 3MB Cache 65W Retail Box
$163.62 $163.62

ASUS P8H61-I Rev 3.0 MINI-ITX H61 LGA1155 DDR3 PCI-E16 SATA2 USB3.0 HDMI DVI VGA Audio Motherboard
$83.08 $83.08

Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3K2/8GX 8GB 2X4GB DDR3-1600 XMP Dual Channel Memory Kit
$56.49

Lian Li PC-Q11B Aluminum Mini Computer Case Mini ITX 1X5.25 2X3.5 INT 2X2.5 INT USB 3.0 - Black
$80.16 $80.16

Silverstone Sfx Series ST45SF 450W Power Supply Small Form Factor 24PIN PCI-E 36A 80+ Bronze Black
$79.99 $79.99

64GB m4 SSD 2.5 SATA
$120.88 $120.88

Western Digital WD Scorpio Black 500GB 2.5IN SATA2 7200RPM 16MB Notebook Hard Drive
$64.99 $129.99
__________________________________________________ __________ ____________
YOUR TOTAL $706.21

Thoughts on the SFX PSU?
Is there a modular ATX PSU with short cables?

Also, would like to raid 0 the 2-2.5" WD Blacks for my scratch HDD set - thoughts, better to go to 3.5" hdds or just use a 1 or 2TB 3.5" drive?

[yycraven]

For a PSU I would go with the Corsair Enthusiast TX550M
NCIX.com - Buy Corsair Enthusiast Series TX550M 550W ATX Modular Power Supply Active PFC 120MM Fan 5 Year Warranty - Others - CP-9020001-NA - in Canada

For a HDD go for the WD Caviar Green 2TB for $77

[Shftup]

Thanks - I will look at the psu you recommended.

For the HDD recommend - I dont think they are a good scratch HDD - I already have a 12TB server for storage, I need something that is faster than a green drive - hence the raid 0 option in addition to the o/s SSD.

Will dual 2.5" WD Blacks be a good set for raid 0 vs. dual 3.5 WD Blacks?

[ilya]

Are you doing image/video editing casually? I'm a little confused as the CPU/MB combo you picked doesn't have a very good price/performance ratio for image/video editing. (mediocre multi thread performance and no GPU acceleration on H61 chipset) But at the same time you seem to be very concerned with scratch drive performance.

FYI, WD Blacks are not meant for RAID, they don't have TLER. Trying to RAID them may result in a ton of frustration and failure. I don't really see a problem with high capacity green drives for video/image editing. Your only concern should be write performance and with larger platters green drives are just as fast as non greens. Not to mention 3.5" green drives will be a lot more cost effective and just as quiet/efficient as 2.5" drives.

If editing performance is a high priority I would consider ditching Sandy Bridge altogether and going AMD. Your budget probably won't allow for any of the better SB chips. If it isn't a priority, you could get away with spending a lot less.

Also, the Lian Li case supports ATX PSU's, an SFX unit would require an adapter and your build as it is you don't even need such a high wattage PSU. You could easily get away with a 120-150W Pico PSU if you don't mind having an empty space where the PSU should go in your case.

[Shftup]

I forgot about the lack of TLER - uhm,
the editing stuff is very casual, i guess i could go to a z68 mobo with 2500k instead? and push to 800? for a budget.
There is a silverstone psu that sfx that come with adaptor for atx but i like the option that you provided to on the pico psu....

I perfer to stay with intel as IVB will be out in 6-8 months and I wont have to upgrade mobos.

[Skippman]

I've had good luck with Shuttle in the past.